I try to clean mine once a month. My car stays pretty clean since its garaged kept, but it is my DD. The SPL Lower control arm bushings make a big improvement in overall handling and front end response, however they transfer a lot of NVH. It almost sounds normal to me now, ha ha. Just wanted to give my .02 cents. Good luck on your decision

stock arms are fine. just get a good alignment.

next option is go SPL

If I could, I would stay on the stock arms but I'm not sure my current alignment is acceptable.

It looks like this:

Toe
Front: 0.00 0.00
Rear: 0.01 0.04

Camber
Front: -1.2 -1.3
Rear: -2.3 -2.2

Too much camber in the rear I think? Not sure how fast the tires will wear out with the current settings. Hard for me to tell since I don't drive a ton.

I thought that since the bearing isn't sealed, dirt and stuff can get into it and hence you regularly need to keep it clean and lubed. Correct me if I'm wrong.

that's not a lot of camber. you're fine

This is my first time running any decent amount of camber, at -2.3 would I wear out the tires that much faster than say -1.4 assuming near zero toe?

Also isn't it undesirable to have such a large difference in camber from front to rear? More understeer at the limit?

I always say when you want to do something, do right from the first time so it doesn't cost you any issues in the long run (especially on a sports car). When you lower the car, you change the geometry of the suspension a bit and the stock arms just cant keep up anymore with the change that's when SPL arms come in. I dont have anything against SPC, but for me all it takes is for somebody to say I snapped my spc arms so I just stay away all together. Hope that helps a little

I would like to do this right, but it seems like there aren't very good options for those who want to lower their car but mostly maintain an OE ride. The SPLs are very well built but there is no denying that the spherical bearings will transmit more NVH and will require regular cleaning and lubing since they aren't sealed. The only reason I haven't just jumped on the SPCs is because I don't like those reports of the arms snapping.

SPC did recently release some new beefier arms though:
Specialty Products Company | SPC Alignment | The Automotive Alignment Leaders

They have a different design and are forged for increased strength and use a new bushing type that is supposed to perform like a monoball but have the durability of the OE part. They claim it doesn't require regular maintenance.

Specialty Products Company | SPC Alignment | The Automotive Alignment Leaders

Since it is so new, I can't find any reviews on it.


EDIT: I should also mention that SPC has revised the design on all rear camber arms for the Z/G to remove the curve. The arms are all straight now for increased strength. I guess this means that SPC's original design was deemed to have inadequate strength.

Ah, to hell with it. I'm gonna order my SPL arms later today and call it a day.

Well I guess you wont be saying this for the front SPL camber arm which cost $700 +.

For DD its a waste of money and over kill.

Btw has anyone had actually experienced the SPC snapping apart while doing DD?
Please convince me. Otherwise you should be fine with SPC but if you do have the money for it go for the SPL. Its your peace of mind in check.

my ears don't pick up any noise from SPL bushing and it very much feels like a DD

I decided to go SPL because I think the NVH shouldn't be imapcted too badly from just installing 2 camber arms with spherical bearings. It is honestly probably overkill for my street driving but I do like the peace of mind of knowing I got the highest quality arms available and I won't have to worry about it. The price difference isn't that much anyway for the rears.

I do think SPC is a reputable company and their arms are probably at least as strong as the OE arms. To my knowledge, all the cases of broken SPC arms were either due to install error, an accident on the road or some fairly extreme track use. I doubt the SPC arms would snap like that under normal street use. I won't be needing the front camber arms, but if I did I don't think I'd buy the crazy expensive SPLs for my DD use.

We aren't talking front. Front doesn't need any adjustment till you hit the track and need more camber and caster. If you'd read the post rusty linked you'd see your wrong. DD can provide plenty of harsh conditions and its not if a spc rear will snap its when. It's cheap china crap crudly painted that will rust out at the threads. It's a horribly disigned part with a built in snapping/stress point. This is why SPL uses titanium at the threads and its solidly welded at the joint unlike spc where they put the adjuster. If you want to mod like a civic then go buy a civic. If you want to mod like a big boy with a big heavy expensive car then do it right or not at all. I'm tired of these teenagers picking up cheap 370's and treating them like a neon/civic. Cheap crap parts give us all a bad name. My car at the moment is highly respected wherever I go. I don't need that to change because people start treating a Z like a ricer.

Man you completely missed my statement I know you are referring to the rear SPC vs SPL. Man Im with you that the SPL is a better quality than SPC. With the price difference of $100 hands down your better of with the SPL at the rear.
That is why I said it would be a different story if we compare price point via front cambers. There is a huge price difference.
By all means get the SPL if you can afford it.

On the other hand I was also stating if for a DD one should be good with SPC. Again like you have stated if your not such a "Big Boy" then go for the cheaper brand. I don't find anything wrong with that, not everyone are equally fortunate like others who can afford it, other would simply want to enjoy a small piece of enjoyment with a lesser degree of financial burden. That is why there are options to fit your purpose of usage and preference.

Well if you categorize people who buy lesser value brands as civic lovers thats you own stereo typing of people. I do not have an issue with that in fact I do agree with you at a certain extent.

But let me give you my own definition of the term "Big Boy"
For me This are the people who drive cars such as Porsche, GTRs, McLarens,Ferrari, Lambo and other list of super cars!

If by chance you have at least one of this cars then you are indeed a "Big Boy" but if you drive the same 370Z I drive Im sorry I guess we are still in the same category of whatever you want to call it.
Because if you refer the "Big Boy" just because your heavy with modding I define it as still a "Wanna be "Big Boy":tup:

Hey Im not arguing or reputing your own opinion yet I do respect it....I would even say that you are Right! But as far as the "Big Boy" statement I do have a different view about it. :tup:

I humbly say Im not a "Big Boy" in my own definition. Im at peace with that. Lol