D-specs/h-techs/sways
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D-specs/h-techs/sways
It has been a long time coming, but I finally have my suspension completed. I am running D-Specs, 350Z H-Techs w/ ˝ inch shaved from spring mount, and Stillen Sways.
My first mod was Stillen Sways about a year ago. I set them at mid-mid and have left them there to date. The sways absolutely transformed the handling of my G. The steering instantly felt noticeably lighter (less understeer) and really allowed me to push the limits of the tires.
A couple of months later I installed the H-techs. The ride seemed to be identical but the steering was a little heavier and the car less “flick-able” around the corners. A little research showed that the rear spring rate of the H-Techs are actually softer than stock. This explained the perceived heavier steering. Softer rear springs = more understeer. My disappointment with the soft spring rate would reveal an unexpected benefit later.
I rode this combination for more than 40,000 miles. As I approached 30,000 miles it became apparent that the stock shocks were fast degrading. By 40,000 the shocks were gone. It came on slow, but the car became less and less fun to drive and increasingly bouncy. When the nose would rapidly lift in acceleration (causing noticeable loss of steering) and dive on deceleration (not much fun either) I knew it was time to replace the shocks.
Wanting to save some money I decided to swap out the rears with Tokico Blues. Not a bad shock. They had a perceived dampening rate a little higher than my blown stockers.
But it became apparent that the fronts needed to be replaced. The car would still rise uncomfortably on acceleration. I decided that D-Specs would be the only rational choice (my racer buddy still insisted I get the Koni’s). Unfortunately, I learned that obtaining a set of front D-Specs would be problematic. It was then that God spoke to me (well...more like the government by way of a stimulus check)
I placed an order for all 4 D-Specs and decided to let P-Tuning install the fronts. The rears are easy to install and I wanted to use extenders.
After driving away from P-Tuning I headed to my favorite twisty roads (now with D-Specs up front and Blues in back.) The car felt...well...kind of dead. Definitely stiffer; but not much fun to drive. So I pulled over and inserted the trusty adjusting tool into the shock. The shocks were set full firm. I dialed the shocks back 3 turns (about 60% stiff) and went back on the same road.
Wow! Like day and night! Not a little difference, a huge difference! This is when I came to be a believer in adjustable shocks. As many of you know, softening the fronts increased traction thus increasing oversteer (or decreasing understeer). The steering felt light to the touch and the car was more “flick-able” than ever.
A week later I installed the rears and let the suspension tuning begin. With the front and rears set at three turns from full hard the car felt like a stock car. Heavy confidence inspiring steering (I perceive understeer as being more perdictable) and a bone jarring ride that almost caused my girlfriend to puke. After some strong objection, I dialed the front and rears 6 turns from full hard (about 20% stiff). She was pleased. It was then that I realized the benefit of the softer H-Techs. Springs are not adjustable. Get stiff springs and you will always be stiff.
With a little experimentation, I have found 3 ˝ turns from hard in the front with 3 turns from hard in the back to be my favorite setting. The steering lightens and the car can be “flicked” through the corners.
Trust me, adjustable dampening is a must. Even if you only put them in the front, you now have the ability transform your ride in a matter of minutes. You can't say this with sway bars (they are a bitc* to adjust).
The traction is almost endless. Last week on a 350Z Skyline Drive Cruise, I put the Z's to shame. One of the Z's sick of seeing me in his rear view just waived me by. If coil-overs are better than this, they must be heaven.
My first mod was Stillen Sways about a year ago. I set them at mid-mid and have left them there to date. The sways absolutely transformed the handling of my G. The steering instantly felt noticeably lighter (less understeer) and really allowed me to push the limits of the tires.
A couple of months later I installed the H-techs. The ride seemed to be identical but the steering was a little heavier and the car less “flick-able” around the corners. A little research showed that the rear spring rate of the H-Techs are actually softer than stock. This explained the perceived heavier steering. Softer rear springs = more understeer. My disappointment with the soft spring rate would reveal an unexpected benefit later.
I rode this combination for more than 40,000 miles. As I approached 30,000 miles it became apparent that the stock shocks were fast degrading. By 40,000 the shocks were gone. It came on slow, but the car became less and less fun to drive and increasingly bouncy. When the nose would rapidly lift in acceleration (causing noticeable loss of steering) and dive on deceleration (not much fun either) I knew it was time to replace the shocks.
