How to achieve a supple ride?
 

Most posts I read seem oriented toward higher performance, higher capability (e.g., track worthy) suspension set-ups. I have always found the ride on my Sport Package 370Z to be rather hard. As my orientation is more toward high-performance street machines (and with California's DOT-rated worst roads in the nation), I would like a little more comfort in a supple ride. BMW 3 Series and Mazda RX-8s are good examples.

I have considered going to "minus-1", 18" wheels and using tires with a slightly higher profile, but it seems like an adjustable shock or a coilover that is known for ride as well as handling would be a more direct solution. I welcome suggestions.

Thanks,
Jeffrey :tiphat:

PS: Tokico makes the OEM shock on our Sport Package Zs; they said they will not have a fitment for us until "a year or a year and a half away."

not sure wat you mean by a tactile ride... you want click action? :icon17:

your best option would be to get some progressive rate springs with the least amount of drop, use 35psi on the tires (nothing higher) and get soft sidewall sport sedan tires, and then later upgrade your dampers to tokico's to stiffen it up a little bit.

the stock dampers aren't that strong, imho soft because the dampers compress quite a bit over big dips and humps like a sedan. it's the springs and tires that's giving the initial bump rough/sporty feel.

Not sure exactly what you're aiming for, but take a look at the KW Variant 3's. I absolutely love mine and they aren't too stiff for the street especially with the progressive spring rates.

You should look around for people in your area with different suspension setups. Ask for a ride along at a meet and see if you like it or not.

You need a coilover with distinct high-speed bump adjustability. This allows the shock to provide rapid give when encountering sharp impacts, such as seams in roads or even pot holes, but still provide firm dampening when cornering. Progressive springs also help smooth out road imperfections. Plus, don't forget tire pressure. Variances of 5-10PSI have a big impact on road feel. My car came with the 10PSI higher than the recommended amount. The correction made a big difference for street driving.

That said, the above is just theory. A lot of people on the forum have KW V3's so those are a nice option. It's a twin-tube design so you have longer piston travel than a mono-tube with progressive springs. Seems to hit all the marks.

Thank you all, this is helpful advice and gives me a starting point to begin exploring options.

Buy a Buick! :)

In all seriousness, I've yet to swap out any spring/coilover suspension component that had a softer, more supple ride than stock. I've had lowering springs and coilovers (one or the other) on Celica's, WRX's, STi's, Lexus', BMW's... and none of them had a more comfortable ride than stock. Maybe you'll find a perfect combination for the 370, but I'm guessing stock is going to be close to as soft of a ride as you are going to get. Good luck in your search though.

id try a set of H&R's..they seem more compliant then my stock springs.

+1 for a progressive setup.

Thank you to the additional posters for your ideas.

bullet1: If you formerly drove a bimmer, then I'm sure you know what I a getting at. The two examples I gave were BMW 3-Series and the Mazda RX-8. Neither is generally considered "a Buick" yet both have more supple rides than the 370. Supple does not = soft. In any case, my follow=up question to you would be this: As BMW and Mazda both have demonstrated track records (no pun intended) of building high-performance cars without harsh or hard rides, what would make such a ride intrinsic to the Z?

Thanks again.-J

you really think stock isnt supple?...I think its pretty good for a sportscar

I own a 3 series currently and use to have a rx8 as well...I don't think you'll be able to get that smooth planted feel these cars have..maybe a set of kw's with a softer spring rate n properly valved will get u close?

My wife currently has a 335Xi. While I can appreciate the car for its merits, it is by no means a sports car. It handles great and has a very good feel for it, but it is still a family sedan with a twin turbo heart.

My point wasn't that there isn't a suspension out there that you could enjoy, my point was that rarely will aftermarket suspension components soften the ride of your vehicle. So if your starting point is a stock 370Z suspension, usually the lowering springs, coil overs and the like will use higher spring rates and thus increasing the harshness of the ride. I haven't had experience with the H&R springs for the 370Z so I cannot comment on whether it is a better ride or not. I sold a Lexus IS350 that was lowered with F-Sport springs and my Z is definitely more compliant and comfortable than it was, while still having much better handling. I guess its all what you are used to. I had an STi before the Lexus that was also lowered and it was probably the harshest ride of any car I have owned. And that was with Tein H-Tech which was supposed to be the more relaxed spring that they offer. My wife also had an STi with Eibach Pro-Kit springs and it was extremely harsh as well. So compared to those vehicles, I think the stock 370z has an excellent feel to it.

That's a great verbal description of what I was trying to say. :tiphat:

bullet1:
Thanks for your most recent reply. Lots of good detail for me to consider. I do want to acknowledge that I think the Z has outstanding handling and road-holding. wishihadnav's description of "smooth planted feel" probably gets closest to what I have been looking for. Maybe I should stop carping and just enjoy the 370 for what it is (a very fine sports car). No car can be all things to all people at all times. Like many car nuts, I can be kind of obsessive.

I had KW's on my last car, and that is the last thing you want if you want supple. I say go with air bags :tup: