I have searched through a few threads but most if not all are ancient, from 2006 or 2007. I just installed a set of shocks and struts with the springs and was wondering what you guys are running as far as the firmness. I dont track my Z but it isnt my daily driver. As of now I have it set up 2 full turns from as firm as they get and it seems to be ok. I have the hotchkis adjustable sway bars too. Basically I would just like some more recent feedback from you all as to what to look for in adjusting them and so on, this is my first car with a adjustable suspension. Also, my old springs were 330F and 340R lbs and these are 375FR I believe, does that mean the Z will sit a bit lower? thanks

 

I keep mine on about 2 turns from full stiff as well, especially in the front. I soften up the rear some if I'm autocrossing. Sways are at medium in front and soft in rear.

 

When driving somewhere enjoyable I run full stiff in front and a turn off in rear. Otherwise I run 3 off front and 3 1/2 to 4 off in rear. Currently running eibach prokit and not too fond of them. Rates are essentially stock only with a drop. Going to get stiffer rates in the near future. Sways are stillen set stiff front med. rear.

 

Oh also keep in mind that when driving spiritedly how stiff you set your damping should go in line with road surface condition. If the surface is rough your not going to want your shocks set to full stiff or you will be all over the place. Gotta have something to absorb the bumps without disrupting your line..... Ideally.

 

I'm running the same - 3 off front and 3.5 rear.
On Pro-Kit springs and stock sways. No complaints and a good ride for dd'ing.

 

Interesting, thanks for the responses guys, I like to have feedback

 

I've driven on D-specs with oem springs set to half stiff (4 clicks down from full stiff). Really liked the shocks, I did think if it was my car I'd run them at 3 clicks.

Tokico D-spec springs are 375/375. They lower 1"/1.5"

Alway's start at softer settings and work up to stiffer settings as you see fit.

 

I have the springs that came with the d specs, they seemed to lower it a bit more than the hotchkis I had. Thats a good point, I think I may loosen them up a bit and see how it feels. For some reason I just wanna put them to full tight haha

 

i had them set at 2 turns off of full soft and thought they worked very well.

 

Why do you say you are not fond of the spring rates of the Pro Kit? Could ride comfort with the D-Specs be better with stiffer spring rates? Or is it a handling thing?

 

When I had my Z with the tokico d spec shocks, I had the rear on the softest setting and 2 full turns hard in the front. Pretty good ride if you ask me.

 

Yeah, with mine as still as they are I dont mind the ride at all, I guess if I drove it daily it would be different...

 

Speed isn't just about keeping yourself from skipping across the tops of bumps. Meaning just because you dial down to avoid skipping across the tops of bumps, doesn't mean your faster then a better valved shock that also manages to not skip across the tops of bumps. You came off 03 oem shocks, which have a lot of compression and rebound. Setting D-specs to full stiff, makes then stiffer then the oem 03 shocks you took off. Koni, when looking at the oem 03 suspension, felt that too much compression was present, so they made sure their shock had less.


I think what you may be feeling with your current setup, can be traced to the Pro-kits progressive nature. They are not as you say "essentially stock" in stiffness. But are in fact stiffer then the oem springs you took out. If you attempt to play the aftermarket spring field in a attempt to fix what you feel is wrong with them. Your going to end up with same type of progressive spring compromise on feel and peak handling and the actual spring stiffness likely won't be much different. You do have a few linear spring choices.

Oem spring rates

350Z 2003/2004
Front:314 Rear:342

350Z 2004.5 to 2008
Front:314 Rear:427


Eibach 350Z progressive springs 1”/1”
Spring rates in LBS initial/final front 296/384 initial/final rear 316/421

Eibach 350Z sportline progressive springs 1.2"/1.2"
F: 239/400 R: 257/435
Very wide spreads between the softer initial rates and firmer peak rates.

RSR 350Z linear springs .6”/.6”
Spring rates in LBS 345/417

Hotchkis 350Z Linear springs .6”/.8”
Spring rates in lbs 340/330
Rear rates specifically done to help with 03/04 oem shocks and improve grip

Tein S-tech 350Z springs .7“.6“ (fronts are slightly progressive, rears are linear)
Spring rates in LBS 386/402 (estimated front intial rate is 327lbs)

Tein H-tech 350z linear springs .3”/.2”
Spring rates in LBS 358/375

Progress Technology progressive springs 1.0”/1.0”
Spring rates in LBS 425/385 (final rates only, softer intial front progressive rate unknown)

Tokico D-spec 350z DSK512 shock & spring package 1"/1.5"
Spring rates 375/375 Linear Springs


Tanabe GF210 Series 350Z progressive springs 1”/1.2”
Spring rates in LBS 336/375 (only peak rates are published, softer initial progressive rates unknown) Not much stiffer vs oem, IMO Eibach prokit is a better choice because of that springs higher spring rates which should help keep you off the bumpstops more often.

Tanabe NF210 Series 350Z progressive springs 1.2”/1.2” higher
Spring rates in LBS 314/353
Little to no increase in spring rate over oem, little to nothing added to keep you off the bumpstops

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

Swift 350Z Spec-R progressive springs 1.2”/1”
Spring rates in LBS intial/final Front: 291/392 Rear: 280/448

Nismo T2 350Z Linear springs 1”/1”
Spring rates in LBS 690/690
Way too stiff for all oem shocks. Run only TcKline which were made for the springs. Revalved Koni’s and Bilstein HD revalved by Bilstein would be ok. Anze engineering has Panske 8100's you can have in SA, DA and TA configuration’s. And I'm sure AST will work with you on some 4100's.

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

DR21 super sport 15mm drop
Spring rates in lbs initial/final front 246/398 initial/final rear 252/409
Very wide spreads between the softer initial rates and firmer peak rates.

Kg/mm DRacing progressive springs 1.2”/1.2”
Spring rates in LBS initial/final front 252/454 initial/final rear 252/482 rear
Very wide spreads between the softer initial rates and firmer peak rates.

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"
Never seen these for sale in the states, never seen them installed anywhere.

Espelir 350Z progressive springs 10mm drop F&R
386/515 (softer initial progressive rates are unknown)
Seen most often being resold by owners that were chasing numbers only to find out they do not deliver on the track, being progressive I could have told you that. High rear rate make hurt more then help.

H&R sport progressive springs 350Z 1.3”/1” drop
Spring rates in LBS 370/400 (peak rates only, softer initial rates are unknown)

 

Glad I found my way back to this post, thanks for all the info on spring rates. I agree with you 100 percent also. I do believe my number one gripe with the prokits is the fact that they are progressive. At this point I'm thinking the dspec springs look to be a pretty good alternative. And may get rid of that touch of rear wheel gap I was originally intending to cut my bumpstop to eliminate. Cheers