The very few and far between Powertrix coilover review -- picture heavy
 

Let's start with my prior set up. Installed H&R sport springs last Sept. 2012 using the stock shocks. The springs gave an aggressive ride height and drove better than stock. My goal then was purely for the stance. The stock shocks was not built to match the aggressive stance/ride height offered by H&R springs and noticed the shocks progressively become less responsive. This happened about 4 months after the install. Compression was noticeably worse compared to when the new springs were originally installed. I noticed a big difference during a cruise on May 25 with a bunch of guy at Mt. Palomar just outside of San Diego. Here was a San Diego pic. I lost count on how many times I scraped my front lip. The stock shock was not stiff enough to take on Mt. Palomar.

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This is when I noticed the limits of my set up. Mt. Palomar was perfect to test your skill and the limits of your car. Thank goodness for the PSS tires otherwise, I'd be all over the place. It was there where I met Charles Park owner of Powertrix (he brought his Powertrix Z) and a couple of guys from San Diego using his c/o system in their Z's. One of them (a forum member) who had Powertrix in three generations of Z's that he owned throughout the years. They spoke highly of his product and gave positive feedback during the cruise and during exchanges of e-mail. I was not interested in his product then as I had my sights set on either the Sustec Z40 or the KW v3. As I said, the car's shocks progressively became worse and knew it was time to make a change last July/August.

Charles' Z --- w/ Randy Rodriguez taking pix of his creation.

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Why not KWv3 or the Sustec Z40? These are great coilovers but I thought that these far exceeded what want to do with the car. All I wanted was a coilover that offered adjust-ability, a quality ride, and enough change in my pocket for future mods. This car will not see the track but may occasionally take on Mt. Palomar or the twisties on Highway 1 in Big Sur. In my profession, I also expected quality service so that element was important to me. In most purchases that I made for the Z, I bought the item and that was it. There was no relationship built with the company or it's representative during the transaction. I enjoy the relationship I have with AeroJacket and AG/Get Your Wheels. I looked at a wide spectrum of choices such as Stance, BC, Sustec, KW, H&R, and Powertrix. I read reviews, read pages and pages of posts in the forum, and I called everyone and spoke with anyone I could talk to. Rode in a few cars with various C/O set ups. In the end, I ended up with Powertrix Sport Street coilovers.

What I liked:
It came with upper mounting hardware and is a simple bolt on. No need to disassemble the stock shock upper mounts and bushings. If I did the install myself, this would come in handy. The upper mounts are fitted with a synthetic butyl bushing in place of a pillow ball. These c/o offers adjustment of independent ride height adjustability through the threaded bottom mounting brackets. This set up properly separates spring preload and ride height. Charles explains that these C/O are geared for the aggressive everyday street driver with the occasional autocross and road course event. It has 15 way adjustable strut dampening that is valved softer than their full (RT) Road/Track and (UL) Ultra-Lite Road/Track Coilovers. Not sure if I will eventually need it but it is rebuildable/replaceable strut body. Finally, Charles offered an upgrade option by replacing the springs with Swifts with 12k spring rate.

So what was it like to work with Charles. He is very responsive and explained his offerings based on your objectives. He offered his Sport Street option and provided me with the features given the goals I described. He responded to my e-mails and inquiries in a timely fashion.

Here's what I arranged with Powertrix:

Sport Street Coilovers
Swift Springs option
Hotchkis sways
Labor/Installation

The install:
I arrived at his shop in Miramar, CA at 8:30 AM and Charles was already there waiting and set up. It was a straight forward install. Took measurements at first and recorded on his board. He did the front sways first before installing the front coilovers. He used some old school tricks to take out the noise and squeal of the Hotchkis sways. Coilovers were measured to match before the install so height adjustment was minimal.

Car up on the lift with Charles on the front:
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The original Powertrix springs were taken out and swapped with Swift springs with a spring rate of 12k.
http://i985.photobucket.com/albums/a...pse7920207.jpg

Hotchkis Sways installed:
http://i985.photobucket.com/albums/a...ps39f3ca37.jpg

Coilover installed:
http://i985.photobucket.com/albums/a...ps96c75a99.jpg

I like how there are clips to hold your brakelines:
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Coilover and Sway pic:
http://i985.photobucket.com/albums/a...ps9619730c.jpg

It was followed by the rears and that took longer. Had to take out the mufflers off, pull the old sways out, and replace with the after market Hotchkis sways. This added install time. The rear Swifts were not yet available. It is under order and will not be ready until late October/early November. Spring rate is expected to be either at 10.5k or 11k.

