Notices
Brakes & Suspension 350Z stoppers, coils, shocks/dampers

Good setup for a smooth ride?

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old Sep 1, 2008 | 11:04 AM
  #1  
infinite's Avatar
infinite
Thread Starter
Registered User
 
Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 658
Likes: 0
From: Los Angeles, Ca
Default Good setup for a smooth ride?

I want to make my 07 Z a smoother ride... I live in los angeles county, the streets are lumpy and in bad shape, I was wondering if there's a nice setup that won't lower my car too much, but will make give some performance and a nice ride.
Reply
Old Sep 1, 2008 | 11:04 AM
  #2  
infinite's Avatar
infinite
Thread Starter
Registered User
 
Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 658
Likes: 0
From: Los Angeles, Ca
Default

I want to make it smooth like a mercedes
Reply
Old Sep 1, 2008 | 11:51 AM
  #3  
quakerroatmeal's Avatar
quakerroatmeal
Registered User
iTrader: (9)
 
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 5,441
Likes: 4
From: DFW
Default

Air ride. But in all serious, stock is not smooth itself, you really will not lower the vehicle and have it smooth, you can't have performance and a smooth ride together imo, it's either sporty stiff, or soft and not sporty. Why did you buy a Z in the first place if you were looking for mercedes smooth ride.
Reply
Old Sep 1, 2008 | 12:01 PM
  #4  
davidv's Avatar
davidv
Registered User
iTrader: (2)
 
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 42,753
Likes: 11
From: Tucson, AZ
Default

Originally Posted by infinite
but will make give some performance and a nice ride.
Sorry but I do not think you have a basic understanding of performance suspension versus comfort.
Reply
Old Sep 1, 2008 | 12:38 PM
  #5  
SniperHunter's Avatar
SniperHunter
Registered User
iTrader: (9)
 
Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 4,080
Likes: 0
From: NYC
Default

Yes you can. Don't listen to people here who tell you it's not feasible. If you don't wish to fork over a ton of dough, Hotchkis Springs keep the ride virtually identical and indistinguishable from stock firmness, while noticeably improving handling.
Reply
Old Sep 1, 2008 | 01:10 PM
  #6  
Voboy's Avatar
Voboy
New Member
iTrader: (58)
 
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 2,995
Likes: 3
From: Houston, TX
Default

buy thicker profile tires
Reply
Old Sep 1, 2008 | 01:17 PM
  #7  
r_seng's Avatar
r_seng
Registered User
iTrader: (9)
 
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 2,817
Likes: 0
From: SoCal 626
Default

You bought the wrong car bud.
Reply
Old Sep 1, 2008 | 01:45 PM
  #8  
SuperBlack350z's Avatar
SuperBlack350z
Registered User
iTrader: (59)
 
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 8,517
Likes: 4
From: Raleigh, North Carolina
Default

Originally Posted by Arnold K.
Yes you can. Don't listen to people here who tell you it's not feasible. If you don't wish to fork over a ton of dough, Hotchkis Springs keep the ride virtually identical and indistinguishable from stock firmness, while noticeably improving handling.
if you actually read what he says, he wants his car smoother than his stock ride.
Reply
Old Sep 2, 2008 | 07:03 AM
  #9  
Thermal1's Avatar
Thermal1
Registered User
iTrader: (23)
 
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 694
Likes: 0
From: Georgia
Default

Originally Posted by infinite
I want to make it smooth like a mercedes

Then buy a mercedes...
Reply
Old Sep 2, 2008 | 09:52 AM
  #10  
Art Vandaleigh's Avatar
Art Vandaleigh
Registered User
iTrader: (16)
 
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 722
Likes: 0
From: NE Ohio
Default

Originally Posted by infinite
I want to make it smooth like a mercedes
Hate to say it but you arent going to make a Z ride like a mercedes, especially if you want to lower the car.
Reply
Old Sep 2, 2008 | 09:57 AM
  #11  
kham25's Avatar
kham25
New Member
iTrader: (3)
 
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 1,978
Likes: 16
From: NY/NJ
Default

350z and smooth ride should never be used in the same sentence....
Reply
Old Sep 2, 2008 | 10:08 AM
  #12  
WTX350Z's Avatar
WTX350Z
Registered User
iTrader: (8)
 
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 1,291
Likes: 1
From: Midland, TX
Default

17 inch wheels with taller sidewalls...lower the air pressure in your tires to 30psi cold.

