Hey all -- I've owned my '05 track edition 350z for just over three years now, and I've been using it as my daily driver and it's been pretty low maintenance so I haven't had to really do a lot of research into it.

In the last few days I've really been looking into some improvements -- I've ordered some new Hawk HPS break pads and some Centric rotors. And I've recently had a lightweight flywheel installed to replace my previous one which started slipping.

The next thing I'm looking to take care of is my suspension.. I've suspected as long as I've owned it that the previous owner had it lowered -- I have trouble getting over most speed bumps without scraping, and getting in/out of some parking structures up here in the mountainous seattle area can be impossible.

I looked up the stock specs for my Z and it looks like the height should be 26.8 inches from ground to front fender, and 27.8 inches from ground to back fender.

Mine is sitting at 25 inches from ground to fender in the front and 25.8 inches in the back.

It's a bit low for my liking (and for general daily use). Is it possible to determine how it was lowered without having access to a lift? How expensive would it be to reverse the installed suspension mods to get it back to stock height? Would restoring it back to stock suspension improve comfort (my girlfriend doesn't like feeling every single little bump or crack in the road)? Anything else I should know?

Thanks in advance! I'm very new to all of this and not at all mechanically inclined, but want to be better informed so I know what to ask for when I take it to the shop and what to expect in terms of price.

 

Difficult to determine how it was lowered without getting it up on a lift or at least a floor jack.

2" drop.... that's pretty numbing on the backside in DD use so I can see what you're getting at. In any case, I would suspect that P.O. used coilovers to get the car down that low (or some reallllly low springs on the standard suspension.)

I would bring it to a shop just to have them do a basic underside/suspension inspection. Many shops offer this as complimentary or a small nominal fee. Specifically, you'll want to ask them to "check the shocks" and to determine what kind are in there now.

Once you've ascertained that and depending on what's in there, you'll need to do the following:

If coilovers are installed, see if they can be adjusted to full height. That will give you back some ground clearance but will still likely have a pretty stiff ride because you're not actually changing everything out but you are changing the way the spring acts.

If they cannot be raised then the only REAL solution is to go back to a stock suspension (strut/spring in front and shock/independent spring rear). You can source such components from specialty recycling yards or just buy the whole setup from a vendor on here, e.g., Concept Z, THMotorsports, IPP, etc.

OR, advertise in the WTB section of the suspension Classified section and/or check craigslist for a local seller of his/her stock components. You'd be surprised how many people have this stuff laying around after upgrading their own suspension.

If you are not up to doing the work yourself (a relatively daunting task for a novice), take it to a shop who specializes in Zs or at least someone familiar with them. You'll be able to tell just by talking with then beforehand. Z'matter of fact, start there for the suspension inspection and let them earn your biz. Tell them what you have in mind and maybe they have better sources for components as well.

Good luck!

Mic

 

Thank you so much for the reply! Incredibly helpful and informative. I've set up an appointment with a local alignment shop to replace my breaks next week, and while I'm getting that done they're going to take a look at the suspension for me.

I also went out and snapped a couple of (incredibly blurry) pictures on my lunchbreak. They're covered in dust, but maybe someone who is more familiar with this can tell me what kind of suspension (and maybe what brand) it is.

http://imgur.com/a/zDXKh

Thanks again!

 

Standard suspension with lowering springs. Brand? Unknown...lots of mfgrs use red for their springs.

That's a good thing. You'll want stock springs (I think I have a set if you want them for the price of shipping) and I'd advise you install them with a decent set of good riding shocks since you're having it all done - Bilstein at the top end of the price range - ~$1000 - for great performance even without lowering springs and a really good ride OR maybe some stock replacement(+) units like Tokico HP (Blues) at the lower price point ~$500/set.

Couple that with a good alignment following install and you should be set.

Mic

PS PM me if you want the springs.

 

Tokico blue is common and cheap, then D-spec if available, Bilstien and Koni will be best. OEM springs are great, make sure you get 04.5 and newer for the better spring rate. You can always get other drop springs that have less of a drop like Swift

 

Your springs are quite possibly Eibach Sportlines, which I hear have a pretty low drop. Depending on how long they've been on, they could also be starting to sag a bit due to age - especially if you're on stock shocks.

As mentioned by others, look into some good quality shocks. My recommendation for you would be the Bilstein B12 kit from Concept Z. You'll get great quality shocks, valved properly to Eibach Pro-Kit springs (not as low as Sportlines). You should be able to stay pretty close to factory camber specs with that setup as well.

 

Well I have stock springs I'll trade you for your lowered springs...we both eat shipping...6614273271 let me know what you think

 

Red springs, Eibach sportline, tanabe, skunk 2, or possibly a couple of other brands. Most of them will drop u an inch or more.
My advice would be to get some quality shocks first, as mentioned above, and keep the springs. It looks like your still on stock shocks, which are probably shot. A new set of quality shocks will do wonders for the ride, Bilsteins B8 are a pricier option but one of the best, and also have a reputation of raising the height a bit.
Going back to stock height is gonna make ur z look like an suv, ur gonna want at least a mild drop, which u can achieve with springs like ten s tech, hotchkis or swift.
I also have a set of 07 stock springs u can have for dirt cheap, but honestly now that ur used to the lower stance you're probably not gonna like stock height.

 

I don't understand why people don't post pictures. You took the time to take measurements and type a very long post. You could've posted one or two pictures of the side of the Z, maybe a few lines about how you think it's lowered, then everyone would've easily been able to tell you "Yeah, that Z definitely looks lowered X inch(es)."

Either way, I'm glad you have it figured it out now and good luck.

 

Post 3 in this thread.

 

I saw that. In my post I suggested he post pictures of the side of the Z because one of the knowledgeable fellas on here would be able to tell him instantly whether it appears lowered or not. The blurry pics of the springs posted four hours after the OP were okay, but still not an exterior shot of the ride height/fender gap.