Any cons of lowering springs?

Memphis370Z

With many thanks to dragonbreath, we (he) installed rear camber arms (SPL), toe bolts, and lock-outs today. We'll finish up the front springs tomorrow morning and I'll get an initial alignment tomorrow afternoon. I'll post results and plan on getting an alignment a week from now, after the springs settle.

Fingers crossed that the front end is in spec.

Zero dark

Is the spl wrench needed for spl camber arms? Or is that just an extra tool that makes it easier to adjust but not 100% required

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Memphis370Z

I think it just makes it easier for the mechanic to perform adjustments for the alignment process, as well as keep them from scratching or rounding off the pieces that turn.

totopo

Other than the well known allignment issues, There are a lot of cons for lowering springs. Spring rate, ride height, and damping are all interrelated. To build a proper suspension, you first decide on bump travel. That determines your spring rate, and that determines your damping.

So with lowering springs only you have a dilemma. You can either go for stiffer springs that support the diminished bump travel (and properly stiff springs will have really high spring rates to go from bump travel of like 5 to 3 inches) which will the be woefully underdamped and cause the car to feel like crap.

Or you can go the route most aftermarket springs go for and just have similar spring rates, which won't be enough spring for the lowered bump travel. This causes the suspension to constantly bottom out, killing the shocks and doing damage to your frame.

In addition, lowering the car changes the suspension geometry and the roll center. It usually puts the roll center underground which is suck.

All in all, why do you want to lower your car? Looks? Performance? Lowering for performance isn't straight forward. You want matched damping for your spring rates. There are calculators online to figure out what spring rate you want to run for a given bump travel. Then after that you should probably get roll angle adjusters, and then probably weaker anti roll bars.

Zipper 104

It's just another thing to get you to buy while you're there getting the rest of the SPL stuff. Not necessary at all. The camber adjuster is in the middle of the arm where there's nothing in the way of it. The jam nut is just as accessible and the 'sleeve' on the other end uses a 3/16 allen key.
Don't bother and save your money. Let the alignment guy deal with it.

104

Memphis370Z

Got everything finished up (including the installation of a Stillen oil cooler) and got an initial alignment. Looks, drives, and feels great! Wish I had done this sooner.

Zero dark

Alignment before springs settle? Does it matter if you get it done after install or a week after install

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MD Art Pipes, MD Shockwave exhaust, AAM Intakes, Stillen Crank Pulley, Z1 25 Row Setrab, Whiteline Diff Bushings, 20mm H&R spacers, BC-BR Coils, GT-R push button, 3M, Tommy Kaira Knob, Takata Drift III, Custom Harness Bar, Zwork Headlights, EVO-R, Uprev

Zbrah

Nice!

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Memphis370Z

Thanks, Zbrah! Hope to post some tomorrow.

Zbrah

Sweet! Can you snap a few shots of your toe bolts and lockouts. I've been looking for installed photos of the lockouts but seem no one has posted any

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Memphis370Z

Not sure if I can slide underneath any more, now that it's lowered, but I'll do my best.

Zipper 104

They basically look no different than what's in there now. The stock toe bolts are essentially identical and the lock outs are just plain bolts with washers and nuts. The stock bolts in where the lock outs go are eccentric just like the toe bolts, so they look like the washers are 'off center'. The only reason to have pictures is to see where they go, if you don't already know.
The lock outs go on the inboard end of the camber arms. The toe bolts go on the inboard end of the spring bucket....in the same location as the stockers.

I'll take pics of mine this weekend of you're determined to see some. I'll be putting my spacers on.

104

Memphis370Z

Now I'm looking for wheels. I was going to stick with 18"s, but I think I would like 19"s, just to fill what little gap is left. Regardless, I'm extremely happy with the results. Someone at work noticed there was something different about my car, but they couldn't put their finger on it. To me, that's always a good sign. It means that, while subtle, it looks right!

Sorry for the quality of the photo, but all I have is my old iPhone.

madwi

Lookin'

Very nice.

Memphis370Z

Thanks, madwi! I appreciate it.