It's about time, gutting the Nismo suspension.

Spooler · 04-14-2017, 10:07 PM

Yeah, the interstate I drive to work on is horrible. I have been stiffening up due to the higher speeds and bumps. I get a small bounce. I have got that cleared up now. The faster I would go, the more I noticed it. The ride is still way more comfortable than the Nismo suspension. My goal is to improve the ride and improve the handling at the same time. This has been tough. So far so good. I have been driving some of my favorite corners. So far the handling has improved.

Ape Factory · 04-15-2017, 01:56 PM

I just adjusted my dampers and went up six clicks rear (total 14 I believe) and three up front to 18. I'd never run the rears that high and it was definitely firmer but it didn't seem to be blowing through the entire damper stroke and thus may be an improvement. Definitely feel it in the kidneys more but it's not a hard, harsh hit. On normal roads, it's really tight and just well damped/controlled. These things just respond so much more quickly than your average damper and the rear seems more controlled powering out of corners. Things you learn by just trying them out.

One note, your damper settings will also depend on what tires you run. Bridgestones typically have a very hard sidewall and when I switched over to Michelin PSS, I was able to increase my damping a few clicks and not degrade ride quality. I'm not skipping over bumps mid-corner at all.

I have to believe these are THE choice for a quality setup below $4K. If you spec out the AST's the same as the Aragostas, they're in the mid-4K range and are essentially the same damper with their own shim combination.

Spooler · 04-15-2017, 02:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ape Factory

I just adjusted my dampers and went up six clicks rear (total 14 I believe) and three up front to 18. I'd never run the rears that high and it was definitely firmer but it didn't seem to be blowing through the entire damper stroke and thus may be an improvement. Definitely feel it in the kidneys more but it's not a hard, harsh hit. On normal roads, it's really tight and just well damped/controlled. These things just respond so much more quickly than your average damper and the rear seems more controlled powering out of corners. Things you learn by just trying them out.

One note, your damper settings will also depend on what tires you run. Bridgestones typically have a very hard sidewall and when I switched over to Michelin PSS, I was able to increase my damping a few clicks and not degrade ride quality. I'm not skipping over bumps mid-corner at all.

I have to believe these are THE choice for a quality setup below $4K. If you spec out the AST's the same as the Aragostas, they're in the mid-4K range and are essentially the same damper with their own shim combination.

Now you are seeing what I saw. It's not a bad ride, just firmer. The shock has more control over the compression and rebound. I am adjusting by the feedback the car is giving me in different situations. Glad you see the same results I have. Makes sense.

OptionZero · 04-16-2017, 01:33 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ape Factory

I just adjusted my dampers and went up six clicks rear (total 14 I believe) and three up front to 18. I'd never run the rears that high and it was definitely firmer but it didn't seem to be blowing through the entire damper stroke and thus may be an improvement. Definitely feel it in the kidneys more but it's not a hard, harsh hit. On normal roads, it's really tight and just well damped/controlled. These things just respond so much more quickly than your average damper and the rear seems more controlled powering out of corners. Things you learn by just trying them out.

One note, your damper settings will also depend on what tires you run. Bridgestones typically have a very hard sidewall and when I switched over to Michelin PSS, I was able to increase my damping a few clicks and not degrade ride quality. I'm not skipping over bumps mid-corner at all.

I have to believe these are THE choice for a quality setup below $4K. If you spec out the AST's the same as the Aragostas, they're in the mid-4K range and are essentially the same damper with their own shim combination.

yeah

i think of the tiers of coilovers like this

$1000/less = don't even bother
$2000 = Powertrix because Charles is so good at his job
$3000 = Aragosta type-S
$4000/more = might as well go all out and get something with a cup kit and triple adjustable

Ape Factory · 04-16-2017, 11:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by OptionZero

yeah

i think of the tiers of coilovers like this

$1000/less = don't even bother
$2000 = Powertrix because Charles is so good at his job
$3000 = Aragosta type-S
$4000/more = might as well go all out and get something with a cup kit and triple adjustable

Realize the Aragostas can be had for far less than $3K and what Bulletproof sells them for. I paid about $2300 to my door (shipping, import tax, everything) for the Type S with rubber uppers. Solid pillows are, if I remember correctly, about $150 more.

Spooler · 04-16-2017, 11:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ape Factory

Realize the Aragostas can be had for far less than $3K and what Bulletproof sells them for. I paid about $2300 to my door (shipping, import tax, everything) for the Type S with rubber uppers. Solid pillows are, if I remember correctly, about $150 more.

