I've searched all over for anyone talking about this and can't really find much. I found a vendor from G35 forums that sells a converted set of BC racing coilovers which has me wondering if there is a way to convert other OEM coilovers to true coilovers.

 

Most are easily converted

 

What's the difference between an "oem coilover" and a "true coilover"?

They are both coilovers....

 

on the rears the oem type coil over the spring is separate like the original setup, a true coil over setup has the spring integrated in the shock like the fronts

 

Is there any information about doing this that you could direct me to? I'm interested because I would like to get adjustable toe arms without having to pay the huge amount for the spl arms.

 

So in other words the rear is NOT a coil over. It is a standard spring/shock setup.

Gotcha.

 

I would start with buying a new set of springs , and a set of locking collars. Mentioning what coilovers you have could be a smart idea, actually it probably is.

One retains the anti squat design of the rear end , the other doesn't. You also get more cool kid points to be able to brag about true coilovers while hanging out in various parking lots.


Suspension arms. SPL , Stance, PBM and a couple others good arms available.

 

I have zeal function v6 coilovers. But the more I think about it the extra parts I would need to buy to convert these would probably near the price of the SPL arms.

 

Whether or not you are running OEM set-up suspension OR coilover suspension isn't what solely determines whether or not alignment correction devices are needed.

Generally, it's anything that modifies the suspension angles significantly from stock. Very low conventional springs will most likely require adjustability and even moderate lowering can/will change camber/toe angles for a variety of reasons.

Ask me how I know this.

I run a very sane, conservative street set-up on my '03 (Eibach springs - not even Sportlines - with Koni Yellows) and my front camber and rear toe went "off".

Admittedly, most people wouldn't mind the amount it went off (<2-deg camber) but it turned out a bit uneven and I didn't like what it did to my turn-in response so I opted to correct everything with SPC F&R. $550 isn't a lot to spend to get it right, IMO.

Mic

 

Yeah, I definitely understand that. I'm currently staying at stock height until I get the other pieces installed so I can correct my alignment. I already have spl camber arms, spc bolts, and kinetix a arms ready for me to install when I get some time (and stop being lazy). I was asking this as a better solution for my rear toe as I don't like the idea of the spc bolts, but I think for now I'll make due until I see the need to upgrade to the spl toe arms for oem style coilovers later.

 

Not for nothing, bc MAKES a true style coilover for our cars.

 

I'm still confused what you mean by "true coilover"

A coilover is a coilover... The coil is over the shock.

This is a coilover



These are the factory coilovers.



This is not a coilover. It is a spring and a shock. They are two separate things.

 

Nobody is talking about the engineering term for the coil over the shock. We're talking about the general term for adjustable suspension that everyone, including yourself, is familiar with.

That said, the difference between a TRUE coilover and an OEM STYLE coilover is simply what you've posted. A TRUE coilover (much like...and by much, I mean exactly like what I have) is that the spring goes over the shock in both the front and the rear. An OEM style coilover has a coil over spring design in the front and a separate coil and strut in the rear.

For everyday street use, it really doesn't make a difference which you use. 5 years ago, I didn't even know a true style existed for our cars. But, true style is way cooler...plus, you don't have people pretending they don't understand how lamens terms works.

 

But the OEM is a true coilover. It is just not user adjustable.

User adjustability doesn't have anything to do with it being a coilover or not.

 

The OEM isn't a true coilover. The OEM is Mcpherson style front (spring over strut) and separate in the rear. THAT'S what we're referring to. All systems (that I've seen) are spring over strut in the front. But, many systems are separate strut and spring in the rear. That's where the term "true" comes from. It has nothing to do with adjustability or lack thereof.

 

For clarification, the OEM 350z front is a multi-link coilover suspension, NOT MacPherson-strut.

All MacPherson-strut setups use a Coilover, not all Coilover setups are MacPherson-strut style. For reference on MacPherson-strut setup, lookup 240z front suspension.

Reference on the difference between a "strut" and "shock:"
http://www.1aauto.com/content/articl...cks-and-struts

 

I feel more knowledgeable about this now. Thank you for that.