Which coilover kit is the best???
 

Okay guys,

So, I've been looking around at getting a coilover kit for awhile now, but I'm not one to go out and blow $2000 without doing extensive research on the subject first. I could not find a thread specifically addressing the comparisons/contrasting evidence among different kits, so here's my attempt. I drive my Z daily and do not plan to track it more than once every 6 months or so. Keep that in mind. However, I want to lower the car to give it a meaner stance and also give it a stiffer, more aggressive ride, but don't know if I should just go with a set of Eibach springs or a nice set of coilovers. I had a set of Tein S-Tech springs on my Scion tC before I bought my Z, but I wasn't happy with the fact that I could never adjust them if need be (however the price was good).

Long story short, I want to know what coilover kit you guys recommend. BEFORE responding, PLEASE base your opinion on factual experience, NOT word of mouth. It seems that rumors tend to spread about particular brands, not because of facts but because Joe Shmoe "said so". I've been looking at getting the Megan Racing coilover kit because they seem like a reputable company and sell quality stuff at a very competitive price. I PMed a guy (Phimosis) who has this setup and who said he's been happy with it initially, but I wanted to know if he's still happy with them. However, I guess he just hasn't been on to respond to my inquiry. Here's his thread:

http://www.the370z.com/brakes-suspen...pressions.html

I want to know what you guys think in terms of which setup to go with (keeping in mind I don't want to spend $2000 for new suspension but don't mind spending a few extra dollars for a setup that will last). Again, PLEASE respond based on personal experience or based on information from a reputable resource, not just because you heard from someone that heard from the guy around the street that one system is better than another.

Thanks so much,

Eric :hello:

Personally, I would go with KW V3's.

http://www.the370z.com/brakes-suspen...light=coilover

http://www.the370z.com/brakes-suspen...light=coilover

http://www.the370z.com/brakes-suspen...light=coilover

http://www.the370z.com/brakes-suspen...light=coilover

our robispec'ed KW's MURDERED everything at the Super Lap Battle....and they RIDE NICE TOO....I never understood why people would give up one to get the other in a duel purpose car...Robispec and KW Street suspensions that won't embarrass you at the track when you decide to take your DD there.

Given your intended uses, I would doubt coilovers are even the right way for you to go

Track once every six months? If you're staying on the streets, why don't you just change the springs? Tanabe or Eibach would work...

I track regularly and the eibach spring / stillen sway bar setup I have is more than adequate, plus the eibachs give the look you want for only about $250.

http://img16.imageshack.us/img16/1918/tails3.jpg

I was considering the Eibachs, but do you think the stock shock absorbers will hold up for a long time (i.e., 50K+ miles) with aftermarket springs? And since I've got the F.I. cat-back exhaust that sits only about 4" off the ground at its lowest point would hit the pavement? See, that's one reason I'm leaning toward coilovers over springs, because I would like to be able to raise the car if the lowered height does cause problems. What do you think?

You should look into bc coilovers about $1k. You can't really go cheaper than that. There are a few here that have bc. From my research they seem to be the best bang for the buck for daily use and I haven't read any 370z having problems with them.

I will definitely look into them. Do you know anything about Megan (for about the same price)?

This pisses me off because I wanted robispec KWs...

I read one review here and the guy gave it a good review. I trust bc more than megan because more people have gone bc, thus more feedback.

Thanks for the info. I really appreciate it. :tiphat:

KW and BC coilovers really are the top two contenders in the price range for the 370z. I wouldn't recommend anything else at this level.

I have extensive racing experience with KW's on another chassis and can't even begin to explain how well these perform!

Scott

Well we learned a lot...for the first day at the track. And were 4 seconds a lap faster than the BC coilover car with an open dif, no tune, oil temp limp mode sometime during the second hot lap, and a totally STOCK y pipe forward Z. I need to rework the rebound curves and install a larger compression piston and increase the compression range....(more on front less on rear)...change spring rates and lengths....these are still a work in progress...that being said Robispec when we hit the (in our opinion) perfect combination WILL PROVIDE UPGRADE OPTIONS...I can and will work with all existing KW "sets".. As I said earlier, without a "Z tested" set from KW I was not comfortable about the G/Z solution they were offering and was waiting for the true "Z" solution before I could in good faith provide you (and any other customers) with a KNOWN better solution and I explaind this to John. I put my reputation on the line when I recomend a direction to take.......and I didn't like the total weight, and wheel mass differances in the "G" vs "Z" platforms. It looks like I'm even going to be able to (with KW's assistance) develop a "race" version. These will have a lighter casing (not SS) and true motorsport parts inside all provided by KW in a CO-branded platform... (like all the street class winning Evos currently have)...please give me a bit of time.
I will also be providing custom vesions of the JRZ RS and Professional line up as well as AST. Relax (please) through the "off season" and Robispec will have a bunch of true PERFORMANCE ENHANCING parts out early spring. These things take time to get them right.

