Hey all,
Before I get flamed, I have done plenty of research in the handling/suspension forums on DIY sections before coming here. I could not really find a thread specific to lowering the Nismo because I was trying to make sure I don't settle for anything less than the good handling the Nismo Provides. I don't want to go the coilover route yet, I don't track my car, but I do drive hard on the country winding roads here that really, REALLy test your car's handling. Paired with the SPC rear camber kit, what would Nismo owners or other Z owners recommend for the Nismo? I was lookin at the Eibach Pro-Kit as a possible option. I would also be doing the rear sprinmount cut mod of about whatever is recommended, because as you all may know, the Nismo has two different wheels sizes (18 front, 19 rear), so I want to make sure everything will work perfectly. Not looking to spend a fortune as I would like to make sure I have money left over to get an alignment and installation costs for the kits (if I don't do it myself.) Thanks!

 

the Eibach's would be a horrible choice as they are not designed with your struts in mind whatsoever

I really cannot think of any spring that I would actually spend money on for a NISMO. The only improvement you are honestly going to see in the handling department is via a proper (not inexpensive) set of coilovers and the various mods to compliment them (sways, etc)

In your case, I'd start with a set of adjustable sways (Whiteline, Hotchkis would be my suggested choices)

 

Why would you recommend said choices as opposed to all the others? I am in the market for sways....

 

Well I guess with all that being said by Z1, I have been searching around for coilovers via research and this forum. I don't want to be cheap but I don't like to be a huge brand *****, and I have been looking at the Megan Racing coilovers for the Z. I like the levels of dampening adjustments and the ride height adjustments seen. That, along with new adjustable sway bars and camber kit, I think I will be good to go.

 

You are far better off leaving what the car came with the megans are not even worth 50% of their asking price. Your car has a very well sorted suspension from the factory - And it's honestly far more capable than most drivers are even for track use. It's not worth changing for changes sake. If it's worth changing it's worth improving on or saving the money altogether

 

stance GR + PRO w/SSD dropped 2 1/2 front all the way in the back
Stillen sways on stiffest setting
rear tie bar

equals grip machine

 

Well I would like to lower it to have that aggressive look. Could I cut the stock springs so that the car will sit slightly lower and still maintain the nismo's tracking and handling capabilities?

 

what you can do is buy used coilovers an swap the springs...

 

Word!!!

 

 

A nismo is already lowered vs a std Z

Cutting springs is a guaranteed way to kill whatever handling prowess your car once had , not enhance it. You can build a deck out of balsa wood if you wanted....both projects accomplish the same end - the sum is now diminished because of the parts. If that's a trade you're willing to make then no sweat.

There is a right way and wrong way to accomplish your goals but truth be told, the right way involves a cash outlay that it sounds like you dont want to make (can't fault you for that btw). Keep saving till you can. The purpose of modding is to make the car somehow better than it was. To you, better may mean lower. Lower may look better, but lower does not always handle better. It takes a bit of planning, and somewhat of a generous budget to accomplish all the goals in a cohesive manner. As long as you accept that if you're not willing to spend what is needed to truly improve the car, you will, without question, make it worse. You can have both but it will require a substantial
investment of time, planning and money

 

^^^

fact

lowerin cost money especially to out do the stock nismo suspension....so far I'm clearing 2k now

 

I was using Swift lowering springs on my Nismo. I loved em, and took them off because I recently got coilovers. It did a decent drop but not too much, .8 in the front, and 1.3 in the rear. Handling was awesome. I really recommend these.

And I still have them, and are up for sale. Let me know if you're interested.

 

Take the advice given above. Sure everyone like the agressive appearence of a lowered Nismo! But what good is it if the car looses its ability to handle? You mise well debadge it! Your car will never again represent until you spend the money and lower the car correctly!...

We are not working with cheap civics or rsx's anymore! Spend the money and do it correctly or enjoy the car for what it is. Or sure buy some cheap *** lowering springs and wrap the car around a telephone poll or scrape it down the guard rail on those country roads!..

I have been shopping around for a set of sways? Who recommends what? I currently have $3100 invested in my suspension with parts and labor I would estimate.

Zim

 

Next will be sways & driver tuned suspension and ride height with me in the car. I need to lower the rear of my car again since adding the SPL rear camber & Tow bolt kit. It raised the car. So I will have them adjust the heigh & adjust rear camber again if needed with me in the car!

I have had my coilovers set at 15 clicks out since install. To lazy to adjust them. lol Been busy racing this season so haven't touched the car as much as I would like. I'd like to try them at 9 clicks out from full in. But I believe the car would benefit from a rear sway bar possibly

Zim

 

I haven't tracked my car to see the differences after my mods but I can tell you from spirited driving the rear doesn't step out as much even while giving her gas...

Stillen sway bars are good! I have them on the stiffest setting with a rear tie bar...wish I could put them too use but in everyday driving it can cause kidney failure be warned it's not for daily driving at all...especially if the roads in your area are A$$ here in hawaii my setup show all the imperfections in the roads here...

however when I do get on it...it makes me smile the limits I safely and confidently I put her too...

 

You guys must be retarded. Listen to Z1 auto. He has no reason to push you away from buying parts unless he truly believes what he is saying.
I have the Eibach pro street coilovers, kinetix toe and camber kit, eibach tie bar, eibach front and rear adjustable sway bars, and Hoosier R6's. My Nismo went through corners at Road Atlanta faster than 997 Porsche GT3's with racing slicks. Although I would recommend the next step up in suspension components. The most satisfying thing to purchase for a car is something adjustable. To be able to adjust rebound and dampening on your suspension means that you are able to tune the car to how you drive. The same thing goes for the camber kit and toe kit, and sway bars. Get the end links and the more expensive camber kit. Before you even think about a new coilover kit replace the sway bars, and adjust them. This goofball keeps saying he has his all the way tight, well maybe you should understand that that is probably causing you to oversteer and slide out more than the stock sway bars. I have it adjusted so well that under medium acceleration the back and the front slide out at the exact same time. That is the power of adjustment.
I was lapping road atlanta with traffic at 1:45 I have an NA nismo with 290 whp. That is a sick time, but it could be much better if i could tweak a few more things. Don't settle unless it is all for show.

 

hmmm....

where to start to reply to this?

you have one post! hmmmm I think I love my oversteer thank you very much if thats what you know it to be!

congrats on you sick! time there ryan!

where did you get your suspension tuned at?

 

please reply!

I need to be educated in how to spend money to have someone tell me it's legit!

 

So over the weekend (Saturday), I was on my way back to school and I came in contact with another Nismo who was passing through from North Carolina. He looked like he was dropped so I of course went to ask him what setup he had. He had the H&R sport springs. The drop looked perfect, its what I want to achieve. He was in a real hurry so we did not get a real chance to get into depth about the springs, but I want to know from the forum if H&r Springs would be acceptable to have on the Nismo, in the meantime. They are not that expensive, and I would be interested in going with this setup if its directly compatible with the Nismo, as this guy was running with this setup.