Mine are custom. They have the damper adjustments on the side for the rear. No hole cutting for my car. They actually cost quite a bit more than 3k.

Ape Factory · 04-24-2017, 01:23 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Spooler

Mine are custom. They have the damper adjustments on the side for the rear. No hole cutting for my car. They actually cost quite a bit more than 3k.

Hate to break it to you but that's not custom. That's how they come regardless. I have the same side adjustment knob and there's no cutting involved. Bulletproof just tacks on a grand for taking your phone call. If they told you that to justify the price, they deserve a hard kick to the sack. I'm actually out in La La land currently but leaving for Asia tomorrow morning otherwise I'd swing by there and do it personally for you. :nut swinger:

Here's a pic of my rear shock.

Jhill · 04-21-2017, 06:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by OptionZero

yeah

i think of the tiers of coilovers like this

$1000/less = don't even bother
$2000 = Powertrix because Charles is so good at his job
$3000 = Aragosta type-S
$4000/more = might as well go all out and get something with a cup kit and triple adjustable

Would love to hear from someone who's had all three fortune/powertrix/arrogosta to get a real complete feedback. The powertrix have been good but always curious what's out there.

Maybe get a swap deal going and see what we all think?

Ape Factory · 04-24-2017, 01:25 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jhill

Would love to hear from someone who's had all three fortune/powertrix/arrogosta to get a real complete feedback. The powertrix have been good but always curious what's out there.

Maybe get a swap deal going and see what we all think?

I've only compared the Aragostas to the Tein Flex Z's but the other car also had Hotchkins bars so not a fair or accurate comparison.

Spooler · 04-15-2017, 03:11 PM

Here are 2 things that concern me that I think I have talked about before.

1.) The squat in the rear on take off's. Some is needed but you don't want too much or the negative camber will increase causing less contact patch with the road.

2.) When I drive into a sharp corner the front end will dive a little.

Some things to think about.

I am getting close on my damper settings. One thing I have not tested is at high speed. The Nismo setup was very stable. This may also cause an increase in damper settings. This is no doubt a learning process. I hope other folks can learn from it also.

Hotrodz · 04-15-2017, 03:21 PM

Yes an increase on both will be needed. I hav have added aero to the front and back all which impacts the need for stiffer springs and increased dampening.

Sent from my SM-N910P using Tapatalk

Hotrodz · 04-17-2017, 08:48 AM

One on the main reasons I went with Fortune Auto other than a quality product is because they can be upgraded. You can buy a module so you can change your dampening electronically.

Spooler · 04-17-2017, 11:52 AM

Well crapola. Wavetrac's are on national backorder. 2 month wait. I have ordered the OS Giken instead.

Hotrodz · 04-17-2017, 12:04 PM

Wow...but OS Giken ftw! What's the wait time for it and who did you order it from!

Sent from my SM-N910P using Tapatalk

Spooler · 04-17-2017, 12:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Hotrodz

Wow...but OS Giken ftw! What's the wait time for it and who did you order it from!

Sent from my SM-N910P using Tapatalk

2 days. Ordered it from Z1mortorsports. They are building it and I will drive up to have it installed. 500 more than the Wavetrac.
So I went with my 2nd choice. Quaiffe was not on the table.

04-15-2017, 01:56 PM	#2 (permalink)
Ape Factory Base Member Join Date: Apr 2016 Location: San Antonio Posts: 210 Drives: Audi RS5/QX70S Rep Power: 10	I just adjusted my dampers and went up six clicks rear (total 14 I believe) and three up front to 18. I'd never run the rears that high and it was definitely firmer but it didn't seem to be blowing through the entire damper stroke and thus may be an improvement. Definitely feel it in the kidneys more but it's not a hard, harsh hit. On normal roads, it's really tight and just well damped/controlled. These things just respond so much more quickly than your average damper and the rear seems more controlled powering out of corners. Things you learn by just trying them out. One note, your damper settings will also depend on what tires you run. Bridgestones typically have a very hard sidewall and when I switched over to Michelin PSS, I was able to increase my damping a few clicks and not degrade ride quality. I'm not skipping over bumps mid-corner at all. I have to believe these are THE choice for a quality setup below $4K. If you spec out the AST's the same as the Aragostas, they're in the mid-4K range and are essentially the same damper with their own shim combination. Hotrodz likes this. __________________ '13 Audi RS5 Misano w/mods-The Red Mist '13 G37 IPL-SOLD

04-15-2017, 03:11 PM	#10 (permalink)
Spooler A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Jun 2014 Location: Ga Posts: 14,119 Drives: 2013 Nismo 370z Rep Power: 2684394	Here are 2 things that concern me that I think I have talked about before. 1.) The squat in the rear on take off's. Some is needed but you don't want too much or the negative camber will increase causing less contact patch with the road. 2.) When I drive into a sharp corner the front end will dive a little. Some things to think about. I am getting close on my damper settings. One thing I have not tested is at high speed. The Nismo setup was very stable. This may also cause an increase in damper settings. This is no doubt a learning process. I hope other folks can learn from it also. Last edited by Spooler; 04-15-2017 at 03:20 PM.

