Konis and H-techs installed
07-23-2004, 04:11 PM
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Konis and H-techs installed
Bounce? What bounce?
It's definitely gone. I wouldn't say the overall difference is night and day, but I never thought the Z's suspension was really that bad to begin with. Now, it certainly rides better, and although I've only just driven it home from the shop, handling seems to be better as well, with a bit of reduced understeer. It's still there, but reduced...some sways should take care of that.
The car seems better planted, especially on uneven surfaces....it feels less like a tightly wound Pitt Bull ready spring and more like a well-poised Doberman.
Was it worth the investment? I don't know.....I'll check back after a few more miles. Anyone want to buy some OEM springs and shocks? Anyone???? Anyone??????? Nah............I didn't think so.
It's definitely gone. I wouldn't say the overall difference is night and day, but I never thought the Z's suspension was really that bad to begin with. Now, it certainly rides better, and although I've only just driven it home from the shop, handling seems to be better as well, with a bit of reduced understeer. It's still there, but reduced...some sways should take care of that.
The car seems better planted, especially on uneven surfaces....it feels less like a tightly wound Pitt Bull ready spring and more like a well-poised Doberman.
Was it worth the investment? I don't know.....I'll check back after a few more miles. Anyone want to buy some OEM springs and shocks? Anyone???? Anyone??????? Nah............I didn't think so.
07-24-2004, 07:48 AM
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Originally posted by g35thanh
worthless thread w/o pics.
worthless thread w/o pics.
07-24-2004, 09:26 AM
#5
It's interesting to note that this is the second known application of the H-tech on a Z and that other Z owner ran oem shocks for awhile, then went to Koni's as well. Thank you for posting your impression's. Please, if you would do a follow up post when you've put more miles on the setup and have driven over a various road conditions. The reason I'm glad you posted and hope you'll give impression's down the line is because 350Z H-tech is a better choice for G35 owners since it has much better spring rates then G35 Tein springs do performance wise.
07-24-2004, 10:19 AM
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After a spirited drive through Red Rock Canyon this morning (a run I've made many times in the Z), I can now say that the Konis and H-techs have dramatically improved the car. Sharp impacts are reduced and body roll feels about the same as stock, however at the limit, it seems to be even better. There are a couple of sharp turns with uneven pavement on the 13 mile loop, and now the car stays perfectly planted.....the rear is not chattering all over the place like it was with the OEM setup. This is how the car should have come from the factory.
The ride is improved for sure. When I'd go from driving the Z to my wife's Audi A6 Quattro, there was a big difference in comfort, yet the Audi still handled very well. Now, I would say the gap has been closed significantly.....so much so that I would even prefer the Z as a daily driver over the Audi just because of the edge it has in handling without beating you up anymore.
As far as the drop......nothing so far. It's only minimal anyway, so maybe that .3" will show up in the next few weeks as the springs settle in.
So was it worth the investment? Oh yeah.
The ride is improved for sure. When I'd go from driving the Z to my wife's Audi A6 Quattro, there was a big difference in comfort, yet the Audi still handled very well. Now, I would say the gap has been closed significantly.....so much so that I would even prefer the Z as a daily driver over the Audi just because of the edge it has in handling without beating you up anymore.
As far as the drop......nothing so far. It's only minimal anyway, so maybe that .3" will show up in the next few weeks as the springs settle in.
So was it worth the investment? Oh yeah.
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07-24-2004, 12:58 PM
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Re: Konis and H-techs installed
Originally posted by ZZtopp
Bounce? What bounce?
It's definitely gone. I wouldn't say the overall difference is night and day, but I never thought the Z's suspension was really that bad to begin with. Now, it certainly rides better, and although I've only just driven it home from the shop, handling seems to be better as well, with a bit of reduced understeer. It's still there, but reduced...some sways should take care of that.
The car seems better planted, especially on uneven surfaces....it feels less like a tightly wound Pitt Bull ready spring and more like a well-poised Doberman.
Was it worth the investment? I don't know.....I'll check back after a few more miles. Anyone want to buy some OEM springs and shocks? Anyone???? Anyone??????? Nah............I didn't think so.
Bounce? What bounce?
It's definitely gone. I wouldn't say the overall difference is night and day, but I never thought the Z's suspension was really that bad to begin with. Now, it certainly rides better, and although I've only just driven it home from the shop, handling seems to be better as well, with a bit of reduced understeer. It's still there, but reduced...some sways should take care of that.
The car seems better planted, especially on uneven surfaces....it feels less like a tightly wound Pitt Bull ready spring and more like a well-poised Doberman.
Was it worth the investment? I don't know.....I'll check back after a few more miles. Anyone want to buy some OEM springs and shocks? Anyone???? Anyone??????? Nah............I didn't think so.
Last edited by lawnmore; 07-24-2004 at 01:01 PM.
07-25-2004, 03:34 PM
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Two day update:
The front shows no drop at all, the driver side rear has dropped 1/8", the passenger side rear has dropped 1/4".
