I agree with what Trey and everyone else is saying completely.

Many times when I'm pushing my car in canyons and stuff I am scared to push the envelope of my car all the way so I really don't know what I am capable of...because I have never had any formal instruction. I wish I could get a few days off from work to ge to an Auto-x event.

Not to mention, I live in LA....so I can't tell you about how many cars I've seen crashed because their drivers didn't understand the limits of what their car can and can't do. All teenagers driving BMW's, G35's, Z's, etc.....

 

I have another car that is far more inferior, but it's handling is far more superior. Yes, you are right, but that still doesnt dismiss the fact that our suspension does a very poor job of handling the cars weight and power.


Would it be better to have Tanabe S-OC coilovers, or oem S-Tuned springs with Tokico D-spec shocks.

 

IMO, our suspension is so soft and plush, that the drivers lose the feel of the car. Thats where it can be very dangerous, because its hard to feel for the limits and when they're going to break traction, when everything feels like you're riding a boat.

Staying at stock height, should I get Tanabe S-OC coilovers, or should I get Tokico D-spec shocks with OEM S-tuned springs?

 

I'm with you on the soft and plush bit. But do understand that 05 coupes with the legit sport suspension do have a firmer more controlled quality that your car does not have.

Tanabe S-OC coilovers will not allow your car to be set as high as stock. At best your going to have a .25"/.5" drop. Frankly I would recommend Tein Basics over the S-OC's anyhow. Though make no mistake either coilover will definatley give you a firmer ride quality that you will be remined about every time you drive the car. Tein's web site does show the min and max drops for all their coilovers.

D-specs will give you something that neither coilover above will. Adjustable dampning. Going to the sport suspension springs will not change ride height, but you will be increasing your rear spring rate by 27%. I would expect the car will be more willing to rotate with a spring change only in the absense of any stay bar tuning. Their are better spring choices to recommend, but they will all lower the car more then you want, which I totally respect.

 

I was considering the Basics, but I heard they were pretty stiff, and that the S-OC's were a little more comfortable, especially with their "helper springs". a .5" drop, I can live with. But I think I like the idea of having adjustable dampening with the stiffer sport springs. That with the sway bars set ant medium front and bac, with tie bars should be good. I'm thinking about having the shocks three or four turns from max... just a tad stiffer than the Z.

 

Why don't you consider 04.5+OEM Z springs which will drop a coupe 1/2" and a sedan 1". It keeps the same rates as the sport springs. Couple that with the DSpecs for adjustability on ride and handling.
There are numerous people on here very happy with that set up. I don't have mine installed yet so can't comment on the results.

 

Thats very true. I have no idea why this never crossed my mind!... especially when my brother was even looking into doing this for his sedan! He already bought spacers for the rear to even out his drop, since the Z's rear suspension is slightly shorter than ours. Since its just a tiny drop, I might do that. So out of the two... Tanabe and Tokico, you also think Tokico would be a better choice? Let me know how yours feels once you install it, and how the overall change is the Stillen sways compared to stock.

 

My car is stored for winter but it's very mild here and I may get the installs done next week. However with the cold weather and summer tires I won't be able to do a true handling test. I have no driving experience on either of these set ups so there are others more qualified than me to provide insighton Tanabe versus DSpec. I am looking for slightly lower stance and less wheel gap and mostly want improved handling with similiar or just slightly firmer ride and minimal tire wear(camber) issues. The Z 1/2" drop, the sway adjustabilty and the DSpecs with compression and damping adjustments seem to be a great option. (I got '05 Z springs with a higher rear spring rate than my '04) Intgr8r (Ian) recommended this set up to me, as he enjoys his. His car won December car of the month so go check it out. I've driven in it and it's real nice.