Nismo S-Tune Sway Bars review, thanks to Z1 Motorsports!

'10Anamoly · 08-02-2012, 06:38 PM

So I just got a set of the Nismo S-tune sway bars installed on my 370z at Z1 Motorsports. Price was $268+ install and tax.

Thoughts are below:

The bars themselves are powdercoated silver and look great (especially on my Brilliant Silver Z!). They are noticeably heavier than the stock bars, probably 2-3 pounds each. The front bar seems beefed up more than the rear which is probably a good thing for balance on these cars. The bars have pressed on metal tabs to keep the mounting rubber for the bars from sliding inward, which is a nice, OEM style touch that not all aftermarket bars have. The packaging came with new exhaust gaskets since you have the option of dropping the rear exhaust to install them. Z1 was able to put these in though by loosening a few bolts here and there and lowering the pipes a bit without a big ordeal.

I will admit, I was a bit skeptical of the impact these would have. I never went for the Hotchkis or Stillen bars as I dont track the car and wouldnt be into adjusting it per my needs. I wanted something that was a one shot deal for improving the handling of the car without too much oversteer or any crazy bar rates.

That being said, I am extremely satisfied. The car seems much more stable both on the highway and through curves, short and long. You can feel the bumps a bit more but its less of a banging sound, more of a muddled thump which is a nice change. The chassis feels much more solid with these. Overall NVH is not increased, just big bumps that seem a bit deeper in tone but more controlled.

Steering turns in significantly quicker which is a definite plus. I would define it as sharper. It feels like I could more accurately pinpoint where I want the car to go with the steering without any sense of oversensitivity. Body roll is down significantly in the corners and you can tell where the traction limit is much more easily, although it does not oversteer at all. I feel more comfortable with aggressive driving with these.

All in all, I say these are an absolute steal for $200+shipping from Z1. Buy em while you can for this price before they go back up to the normal $600+ range!

EDIT: Sorry for my typo, the bars were $268, not $200. I read the receipt wrong.

bluenoser · 08-02-2012, 07:08 PM

I bought these too. I can't comment on the performance yet as I haven't installed them. While it seems like a good deal it should be noted that these are blemished parts. Mine arrived with a "blemished part / as-is / no warranty" sticker on the front bar. This is not mentioned on the Z1 website. Honestly, I can't see the blemish but I don't think I would have purchased these from Z1 had I known this beforehand. I'll probably still install them but I'm a little disappointed with the purchase.

Jordo! · 08-02-2012, 07:09 PM

Don't know if these are even stiffer than the OEM Nismos, but I was very pleased going from stock to Nismo myself

bluenoser · 08-02-2012, 07:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bluenoser

I bought these too. I can't comment on the performance yet as I haven't installed them. While it seems like a good deal it should be noted that these are blemished parts. Mine arrived with a "blemished part / as-is / no warranty" sticker on the front bar. This is not mentioned on the Z1 website. Honestly, I can't see the blemish but I don't think I would have purchased these from Z1 had I known this beforehand. I'll probably still install them but I'm a little disappointed with the purchase.

Also, Z1 did offer a refund so I don't mean to bash them or anything. It's still a decent price I guess even if the bars have no warranty. Just don't be surprised if you order these and they arrive with "blemished" stickers on them.

'10Anamoly · 08-03-2012, 08:24 AM

I dont think mine was blemished nor did I see a sticker like that on the bar, but I may have missed it? They looked perfect when they went on, shrug?

John@Z1 · 08-03-2012, 09:28 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by '10Anamoly

I dont think mine was blemished nor did I see a sticker like that on the bar, but I may have missed it? They looked perfect when they went on, shrug?

Z1 will honor the typical Nissan 12 month 12,000 mile warranty for these sway bars.

These bars have been labeled as a blimished item by Nissan because they are overstock product. These items were sold under normal cost so Nissan is not offering to warranty them. Nissan did not make any money on these items and is therefore not willing to honor the typical warranty. We have passed along the savings on these overstock (aka blimished) sway bars to our customers. The performance and quality of these items meets all of the Nismo standards they simply made too many.

'10Anamoly · 08-03-2012, 10:42 AM

I love mine and they look great, thats for sure!

bluenoser · 08-03-2012, 12:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by John@Z1

Z1 will honor the typical Nissan 12 month 12,000 mile warranty for these sway bars.

These bars have been labeled as a blimished item by Nissan because they are overstock product. These items were sold under normal cost so Nissan is not offering to warranty them. Nissan did not make any money on these items and is therefore not willing to honor the typical warranty. We have passed along the savings on these overstock (aka blimished) sway bars to our customers. The performance and quality of these items meets all of the Nismo standards they simply made too many.

Thanks for clarifying John. I'm much happier knowing there's some sort of warranty even if it is pretty unlikely to be needed for sway bars. Good customer service

John@Z1 · 08-03-2012, 02:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bluenoser

Thanks for clarifying John. I'm much happier knowing there's some sort of warranty even if it is pretty unlikely to be needed for sway bars. Good customer service

Anytime sir, throw them on and enjoy !

