Swift springs review!!!!!

FricFrac

It sounds like the shop who did the install didn't take any base measurements to get it close to aligned so it's way out of spec with all the adjustable components. Driving the car is going to get it to settle in a lot more than it just sitting there however it sounds like its so far out it's not safe to drive. You are probably best to let it set for a week have it aligned towards the outside specs to allow room for when it settles. You might just have to have it re-aligned a second time but it's not worth messing around with a safety and performance issue to save $100.

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'09 370Z - '93 300ZX Vert - '83 280ZX - '83 280ZXT -'81 280ZXT stroker - '72 240Z - Stillen CBE, HFC, G3, Grounding Kit, Sways // Swift Spring // H&R 15mm // 5% Tint // Clear Bra //

Telephone

I don't think it's fair to fault the shop entirely, if at all. This was a big job that included front & rear camber kits. I knew I would need an alignment, yet didn't anticipate such squirrelly handling after the install.

Appointment for alignment has been made for SAT. I'll request outside specs as you mentioned. Thanks.

cavemancan

How bad is the alignment in the front post spring install? Can they align it with in spec? How bad is the tire wear after it's all said and done?

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Mazda Rx8 MT Titanium - SOLD!
2009 370Z T-Sport MT Black - Takeda Intake, Swift springs, Rear Camber kit, SS B Lines, FI Exhaust, Z Speed CMAK Flywheel/Clutch Kit, Stillen Brake Cooling.

sfearl1

that doesn't sound right. i had swifts installed two weeks ago and the car is very stable (still needs an alignment). take the car back and have the shop that did the installation double-check their work.

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Scott

CFZ

With all those installed at once. It just definitely needs an alignment. Try not to drive it until you get it fully aligned because its going to destroy your tires.

slo

+1, definitely get it aligned, if you got just springs, you could easily get away with riding around a week or two to let new springs settle, but once you start replacing other parts related to the suspension, gotta get it done.


Just my opinions....here:
I would have the alignment shop just leave +.2 or +.3 or so (different opinions) so that it does have a little room to settle for camber.

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KaienZ34

I think you can get the front back to spec, but to get the rear back to spec you'll need a camber kit.

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cavemancan

I just bought the rear camber kit including the toe bolts to accompany the Swift springs. I hope the front doesn't get to far out of spec. I want a little bit more negative camber in the front for handling but not so much it will eat the tires much faster.

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Mazda Rx8 MT Titanium - SOLD!
2009 370Z T-Sport MT Black - Takeda Intake, Swift springs, Rear Camber kit, SS B Lines, FI Exhaust, Z Speed CMAK Flywheel/Clutch Kit, Stillen Brake Cooling.

Telephone

Well, I got my car aligned today and it completely fixed the bazaar handling issues I was experiencing after the install last week. The tech eliminated the excess camber as requested. The car handles great now. The ride is stiff and stable. My passenger side is slightly higher than the driver side. As for the Konis...I have them on the softest setting and plan on keeping it that way for this daily driven Z.

Attached Images

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KaienZ34

Glad you got it worked out. If your on swifts, how can one side be lower than the other?

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sfearl1

that's a good question... i had that issue w/ a set of RS-R's on my 350. never figured out what caused it, and it bugged the sh1t outta me!

my Z is flat as a pancake on the swifts

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Scott

Telephone

It baffles me too. I'm only 150lbs

KaienZ34

I hope mine is after, i'll be picking up a used set with about 3,200 miles on them next weekend.

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ZForce

Sounds like the swift Koni combo is too rough of a ride for DD even at the soft setting. At least from the feedback I an hearing. Had the same issue on my old 350z paired with Koni and H&R. May just go with oem replacement and save the $$ and my back. Still will hold out until I make a first hand judgement with a buddies car with same setup. A big difference in money between the two, 500 for oem vs 1000 for Koni.
Btw..swift designed their spring around the design of the oem shock not Koni. So how can the swift Koni combo give better performance unless swift designed another spring to work with Koni which I doubt. Ineteresting........still on the fence here.

Telephone

Honestly...I say forget the Konis if you're daily driving your car. I don't hear too many complaints from the guys who have Swifts/factory shocks. I never drove my Z with the Swifts and stock shocks, but I can tell you that the Swift/Koni combo is NOT a smooth ride at the softest setting. If you have smooth roads where you live or you're a track junkie...then maybe Konis are a good choice for you. But I live and daily-drive in the real world, and a choppy ride gets old. I think I'll drive the car for a month and then decide whether or not to put the factory shocks back on. I actually want to drive another 370Z with Swifts/factory shocks to compare before I make a decision.

I bought the Konis because they just happened to go on sale before my Swift install. I was lead to believe that Konis were the logical addition to aftermarket springs. Now I'm left wondering if I made a $860 mistake

I'm not saying 'stay away from Koni'. But there was a lot of hype on this forum saying that Konis were going to be awesome and would be the best bet for aftermarket springs. I gotta call BS on that. Most of that hype started before Koni even released their 370Z shocks/struts...before anybody bought/drove them. Perhaps Swifts are best paired with factory shocks afterall? Perhaps Koni is better paired with a softer spring rate...or for the hardcore guys?

Just trying to give you guys honest feedback. I'll keep you posted.