Notices
Brakes & Suspension 350Z stoppers, coils, shocks/dampers

Rebound/Anti-Sway Settings

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old 07-01-2013 | 08:28 PM
  #1  
RENFRO's Avatar
RENFRO
Thread Starter
New Member
iTrader: (1)
 
Joined: Jan 2011
Posts: 1,127
Likes: 113
From: Tennessee
Default Rebound/Anti-Sway Settings

Just wanted to get some feedback from other coilover owners. I just recently installed an entire new suspension (KW V2/Hotchkis anti-sways/SPL A-arms/SPC camber arms/whiteline endlinks) Got the anti-sways on the next to stiffest setting in the front, full soft in the rear.

My question lies in the "recommended setting" KW puts in the installation paperwork. 6 clicks front, 9 clicks rear. I even called them and couldn't get a solid explanation as to why they recommended the rear rebound settings be stiffer than the front. Just seems completely backwards from everything I've ever read.

Is this to ensure the car remains in an "oversteer" scenario at the track vs a possible "understeer" with a stiffer front setting? The way the car is now, the anti-sways and coils are set opposite of each other (Stiff anti sway/soft rebound in the front & soft anti sway/stiff rebound in the rear).

Is this on purpose perhaps? Seems like the engineers may know something I don't. Maybe I'll never push the car hard enough to notice, but it's still really peaked my interest. Maybe those opposing settings are exactly what's intended?

Thoughts?
Old 07-01-2013 | 08:34 PM
  #2  
DanQ's Avatar
DanQ
New Member
iTrader: (1)
 
Joined: Jun 2013
Posts: 1,287
Likes: 227
From: Jacksonville, NC
Default

Originally Posted by RENFRO
Just wanted to get some feedback from other coilover owners. I just recently installed an entire new suspension (KW V2/Hotchkis anti-sways/SPL A-arms/SPC camber arms/whiteline endlinks) Got the anti-sways on the next to stiffest setting in the front, full soft in the rear.

My question lies in the "recommended setting" KW puts in the installation paperwork. 6 clicks front, 9 clicks rear. I even called them and couldn't get a solid explanation as to why they recommended the rear rebound settings be stiffer than the front. Just seems completely backwards from everything I've ever read.

Is this to ensure the car remains in an "oversteer" scenario at the track vs a possible "understeer" with a stiffer front setting? The way the car is now, the anti-sways and coils are set opposite of each other (Stiff anti sway/soft rebound in the front & soft anti sway/stiff rebound in the rear).

Is this on purpose perhaps? Seems like the engineers may know something I don't. Maybe I'll never push the car hard enough to notice, but it's still really peaked my interest. Maybe those opposing settings are exactly what's intended?

Thoughts?
Do you happen to know the spring rates used, front and rear? And whether they are straight rate springs or progressively wound? Sorry if the questions seem rudimentary, but I'm not really familiar with the manufacturer's lineups on automotive parts.
Old 07-01-2013 | 08:42 PM
  #3  
RENFRO's Avatar
RENFRO
Thread Starter
New Member
iTrader: (1)
 
Joined: Jan 2011
Posts: 1,127
Likes: 113
From: Tennessee
Default

Originally Posted by DanQ
Do you happen to know the spring rates used, front and rear? And whether they are straight rate springs or progressively wound? Sorry if the questions seem rudimentary, but I'm not really familiar with the manufacturer's lineups on automotive parts.
Pretty sure they are progressive. At least in the rear I know they are. The fronts also may be, but possibly linear. Maybe someone can chime in on that part...
Old 07-01-2013 | 09:29 PM
  #4  
ronn1's Avatar
ronn1
Registered User
iTrader: (1)
 
Joined: Aug 2011
Posts: 1,374
Likes: 2
From: Burbank, Ca
Default

Originally Posted by RENFRO
Just wanted to get some feedback from other coilover owners. I just recently installed an entire new suspension (KW V2/Hotchkis anti-sways/SPL A-arms/SPC camber arms/whiteline endlinks) Got the anti-sways on the next to stiffest setting in the front, full soft in the rear.

My question lies in the "recommended setting" KW puts in the installation paperwork. 6 clicks front, 9 clicks rear. I even called them and couldn't get a solid explanation as to why they recommended the rear rebound settings be stiffer than the front. Just seems completely backwards from everything I've ever read.

