Hello all:

I am new to this site as well as the tuning world and need some advice on a couple of things dealing with coilovers. Now I have searched not just on the forum but every where in regards to "best track coilovers." I know, I know, I'm sure the question annoys many of you vets but, too bad. Because I have poured hours and hours into studying and trying to disern what coilover system for the 350z would perform the best on the track/road course but also not completely lose this performance whenever I take it on the street.

Basically to cut to the chase, my car is moving towards a 80% track - 20% street car. I am wanting something that will be a great performer on the track but will not loose that performance on the street. I am not nessesarily worried about "comfort" but rather more towards performance. Keep in mind the roads out here in North Carolina are very good. Well Paved, smoother than the average road. In fact they just finished re-paving basically my entire town.

Mainly, questions are:

(1) Are there some vets out there that can point me towards a coilover that performs top notch and stands up to the hardships of the track but also will not loose to much of that performance on the street for "spirited driving."

(2) What is too high a spring rate for the 350z? (For track performance but wont loose too much on the street)

My second question is because I have looked at the Stance GR+ Pro SS-D for it's higher spring rates and claims of a "circuit coilover" but I am afraid these rates may be too high because other coilovers don't seem to go that high in the "track edition." Is there anyone out there with experience with this specific coilover that could tell me about it??

Again, sorry to be long winded but I wanted to give you a complete understanding of where I'm coming from. My budget is anything under $3100 but suggestions with slightly higher priced systems are welcome.

NEED HELP!!! Because I have searched and searched on this with no straight answers.

 

The problem with coilover reviews/info on this forum is most of it is $hit. The majority of Z drivers on this forum seem to be dedicated to slamming their car by the cheapest means possible.

With that said, I have sifted through and found some decent information from a select few members. "Terrasmak" and "GSedan35" are a couple of forum members that know suspension quite well and can recommend quality setups. Try sending those two guys a PM. Terrasmak may see this and post though.

The best part is you have a really good budget. I would look at the KW coilovers for sure and stay away from Stance for track. Terrasmak runs Motons, but I'm not sure on their retail price.

If you don't need a height adjustable setup you could look into building your own spring/damper combination. Maybe some good double adjustable dampers from Truechoice Koni and proper springs at whatever rate and height you need.

 

Ok, thanks for the input. I will wait and hope that those guys or others will give me some advice.

 

Your price range I would probably look into KW clubsports, the KW Spec Z coilovers or TrueChoice Koni Phase 3.

Spring rate has a lot to do with your track and tire selection. Really wide and grippy slicks will run higher rates , street tires will run lower rates.

With that said I run a 700 pound front and equal to 700 pound rear spring in the OEM locating in my car.

 

Thanks terrasmak.

What tires are you running with that 700 lb spring rate.

I'm on Yokohamo Neova Advan AD08. (The extreme summer tire)

Would there be a spring rate you reccommend with this type of tire?

 

I run Hankook RS3 right now, 275 front 285 rear.

 

OK, I really appreciate all your input. I was going to go with the RS3s myself but tire rack raved about the dry handling of the Yokohamo and they were a bit cheaper so I went with it.

I may switch over, are they the best street tire you've tracked?

 

I think RS3 are the fastest street tire right now.

 

RS3s are pretty darn sticky, definitely a great performer on the track.

OP - I'd probably opt for some KWs as well.

 

Has anyone heard of any reviews or quality of the Stance Pro Comp Coilovers?

 

I have looked around quite a bit and KW always comes up. If I had the money I would def go with KW.

 

Stance is for low street cars. KW is for track cars and can also be good on the street.

 

Pro Comp is their high end coilovers priced around $2,000 with many time attack and drift cars using these. And your saying that it will not be good for the track?

 

KW will also perform better on the street do to their quality.

They will still suck for the track. How many Grand AM cars run Stance crap, none , now many run KW. Even the top Formula D guys don't run Stance, and if they do , they will be nothing like what is sold.

 

+10000000


save ur cash for KWs, forget Stance. you can polish poop. but it's still poop.

 

omg lol!

 

I am not trying to "argue" or anything I would just like some discussion on a couple of these things... and address a couple of statements....

First thing is quality... alot of people are pointing to the kWs either clubsport or v3s but case and point the V3s run progressive springs. PROGRESSIVE. I mean thats bottom rung cow puke. To be honest I can't even believe they'd run progressive and that alone would steer me away from it. That is suppose to be their top of the line coilover. While the Stance Pro Comps are running Swift H5S.TW springs which are basically the best springs on the planet. I know alot of poeple have said well its also about the dampening but these pro comps are engineered for these specific spring rate.

Also, I read an article about the Stance EVO which has took 1st place in a couple of global time attack competitions is running the Pro Comp SS-D straight off the shelf. And a couple of other time attack Nissans have took 1st place in a couple of the global time attacks. The Double Down 350z was a leader in time attack and it ran Stance for a while.

I am trying to clarify whether these statements people are making is true because it seems people are just going away from it because it's not Zeal or KW or other coilovers. I mean these arent the GR+'s. They are "supposively" tuned for competition.

Any ideas??? It's good to understand from people who are experienced in these things and thank you for taking the time to talk about it with me.

 

I'm not quite sure of the argument of progressive or linear spring rates have anything to do about Quality of the build. so let's try to keep quality away from design.

KW V3s are designed as double adjustable (both in rebound and bump) trackable STREET coilovers. The Club Sports are streetable TRACK coilovers. EDIT: WITH LINEAR SPRING RATES Simple as that. The valving is different for both setups and to be honest, nothing is wrong with a progressive spring rate on a coilover if the dampening is designed for them. I have the V3s in my DD Evo X and the Clubsports in my Z. excellent for what they are designed to do, and from experience with various other coilovers on the Z, the KWs have worked out well for me and my car and what i want to do with it ... and to be honest, my previous coilovers which were all JDM type with high spring rates just make the car feel like ****. Different philosophies.. i've seen the trend of JDM coilovers have higher spring rates, and weaker dampers, where as Euro coilovers have slightly lower spring rates but better dampening.

but what i'm saying probably really won't mean anything to you since clearly, it seems you have a bias toward Stance based on your replies, and since they 'apparently' have the best springs on the planet-- nothing will really sway your set opinion. "supposedly tuned for competition" --ok sure. From the looks of it, it seems as if you started this thread, as away for people to confirm your research on STANCE, and you're not liking the replies.

so go for it. get the Stance. /thread

 

I can refer you to someone who will make you SA Penske's for around that price. They can be upgraded in the future to 2,3 or 4 way. This would be my choice, but the KW CS's aren't a bad choice. Also, the ohlins DFV's are in your range. You also may be able to find some used entry level Motons or JRZ's around 3k, too.

If you have some fab and mechanical ability, you can also use something like a universal Ohlins set-up, but you will need to be sure of what stroke length, overall length, etc you need. You will also have to make your own upper mounts and other pieces. I got to drive a 350z with custom valved ohlins LMJ's last weekend, and I liked them more than my motons. It's a lot of work, though.

 

I'll go one step beyond the pro ranks...go to a national level SCCA Solo or Club race (amature). These are people, who for the most part, pay for their equipment. If $1500 shocks got it done as well as 7-8k shocks, these people, again for the most part, wouldn't pay it. You go to Solo Nationals (1200 race cars) or Run offs (poop ton of cars) you will find one of these brands and likely nothing else...Koni, Bilstein, JRZ, Moton, AST, Penske or Ohlins. You'll find a few KW's, but not many in serious racing circles.