I'm frustrated with my Tein S techs
 

Here's the why:

I put my Works back on this week after I get my alignment done today.

I'm 100% sure that the ride height is still the same as last year (no sagging or futher settling) - it's not what I want, there's still a FAT chunk of wheel well gap.

Now if I were to stand with you and look at my car without another Z around, I think we'd both agree that the car is NOT lowered.

This bothers me....a lot considering I spent $600 on springs, install and alignment...for little discernable difference

Next, I called Speedstar and spoke to Frank, who's probably the nicest guy I've spoken to that works in this crazy world of import aftermarket shops (allbeit I havent spoken to many other Z focused shops)...and we couldnt really say for sure if the Tein Basics would drop my car much further than the S techs... MAYBE like a .4 inch drop at their lowest setting. Basically I want to have .1 inch of wheel gap, maybe roll the fenders if I have to.

How do I drive my car you ask?

Never on the track, spirited at best on the streets, I dont like speeding, but hitting a corner and having the car stick right through the turn is a pleasure. The thing is that, with the S-techs I can already do this.

The ONLY reason I dont like the S-techs is purely based on ride height. If i cut the upper mount in the rear, it may look good...not sure, but I'll loose the raked look (which isnt what I want to do) mind you I dont want TOO much of a raked look.

So here's the deal...I need some advice.

I've got the money to buy any type of coilover I want, I just know that I'd be lying if I said I may track it one day - I wont.

I just want to be lower, and I dont want to drop major cash for it (due to the need being stricktly cosmetic)

Heres what I THINK I need:

Tein Basic or Stance LX+ coilovers
SPC, Megan or other better than average quality rear camber adjustment arms
Installation and Allignment (yes again)

Tell me what I should get (if you know of a better priced coilover than Tein Basics or the Stance LX+, let me know)?

Where I should get it done?

And will I get the drop I want?

I vote speedstar if you go anywhere to get the parts. Dealing with them was a pleasure and that's a rare thing in the aftermarket auto industry

Thaaaaaaaaaaanks for repeating my centiments, now give me some advice ! :icon30:

:icon6:

Advice, new springs. Or cut your rear mounts

I have been beating to death the coilovers vs springs debate for the past month..
I finally decided that I would not be tracking much at all and that aftermarket springs would work for my DD needs.

The Tein s techs are a .7" drop. Instead of coilovers, you may want to save some cash and look at getting a set of Eibach prokit springs, which will get to at least 1" drop.
I don't have current pics of the setup on my zed, but here is a pic of my old setup.
*For a visual comparison*
http://img90.imageshack.us/img90/4289/dsc6149webfg5.jpg

With regard to install.. I can only recommend the two shops i trust to work on my own car.

APH & SS
I believe Ed@APH has Eibach prokit springs in stock. You could always offset the cost buy selling your S-techs.

Good luck man, i hope you find the drop your looking for:thumbup:

i did the rear spring mount cut and now the car is level....came out pretty good....

S tech's with 19's and the rear spring mount mod for ref.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v8...9/IMG_0436.jpg

your old set up is sick..which fron lip and sides are those?

here a crappy cell phone pic....hope it helps ( driveway is also a little slanted tho)
http://img512.imageshack.us/img512/2...phonepics4.png

Jeff, who did the rear spring mount mod? You alone? Can you help me out with it ?

Yo Gian,
It had the Top Secret Front Diffuser, Veilside CF side wings and mastergrade rear diffuser..

I am going Top Secret front and back this time around.. waiting on my sides though:D

Just have SS or APH cut it when installing your springs.

1st dibs on the springs if hes selling :)

I did it when installing my springs. You'll have to take the rears out to do it. I can help you but it wont be for a long time as Im busy as hell these days between work and family crap.

The only thing is if he gets new springs like the pro kit he wont need to do the rear mount cut

Whats the avg price for a 1 season old set of s-techs?

Eibach Pro Kit will give you 1" drop for sure look around you can get the set for $325-$350

200

funny, I can't imagine lowering my car any. I mean, the rear does sit a little high, but the shocks need travel for the car to handle well...now if we were talking cars with remote reservoir dampers or inboard suspension....that give a lot of damping action for very little spring movement then yeah, lower is good for me. I can't imagine driving on the streets in a spirited manner without having sufficient travel in the suspension, esp considering that the stock Z's ride/handling compromise isn't spectacular (although it does seem to have excellent wheel control)

I bought my used set of stechs locally for 130.

I wasn't completely satisfied with them when I first put them on. However when I added wheel spacers to make the wheel more flush, it actually made the wheel gap look a lot smaller.