This is my first post and Im a week old 350 Z owner. I come from a background of owning Ford Mustangs/ Lightnings and heavily modding them. My new purchase is a used 03 Z touring with an automatic transmission. Its my fiance's daily driver. The car's engine is 100% stock, even the air filter is an oem replacement. It has 19" Kobe 5 spoke wheels 19X9 in the front and
19X10 in the rear (I believe I measured it with a yard stick today). The tires are 245X 35 ZR19 Ventus Sports in the front and 275X30 ZR19s in the rear. This car is slammed, there is maybe a 1" ground clearence, there is no gap. Part of the tire isn't even visable. I know it looks good, but the car drives way too harsh. I haven't noticed any rubbing, but you feel every bump. My future wife hates this, not to mention she is not the type to avoid speed bumps, big inclines, or even park away from other cars to prevent door dings. I know I could sell my wheels and go to a 18" or even 17" to impove ride quality, but I love these wheels. Ive been reading that the Tein CS should give me more ground clearence and is designed for ride comfort over tracking performance. I went to the Tein website and I didn't find a package called the CS. All of the Tein packages were $1,800 plus with the exception of the Basic Package. This package seems to include 4 springs and 4 shocks, and is only $850. Im looking to spend about $800 and raise my ground clearence and ride quality without the car looking like its ready to go off-roading. Is ground clearence an issue with all Z's? I plan of going to Scarab Performance out of Manfield, TX if I can ever get ahold of someone there to put the car on a lift and see just what was used to lower the car as it stands now, but in the meantime, do any of you have any suggestions for what I should purchase for a suspension set-up? Any other suggested shops in the Dallas/Fort Worth area? I want a shop that can do all kinds of installs from suspension to body kits to engine mods, etc.

By the way does anyone know what style my rims are called? I went on the Kobe website and all of their rims looked pretty cheap and they didn't even offer a 19" rim. I was wandering if the Kobe name that is printed on my rims are the style and a different manufacturer might make them?

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you should probably get some wheel spacers so the wheels aren't tucked in so much

 

I will put the wheel spacers on. Ive heard 10 in the front and 25 in the rear. What type of suspension mods do you guys think would fit my situation?

 

That car is lowered, no doubt. I can only imagine what parts are on the car go get the drop I see. Since it's a 03, it might still have the oem 03 shocks, which are not the most forgiving. Add in next to no suspension travel and unforgiving bump stops, uh not good.

Looking at the drop you have now, if you want the car to keep that height, I would go with Tein CS, it's a comfort ride system and should suit your needs perfectly. I don't see a shock and spring setup of any kind as the correct choice with that much drop amount. IMO, keep the wheels you have now your issues with ride and drive quality aren't related to the tires/wheels.

 

I don't want the car to keep this height, I think I want only a 1 inch drop all around from stock. Im not sure what was used on the car to drop it but since he put some cheap Hankook Ventas Sport K104s all the way around for tires, Ill bet he just put some cheap springs on and called it a day. I think the Tein CS kit costs roughly 2 grand. Im looking to spend around $800. Tein also sells a basic kit that includes only springs and shocks for $850. Do you guys think this would be a good kit to get? Correct me if Im wrong but I think that would replace the current springs that are dropping the car too low, and replace the factory shocks. Should this help, or is there a better way to get a better and higher ride for cheaper?

 

You could get the CS for around $1400 new from a vendor.

I would get some Tanabe or Eibach Springs and pair them up with some Koni Sport Shocks. Would give you about a 1" drop around and better handling than Tein basics.

 

Ive heard that combination would give me better handling, but Im looking for ride comfort and ground clearence. Not to mention that I need more fenderwell room, because as it sits now I cant add wheel spacers because the tire and the wheel well would fight. I think the wheel well would win and those tires aren't cheap.

 

Tein Basics are 'ok'

if it were my own car and comfort and handling are dually important, I'd save for something a bit better.

Tein CS are backordered with Tein right now...they told me yesterday they have no firm eta for more. But there are many other units out there that are both very comfortably, height adjustable and dampening adjustable, and won't break the bank

Bilstein PSS9 (or PSS if you can live without adjustable dampening) and KW V2 would be 2 great alternatives...both very very comfortable, height adjustable, and far better valved than the Basics

 

Ive had at least 5 people tell me to save my money and get the Tein CS system, so I guess thats what Ill do. Maybe by the time I get the extra cash they will be available again....Crosses Fingers

 

more pics of girl please.

 

youre a lucky dude.

Hey, Adam. whats your take on the BC coilovers?

 

do a quick search, I've talked about them before

 

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This is me and my girl.

 

will do.

golf clap for the OP, very niiiiiice.