Okay well first off I tried reading all of the threads I could.
I am making this thread as a last resort.

However, I am looking at dropping my (soon to be) G35.
I want it pretty low, but not SLAMMED. Now as I understand, anything past 1'' will cause a lot of negative camber.
To correct this camber, what all is needed? Will the SPC camber kit ($220 for rear) fix the entire problem (after alignment)?

Will coilovers dropped 1.5'' also cause poor alignment? Or just springs?

Also, which springs would be best for me?
I want it low, 1-1.5'' drop.
A little stiffer than stock.
Linear spring rate (not progressive).

Coilovers are an option. I had springs on my S2000 and then switched to some coilovers. I just don't know if I want to put that much $$ into my G, whereas my S was a big project.

Thanks a lot!

 

if you have the cash get coils

 

That's what I'm thinking... But then again, I only plan on getting a 12 month lease. Sure I can sell the coils used in a year, but it's money that can't be spent elsewhere.

Now, I know you get what you pay for, but has anyone used the Cusco Zero-1 coilovers (as found on Gruppe-S.com)?

But most importantly, will coilovers prevent the need for camber kits? If so, the money factor is much closer.

 

IMO, given your goals and being budget minded, I would go with a set of Eibach Sportline springs and Tokico D-Spec adjustable shocks. They can be purchased for alot less than coilovers and you can't go wrong with this combination.

 

If you're going to be leasing, you should get a set of full replacement coilovers..

It won't be worth it in the long run since you will have to either A) Remove the stock springs from the stock struts, then when you return your lease, remove the lowered springs from the stock struts to replace the stock springs again
B) Buy a set of aftermarket shocks.

You'll end up spending just enough to buy a set of Tein Basics.. Which are a great buy imo..

You'll need front control arms and rear camber arms, plus an alignment. Rear camber arms require some minor cutting.

Z STechs? Probably cheapest way out if you plan on keeping the stock struts.

 

If I planned on getting shocks as well, I would probably just get coilovers from the start. But if I can do it on stock shocks, then the price difference is bigger and springs may be worth it.
I was looking at the Sportlines, and my only complaint is they drop the front more than the rear, like ALL SPRINGS. So far the only one I found is the Sportline for 350Z that is an even drop (1.2'' for Z, so about 1.5'' for G do you think?).
And that drop will surely need at least the SPS rear camber kit. And what for the front? Control arms? And then a new alignment after everything?

But the main Q... If I get coilovers, or even springs+shocks, will I still need to get control arms and camber kits?

 

How is it that nobody knows whether or not a G dropped 1''+ on coilovers will need a new camber kit or not?

 

I recommend the Eibach Prokit springs and Tokico D-spec shocks. This recent install made a wonderful improvement in handling. (In all honesty, for all I know, they are the worst choice out there - I can't be sure because they are all I have tried. But I CAN say that I am VERY pleased with this combo.)

Scraping has not been an issue, but I can tell that it would become one quickly if the car were much lower.

The shocks are excellent with a wide range of adjustment. The range is from cushy to punishing - something for every ego! And the Eibach Protech springs are an exellent match.

By they way, don't forget the final leg of the traingle, the Eibach anti-roll bar upgrade. Together they all make a wonderful harmony!

 

I don't think there are any coilovers out there for the Z/G that have camber plates, so a comparable drop with spings/coilovers will put your alignment in the same place. If you are only going to have them on for a year, I wouldn't even bother with camber correction. You won't have time to make up the cost in tire savings.

If you want springs only, maybe look into the 350Z Hotchkis springs. They lower the rear slightly more than the front.

 

Thanks a lot, guys. Loving the input and advice!
How about Eibach Sportline for 350Z? They say they drop that car 1.2'' all around. Would that be about 1.4'' for a G, or more? Ideally, I'd like a 1.1-1.2'' drop all around, but being picky isn't paying off. Haha.

 

Hotchkis for 350z:

.6F, .8R

What would that be on a G? .8'' and 1''?

Eibach Pro-Kit for the Z looks like it might be what I want... 1'' F and 1'' R. Would that be about 1.2'' F and R?

Thanks, guys!

 

Add 1/2" to Z springs, Hotchkis would be ~1.1, 1.3". If you want a stiffer spring, consider the 350Z RS*R springs - 1.1, 1.1". G35 Eibach would be a nice drop if you don't mind progressive springs.

 

I think it's just the amount of drop that will affect your camber, not whether you get springs or coilovers.

You should get the Tanabe GF210's like me for a cool 2"+ drop.

Then watch your camber go to negative hell (waiting for SPC to release their A-arms).

 

Yeah, I guess I don't mind too much between linear and progressive. If I wanted top performance and handling, I'd get coilovers.
I'm coming from an S2000 that was built for complete handling... Buddy Club coilovers, T1R Xbrace/Strut, 225/255 tires, etc etc... That thing was fun to auto-X and was like a go-kart.
Naturally the G wont compare in handling, so I am not going to even attempt. I am mainly doing the drop for looks.
I will keep looking out. Thanks a lot for all of the advice.
Ideally I would find some that did a 1.1''F and 1.2''R I think, just slightly stiffer than stock.


Hotchkis and RSR both sound tempting. According to Gruppe-S (I will verify with TireRack), Eibach Pro Kit for G35c:
F = -1.8
R = -1.2


RSR sound nicest... 1.1'' F/R. Thanks! Are those Progressive or Linear? $225, not bad. I am not used to lb/in, so how would this compare to stock:
Front: 345 lbs/in; Rear: 417 lbs/in
(Im used to kg/mm)

 

Eibach springs for the G, especially the coupe have a rather wide rate spread, building in added reason to stick with your request for linear springs and NOT progressive springs.

Your oem shocks have too much body and piston length to make drops past 1" a good idea. Even if you switch to oem based 350Z shocks and make use of their 3/4" shorter bodies and piston shaft lengths, your still going to be down on bump travel and getting into issues where your kissing the bump stops. Stellar turn in mean's nothing when it's your suspension doing a sky high rate spike courtesy of running out of travel because your smashing the bumpstops.

What you want, is simular to what I have been after from day one and the driving force behind most all of the information I post across the net for the platform. For springs, that means which one's will I avoid at all cost's because they are progressive, and which one's are linear.

Hitting as many points as possible in a shock and spring combo, here's what to get, alignment will NOT be in spec just to be clear.

RSR 350Z linear springs .6”/.6” drop on 350Z G35 coupe drop should be 1.1"/1.1"
Spring rates in LBS 345/417
With Tokico D-spec shocks(350Z version) or Koni's(350Z version standard)

Hotchkis 350Z Linear springs .6”/.8” drop on 350Z G35 coupe drop should be 1.1"/1.3" (rear drop can be lessoned with the simple use of self made shims placed above the oem upper rear spring seats, from a even rake to slightly higher in this case)
Spring rates in lbs 340/330
With Tokico D-spec shocks(350Z version) or Koni's

Swift 350Z linear springs .8”/.6” drop on 350Z, G35 coupe drop should be 1.3"/1.1" (much more difficult, but the rear upper spring seat can be modified to increase rear drop, shims for adding height are much easier to do)
Spring rates in LBS 336/364
With Tokico D-spec shocks(350z version) or Koni's

While I know that coilovers are not cheap, you will get payoff's in the form of better suspension travel (staying off the bump stops, ie bump travel) and even better dampning control, PROVIDING you avoid cheap coilovers. Tein CS and HKS RS come to mind.