Rear coilovers installed but CF mufflers need to be taken out to get the rear sway bars installed:

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CF mufflers are back on along with the rear C/O and sway bar set up:
http://i985.photobucket.com/albums/a...ps8e950676.jpg

After the rears were installed, Charles went ahead and drilled a 1/2" hole to access the damping adjustment of the rear coilovers. He had a template from prior installs to mark the hole in the right spot. The height adjustment took another 30 minutes to complete and it was very straight forward. All along, Charles would explain and educate me about every aspect of the installation and adjustment. He showed me how everything was installed and how to adjust the height. I truly appreciated the information:
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http://i985.photobucket.com/albums/a...ps14ee3baa.jpg

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I purchased metal plugs from Home Depot and painted it matte black to match:
http://i985.photobucket.com/albums/a...ps3775729e.jpg

Bought a set of T-handle hex drivers and used the 4 mm key for my dampers:

http://i985.photobucket.com/albums/a...psdf7e15d7.jpg

Here's the hatch with the plugs and T-handle stored in the open spot:
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The drive:
We left the coilovers set at 1 click during initial installation. Clearly a huge, noticeable difference with the new suspension. The 2.5 hour drive from San Diego to Valencia was more than enough to determine and judge the difference. I've driven the Valencia to San Diego and back on the old set up numerous times. I'm very familiar with the nuances and the varying pavement of the roads and freeways from San Diego to home. At one click, ride quality improved over H&H's and stock shocks. I could best describe it as very smooth. No noise. Driver feedback is more pronounced with the new coilovers vs springs. The drive back did not tell me much about the new sways -- more on that later. Hands down I get better confidence and feel at high speed. There was a stretch on the 5 fwy where I know there would not be any CHP lurking and floored it. The car responded well to the challenge and stayed put at high speed keeping itself composed. It was a comfortable ride home. I noticed how the car responded well to the various dips and transitions on the pavement in the freeway.

I bumped to 3 clicks and then to four. I can tell there is a difference between 3 and 4 clicks. Clearly stiffer with my current setting of 5 on the front and 4 in the rears. Steering is very sharp and composed. I have yet to discover the limits of the car with the new set up -- coils, sways, and tires. I've pushed the cars on corners and high bank turns and can tell, the car can do more. I just don't have the balls to discover the limits on private roads and certainly will not try to find out on public roads. Best place to do this is on a wide open lot or a track. At 5 front and 4 back and sways set to medium, the car is much more firmer. Driver feedback is much more pronounced and you feel the road at the steering wheel. The rears are very responsive and less susceptible to getting loose. I know spots or sections in my area where the car can get loose but not anymore with Powertrix. I can tell the car is precise on banks and turns. Again, with Powertrix, the car's limits were pushed further out. The new set up begs me to go further but is I want to keep it in undiscovered territory. Twists and turns are handled with ease and gives me great confidence. This is what it is supposed to do.

Would I recommend? Absolutely. I've had the set up since Aug 30th and really happy with it. So for those looking for an affordable, street-focused with occasional hard driving, easily adjustable, set up backed by a service oriented owner, give Charles at Powertrix a call. This coilover set up allowed me to spend my leftover mod money elsewhere like........brake pads and rotors but that's for another post.

Feedback of this review appreciated.

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GREAT POST...Bravo

Awesome

Excellent review....congrats!!!

good deal...

Nice writeup Rafael :tup:

Thanks! I'll be adjusting the height in 6 weks or so and will install the rear Swift springs. More on the construction of the c/o to follow. Also have a trip to the Central Coast end of October. Should be a nice drive along 101 and Hwy 1.

I dig it.

Good Review my friend...

Nice Post
 

Enjoy. I've been on these same coilovers for the past 3 years. Daily driven with multiple Palomar cruises and a few trips to Willow Springs.

These are definitely quality coilovers that don't get enough recognition with in the 370z crowd.

I plan to do a longevity review as well and am considering the upgrade to the Swift Springs depending on the difference in ride and performance.
(Just waiting on the custom rear springs Swift is building for the Powertrix Coilovers):driving:

Looking forward to read your long term feedback. The rear springs should arrive by late November. Can't wait.

Just out of curiosity, why are you switching out the rears for swifts? You could be changing a lot of the handling characteristics of the current setup like spring rate. Wouldn't you be able to adjust for that with this kit instead of switching spings out? Other than that you do have a nice setup goin...keep up the good work!!!

Thanks roy'sz. I'm sure I could leave it with stock springs and adjust from there like you said. I like the idea of having a consistent and long term performance from swift. Can't tell you the difference because I went to swifts in the front but will be able to share later Ono c the rear springs arrive.

So by stock springs you are talking about the original powertrix or are you referencing the ones that cam on the coilovers originally? Also as far as longevity is it those compared to the swift? Just trying to get some info that way if I do pull the trigger on these I have some education on a good direction to go.

Yeah, I was not clear on this one. I meant comparing swifts with the springs that came with the powertrix coilovers. Longevity - depends on what you'll be doing. If DD with occassional autoX, you'll be fine with the springs that came with it. The swifts are probably overkill for DD but is great to have when you need it. There is a difference in materials used but will not translate to an immediately noticeable difference on the ride. Perhaps over time it will. These set just brings great value with or without the swift upgrade.

