I want to make my Z a very neutral handling car, what would be the best suspension set-up given that I do not wish to buy coilovers because I don't want to deal w/ the caster/camber issues of dropping the car too much. I was thinking Tein S-Tech springs. What type of sway bars or other mods should I consider?

 

RS-R springs (Best performance spring out there i believe..) and some 350EVO sways should do the trick.

 

Do you think I might expect the same results w/ Nismo Sways?

 

Hotckis springs and bars, w/Koni shocks

 

nismo sways are soo like stock its rediculous...

my vote is for hotckis sways, mos affordable for what they do

 

I run Cusco sways, which got rid of most of the understeer. I also run 17 x 9 wheels with 255/45's all around. No need for the larger rims on back! SCC did a similar set-up with similar results.

 

How do you like that setup? I too have the Cusco sway bars, a Tokico D-spec kit on order, and I was planning to buy four 17 x 8.5 +30 with 255/45 r17s.

 

Here's a great article for you.
http://www.sportcompactcarweb.com/pr.../0404scc_350z/

I would say that sways would be your first step. Then same sized tires all around would be next. That's all I've done to achieve my neutral setup.

Keep in mind that this is not the ideal way to get more grip up front. More negative camber would be the best way to do this because it would get you the best contact patch. Sways are the cheapest and easiest way to get neutrality, but you are ultimately taking grip away from the rear by doing this.

 

yep the Cusco sways work fantasticly well - also dont do a staggered setup if you want to really keep it neatural. With a staggered setup, neutral is possible, but you have to start playing with alignment and tire pressure

 

Geez dude... take a look at what is proven. Skip the LSD part, but the rest is solid!

Good luck!

http://www.sportcompactcarweb.com/pr.../0404scc_350z/

 

Crap! You beat me too it!!!

However, adding MORE rubber up front is NOT the ideal way?? Carry the camber you have stock, then add the addition of more rubber... and you're asking for a great combo. 225s on a car this heavy is nuts... No wonder we have awful turn in stock.

 

I think sport compact is biased sometimes that's why I asked for some real world opinions....where might i purchase the cusco sways?

 

I got my Cusco bars from Gruppe-S:

http://www.gruppe-s.com/350z/zsus.htm

Very happy with them. When I bought over 1 1/2 years ago, it was these or Nismo. Nothing else was available. If I were buying now, I'd get either EVO's or Hotckis as they offer more adjustment. But the Cusco rear bar is the stiffest bar available.

That being said, I have no plans to replace them. Maybe better shocks with slightly stiffer springs though.

 

I just ordered the hotchkis sways from titan motorsports. $270 shipped via 3 day express. Cant complain, I'll be waiting until next spring to get some new springs but these should tide me over for now. Thanks for the input guys!

 

actually GSedan35 (believe that was him. Said that the way cusco messures stiffness is different than others (or something like that) and in reality EVO and hotckis are stiffer (at there max setting). Cant find the post atm that it was in. from what i hear from alot of people is that EVO bars are the best. hotckis are just a good value... Im going with EVO bars in the near future .. ALSO RS-R springs are set up to give u less understear.

 

I think your talking about a case where I talked about quizzing a member about swapping his rear cusco bar off and replacing it with rear EVO bar. I pointed out that according to the published specs, that the Cusco bar is stiffer. He replied back that specs be damned, the EVO bar was a lot stiffer. I can't argue with first hand knowledge like that. And if we do go back to published specs, the Hotchkis bar's are stiffer in peak numbers. But, we should not be in the business of picking by numbers like that.

IMO, the EVO350 bars are the best, for those that can justify the cost. If you can't the Hotchkis bars are a great value and since they are adjustable as well, will allow you to fine tune your handling to your given talent level.

 

The spring ratio front to rear is set up for neutrality [weight ratio front and rear] it is the stiffer front bar that causes all the understeer!
Stiffer rear bar and softer front bar [will improve front traction also]..........1-2mm softer is often ideal.