Dropping the G

[tslider]

Ok so it has come that time to drop the car. I am tired of looking at the gap I have. I have never worked with springs, shocks, or any of that business before so I have a few questions. Hopefully I can get some guidance here :D

So I looked at some Tien S techs and that is about the drop I want, but I realize with S techs I am probably going to need a camber kit for F&R correct?
Also if I go into the S techs will I need new shocks with the springs and the camber arms?

Option #2, If I go with some coilovers (I have looked at some Tien basics) then I would probably still get a cmaber kit as I will go around a 1" drop. The question here is will I need anything besides the coilovers and the camber kit?

I want the car to still stay functional as a daily driver, I do realize I will have a rougher ride with either option and from what I have heard I think the coilovers will be rougher...I think.

Just looking for some input, because right now it seems like #2 would actually be more cost effective if i get some slightly used coilovers. I have seen quite a few come up on driver for $500 range.

Thanks for any help in advance!

[g7x5]

Im not sure if you need a camber kit or not with just swaping out springs, tho you really don't need new shocks if you go with s techs. Sometimes some places can get really close to spec as far as camber, again i never done just springs so i can't be certain i'm sure someone one here has and could give you better advice as to that

as for option #2, i would go ahead and get a camber kit, incase you want to go lower in the future, and you'll be able to save your tires that way. I'm lowered on tein mono flex and they are rough, nothing i don't mind, but tein basics i pretty sure a closer to stock than mine. Also do to the design of some coilovers they can be kinda noisy, i've been trying to figure out why mine make so much noise but still can't figure it out.

anyways i say go for coilovers and camber kit if you have the extra money, cuz you'll have adjustability, but if you are on a budget i'd just go for the springs, and maybe camber if it's way out of spec.

when i intially lowered my car i didn't really pay attention exactly how much i lowered it (about 1"+) and since then it's settled, but i wanted to know if you or any other g's with stock supension could measure how height from the fender to the ground. front and rear, thnx in advanced

been wanting to figure out how much my car settled.

[rh_334]

i have S-Techs and they do not require new shocks as they are within 10% of the OEM spring rate(on sport model)
S-Techs will require and F+R camber kit, i didnt think i would have to do it but when i took it to the align shop and the best they could do was -5degrees i knew i would but now the camber kit i have is cheaper, tyler just bought it from conceptZ and also buy a pair of SPC Toe Bolts for a little more adjustiblity, all this combined gave me enought adjustment to get to the HIGH(positive end) of specs so i barely have any unusual wear and its even better wear than i had stock.
and its not that much stiffer and since the fronts are Progressive they do get stiffer in a hard turn, they say that in some cases depending how you use you car a good shock+spring combo works better than coilovers. ill try to find the link

[tslider]

Sweet thanks for the advice thus far. I am a little torn between the options becuase I am on somewhat of a budget, but I will be leaving Birmingham in just under 2 years and I'll probably drop further then so currently I think I'm leaning towards the coilovers

Really just looking for a sleeker look and some better handling especially through corners...I don't like to use brakes if I can help it :rolleyes:. But yeah, thanks for the advice thus far, please keep chiming in everyone!

[g7x5]

If you really want better handling get some sways, those you'll notice the difference immeditely, i have a set of hotchkis sways, ordered them from tirerack a while back, at the time they where the cheapest with shipping. won't help the sleek look but you'll def love the handling.

[tslider]

Ok, so I am starting to feel really stupid since I know nothing about suspension. What exactly does a sway do, where does it go, how does it actually work? I just don't have experience with them, sorry for the bombardment of questions

[rh_334]

i found the link, here is everything you need to know

http://www.350z-tech.com/zwiki/Sway_Bars

http://www.350z-tech.com/zwiki/General_Suspension_%28FAQ%29

http://www.350z-tech.com/zwiki/Lowering_Your_350Z

http://www.350z-tech.com/zwiki/Springs

[Jamaica2G]

g7x5, how are your mono flex's noisy? I have the same set but haven't noticed anything different as far as noise in comparison to the previous coilover kit I had.

Tslider, the rear camber kit and toe bolt kit will probably be necessary, I don't know about the front though... To me, one important thing was attaining tires that are floppable- meaning they can be dismounted and remounted/balanced on the other side of the car.

Adrian

[g7x5]

well it used to only get a lil noisy when the temperature would drop last year, then around spring this year when it warmed, it would only make that clunk sound when you hit a bad bump, but now it makes the noise over the slightest bump, it's most the passenger rear, i think it may be a little loose, i'm prob gonna take a look at them this afternoon, tighten everything and see if that helps, but when i first got these they were fine. how many miles do you have on yours, i have about 11,000. also have edfc but i don't see that causing issues

[BRAD@ZSOLUTIONS]

Any time you drop the Zs or Gs a camber kit is worth doing. When lowering either one you put in neg camber. Yell if you need someone, or help doing it.

[Jamaica2G]

I would say about 15k miles.

Hmmm, I might have heard a clunk from the rear once...

I DO know that the ceiling lining in our cars has a tendency to make noise when the body flexes, so be sure thats not what you are hearing.

Adrian

[g7x5]

did yours have any type of rubber ring to cover the top, cuz mine didn't and i think that is where most of the noise is coming from, it's not my roof, tho my roof does "pop" ocasionally, i do have all of the gtspec braces and a stillen front strut bar in addition to sways, so there a very few areas that have any give and i really think it's because i don't have anything to asorb the vibration between the coilover and body

[tslider]

Hey Adrian,
How can I tell if tires are floppable, I am buying new tires around Christmas and will lower the car around the same time and I thought you could flop all tires, maybe I am wrong, but just let me know

[rh_334]

Hey Adrian,
How can I tell if tires are floppable, I am buying new tires around Christmas and will lower the car around the same time and I thought you could flop all tires, maybe I am wrong, but just let me know

regular nondirectional tires can be rotated as usual

Assymetric tires (directional) can be flip floped(unmounted and remounted on the other side) once the inside gets a good bit of wear you flip flop them and you can then wear the outside of the tire(less worn) on the inside

Assymetrical inside/outside Tires (not sure what the techinical term is) the sidewall is marked whether it must face inside of outside, which eliminates the possiblity of "flip flopping" the tires so one the inside is worn out you have to get a new set

[tslider]

Ok, so here's a question. With floppable tires, does it really matter if you are like -2 or -3 camber, since once both sides get worn you can get flip em? It seems logical to me, just wear them uneven then switch the sides, that way you wear down the unworn side. I have a feeling this won't work, but if someone can explain why it won't work I would appreciate it

[Jamaica2G]

Ok, so here's a question. With floppable tires, does it really matter if you are like -2 or -3 camber, since once both sides get worn you can get flip em? It seems logical to me, just wear them uneven then switch the sides, that way you wear down the unworn side. I have a feeling this won't work, but if someone can explain why it won't work I would appreciate it

well, thats the idea... dismount and remount on the other side of the car so that it'll wear the other side of the rim. Only thing is, you still end up wearing out only the outer 10-15% of tire until it's bald. Tires go fast like that but its nice for tracking...

[rh_334]

Ok, so here's a question. With floppable tires, does it really matter if you are like -2 or -3 camber, since once both sides get worn you can get flip em? It seems logical to me, just wear them uneven then switch the sides, that way you wear down the unworn side. I have a feeling this won't work, but if someone can explain why it won't work I would appreciate it

thats right, the only downside to Assymetrical tires is you have to pay to have them mounted twice:thumbsdown: