I've got a 2003 350Z bought new at the end of 2002. I've really kept it as a second car that I can insure my daughter on while excluding her for cost reasons on my S4. It's also nice to have the Z to occasionally have fun in a manual RWD car.

The car really needs a few things that should have been done probably years ago, namely a clutch and I'm pretty sure I have a busted shock(s) in the rear. Probably more suspension stuff as well once I get in there.

I was thinking of just putting KW shocks on since this isn't a primary or even a track car for me. Got to be better than the worn out stock stuff on there now. But I've seen a pretty decent deal on some Bilstein B6's, so may go that way.

Suspension Goals:

• Get the car riding correctly again
• Not go overly stiff or jouncy
• Maintain or improve stock handling
• Maybe improve the tendency to feather the front tires
• Get ride of the porpoising 2003's were notorious for
• Minimize lowering of the car. I have a significant driveway transition into a sloped up driveway and don't want to scrape speed bumps

Knowing the 2004.5's improved the handling/porpoising with the different rear springs, I started looking at stock spring prices, which are ridiculous.

Should I look for a set of pull off rears and hope they're not worn out? Are there any nice alternatives that would work well with the B6's that don't lower the car very much (1" or preferably less)?

I was looking at maybe one of the Tein sets. What about Hotchkis?

Also, was the tire feathering things solved? I bought a lifetime alignment deal and even if I frequently had the front toe checked, it still continued to happen if I bought a tire with a susceptable tread pattern. While I'm in the suspension, might fix that, too. I'm sure I'm going to have other worn out parts, and might as well get the right things.

 

To meet your criteria for a decent ride with minimal drop and to remove the '03 tendency to pogo all the way down a rough street, would recommend the Bilsteins over any other shock. Paired with a set of '04.5+ take off springs (but I don't heartily recommend that as you're never sure what you're getting on the used market) or picking up a set of Tein H-Tech; which are similar to OE springs with minimal drop of maybe 10-12mm but at least have a reasonable ride quality being softer sprung than most. Pretty much every other spring out there in the free world will deteriorate the ride somewhat (but at least the Bilsteins will help to civilize them.)

Bilstein, as you're probably aware, are legendary for control with a "livable" ride. No other shock delivers like a Bilstein for what you're after. (No, I am not compensated by Bilstein; just a satisfied, 40+ year user of them.)

S'far as the tire feathering, keeping an eye on alignment, specifically toe, you should be good, particularly with a refreshed set of springs and dampers. Good on the lifetime alignment arrangement.

 

Thanks for that. Sounds like I'm probably going down the right path.

I assumed based on wanting to keep a within-an-inch of stock height that any decent quality coilover setup meeting my criteria would either 1) be lower than I wanted even at high settings, or 2) cost well over $1000.

Am I correct in that assumption? I'm figuring the Bilstein+Tein's would be about $800-$900 from the online prices I'm seeing.

 

You are correct on all counts. If you want to maintain ride quality, I don't recommend coilovers unless you're willing to pay well over a grand for a good set of Bilstein or KW Variants that can be tuned for decent quality comfort. But most coilovers, being "more performance oriented" are going to be harsher than stock on the ride side.

That price for Bilsteins and Tein puts you smack on top of a set of Bilstein ProKit B12. That's a combination package of Bilstein B8 (slightly more aggressive damping but still good ride and designed for a spring lowered car) and Eibach ProKit springs. ProKits lower about 19mm with most shocks, about 15mm with the Bilsteins. Quality package with "decent" (but firm) ride quality. Performance increase you can actually feel (so long as your tires are good).

 

I think when I'd looked at the B12 kit, somewhere I'd read it said a 40mm drop. So I'd ignored. Maybe I should look again?

 

Yeah, I don't understand that. I bought B12 ProKit years ago on the description that they lowered about an inch. Nope, measured 15mm with Bilstein, 19mm with my current Koni Yellows. (Before you ask why I have Koni now.... I gave my Bilsteins away because family "needed them". Laff....)

Maybe they changed spec? I do know that when I bought mine, they came with Bilstein B6 but later purchasers received B8s. So can't say for sure.

 

KYB Excel-G shocks junk? Curiously trying to find stuff in stock near me. Advance carries for cheap.

 

https://my350z.com/forum/texas-marke...l#post11020016

If it were me, I'd seriously look at the above for sale link on the forum. Though, I'm not sure how far the sport-line springs lower the car. I currently use the HP blues with Hotchkis springs and I've been pretty happy with the results. The Hotchkis springs lower the car very minimal and I believe with a slightly stiffer spring rate (not positive on spring rate)... Anyway, the FS add seems like a fair deal...

 

I'm the wrong one to ask about KYB. I've hated them since the first (and only set) of them I ever owned. They were the "Gas-A-Just" models (still made after 40 some years) They lasted all of about 3 months before two of them leaked.

These newer Excel G and their counterparts - some name I no longer remember - are supposedly "OE quality". Uhh..... well.... if I can't say anything good about 'em, I'll just STFU now. Hahahahaha.


Was going to recommend that link as well but.... the Sportline springs kinda didn't match the specs asked for as they lower the car a pretty fair amount. Close to 35mm as I've seen around. At that lowering, would pretty much need to add adjustable rear camber arms and adjustable FUCAs up front to properly bring alignment back into spec. Could maybe pick up the set and trade the Sportlines for something a tad bit less aggressive. Just thinking out loud.

 

Looks like the springs are a 1.6 front, 1.4 rear drop minimum per the googling I did. So a bit more than I feel is my limit. Will keep it in mind, though.

 

Good feedback on both sides. And when I saw that amount of drop, I immediately began wondering about alignment based on my other concerns Thanks.

 

How are Tein Enduro Pro shocks? Seeing a set for under $450 on ebay. Those plus Tein H Tech springs which quote -13mm front and -7mm rear would total $627.

Whichever route I go, I assume front strut mounts as well? Anything else that would be standard? I suspect when I get in there, I'll find more stuff. Might lift it this weekend and see how things look. Need to bleed brakes and do rear pads anyway.

Bilstein's at under $600 + maybe those Tein springs?

 

Too new to glean any real reviews on the Endurapro shocks. Think they just came out last year and target the OEM replacement market, like the old (now defunct) Tokico HP (Blues) and the KYB Excel G.

Bilsteins at under $600? Where at? If I keep my car, may need to move back to Bils.

 

Rock Auto. Just don't make too big a deal of it until I decide what I'm buying!

 

With the age/miles, you should also be looking at replacing the bushings. All of them are worn, and some are probably torn.

Goine with an aftermarket bushing will add stiffness without sacrafising ride quality.