Great writeup Rafael, very informative and well written

:tup:

So what you are saying is that the swift springs are stiffer than the powertrix coils? Is it that you wanted a stiffer spring? Just wrapping my head around the whole situation. From it sounds like is that the swifts have a stiffer range of ajustablility than the stock powertrix springs?

The spring rates between the original front powertrix coils and the swifts are the same at 12k. The difference is in the build and material used. Long term, the swifts will be more consistent, sag/bind less, retain it's shape, etc. compared to the stock powertrix coils (look at the two springs and compare). For those who care about weight, the swifts are lighter. For the rears, the powertrix coils are at 10k. The swifts rear will come it at 10.5 or 11k. I may or may not feel the slight difference once installed, I do not know and will have to see when it is installed in November. I am not clear about what you meant regarding your last question.

I get what you are saying now. Makes perfect sense. I chased camber gain in my 08 stang for almost 2yrs. What I was getting at before I understood you was that the adjustability of spring rate might have been more or less adjustable with swifts rather than powertrix. Thanx for clueing us all in on this subject!

You can't adjust spring rates. They're set depending on coil count and thickness of the coil. You're probably talking about impact of swifts on damping adjusments. None really.

Nice review Rafael. I cant wait to check out your car with the new suspension set up.

According to powrtrix website they are.

All coilover kits are rebuild-able so it will be the last strut and spring combination you will ever need. Fine tuning of the suspension is also possible for any and every type of driving style, or motorsports events as custom spring rates are available from 3kg/mm (168 lbs/in) – 17kg/mm (952 lbs/in) Note: + or – 2k on spring rate changes will require re-valving

Suspension

So like I had asked before, aftert I did some searching. You get MORE spring rate out of the swifts then you do the original spring.

The adjustable spring rate is 3kg-34kg. Just figured I'd show you why they are a better spring. Looking forward to some long term review from you as I am at 57k on my original struts and plan on getting some in the future.

Dude it is time. You will enjoy the difference.

i got to ride in charles car and OMG all i can say is that i want those coilovers, its so smooth yet it feels even more planted than my nismo setup

your review is only confirming what i experienced

im definitely going to buy these sometime soon

Cool. I thought only his girlfriend got to ride in his Z. Kidding aside, it is relatively undiscovered for the 370, great value comes to mind and for you to be right in the same area as PT and Charles is just great. I luv San Diego!

you go out to the SDZ32 club meets?
charles runs the meet

second wednesday of the month, it would be great to have another Z34 out there

EDIT

NVM just saw where you are from lol

im surprised you couldnt take palomar on stock suspension, maybe its because i have the nismo suspension :P

Stock shocks had gotten soft that's all. If it were probably newer sure.

Took the car for wheel balancing and tire pressure. While the front wheels were out, I went ahead and adjusted the coilovers raising it by 3/8" Was going for 1/2" but thought it would leave a big gap. It was a straight forward adjustment. Needed the front raised a little bit to avoid scraping problems.

The Swifts arrived. Taking a drive to Charles in his shop in San Diego this Friday for the swap and install. Will also check for any adjustments, inspect the sways and end links, and talk about other things I can do for handling.

Subd! :tup: Car looks SICK but how the hell do you drive with it being that low around here?!

LOL. I figured out a way to do it. I look at google map when I go to unfamiliar territory so I know where to park, I call ahead and ask to speak with valets and ask if lowered friendly, I turn on my hazards when I slow down for known dips, I back out of steep driveways with my hazards on of course, and ask for help from guys to watch out for me when I leave steep driveways or lots.

Kudos for dealing with that for the look! Especially with the way some of the roads are around here!

can we get a pricing on these?

^^ Get in touch with Charles
Nissan 370Z Forum - View Profile: Charles@POWERTRIX

Send him an email. Also, I'll PM you his contact info. You can also search for his Group Buy for pricing. Ask if he'll give the GB price to you.

Didn't know there was a review on here about these! I'm ordering these soon!

This review just earned them business. As soon as I get my '15, these will be the first purchase.



Thanks!

Same here. Got in touch with Charles and he set me up with a great deal on the sport streets with Swift springs. FYI, he said a new group buy would be coming in the next couple weeks.

Great review, thank you for going out of your way to give everyone such awesome amount of information. I am on Swift/Stock and the car is starting to feel way too soft and a little nervous again

If you are interested in a drive this Sunday to feel the new suspension, take a look at the group below

Group Drive | October 26th | Mulholland | Eurotopian.com Forums

Good read, I'm not too far from you .. I am in Canyon Country... I am looking to get this same set up. Just been worried about bottoming out lol with an upgraded suspension.

Lol. You won't bottom out. Scrape? Yes but there's a safe way to drive and avoid it.

Have friends out there in CC. I've been seeing a few more Z's in the area that's for sure. Good luck on your decision.