I used to have a BMW Z4 and loved how direct the steering felt. Where is the best place to start to get a tighter feel to the steering? Tires, alignment, sway bars, chassis bracing, etc? Right now I have a 2007, stock with Michelin Pilot sport tires. Thanks.

 

Wheels & tires 18" maybe 19'', Good springs & shocks. This should make it all better!!!!

 

Good start with the tires.
Sway bars, springs, shocks, etc,. will all help. Stiffen things up and body roll and weight transfer will be less, which will lighten the steering.

I autox'd a friend's stock (suspension) 07' this past weekend and the steering felt WAY heavier than my modded 03'. We used the tires I typically use (V710) on his car since my car is down.

 

The problem is that you can do some things (as listed above) to help the steering response, but street drivability and ride quality will suffer. Make your choices with that in mind.

 

Thanks for the replies. How about the chassis bracing? Any noticeable improvements? Or problems with daily driving or ride quality?

 

I can tune the suspension to get better steering responce, but overall other then a slight bit of toe out in the front, the effect everywhere else slowed the car. Oh yeah it was snappy alright, but slower, my experence at least.

 

From the comments of people that I trust to know what they are talking about and also don't have motive to make things up, bracing is a waste of money on the Z. I may recommend that people spend money on the suspension, but braces isn't where I'd wouldn't spend a dime on the Z.

 

What items would you suggest as suspension upgrades worth spending money on?

 

Thanks for the input, thats what I needed to know. So you think sway bars should be my first mod? To me, the steering feels like its just a hair delayed and would like to get a more direct, point the steering wheel to where I want the car to go feel. If that makes sense.

 

suspension wise, sway bars YES!!! Talk to any Z/G owner who put them on and they will all have the same positive thing to say. Big difference over stock...just be prepaired to experience knocking from your rear endlinks and front links too if you put the bars too stiff and eventually lower the car as well.

 

Concept Z/SPL/Nismo endlinks are a good investment to anyone with upgraded sways on a Z/G.

Good luck to the OP, I'm seeking something similar with my car. I subscribed for more input from members on preferred setups, etc.

iDrive MD: How do you like your tires? I have Michelin PS2's right now but looking for something "better". From what I've read, it sounds like the V12 Evos will do the trick but don't know anybody with them. Do you reccommend these? I would have PMed this, but its also relevant to the thread topic since it has to do with finding a setup to increase response.

 

^ Nismo does not make endlinks.

 

Try as you may but nothing will equal the mighty BMW!

 

^lolz... I will have to agree with him on that too.

 

I'd recommend starting with sway bars and endlinks first. Then go from there if that isn't enough.

Powergrid is another good endlink to add to the list.

As for sway bars, I had Stillen on my '04 and have Cusco on my '06. I like the feel of the Cusco bars much better.

 

Isn't that what these are? Unless Nissan Motorsports and Nismo are two different things, I thought that's what Nismo stood for though, lol. I honestly don't know if they are or not, sorry if it's a noob thing

http://mynismo.com/products/?id=5229

 

Hahaha, true that! I'll do my best to get close and hopefully be satisfied.....but can easily talk myself into a Z4 M roadster.

I'm going to get the sways and end links now and start doing some homework on coilovers. That should get me satisfied till I want more. lol

 

+ 1 on sways and end links, we recomend the whiteline adjustable end links.
they're great for adjustability, and well worth it! PM me for details

 

How about a re-worked steering rack? I know STI owners buy an aftermarket steering rack with better ratios and it gives the go kart steering response.

Not sure how safe/fun that would be on the streets, but if you wanted instant feel and change that would be the way to go. Maybe harder bushings as well.

Here is a link for the steering rack. Maybe you can contact them to your Z:
http://www.fourstarmotorsports.com/P...9/Default.aspx