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Lowering and ride quality

Yes, I've searched the forum, but there's too much information and not enough information I have 2012 370 roadster I have cor forma wheels 9x20 front and 11x20 rear I

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Old 02-13-2012, 10:46 PM   #1 (permalink)
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Default Lowering and ride quality

Yes, I've searched the forum, but there's too much information and not enough information

I have 2012 370 roadster
I have cor forma wheels 9x20 front and 11x20 rear

I don't plan on tracking the car, but I do like carving corners, with comfort?

I would like to lower the car so that there is less gap on the fenders
But I don't want a stiffer ride, and I don't want to bottom out.

How can I lower the car (springs, which ones) so that it's lower on average 10mm to 12mm?

I also,realize tat the slightly smaller sidewall from going from a 19 to 20 rim will provide some degree of a harder ride.
I've studied the rates, the progressive vs linear, the various rates of lower front or rear, etc etc.

So, with all that in consideration,
What springs can achieve these objectives? (land speeder smooth, but corners on rails)

I've looked at Swift, tanabe, hk, tein, nismo kit, eIbach, etc etc

Lost in sea of information

Help, help

Thank you in advance
J
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Last edited by venturi; 02-13-2012 at 10:53 PM.
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Old 02-14-2012, 06:53 AM   #2 (permalink)
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Swifts have a great ride for a lowering spring. They will give you roughly an inch of lowering. If you lower your car, it will scrape once in a while. If you want better handling. I would purchase some sway bars and keep the stock springs. If you want to lower the car, you will compromise.
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Old 02-14-2012, 07:37 AM   #3 (permalink)
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dang it!
You're probably right. I was just hoping for some magic elixer to do this.

Is there a compromised solution? Maybe lowering it .5in or 11mm that would preserve the way it handles but keep it from bottoming out?


I used to have a 2010 370z coupe and had it 6 months before I put einback springs in it, however on a few occasions, just with a passenger in the car and normal road undulations when traveling over 60mph, it would do the bottoming out. Removed the springs, aligned it back and the problem went away. This time I've gone to great lengths to get better wheels, tires, exhaust, etc, and I'm faced again with that gap on the fender I visually loathe so much.

Maybe a compromise, what can be done with just lowering it just over 1cm and not bottom out, but also not be as stiff a ride as a nismo?


I know I ask in a complicated way, but there must be a way to lower it 11mm without incurring other compromises.


Jay

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Old 02-14-2012, 10:48 AM   #4 (permalink)
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swift, tanabe, eibach will be good choices for what you're looking for. BUt like cptspeed said, some sway bars would be a great addition. They'll improve the car's handling without comprimising the ride quality.
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Old 02-14-2012, 11:19 AM   #5 (permalink)
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I think you would be happy with some swifts..
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Old 02-14-2012, 11:37 AM   #6 (permalink)
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Swifts ride well, but they drop the car about 25mm or 1 inch. If you don't want to go that low, I don't think there's any way to lower the car.
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Old 02-14-2012, 12:55 PM   #7 (permalink)
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I have rear camber arms, coilovers and stillen sway bars.

I lowered the car .5" and i barely ever bottom out. The ride is still good even with 20" wheels and it also handles really well and is balanced nicely.

I even keep my coilovers on a relatively soft setting.

So its possible, but your not looking at a one shot, cheap solution.
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Old 02-14-2012, 03:56 PM   #8 (permalink)
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IMO, you should go for swifts based on the feel you are looking for. The drop may be more than you want, but it's not aggressive at all.
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Old 02-14-2012, 04:17 PM   #9 (permalink)
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You could also look into the springs from the Nismo which drops it about 1/2" and pops up in the for sale section every once in a while. Personally, I'm gonna go with the Swifts or coil-overs.
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Old 02-14-2012, 04:27 PM   #10 (permalink)
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You want Swifts bro. They are one of the lower drops available with springs. Mine are great, I love them. They are fine for daily driving but really handle the twisties well when asked to perform. Well worth the few extra bucks they cost. I personally wouldnt run any other spring. I can wait to install my Koni Yellows with my Swifts on them. Its gonna be a match made in heaven. SWIFTS FTW
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Old 02-14-2012, 05:14 PM   #11 (permalink)
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OP, i've run a couple of setup. The first one are Swifts, they performs great and the meet the hypes all our members here said, simply put it's an amazing spring. However, due to fact thay it's too stiff for our roads here so i sold it off to one of my friend. My current setup is H&R and mind you this is by far the LOWEST spring for 370Z! They def feels a lil softer and much more comfortable and less bouncy for our roads here in Brunei. However, i can still attack the corners at will with comfort

Take a look at my thread if you'd like to take a peak of what my setups are
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Old 02-14-2012, 06:22 PM   #12 (permalink)
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Nismo springs do NOT lower the car at all.

Get Tein H Tech springs they lower less than 1" Or RS*R from Japan. All others lower over an inch, Swift included. (1.2")
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Old 02-14-2012, 06:48 PM   #13 (permalink)
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I'm lowered with Tanabe springs, approx 1" in front and 0.75" in back. The only thing I scape is the nose of my car pulling out of avery steep driveway. I've never scraped on anything on the streets in Houston. Speed bumps aren't a problem.

I think the ride is great, and the stance of the car is awesome.
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Old 02-14-2012, 09:19 PM   #14 (permalink)
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I'm lowered on Swifts. After about 7k miles I have yet to bottom out. I scrape the little flimsy chin spoiler once in a while though.

You'll be fine unless your area has a lot of asphalt roads with buckling in the middle of the lane. I've learned where these few spots are in my area and avoid them at all costs.

If you don't know what I'm talking about, its where the asphalt is raised up 3-5 inches only in the center of the lane (think tectonic uplift) so your back wheels are unable to lift the exhaust, rear braces and stuff up over the bump. They're actually pretty scary and dangerous. I've tried to get my city's street repair dept. to take care of these things without success
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Old 02-14-2012, 09:38 PM   #15 (permalink)
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Thank you
Thank you all

While I truly did not get a singular answer, I was able, from the vast knowledge of the forum members to ascertain very selective choices. I have also learned that I should be ok with most of the recommendations.

It only proves the greatness of the 370z and the forum members.

Thank you

J
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