04-15-2017, 03:21 PM	#11 (permalink)
Hotrodz A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Aug 2012 Location: NW, AZ Posts: 9,330 Drives: 10 Nissan 370z Nismo Rep Power: 2684385	Yes an increase on both will be needed. I hav have added aero to the front and back all which impacts the need for stiffer springs and increased dampening. Sent from my SM-N910P using Tapatalk __________________ *Fast Intentions TT Installed and Tuned by Seb at SpecialtyZ 610whp 560tq:\|Fast Intentions 3" TT-TDX*\|SpecialtyZ/Fast Intentions 72 Row Oil Cooler\|SZ 6 Puck Clutch & Flywheel\|3GsCustoms\|Z1\|Wavetrac\|Hotchkis\|Whiteline \|Blitz\|Fortune Auto 500\|Fujimura\|SPL\|H&R\|TK\|TWM\|RPM Rollbar\|Sparco\|Next Level Performance\|TrackSpec\|AeroFlow Dynamics\|Pioneer\|

04-17-2017, 08:48 AM	#12 (permalink)
Hotrodz A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Aug 2012 Location: NW, AZ Posts: 9,330 Drives: 10 Nissan 370z Nismo Rep Power: 2684385	One on the main reasons I went with Fortune Auto other than a quality product is because they can be upgraded. You can buy a module so you can change your dampening electronically. __________________ *Fast Intentions TT Installed and Tuned by Seb at SpecialtyZ 610whp 560tq:\|Fast Intentions 3" TT-TDX*\|SpecialtyZ/Fast Intentions 72 Row Oil Cooler\|SZ 6 Puck Clutch & Flywheel\|3GsCustoms\|Z1\|Wavetrac\|Hotchkis\|Whiteline \|Blitz\|Fortune Auto 500\|Fujimura\|SPL\|H&R\|TK\|TWM\|RPM Rollbar\|Sparco\|Next Level Performance\|TrackSpec\|AeroFlow Dynamics\|Pioneer\|

04-17-2017, 11:52 AM	#13 (permalink)
Spooler A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Jun 2014 Location: Ga Posts: 14,119 Drives: 2013 Nismo 370z Rep Power: 2684394	Well crapola. Wavetrac's are on national backorder. 2 month wait. I have ordered the OS Giken instead. Hotrodz likes this.

04-14-2017, 10:07 PM	#1 (permalink)
Spooler A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Jun 2014 Location: Ga Posts: 14,119 Drives: 2013 Nismo 370z Rep Power: 2684394	Yeah, the interstate I drive to work on is horrible. I have been stiffening up due to the higher speeds and bumps. I get a small bounce. I have got that cleared up now. The faster I would go, the more I noticed it. The ride is still way more comfortable than the Nismo suspension. My goal is to improve the ride and improve the handling at the same time. This has been tough. So far so good. I have been driving some of my favorite corners. So far the handling has improved.

04-17-2017, 12:04 PM	#14 (permalink)
Hotrodz A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Aug 2012 Location: NW, AZ Posts: 9,330 Drives: 10 Nissan 370z Nismo Rep Power: 2684385	Wow...but OS Giken ftw! What's the wait time for it and who did you order it from! Sent from my SM-N910P using Tapatalk __________________ *Fast Intentions TT Installed and Tuned by Seb at SpecialtyZ 610whp 560tq:\|Fast Intentions 3" TT-TDX*\|SpecialtyZ/Fast Intentions 72 Row Oil Cooler\|SZ 6 Puck Clutch & Flywheel\|3GsCustoms\|Z1\|Wavetrac\|Hotchkis\|Whiteline \|Blitz\|Fortune Auto 500\|Fujimura\|SPL\|H&R\|TK\|TWM\|RPM Rollbar\|Sparco\|Next Level Performance\|TrackSpec\|AeroFlow Dynamics\|Pioneer\|

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