After driving with the new springs and shocks for couple of weeks, I've had the opportunity to test the Z over several roads, both good and bad, that I'm very familiar with. The Z has now jumped to the top of my list of sports cars that I've owned over the last ten years.

Here's the breakdown and subjective ratings of these cars:

Performance/handling:

1. 2002 Z06
2. 2003 350Z (after Konis/H-techs)
3. 1995 Porsche 911 C2
4. 2003 350 (before Konis/H-Techs))
5. 1993 300ZX TT

Comfort/Ride:

1. 2003 350Z (after Konis/H-Techs)
2. 1993 300ZX TT
3. 1995 Porsche 911 C2
4. 2002 Z06
5. 2004 350Z (before Konis/H-Techs)

Overall, the Z is now the best combo of handling and ride. After I put on some sways, it may jump past the Z06 for pure handling. My opinions are based on my best recollections of all these vehicles (oviously I can't drive them all back-to-back to compare), but I think I'd feel pretty much same if I had them all in my driveway right now.

The Z06 stands out as the performance monster. I do miss it's power (but not its build quality), and I'm still contemplating a FI system for the Z. Unfortunately, I may not spend the money on this car: I'm waiting for the verdicts on the 2006 Z06 and the 2005 AMV8. For now though, the Konified Z is my sports car of choice. The shock and springs have transformed this car, and I recommend them 100%.

 

When you make this recommendation what kind of settings do you have your KONI's on firm middle or soft..just curious?

 

Agreed, this combo is fantastic on the Z and you'll like it even more once you change the sway bars.

 

The Koni's do not adjust for firmness in the true sense of the word. They don't adjust for compression dampning, they adjust for rebound dampning, which is rate of return or how quickly the shocks return after being compressed. To get greater firmness you would up your spring rates or pay to have the shocks revalved with greater compression dampning specs.

Thanks ZZtopp for your updated review.

 

Are the Tein H Tech's linear?

 

I have them set on full soft. The H-Techs are progressive springs.

 

I am running my Koni's on full soft w/OEM springs & 350Evo sways set at med. front & back. I'm pretty happy with the handling & ride.

 

ZZtopp Did you get an alignment after the springs were installed? Is your steering wheel issue resolved? Please continue to give us your driving impressions and weather you get any undesireable tire wear,front or rear. Thanks

 

Yes....I did get an alignment and the steering wheel is now squared up. A few specs were way off after the spring and shock install. Unfortunately, the machines used for the alignment, despite precautions (such as duct tape to "protect" the wheels), caused several dings in the silver paint on 3 of my new Volk TE37 wheels. Needless to say, I was livid. I can't seem to find any silver touch up that's as bright as the silver on the Volk wheels. I've ordered some of NIssan's Liquid Aluminum, hoping that might be a close match., If that fails, I'll probably take it to a body shop for custom matching and refinshing.

 

Good update, ZZ. Thanks.

 

I had my Koni's installed and an allignment done 6000 miles ago. The group that did the allignment is a race shop in the SF Bay area. The technician said the toe in was tricky and he had to go back a few times to get it set correctly. He set it for -2 in the rear and 0 camber front as well as 0 toe front and rear. I am running 265x35 front and 295x35 rear and the wear is very even. I had acceptable wear on the first set of Potensa's (14,000).

That comment about allignment could be hte reason why wear has been a problem for some.

The Nissan Dealership checked it at 15K service and said it was spot on. I didn't know they were going to check but probably doing it as a standard item since the TPS.