'10Anamoly · 08-03-2012, 03:38 PM

Got a little more aggressive today and wow is the car flat in the corners. I love these babies!

08-02-2012, 06:38 PM	#1 (permalink)
'10Anamoly Track Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: GA Posts: 882 Drives: 2010 370Z BS M6 Rep Power: 15	Nismo S-Tune Sway Bars review, thanks to Z1 Motorsports! So I just got a set of the Nismo S-tune sway bars installed on my 370z at Z1 Motorsports. Price was $268+ install and tax. Thoughts are below: The bars themselves are powdercoated silver and look great (especially on my Brilliant Silver Z!). They are noticeably heavier than the stock bars, probably 2-3 pounds each. The front bar seems beefed up more than the rear which is probably a good thing for balance on these cars. The bars have pressed on metal tabs to keep the mounting rubber for the bars from sliding inward, which is a nice, OEM style touch that not all aftermarket bars have. The packaging came with new exhaust gaskets since you have the option of dropping the rear exhaust to install them. Z1 was able to put these in though by loosening a few bolts here and there and lowering the pipes a bit without a big ordeal. I will admit, I was a bit skeptical of the impact these would have. I never went for the Hotchkis or Stillen bars as I dont track the car and wouldnt be into adjusting it per my needs. I wanted something that was a one shot deal for improving the handling of the car without too much oversteer or any crazy bar rates. That being said, I am extremely satisfied. The car seems much more stable both on the highway and through curves, short and long. You can feel the bumps a bit more but its less of a banging sound, more of a muddled thump which is a nice change. The chassis feels much more solid with these. Overall NVH is not increased, just big bumps that seem a bit deeper in tone but more controlled. Steering turns in significantly quicker which is a definite plus. I would define it as sharper. It feels like I could more accurately pinpoint where I want the car to go with the steering without any sense of oversensitivity. Body roll is down significantly in the corners and you can tell where the traction limit is much more easily, although it does not oversteer at all. I feel more comfortable with aggressive driving with these. All in all, I say these are an absolute steal for $200+shipping from Z1. Buy em while you can for this price before they go back up to the normal $600+ range! EDIT: Sorry for my typo, the bars were $268, not $200. I read the receipt wrong. __________________ 2013 Ford Mustang GT 374rwhp, 360rwtq SAE / GT500 Axle-Backs / Brembo Pack / Track Pack / Recaros / 6spd Last edited by '10Anamoly; 08-03-2012 at 10:44 AM.

08-02-2012, 07:09 PM	#3 (permalink)
Jordo! A True Z Fanatic Join Date: May 2010 Location: nirvana Posts: 6,394 Drives: 2023 NATM Rep Power: 417	Don't know if these are even stiffer than the OEM Nismos, but I was very pleased going from stock to Nismo myself __________________ Enjoy it. Destroy it.

08-03-2012, 08:24 AM	#5 (permalink)
'10Anamoly Track Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: GA Posts: 882 Drives: 2010 370Z BS M6 Rep Power: 15	I dont think mine was blemished nor did I see a sticker like that on the bar, but I may have missed it? They looked perfect when they went on, shrug? __________________ 2013 Ford Mustang GT 374rwhp, 360rwtq SAE / GT500 Axle-Backs / Brembo Pack / Track Pack / Recaros / 6spd

08-03-2012, 10:42 AM	#7 (permalink)
'10Anamoly Track Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: GA Posts: 882 Drives: 2010 370Z BS M6 Rep Power: 15	I love mine and they look great, thats for sure! __________________ 2013 Ford Mustang GT 374rwhp, 360rwtq SAE / GT500 Axle-Backs / Brembo Pack / Track Pack / Recaros / 6spd

08-03-2012, 03:38 PM	#10 (permalink)
'10Anamoly Track Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: GA Posts: 882 Drives: 2010 370Z BS M6 Rep Power: 15	Got a little more aggressive today and wow is the car flat in the corners. I love these babies! __________________ 2013 Ford Mustang GT 374rwhp, 360rwtq SAE / GT500 Axle-Backs / Brembo Pack / Track Pack / Recaros / 6spd

08-02-2012, 07:08 PM	#2 (permalink)
bluenoser Base Member Join Date: Jun 2011 Location: SF Bay Area Posts: 75 Drives: 11 370Z SP KAD 6MT Rep Power: 13	I bought these too. I can't comment on the performance yet as I haven't installed them. While it seems like a good deal it should be noted that these are blemished parts. Mine arrived with a "blemished part / as-is / no warranty" sticker on the front bar. This is not mentioned on the Z1 website. Honestly, I can't see the blemish but I don't think I would have purchased these from Z1 had I known this beforehand. I'll probably still install them but I'm a little disappointed with the purchase.

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