Aavalanche

I have a Chargespeed kit on my Z, and 20s. I have about 3 1/2" clearance in the front. It's very low to me and I can't drive every were I want to go. Around town I decide were to go to lunch or who I can visit based on weather or not I can drive my z up the drive way.

My thought is what if I had the ability to raise and lower my frontend when I encounter steep driveways, or speed bumps.

Is there an air shock or something I could install with a switch on the dash I could use to raise the front. This would only be for clearance reasons, and in no way some low rider trick or performance upgrade.

All I want is to raise the front for a few minutes as I clear a step driveway or speed bump.

Anyone have any ideas. It shouldn’t cost an arm and a leg either, it’s just to temporary clear my front end.

deviljon

iTrader: (50)

there is something that allows you to temporarily raise your car to clear speedbumps, driveways, etc.. but it DOES cost an arm and leg.

i'll try to find the item and link you.

edit: something like this
http://www.topsecretjpn.com/roberuta.shtml

Aavalanche

Well thanks
That's the right idea, but I won't spend that much.
I love my car as is....I just want to drive it more places.

Done Deal DR

iTrader: (5)

That Roberuta Cup Kit is the only thing I have seen like this. Unfortunately, like deviljon said, it costs an arm and a leg, and even more unfortunately it only works with certain brands and models of coilovers.

Looks Fast

iTrader: (4)

You really get what you pay for in this area, so going cheap can get ugly.

OffsetZ33

iTrader: (26)

http://www.rd-tanabe.com/lineup/sust...bra/index.html

not sure if they have something for the 350z though

d1mon3k

iTrader: (7)

I need this **** too!!, but that's way too much money. You'd be better off just dealing with it and refinishing or repainting your front bumper and/or lip if it gets too F'd up.

lgear080

iTrader: (21)

I have a similar issue. Makes me feel a little snobby...

your road/entryway is not good enough for my car

The costs associated with these setups are ridic. Suredly tons
of R&D and design costs built in.

I have alternative routes and avoid situations where there is curb on both
sides of the lane, and steep incline or declines...

youngn1m

iTrader: (1)

I just moved into a new place and couldnt go down the driveway......had to raise my coilovers (tein basics) to clear and now i feel like im driving a SUV!!!!

whoever makes a cheap alternative will make boatloads of money!!!!

Tac-M

iTrader: (17)

KW made a kit for coilovers. i have no idea abot the $..... i want.

Done Deal DR

iTrader: (5)

The concept of these is fcking great! I think we are all familiar with the feeling of "DAMMIT! I can't make it here, can't make it there, **** I just fcked my bumper up" etc, etc. Why these are so great is because it allows flexibility of driving locations and styles on the street WITHOUT sacrificing the handling capabilities of our Z's (or the suspension we've already purchased).

Like youngn1m said, IF there is a company that can make a cup type kit very similar to the Roberuta Cup Kit, and price it somewhere in the $600-$1,000 ballpark, I would have to think there would be A LOT of interest. With the prices of kits a lot of guys are running front bumpers upwards of $1,000-$1,500 w/o even the factor of body shop paint costs, this would be extremely appealing. For me though, I'd have to know for sure that the system would be durable and reliable, which often doesn't go hand and hand with "cheap alternative".

Aavalanche

I was hopping I could find something for around a $1000 to give me this adjustable front end. It's not looking good now.

I probably would have kicked and sulked for a while and then end up buying the Roberuta Cup Kit for $2900. But if you also have to buy shocks that fit them, no way.

The Z is in storage right now, so I have a few months to see what else I can find....or maybe fabricate.

Any more ideas?

galant350z

iTrader: (11)

http://www.umbrellaautodesign.com/co...t_pending.html

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ys6zC...next=1&index=4

Aavalanche

Nice find.
The umbrella kit still requires new coilover springs though.
I got exctied for a minute, I was like I can handle $2200....being able to drive my car anywere is worth it.

I'm just thinking, but the fact that these two kits require adjustable coilover springs means you adjust the coil (lower) to accept the extra space gain with the air kit (spacer). I think that's right.

There for what if you modified the strut tower to accept the spacer instead. It's a little more work, but better than spending another $2000. for such a simple need. (raise my front end)

Aavalanche

someone else posted this kit today and quoted $2500 for the kit.
Ksport Airtech Air Suspension System - Basic
http://www.ksportusa.com/asp/air_sus...roduct_id=as01

I'm looking into it.

lgear080

iTrader: (21)

Chase it down avalanche. I am sure this is something alot of us have considered,
but found WAY overpriced.... That said, take a look at the thread with the Liberty
walk f40/f50 in white. Which suspension lift system did they use on these beautiful
one-off customs? ROBERUTA. sicksicksick.

Sensi09

KW has their HLS system which will lift the front and/or rear axles. http://www.kw-suspension.com/en/30_P..._HLS/index.php

Not currently available for the 350z, but on that link, they ask you to send a request if the system is not available for your car.

Aavalanche

I'm not sure what thread you are talking about...but I would look into it if you gave me more to go on.

I did get a response from the Ksport tech guys. They say the air suspension kits provide a total of 6 inches of lift. Three from the adjustment of the strut and another three from the air bag. So technically for my needs the car would raise three inches at most with the switch. Good but not great, I was hoping for 4 inches total lift. Because I had clearance issues stock and with my body kit I lost about 3 inches clearance. So having 4 inches more clearance now would be better than it was. But I could settle for stock...except the nose of the car is longer now too, 4 would be better.


That KW HLS system sure looks nice, but it only offers about 1.77 inches more in clearance at most. It's not worth it to me no matter what the cost.

I also found these kits. http://www.easystreetair.com/
It too is a full air bag suspension, i'm not sure on that yet, anyone have experiance with air bags?
I contacted the company since they don't have a full kit for the z. They say to ask for it. So maybe they can shed some light on air bags for me.
And maybe the price will be better if they can make a front only kit. Seems like they sell them for other makes. If I hear from them i'll let you know.


Now that i'm looking more at air suspension, what are they like? Are they going to be stiff enough my car won't roll to the side as I turn a corner. I like my car as is, but it seems if I want to drive it without worring, i'm going to have to change something. Is it acceptable to have air bag suspension on a sports car? Still looking.......

lgear080

iTrader: (21)

https://my350z.com/forum/other-vehic...0-and-f40.html

I will forewarn you - the vehicles contained therein are AMAZING

Aavalanche

That Roberuta suspension is the same kit deviljon posted. It's way to pricey. Would be nice though.