Also, after the install, the steering wheel is turned about 5-7 degrees to the left when the car is going perfectly straight ahead. It's going back to the installer on Monday for the fix.
My wife, who hated riding in the Z because of the suspension, noticed the difference immediately today. Now she likes it.... so much so that she wants to start driving it.......yeah, that'll happen....when monkeys fly out of my a$$..
The front shows no drop at all, the driver side rear has dropped 1/8", the passenger side rear has dropped 1/4".
Also, after the install, the steering wheel is turned about 5-7 degrees to the left when the car is going perfectly straight ahead. It's going back to the installer on Monday for the fix.
My wife, who hated riding in the Z because of the suspension, noticed the difference immediately today. Now she likes it.... so much so that she wants to start driving it.......yeah, that'll happen....when monkeys fly out of my a$$..
07-25-2004, 08:51 PM
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Originally posted by The Brickyard Rat
Zz,
Your comment on "wife" is spot on for me. Mine likes riding in the Z but only for short runs. I'm thinkin' I need to get a smoother ride in order to get her to go on longer trips & not "whine".
Keep us posted.
Zz,
Your comment on "wife" is spot on for me. Mine likes riding in the Z but only for short runs. I'm thinkin' I need to get a smoother ride in order to get her to go on longer trips & not "whine".
Keep us posted.
I just found some Hotchkis springs for the Z that have some interesting rates:
340 lbs fronts (stock: 310)
330 lbs rears (stock: 350)
These drop the car about .75"at each corner. That's more than the .3 of the H-Tech. They are linear not progressive. I might have gone with these had I known about them. I wonder if anyone has tried them.........
07-25-2004, 09:46 PM
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Originally posted by Gsedan35
We do have a memer her on the Hotchkis springs, she even has Koni's as well. Here name is Amy I do believe.
We do have a memer her on the Hotchkis springs, she even has Koni's as well. Here name is Amy I do believe.
Last edited by ZZtopp; 07-25-2004 at 10:44 PM.
07-26-2004, 11:26 AM
#14
ZZ,
I hate to say this but my wife is smoother on the manny tranny than I am.
Awhile back I took her out for a "driving lesson" on the Zzz. She had driven a manual in the past but it had been like 30 years.
I was braced for the worst. On the first try, she slips the car into first, releases the clutch & pulls out smoother than silk; same with the other gears. Every time, every gear........silk!
The saving grace is she does not like the extra "work" of shifting & likes our SUV much better because she sits higher. Thank the good Lord for small favors!! LOL!
I hate to say this but my wife is smoother on the manny tranny than I am.
Awhile back I took her out for a "driving lesson" on the Zzz. She had driven a manual in the past but it had been like 30 years.
I was braced for the worst. On the first try, she slips the car into first, releases the clutch & pulls out smoother than silk; same with the other gears. Every time, every gear........silk!
The saving grace is she does not like the extra "work" of shifting & likes our SUV much better because she sits higher. Thank the good Lord for small favors!! LOL!
Last edited by The Brickyard Rat; 07-26-2004 at 11:29 AM.
07-26-2004, 07:16 PM
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Originally posted by The Brickyard Rat
ZZ,
I hate to say this but my wife is smoother on the manny tranny than I am.
Awhile back I took her out for a "driving lesson" on the Zzz. She had driven a manual in the past but it had been like 30 years.
I was braced for the worst. On the first try, she slips the car into first, releases the clutch & pulls out smoother than silk; same with the other gears. Every time, every gear........silk!
The saving grace is she does not like the extra "work" of shifting & likes our SUV much better because she sits higher. Thank the good Lord for small favors!! LOL!
ZZ,
I hate to say this but my wife is smoother on the manny tranny than I am.
Awhile back I took her out for a "driving lesson" on the Zzz. She had driven a manual in the past but it had been like 30 years.
I was braced for the worst. On the first try, she slips the car into first, releases the clutch & pulls out smoother than silk; same with the other gears. Every time, every gear........silk!
The saving grace is she does not like the extra "work" of shifting & likes our SUV much better because she sits higher. Thank the good Lord for small favors!! LOL!
It's not her driving that concerns me. It's the Starbucks mugs....the endless empty bottles of water rolling around.......the pairs of shoes and workout clothes.......the fashion magazines....and God knows what else I'll find every time I want to drive my Z.
NO ****** WAY.
07-26-2004, 07:52 PM
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Originally posted by The Brickyard Rat
Get her an SUV with a stick! She gets to sit up high (seems to be a big attraction for women) and still play jr road racer!!
LOL!
Get her an SUV with a stick! She gets to sit up high (seems to be a big attraction for women) and still play jr road racer!!
LOL!
07-27-2004, 07:34 AM
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Originally posted by The Brickyard Rat
So how long before you trade the A6 in on a big, big, BIG SUV?
Your gonna lose this one, ZZ.
So how long before you trade the A6 in on a big, big, BIG SUV?
Your gonna lose this one, ZZ.