Whats my best bet? Looking for the low look, not looking for any special handling/performance from the lowering. Can I go with springs? What are the pro's/con's

 

You can.. the pro would be lowering your car, the con for springs would be worse handling (Usually),a worse ride quality, and uneven wear on your tires (that can be fixed with Camber kits). So if you don't track the car and arn't too worried about the con's then go springs.

 

been dropped on springs (eibach sportline) for almost 2 years... rear shocks are almost shot and ride sucks. not to mention changing tires every 8 months. i just bought myself coilover set as a xmas / birthday gift. tanabe pro 5

 

I've been riding on Eibach Pro-Kit springs and Tokico D-Specs for a little over a year now and the drop was modest but appropriate for DD use.

The ride is actually pretty good, imo. Better than stock at least...
It's comfortable for the most part for regular driving purposes (street/highway) and the car is predictable in the corners.

The ground clearance is the only issue I have because I'll occassionally come across steep driveways or tall speed bumps that even going over/across at an angle doesn't help.

My recommendation is to evaluate what you'll be needing out of your suspension. If you do occassional track days, then a coilover system might be a better fit. But if you're primarily DDing with no track days going with springs and aftermarket shocks is a good choice.

Pros with springs:
Simple
good for DD use

Cons with springs:
Set height (no adjustability)
Most are progressive rate
Not matched to the shocks (like coilovers are)

 

Springs are fine. Problem is that the front IS a spring over a shock (coilover). So you have to take it apart and replace the spring.

NOTE: How many miles on the Z? If 60,000 plus may as will replace the shocks.

 

Listen Im not even exaggerating I was dropped on Tanabe Gf210s for a minute... I jus recently acquired a set of BC Racing BR coilovers. Maaaaaaaaaannnnnnn the difference is incredible. I left the shop and drove home whichwas only about a mile but I could tell immediately that these things rocked out. IMO coilovers such as the BCs or Stance are a good investment. If u really dont care about a crappy ride then get the Eibachs and get low. But if u trully want a smooth ride that is adjustable and can go plenty low get ur hands on some coilovers...
Dropped on Tanabe's

Dropped on BC Racing BRs and not set too low


That was right after I finished installing them. Then today a dialed them in for a lower stance. The ride is so smooth, lower than before and comfortable as hell.

Most are adjustable so u can set the dampening force which can give u a soft ride or harder tighter feel or jus go in the middle really up to u. Good luck !!!

 

You pay for what you get!!!!!!!!!! It's not a honda

 

coilover are your best bet. spring will not lower you enough. i was on tanabe gf210 then cut 1 coil all around. my cousin was on nf210 then cut 1 coil all around. then tried ksport coilovers(true coilover set up). and now on a custom oem style coilover setup i made. the "true style" doesnt give enough travel for the comfort of a daily driver(if our car only had 5" of travel and you lower it 1.5" now you only have 3.5" of travel. high spring rates = bounce due to violent rebound, soft dampers = bottoming out. save and get an oem style coilover setup with mid rates 10kg F and 7-8kg R.

 

I would bet that all if not 9 out of 10 of the responses about springs are from people that installed them with OEM shocks.

that being said.......i ***'n hate springs......coilovers all the way...

but ill also say, that you sound like all you need is springs - PAIRED with a good set of shocks!! NOT the OEM SHOCKS....

Install some springs (of your choice, search and decide) and:

1. Install some springs with some good oem replacements:
Rockauto.com, etc
brand - Monroe Sensa-Trac.
Front driver- $83.79 (MONROE Part # 72250)
Front passenger: 83.79 (MONROE Part # 72251)
Rears: $29.79 each (MONROE Part # 5795)
- I have driven on these with springs...much better over stock

2. Install some springs with toki d specs - adjustable
http://www.thezstore.com/page/TZS/PR...z11b03/23-3997
- I have driven on these with springs...much better over stock

3. Koni Yellows - adjustable
sorry i have no link - search
- I have driven on these with springs...much better over stock

and yes, pretty much everything else mentioned is true, no height adjustable, with springs over coilovers, etc...

-J

 

Done right, a good spring/shock combo can come close to making it worthwhile to continue saving the cash to buy a decent set of coilovers....

also, please review here:
https://my350z.com/forum/brakes-and-...ion-101-a.html
and
https://my350z.com/forum/brakes-and-...ic-thread.html

-J

 

J thanks for the write up on the compression bushing, after going too low mine immediately died... thought i would add this to the head ache of modifying the suspension. its more than most people realize

 

1. What your budget?
2. What is the road condition where u usually drive?
3. What "look" are you trying to achieve

I have Eibach coilovers and they ride great, not unsettling, perfect for a DD.

 

no problem...

yup, exactly...if the OP reads my suspension 101 well enough he will release that the compression arm bushing will be in his near future as his alignment will go to hell...


-J

 

Like the Op said it comes down to your budget. There are guys that spend bucks on good coils and only use the height/comfort adjustability features. To them it is money well spent.

 

Having been on springs, then going to BC coils, I'm about to revert back to springs w/upgraded D-Specs. I only DD my car and the BC coilovers drive me insane with how clunky they are.

 

^ sounds to me like you didnt install the correctly...

I know of other guys that complained about clunckly coils.....read my suspension 101 thread on how to adjust coilovers...

they had the spring with zero tension, just free floating, creating clunky noises...

odds are your doing it wrong.....
-J

 

I wish that was the case. It's been looked at numerous times, the install and adjustments are good.

 

After searching and reading on this issue for sometime now, I realize it is probably one of the most difficult choices to make. Varried and sometimes inconsistent opinions. I would say settle on one, try it out for your own opinion as each car is somewhat different. Change it up if you don't like it. Costs money but you also have the choice to leave it stock. I have narrowed mine down to PSS10 and the D_Spec shock/spring combo (DSK12). I will decide on one within the next week or so. I know there is a price difference but that is not a deciding factor for now. I will add at least a rear camber kit

 

so whats the best spring and shocks o coilovers?? for dding...but also want tat low flush looking...

 

^ review and decide for yourself.........too many variables conditions to give a "best" ...

-J