Nismo S-tune shocks with Sportline Springs

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May 14, 2012 | 11:00 AM

#21

ronn1

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From: Burbank, Ca

Quote:

Originally Posted by terrasmak

I know they rent them, Thursday i doubt i can make it. Sat if anything, also looking at Buttonwillow with Extremespeed for the Z/G Challenge

My only concern is the car. Yeah..being much older now, I'm into preserving the look and condition of this newly acquired car. You get stone ships thrown up on the track...I don't have to tell you what that does to the paint job and windshield

.
When I had my 944T I didn't give a rats AZZ about the car's paint and such.
Having said that...you never get to really appreciate the car completely without tracking it. I really want to do this and I'm very familiar with the track. Decisions..decisions.

May 23, 2012 | 03:17 PM

#22

ronn1

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From: Burbank, Ca

Quote:

Originally Posted by ronn1

This set up is really amazing.
Car likes stiffer front and basically *stock* (revised) rear spring rates. I have Nismo S tune (448lbs) up front with Top Speed (Cusco) SB and 245/40/18 on 9.5s. Rear has Tanabe SB with Nimo S tune shocks and Eibach Pro Kit springs (421lbs) with 275/40/18 on 11's. Took car out today on mountain roads and could, for the first time, hammer it exiting the turns. I can now toss this car at will. High speed sweepers (110mph) are absolutely rock solid. Best of all ride is like butter...unless I hit expansion joints on some strips of fwy.

I finally got the set up I've been looking for. Maybe I should take 'er out to Willow Springs Big track...stay tuned.

As far as going to softer rear springs and going 1/2" lower in the rear:

Going to add another observation here..one I didn't expect either....

Shifting is smoother now ..this is very noticable in hard acceleration. Obviously, the change in weight transfer and perhaps, the lower positioning of the rear, accounts for this.

Last edited by ronn1; May 23, 2012 at 03:19 PM.

Jun 11, 2014 | 02:58 PM

#23

ronn1

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From: Burbank, Ca

Update

Quote:

Originally Posted by ronn1

Just swapped out the rear Nismo S Tune springs (505lbs) for Eibach Prokits (421 lbs). It lowered the rear another 1/2"..perfect. Rear end not as bouncy and isn't *tail happy* under acceleration in turns. Much smoother on rough pavement too. Glad I did this.

Foot note:
Car still has S Tune shocks and S tune front springs.

Prokit lowered the rear too much (shy of 1.5") relative to the conservative (3/4") drop on the front S Tune springs. Not only that, car squatted a too much on acceleration. I still wanted a softer rear spring (S tune is 505lb) SOOOO>>>just put SWIFT SPEC-Rs on the rear with S Tune shocks (rated 460lb with 1" drop). No squat and improved handling . I would have put these on the front as well. They are a tad softer than S Tune springs (420lb vs 448) and lower front additional 1/2", but how can you really beat the S tune set up as it sits now? Maybe I'll use them if/when I eventually have to replace the S Tune shocks with something else (Bilsteins?).

Last edited by ronn1; Jun 11, 2014 at 02:59 PM.

Jun 11, 2014 | 04:29 PM

#24

Spike100

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From: Edina, Minnesota

^^ Would not lowering the 350z car more than 1.25” to 1.50” change the suspension design’s geometry enough to mess-up the handling?

There is a reason the Nismo S-Tune Suspension is less than 1” drop.

Quote:

Originally Posted by ronn1

Last edited by Spike100; Jun 11, 2014 at 04:31 PM.

Jun 11, 2014 | 08:57 PM

#25

ronn1

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From: Burbank, Ca

Quote:

Originally Posted by Spike100

^^ Would not lowering the 350z car more than 1.25” to 1.50” change the suspension design’s geometry enough to mess-up the handling?

There is a reason the Nismo S-Tune Suspension is less than 1” drop.

It certainly changes the geometry! I think the modest 3/4" drop is fine, but you certainly could go another 1/2" with no problems in this set up. That would require alignment due to camber and toe changes. Handling would not suffer in this case and could actually improve some with the lower center of gravity. I felt the rear was simply too stiff at 500Lb rating and it would be a bit tail happy at times. The Swift springs are MUCH better in my opinion and lower car only 1" in the rear.