Wanting to save some money I decided to swap out the rears with Tokico Blues. Not a bad shock. They had a perceived dampening rate a little higher than my blown stockers.
But it became apparent that the fronts needed to be replaced. The car would still rise uncomfortably on acceleration. I decided that D-Specs would be the only rational choice (my racer buddy still insisted I get the Koni’s). Unfortunately, I learned that obtaining a set of front D-Specs would be problematic. It was then that God spoke to me (well...more like the government by way of a stimulus check)
I placed an order for all 4 D-Specs and decided to let P-Tuning install the fronts. The rears are easy to install and I wanted to use extenders.
After driving away from P-Tuning I headed to my favorite twisty roads (now with D-Specs up front and Blues in back.) The car felt...well...kind of dead. Definitely stiffer; but not much fun to drive. So I pulled over and inserted the trusty adjusting tool into the shock. The shocks were set full firm. I dialed the shocks back 3 turns (about 60% stiff) and went back on the same road.
Wow! Like day and night! Not a little difference, a huge difference! This is when I came to be a believer in adjustable shocks. As many of you know, softening the fronts increased traction thus increasing oversteer (or decreasing understeer). The steering felt light to the touch and the car was more “flick-able” than ever.
A week later I installed the rears and let the suspension tuning begin. With the front and rears set at three turns from full hard the car felt like a stock car. Heavy confidence inspiring steering (I perceive understeer as being more perdictable) and a bone jarring ride that almost caused my girlfriend to puke. After some strong objection, I dialed the front and rears 6 turns from full hard (about 20% stiff). She was pleased. It was then that I realized the benefit of the softer H-Techs. Springs are not adjustable. Get stiff springs and you will always be stiff.
With a little experimentation, I have found 3 ˝ turns from hard in the front with 3 turns from hard in the back to be my favorite setting. The steering lightens and the car can be “flicked” through the corners.
Trust me, adjustable dampening is a must. Even if you only put them in the front, you now have the ability transform your ride in a matter of minutes. You can't say this with sway bars (they are a bitc* to adjust).
The traction is almost endless. Last week on a 350Z Skyline Drive Cruise, I put the Z's to shame. One of the Z's sick of seeing me in his rear view just waived me by. If coil-overs are better than this, they must be heaven.
Nice bro ! I'm going w/ a similar set up too.
I was going coilovers but, it's not like I'll be changing hights all the time and plus it's a pain to get aligment every time you change hights, no sense.
I'm about to start my suspension set up. Adjustable bound rebound is a must !
I'm going w/ Cusco Sways, 350z H-Techs ( a little stiffer than the G ones, all linear spring rates ), Shave that rear spring mount and D-Specs... I can't wait
I was going coilovers but, it's not like I'll be changing hights all the time and plus it's a pain to get aligment every time you change hights, no sense.
I'm about to start my suspension set up. Adjustable bound rebound is a must !
I'm going w/ Cusco Sways, 350z H-Techs ( a little stiffer than the G ones, all linear spring rates ), Shave that rear spring mount and D-Specs... I can't wait
I'm on a very similar setup, except I'm still on OEM '04 springs, which I like because they make the ride stay decent and I need the ground clearance for my driveway and the speed bumps at work. I run about 3.5 turns from full hard front and rear on my D-specs, and Med/Med on my Stillen sways, and it's a great combo. Low body roll, quicker handling and turn-in without a jarring ride. I would agree - very confidence inspiring. I have a set of very lightly used 2006 rear springs that I have been tempted to install but I think I may just leave well enough alone.
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From: San Antonio/The Woodlands, Texas
I feel like i just read a love story. I'll be buying some D-specs soon. Just installed 350z S-techs and those improved the handling a TON compared to my 03 suspension! It seems suspension is the apple of my eye now. Power mods will come later, hugging corners is alot more fun.... For now 
Quick question I'm gonna GET SOME SPRING in January (IF MY JOB doesn't shut down). So my question is: if I go with H-tech springs will or would i need to get a Camber kit?
Also, i still have my stock shocks how would the ride quality BE: decreased, same OR better?
Also, i still have my stock shocks how would the ride quality BE: decreased, same OR better?
