Hypothetical Active Suspension Mod
 

So I've had my Nismo for 2 weeks now and there is this 10 minute portion of my daily commute where I'm just bouncing around on the freeway.

What would it take in terms of hardware to be able to accomplish a "comfort ride" setting that I could turn on while driving?

I went HKS Hypermax III

You should've expected that sort of ride in a Nismo. The only way you'll be able to switch settings is getting an aftermarket coilover setup.

What is the road like on that 10 minute portion? Have you checked for the spring spacers as well? Killeen roads are pretty horrible, but I haven't "bounced" around at all. Then again I avoid holes, bumps, and the like when possible.

I think we need more info to assist you here.............

Yes I expected it, but I didn't get to test drive my daily commute and didn't know how bad concrete sections of the freeway can be. I love the suspension on the windy canyon roads and don't want to give that up. I just want to have a comfort setting for the insanely bumpy roads.

This is the section of road I'm talking about. Courtyard by Marriott to Americas Best Value Inn & Suites-Granada Hills-Los Angeles - Google Maps
It's all concrete and feels like it was put down in sections. So you feel like you are bouncing from one section to the next. There are no holes, but the separation between each section feels like a bump.

Maybe I will take a short video this evening to show you what I'm talking about.

Tein Monoflex with EDFC.

If your talking about the wavy concrete the only way to truly avoid that is by really soft suspension or adjusting your speed, in traffic it is pretty bad its all down here in SD also, so i just go slower until it goes away and if traffic is moving i stay above any speed i get it at.

I have my V3's tuned pretty damn tight.... imo but thats where i like them.

Actually, it will feel softer after about a month.

Also, did you make sure the spring stabilizer thing was removed -- there's a thread on it. It's just for keeping the front lip from bottoming out during transportation to dealerships.

Yeah I had them removed. Is it after a month or a certain amount of driving? I'm at 850 miles now.

I think this is exactly what I'm looking for! The EDFC is kind of ugly looking. I wonder if I could control it via a headunit. Uh oh, the mod bug is forming.

Hmm... if it hasn't softened up in another 250 miles or so, your only other option is to swap them out.

I found mine (regular Z, but shocks and springs from OEM Nismo) to be really rough for a while, but after about 1000 miles, they seemed to settle in and soften up a bit.

Swifts FTW?

I know you said you had them removed, but you need to visually inspect for yourself. Seeing how the dealerships have no clue. I was told they were removed... hell, it is even on the checklist. After two months of the front still being lifted and the ride rough as hell, I check for myself and found a spacer on each side. Took it back, had them removed, and now it rides like a Cadillac.

Correct me if I'm wrong, but I could see them on when I test drove it. I had to bring it back the next day to have them removed and I could physically see the front end was lower and I couldn't see them behind the wheel. They couldnt remove them the first night because I got the car at 9pm and they didnt have anyone to take them off.

After they were removed I could tell the car had a smoother ride compared to the first night. Is it possible there is something there that I missed?

My coworker is going to let me drive his Z (non nismo) on the same section this week to see the difference.

Cool. Somehow, I don't think there will be much of a difference. I am used to stiff suspensions though. Had JIC Magic FLA2s on my S13 hatch. Just be glad you aren't driving over cobblestone, lol!

I had to physically turn the wheel both ditections and found them hiding behind the springs against the fender well. They took four off the day I took custody (2from each side), but there were actually 3 on each side. Let us know what the outcome is please. Hope this helps. FYI, my friend still had the spacers on his 2007 350 NISMO. He had no clue.

Take a look at my springs. I don't think there is a 3rd one hiding.
http://i.imgur.com/g2NQwh.jpg
http://i.imgur.com/4FxcAh.jpg

Dont see one, but I can't see the back side either.Do you know what they look like?

Yes, I saw them in the sticky. Btw, the first pic is of the front right spring from behind and the other is the front left taken from the front.

Then you should be fine. Enjoy the road trips!!!

Any word on the alternate Z test drive?

Most likely this will be friday. I will keep you posted.

If you roughly double your speed the road will feel less bumpy :)

I wish I can lower my car and not deal with the insane amount of speed bumps and pot holes in Chicago... I have trouble as it is getting up some ramps and speed bumps lol.

Tell me about it. Killeen isn't much better (probably worse)!

I'm grateful to be in AZ :) Our roads are pretty nice.

Have you guys heard of the KW HLS? KW hydraulic lift system /// KW HLS helps lowered vehicles with low ground clearance to clear obstacles

Check it out, it solves your issues. You can raise the car a little to clear obstacles while still maintaining the performance of a coilover or properly matched spring/damper combo.