Is this to ensure the car remains in an "oversteer" scenario at the track vs a possible "understeer" with a stiffer front setting? The way the car is now, the anti-sways and coils are set opposite of each other (Stiff anti sway/soft rebound in the front & soft anti sway/stiff rebound in the rear).

Is this on purpose perhaps? Seems like the engineers may know something I don't. Maybe I'll never push the car hard enough to notice, but it's still really peaked my interest. Maybe those opposing settings are exactly what's intended?

Thoughts?

I don't think you can use *clicks* as a reference because the shocks themselves are different F/F and have different rates. Having said this, I'm set up stiffer in the front with sways and springs and I have the Nismo S tune shocks (non adjustable). This kit came with stiffer rear springs vs front and I didn't like it at all, so I changed the rear springs to softer rates. I have always felt a stiffer set up in the front handles better. I would try the KW suggestions first and see how it handles.If the car is tail happy, soften up the rear setting to the same as front and see what happens.
Old 07-02-2013 | 11:19 AM
  #5  
RENFRO's Avatar
RENFRO
Thread Starter
New Member
iTrader: (1)
 
Joined: Jan 2011
Posts: 1,127
Likes: 113
From: Tennessee
Default

Yeah once I get my alignment done tomorrow I'll give it done spirited driving and see how it feels
Old 07-02-2013 | 01:17 PM
  #6  
stuartc323's Avatar
stuartc323
Registered User
 
Joined: Aug 2012
Posts: 3,683
Likes: 0
From: Long Beach, CA
Default

Originally Posted by RENFRO
Just wanted to get some feedback from other coilover owners. I just recently installed an entire new suspension (KW V2/Hotchkis anti-sways/SPL A-arms/SPC camber arms/whiteline endlinks) Got the anti-sways on the next to stiffest setting in the front, full soft in the rear.

My question lies in the "recommended setting" KW puts in the installation paperwork. 6 clicks front, 9 clicks rear. I even called them and couldn't get a solid explanation as to why they recommended the rear rebound settings be stiffer than the front. Just seems completely backwards from everything I've ever read.

Is this to ensure the car remains in an "oversteer" scenario at the track vs a possible "understeer" with a stiffer front setting? The way the car is now, the anti-sways and coils are set opposite of each other (Stiff anti sway/soft rebound in the front & soft anti sway/stiff rebound in the rear).

Is this on purpose perhaps? Seems like the engineers may know something I don't. Maybe I'll never push the car hard enough to notice, but it's still really peaked my interest. Maybe those opposing settings are exactly what's intended?

Thoughts?

KW V1-V3 coilovers

Spring rates Front 485lbs to 525Lbs Rear: 240Lbs to 548Lbs (progressive springs)

To answer your question OP, it has a lot to do with weight distribution. The Z is setup with more weight distribution to the front, through the use of lower rated springs, larger front sway bar and some other factors, and that causes the understeer, however the Z is balanced very well from side to side in weight distribution.

KW's coilovers are setup this way because the rear springs have a very wide progressive range, and because of this the compression of the springs and the wider range of the rate needs more dampening. Thats the only thing i can see for why they would recommend those settings.

Also to induce oversteer on the car, you need a larger rear bar, bigger tires with a square setup i.e. 275/35/18s all around on 18x9.5s all around, stiffer springs, etc.

To induce understeer would be to increase the front bar size, stiffer springs, larger tire stagger, etc.

What i would do OP is leave the coilovers on the recommended settings, than put the swaybars on the recommended setting and tune from there, start tuning with the swaybars first than once you dial those in, than dial in the settings on your coilovers.

Last edited by stuartc323; 07-02-2013 at 01:22 PM.
Old 07-02-2013 | 06:07 PM
  #7  
RENFRO's Avatar
RENFRO
Thread Starter
New Member
iTrader: (1)
 
Joined: Jan 2011
Posts: 1,127
Likes: 113
From: Tennessee
Default

Awesome reply, thanks man! I figured there's definitely some engineering behind it, that's why I didn't go switching it around from the recommended settings. All I did was go one click higher than what they initially suggested on all 4 corners. I prefer a stiffer ride in general.
Related Topics
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
hajwoj
Autocross/Road
27
11-01-2015 06:25 PM



Quick Reply: Rebound/Anti-Sway Settings



All times are GMT -8. The time now is 08:58 AM.