I'm in the process of installing coilovers. I'm trying to determine where I want the height to be set at. Right now, I'm looking at about 1.25" in rear and .75" in front (I have a low lip kit so keeping it modest). I think that should give a balanced appearance because from stock, it seems the rear is slightly higher (???).

This sound right? Does the rear have more wheel gap than the front?

 

Just FYI, but when you measure ride heights, you usually communicate in distances from either the ground to the center of the fender, or from the center of the hub to the top of the fender (this method eliminates sidewall variances). I assume that the distances you listed are from the lip of the wheel to the top of the fender, correct?

The amount of "gap" you have will depend greatly on tire choice, and the amount you should set it to is a matter of personal preference (or if you are racing, then there are other factors involved as well).

To answer your question, stock Zs do have a rake from the factory (rear is higher than the front), so if your goal is to level it out then you will have to take the rear a bit lower than the front using stock height as a baseline.

 

Ah right, sorry, I should've clarrified that I was referring to the wheel well gap.

And I understand this can vary on tire/wheel sizes. Lets assume stock wheels, since that is what I'm working with right now. Currently, I'm measuring about .75" and 1.25" wheel well gap on my stock wheels. So that is what I'm trying to eliminate with the coilovers.

Bringing the rear down more than the front shouldn't affect the balance of the vehicle, right? I wasn't sure if the rear was actually sitting higher or if it just had a bigger wheel gap (which still don't make sense because the rear wheels are bigger).

 

Yes, the rear sits slightly higher than the front from the factory. Just measure from the ground to the top of the fender, front and rear (on level ground of course). The difference will give you the amount extra you need to drop the rear to level the car.

We still don't know how you're measuring "wheel gap" so those numbers don't mean much.

By the book, leveling the car will have a slight effect on vehicle dynamics (weight transfer, CG), but since you're only talking about 1/2" give or take it shouldn't be a dramatic change.

 

I dropped mine to almost the same drop as Tanabe GF210 springs - very slightly lower in the rear though. I'd have to pull out my paper at home for the exact measurements from the center of the hub to the fender. I think it's the perfect drop, I have very little wheel gap (about a half to one finger) and don't have too much trouble driving around town.

 

I lowered mine with KW3 coilovers, droped mine 1" front & 1"1/2 inch rear. ride & drives great. Just look out for speed bumps.

 

As low as the collars go.

Kidding aside...I don't own coilovers but most would try to kill the gap I assume.

 

That is about what I'm looking for, about 1/2 finger gap. Thanks for the replies.

 

set it to whatever height you want. If the streets you drive on permit a lower stance without destroying your bodywork, then by all means do it