It's time to lower
 

Hey guys this is probably a noob question. I have been raising funds to get a set of Volk GTS. Now obviously I would lower the car with the rims, but in the meantime I want to lower on my stock 18s. Do I have to get a new setup once I get my GTS? Has anybody done this already? Also what is the most common lowered setup on stock wheels? Thanks

I'm imagining that you'll get flamed for this question--puts on Nomex suit--but I can appreciate your question as I asked myself a similar question once. However, you've been on this forum for a while (longer than I have, atleast) and I'm not sure why you're not familiar with the searching features of this site...

First, you'll need to be more specific in your questions--size and specifications of the rims (e.g. offset, diameter, width, etc.) you want and even the specs on the tires you're looking at will help most of the technical experts on here answer your question better.

Second, most people will say this to you--it depends on what you're trying to do. Simple lowering springs will do the trick but if you've a larger budget and are looking for more performance, coil-overs or a spring and strut combo is nice. The more money you pay, the more flexibility/adjustability you'll get. Especially if you're going to be changing set ups.

Lastly, for just the base 18" 1-1.25" is a good height but any more than 1" and you'll probably want to shop around and do some research on camber kits as the stock kit does not adjust past 1".

Hope this gets you pointed in the right direction...:)

Your setup will depend on how much lower are talking about. You could do a minmal drop and buy just some springs and drop down about .7" or you could go with some coilovers and lower the car an inch or two. You have to consider your wheel width and offset too when lowering the Z.

well in that case i guess im glad to get two replies....lol. I haven't been looking to mod the Z until recently so that's why i am such a noob at this. So my apologies.. To be more specific, I am looking at 19x9.5 +30 fronts and 19x10.5 +28 rears. Tire sizes would be 255/35 and 285/35 maybe 295. Seems to be a common wheel/tire setup. So can I get a setup going on my stock 18s and keep it when I upgrade? Thanks again and sorry for such noob questions

you might have to roll ur rear fender with those tires size.

^ All depends on how low you want to go. Lowering the car beyond one inch will require camber kits and a lot of additional work that was stated on the 2nd post. Using just an aftermarket spring and getting a moderate drop about .7" will not require any camber kits or adjustents and prob would work with your stocks and aftermarket setup. A more agressive drop might make you roll your fenders, but im not 100% sure. There is plenty of pics and threads of lowered Zs on here that range from beig slightly lowered to being slammed. Check the wheel and tire section or media section. This will help you get an idea of how much you want to lower the Z.

i will say it will be depends on Z.
some people camber required after they lowered with hotchkis or tein s.
even some members here they got back to spec with tanabe dropped.

rolling fender: depends on what brand of tires/offset/wide.

Here is hotchkis drop with 19" wheel's alignment.
https://my350z.com/forum/showthread....highlight=Tein

Springs

so many brand of springs out there. you have to find out first how much you want to drop.

if you planning drop first and put wheels on.
all you need to get alignment.

Look at ur rear fender and front fender. you will have idea of what roll fender it is.

Yes with springs like "JMS71585" said. more than .7 you MIGHT need rear camber/toe.

But like i said some members got back to spec with more dropped. ( without camber/toe)

- Lee

here is info about springs. you might get a idea.

From member of Gsedan35's post

Oem springs 350Z’s 2003/2004
Front:314 Rear:342

Oem springs 350Z 2004.5 to 2006
Front:314 Rear:427


Eibach 350Z progressive springs 1”/1” drop
Spring rates in LBS initial/final front 296/384 initial/final rear 316/421
F +22% R +23% (looking at peak rates only vs 03/04)

Eibach 350Z sportline progressive springs 1.2"/1.2"
Spring rates in LBS initial/final front: 239/400 rear: 257/435

RSR 350Z linear springs .6”/.6”
Spring rates in LBS 345/417
Stiffer then oem by F+10% R+22% (vs 03/04)

Hotchkis 350Z Linear springs .6”/.8”
Spring rates in lbs 340/330
Stiffer or softer then oem springs by F+8% R-3% (vs 03/04)

Tein S-tech 350z (fronts are progressive, rears are linear) .7”/.6”
Spring rates in lbs 386/402 (final rates only, softer initial front progressive rate unknown)
Stiffer then oem by F+23% R+16% (vs 03/04)

Tein H-tech 350z linear springs .3”/.2”
Spring rates in LBS 358/375
Stiffer then oem springs by F+14% R+11% (vs 03/04)

Tokico D-spec shock & spring package
350Z - DSK512 - 375f/375r - Linear Springs 1"/1"

Tanabe GF210 Series 350Z progressive springs 1”/1.2” drop on 350Z
Spring rates in LBS 336/375 (only peak rates are published, softer initial progressive rates unknown)
Stiffer then oem springs by F+7% R+10% (vs 03/04)

Tanabe NF210 Series 350Z linear springs 1.2”/1.2”
Spring rates in LBS 314/353
Stiffer then oem springs by F+0 R+3% (vs 03/04)

Tanabe NF210 Springs G35 COUPE progressive springs 1”/,6” drop on G35 coupe G35 sedan drop will be higher
Spring rates in LBS 297/336
Softer then oem springs by F-5% R-2%

Swift 350Z linear springs .8”/.6”
Spring rates in LBS 336/364


Nismo T2 350Z Linear springs 1”/1” drop on 350Z
Spring rates in LBS 625/700

Vogtland 350z progressive springs 1”/1”
Spring rates in LBS initial/final front 257/354 initial/final rear 285/422

Kg/mm springs progressive 350Z
DR21 super sport 15mm drop
Spring rates in lbs initial/final front 246/398 initial/final rear 252/409

Kg/mm springs progressive 350Z
DRacing 30mm drop
Spring rates in LBS initial/final front 252/454 initial/final rear 252/482 rear

Whiteline 350Z linear springs (control)
Front: Part # 73219,
Spring rate 365 LBS Drop: .8"-1"
Rear: Part # 73220
Spring rate 445LBS Drop: 1"-1.2"

hoonie...thanks a lot... that was EXTREMELY helpful. as well as all other replies. While I am trying to figure out which way to go, I began thinking of tire wear.. it all seems complex....but then again maybe im overthinking it? btw.. we have the same name hoonie..lol

eh? Hoonie is my nick name.:eek: Only my close friends call that name. :icon38:

no problem. i'm glad that it helped. like you know nobody knows answer untill you try them on. good luck

-Lee