Hey now Robi lets play nice, you know as well as anybody that there are a million variables that affect lap time. Now on paper your car should be faster than mine especially at a track like Buttonwillow. Your car is ~250 lbs. lighter than mine. Your driver is probably another 50 lbs. lighter than me. Your driver is Leh Keen, current Grand-Am Rolex Sports Car Series champion. Your car has front and rear aero. Your car had fresh tires. The only thing my car had on you is a set of intakes, an oil cooler, and a diff.

Now I will admit that my car made a poor showing with a 2:04 lap time. Hell I ran a 2:05 back in March with a completey stock car with just coilovers, intakes, and high flow cats. My car should have been much faster but the setup on it was terrible and since I was driving two cars at the event I will admit that the Z got neglected. I think I only took it out for maybe 6 total laps throughout the entire day so I didn't spend a whole lot of time sorting out the handling issues.

That being said both of our cars I am sure can be much faster. If I had the time to mess with alignment and sway bar settings and a fresh set of NT05s I am more than confident I could have been within a second of your car, however your car should be at least 3 seconds faster with the aero, weight reduction, and your secret weapon driver.

So hopefully this weekend at the Redline Finals I can get my car sorted out more and since RTA doesn't allow pro drivers in the Street class we can have a little more of a fair comparison.

My point of all of this is, implying that your KWs are so much faster than the BCs is in my opinion a little off base. Up for a coilover shootout? :D

oh I like where this is going.

Also Robi, John didnt explain anything to me, all he said was that you were "not answering" us. If you do make an upgrade kit, let me know, I'd be interested most likely depending on price.

:argue:lol!!!

:argue:

I agree, and I am being nice...you have had your car for almost a year have pleanty of support and help so I went there expecting to get killed (as we have had our car for 6 working days...and this was our first time at the track with this chassis). We were also only 0.75 back on the Import tuner project 370 with forced induction...AND a pro driving it too..I didn't "plan" all this, just was flexable enough to get out of the car let Leh drive and focus on what I do best..making the most out of the least HP. How did this happen? Leh Keen was walking by and since I know him from the East coast evo tuner shootout I asked him why he was there...to drive he says but the car blew up on the dyno.....I say want to drive "mine"? He said sure...I say well I've just thrown this setup together from my 350/g35 data...I hope it works....will you give me feedback and I'll try and make it better...We were the fastest 370 in sesion 1, got beat bad in session 2 and with the final changes and a slower track were the fastest 370z in the last session...just not fast enough to be the fastest 370 at the event....darn.. I have gon on record that the BC is a great style/ street solution (I just don't think they are a racing solution moot ymmv) we have beat their cars EVERYTIME we have gone head to head in th same classes SB even crashed "his" trying to use my braking point (but the suspension couldn't keep the rubber down) at Summit point 2 years ago...the splitter came off AFTER he went off not before...we have video...I'm not saying you or your program are bad. I am stating facts because I was soooo happy with the cars results. Please bring your "A" game every time its good for you and that's what helps this comunity...get FASTER..

This is my lack of comunication. When I say I'm waiting I don't pester you with it's not ready yet....I notify only when I get an update.

"round figures" springs and helpers 500, revalve and repiston 150/shock. this would be for a "clusport level" suspension or you would have paid 2800 from Robispec.

I was trained by the best....

Me and Robi at Gateway in St. Louis....

http://i73.photobucket.com/albums/i2...10460068ac.jpg

ouch talking about "round figures"......

No I get what your saying and I think ALL of the 370Zs there should have gone faster than they did and your Z should absolutely be faster than mine from the reasons stated in my last post. I just don't agree with your implication that it was due to the coilovers.

+1. Waste of $$

i would have to agree with Robi n go with the KW's imo.

I used Stance coilovers on my G35 and they are nice and affordable. There are more adjustment than you need as well. I went through THMotorsports and they gave me a good price. Good luck with your decision!:tup:

Thanks so much!

I can't wait for this.. so 1100 for the works !? I can handle that whenever it's ready to go !

Are Tein Flex coilovers any good?

I ran the Tein Flex coilovers on my Subaru. They were an improvement over stock and I was content with them. After switching to the KW's, I realized how much more a set of quality coilovers made a difference!!! The Tein's were good in that they allowed me some adjustments...but the KW's made a world of difference! There really is no comparison between the two!

Scott

Yes 1100.00 + shipping is correct ready to perform the service now.

I can customise the springs depending on which tires you will be using too.