Anyone familiar with this set up? I ordered brand new 350Z H-Techs and my friend is selling me pratically brand new G35 Koni Yellows shocks/struts for a great price.. will this be a good set up? I searched but didnt find to much on this combination..
btw: I plan on going with S-techs and camber next summer so i think these shocks will be good then too..

 

The konis are good if you are getting them for a great price, IMO the d-specs are better suited because of increased adjustability, but the KY's are no slouches, mostly used in revalved form with high springrates, but should be fine at the stock rebound/bump. Only the rebound is adjustable BTW, so making them "stiffer" is somewhat difficult compared to the d-specs

 

Increasing rebound make things "stiffer" not by acting on the outside tires in a turn but rather by limiting droop on the inside tires. It's like running a bigger sway bar. Plus it can jack the car down sometimes in quick transitions. This wasn't evident to me until someone once explained it to me at an autox when I was discussing possibly moving from my oem shocks to something better. Regarding the quality of the Konis this guy comments on various brands and seems to be pretty well respected in the autox community: http://farnorthracing.com/autocross_secrets.html

 

Rebound Dampning:

The main function of rebound dapming is to control or slow down the undesirable oscilations of the springs. Rebound dampning controls the transitional roll or lean as the car enters a corner. Rebound should not be used to try and contain the total roll of the vehicle. But it will control how fast this roll occurs. Remember, spring rates, sway bars, roll centers and ride heights are all determining factors in roll control.

Rebound adjustment is a effective tool to optimize the car's balance front to rear. It has to be mentioned that too much rebound control on either end of the car will cause a inital loss of lateral acceleration (cornering grip) resluting in too much understeer or oversteer when entering a turn.

Bump Dampning:
Bump dampning controls the unsprung weight of the car. It controls the upward movement of the suspension when hiting a bump on the road or under braking. It shold not be used to control the downward movement of the car when it incounters dips, that is the springs job. Also, bump dampning should not be used to control roll or bottoming. Generally, ideal bump is acheived when walking or side hop in a corner is at a minimum and traction, ride feel are best.

Koni's motorsports calalog has advise for tuning rebound (and bump).

 

Some thoughts.

Koni's for the Z33/CPV35/V35 were R&D'd to specifically offer less compression dampning as a tuning method vs 03/04 oem 350Z shocks, they also offer superior overall valving and rebound control. For some that mission to have less bump or compression dampning means they are too soft, certainly Tokico D-specs set to 5 are stiffer on bump in comparison. Taking D-specs set to 6, 7 and 8 will make them even stiffer still. Yes Koni's have rebound control, but they do not have the deep well of control that Koni would like you to believe. You can adjust them too tight, but never to the point of jacking or other serious control issues.

Unless you have specific reason to want rebound tunablity, or you see a future that utilized Koni shop services, I would opt for the D-specs. IMO, If 350Z S-tech's are in your future, I'd go directly to them and skip the H-techs.

 

^
I was planning on getting the S-Techs for next summer.. i just got new tires at the begining of this summer and dont have the camber set up yet, so the plan is to save during the winter for the camber kit, sell the H-techs and get the S-Techs..
If i get the S-Techs now, wont that just ruin my tires over the next few months?


IMO, If 350Z S-tech's are in your future, I'd go directly to them and skip the H-techs.[/QUOTE]

 

Depends on how many miles will pass and how aggresively you drive the car. Though we really aren't talking about that big of a differance between drops for either spring. I just think that you'll appreciate the S-tech's greater level of stiffness in comparison. I did test 350Z H-tech's on my car, so that's also part of where I'm comming from.

 

^ Well, i still have a couple months here before winter and then ill be driving the beater but i think i would ruin my tires chance of survival for next year..

 

If you decide to go with something else, can you tell your friend to PM me. I would be interested in the Koni's. Thanks.

 

^ too late.. i put them on last night.. drop looks good and the ride feels vclose to stock.. i may sell them next summer.. if i do, ill let you ,know.