One of the reasons I bought the Z was the great ride. For a sportscar its quite nice IMO.

if you want a mercedes buy one....you are dealing with different EVERYTHING in the Z...everything from design, tuning, to suspension bushing materials.
Reply
Old Sep 2, 2008 | 04:06 PM
  #13  
infinite's Avatar
infinite
Thread Starter
Registered User
 
Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 658
Likes: 0
From: Los Angeles, Ca
Default

I really don't want to lower the ride... I just want to make it smoother. As for a stock suspension, I don't want to feel all the little bumps on the road constantly even driving speed limit...

as for a mercedes, that's just an example. If you can't answer the question don't flame.
Reply
Old Sep 2, 2008 | 04:55 PM
  #14  
chrisjersey06's Avatar
chrisjersey06
Registered User
iTrader: (35)
 
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 806
Likes: 0
From: Long Island, NY
Default

Tein CS (Comfort Sport) coilovers. Not my personal cup of tea, but it sounds like you may like them. I've heard good things about them.
Reply
Old Sep 2, 2008 | 08:14 PM
  #15  
9292's Avatar
9292
Registered User
iTrader: (1)
 
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 389
Likes: 1
From: Brunei
Default

+1 on Tein CS. Im currently using them. Better ride than stock.
Reply
Old Sep 2, 2008 | 08:17 PM
  #16  
surfcity40's Avatar
surfcity40
New Member
 
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 12,329
Likes: 5
From: SoCal
Default

SmoothZ might have something to offer, I'm assuming.
Reply
Old Sep 2, 2008 | 08:33 PM
  #17  
jubes's Avatar
jubes
Registered User
iTrader: (22)
 
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 2,185
Likes: 2
From: Los Angeles, Ca
Default

should've bought a G35/G37 if you wanted a smoother ride... My girl's G rides smoother than my Z and we're pretty much both stock... I actually have an 03 with an upgraded 07 suspension (03-04 suspension was shot to hell) and she drives a 04 G35 sport...

if I want to run, I ride my Z.... If I want to chill and cruise, I ride her G...
Reply
Old Sep 2, 2008 | 09:17 PM
  #18  
infinite's Avatar
infinite
Thread Starter
Registered User
 
Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 658
Likes: 0
From: Los Angeles, Ca
Default

Originally Posted by jubes
should've bought a G35/G37 if you wanted a smoother ride... My girl's G rides smoother than my Z and we're pretty much both stock... I actually have an 03 with an upgraded 07 suspension (03-04 suspension was shot to hell) and she drives a 04 G35 sport...

if I want to run, I ride my Z.... If I want to chill and cruise, I ride her G...
I never knew that, but the G35 cost more new than the 350z, but when I 1st drove my new Z it was really smooth, now 21,000 miles later it doesn't feel the same. I could be wrong about the suspension, as it could just be that my tires are worn and I'm feeling the road more because of it.

I know with my other car, I changed the tires that were worn down and the car became really smooth.

The car gets kind of bouncy on the cement freeway as it's a bit lumpy so that's where I kind of figured it's the suspension.

If it's a possibility of the stock tires being worn, someone feel free to let me know!
Reply
Old Oct 8, 2008 | 07:41 PM
  #19  
hiz-n-herz's Avatar
hiz-n-herz
Registered User
iTrader: (11)
 
Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 1,145
Likes: 0
From: SF South Bay area
Default

Something to keep in mind, the re050 ridgestone tires have very stiff sidewalls. Great for crisp turn-in, but bad for ride quality. When you get new tires, try the Eage F1 gs-d3. They have much softer sidewalls. I have them and don't like how soft they are, but they sure stick! The eagles are aldo a bit noisy (tread noise), but they are niceably softer than bridgestones.

Also, Yes, the worn-out tread will contribute to a stiff-feeling tire.
Reply
Old Oct 8, 2008 | 08:06 PM
  #20  
Spork's Avatar
Spork
Registered User
iTrader: (6)
 
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 27,592
Likes: 6
From: MN
Default

Get 17" wheels. This translated to a higher profile tire.

Also, there's really nothing that will make your car smooth like a mercedes...

The Z is NOT a comfortable car.
Reply



All times are GMT -8. The time now is 12:32 PM.