Medicine for the mod bug....thinking of dropping my G
#1
Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 2,864
Likes: 3
From: Boston, MA
Medicine for the mod bug....thinking of dropping my G
Is there such a thing? I thought I was set & happy and all, and so many times in the past, I didn't find it practical to "drop" or lower the G.....but yet, lately, I've been contemplating on looking into dropping my car.
I bought 19"x8.5" rims, with tires that are a size up for the norm that people use (I have 245/40/19), but people who have staggered run 245/35/19's up front to keep the aspect ratio/sidewall size consistent w/ the rears (275/30/19's). I did this to fill up the fender a bit more, give me some more protection for the rim and to avoid having to drop my car. I do know that I can drop my car w/ these rims & tires & won't rub.......but the question is...should I do it? IMHO, I don't think my car looks bad w/ this setup (for my taste, there isn't bad wheel gap), but I know it'll look that much nicer if it's lowered.
You know what just makes me want to do it even more? I was on the highway the other day, and there was a Nissan Altima approaching in my rear view, riding a bit low....and it looked sweet....and he drives by and it's the SE - R with dual exhaust..... Nice looking car & the drop looks sweet. Now if this was your every day Altima, it wouldn't even have caught my eye...but I think because it was dropped, that's what made me hone in on it.
What should I do? Part of me is saying "don't waste your $ on a mod like this", but part of me is thinking how good the car will look & handle after it's lowered....
The next question then becomes, based on my rim & tire specs, what is a spring & shock combo that would work best for me? Right now, I can only get 2 fingers up front from the tire to the fender (about 1.5"), so I think a 1.5" drop would be too much, right? Maybe I should only go 1"? Is it worth getting coilovers?
Also, as part of the install, I know that I will need to get an alignment, but will I need to buy a camber kit of some sort? I want to make sure I get even tire wear (i've heard stories & seen picts on here of very uneven wear).
Thanks
I bought 19"x8.5" rims, with tires that are a size up for the norm that people use (I have 245/40/19), but people who have staggered run 245/35/19's up front to keep the aspect ratio/sidewall size consistent w/ the rears (275/30/19's). I did this to fill up the fender a bit more, give me some more protection for the rim and to avoid having to drop my car. I do know that I can drop my car w/ these rims & tires & won't rub.......but the question is...should I do it? IMHO, I don't think my car looks bad w/ this setup (for my taste, there isn't bad wheel gap), but I know it'll look that much nicer if it's lowered.
You know what just makes me want to do it even more? I was on the highway the other day, and there was a Nissan Altima approaching in my rear view, riding a bit low....and it looked sweet....and he drives by and it's the SE - R with dual exhaust..... Nice looking car & the drop looks sweet. Now if this was your every day Altima, it wouldn't even have caught my eye...but I think because it was dropped, that's what made me hone in on it.
What should I do? Part of me is saying "don't waste your $ on a mod like this", but part of me is thinking how good the car will look & handle after it's lowered....
The next question then becomes, based on my rim & tire specs, what is a spring & shock combo that would work best for me? Right now, I can only get 2 fingers up front from the tire to the fender (about 1.5"), so I think a 1.5" drop would be too much, right? Maybe I should only go 1"? Is it worth getting coilovers?
Also, as part of the install, I know that I will need to get an alignment, but will I need to buy a camber kit of some sort? I want to make sure I get even tire wear (i've heard stories & seen picts on here of very uneven wear).
Thanks
#2
#5
Yes, you should definitely do it. I have been so much happier with the looks of my car after I dropped it. If you are looking for a mild drop (similar to what I wanted), look into a full revised z suspension or a z/coupe spring combo depending on your tastes. Going this route is fairly inexpensive.
After the drop, I was able to get my alignment within coupe specs and have not experienced any uneven tire wear.
After the drop, I was able to get my alignment within coupe specs and have not experienced any uneven tire wear.
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#8
Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 2,864
Likes: 3
From: Boston, MA
Originally Posted by jameyb
Yes, you should definitely do it. I have been so much happier with the looks of my car after I dropped it. If you are looking for a mild drop (similar to what I wanted), look into a full revised z suspension or a z/coupe spring combo depending on your tastes. Going this route is fairly inexpensive.
After the drop, I was able to get my alignment within coupe specs and have not experienced any uneven tire wear.
After the drop, I was able to get my alignment within coupe specs and have not experienced any uneven tire wear.
Jamey - I think I really like your setup (most conservative & possibly inexpensive). Though, you did confuse me a bit.
You are running unrevised Z springs in the front with coupe springs in the rear (on sport suspension). I truly do like that look (better than Z springs all around...I want the height to match like yours). Are you telling me to go with a full revised Z suspension, knowing that I don't have sport shocks? I think since I have almost 60K on these non-sport shocks, I should just go ahead & get new shocks too. Also, where did you end up buying our coupe springs from....this forum?
Sorry for all the ?'s, but I want to make sure I understand this correctly.
Thanks
#10
Originally Posted by jimmyc13
Thanks for the quick feedback guys...this truly is my first time looking into what's what. Already, I have an idea for what I want.
Jamey - I think I really like your setup (most conservative & possibly inexpensive). Though, you did confuse me a bit.
You are running unrevised Z springs in the front with coupe springs in the rear (on sport suspension). I truly do like that look (better than Z springs all around...I want the height to match like yours). Are you telling me to go with a full revised Z suspension, knowing that I don't have sport shocks? I think since I have almost 60K on these non-sport shocks, I should just go ahead & get new shocks too. Also, where did you end up buying our coupe springs from....this forum?
Sorry for all the ?'s, but I want to make sure I understand this correctly.
Thanks
Jamey - I think I really like your setup (most conservative & possibly inexpensive). Though, you did confuse me a bit.
You are running unrevised Z springs in the front with coupe springs in the rear (on sport suspension). I truly do like that look (better than Z springs all around...I want the height to match like yours). Are you telling me to go with a full revised Z suspension, knowing that I don't have sport shocks? I think since I have almost 60K on these non-sport shocks, I should just go ahead & get new shocks too. Also, where did you end up buying our coupe springs from....this forum?
Sorry for all the ?'s, but I want to make sure I understand this correctly.
Thanks
If you have non-sport shocks I would go ahead and get a full suspension including struts/shocks. If I had to do it all over again I would buy a full coupe sport supsension and used the z springs on the front. I may still do this, or upgrade to D-specs.
Yes, I got the coupe springs from a member of this forum. If I recall correctly, I paid $70 for the z springs, $80 for the coupe springs and the sold the 4 I didn't need for $30.
I think I hit everything you asked, if not just let me know.
#11
I agree with these guys. If you just want a little better looks/performance you should go with Z-springs. You can use them with your stock struts but it's a better idea to get new ones at the same time. Tokico d-specs are a great buy for the $.
You will still be close to or maybe even within the oem specs for camber. It will be a bit on the negative side but may not be worth $600-700 camber kits (plus install). You can always just swap your tires from side to side every 5k or so. That will only run you ~$80.
You will still be close to or maybe even within the oem specs for camber. It will be a bit on the negative side but may not be worth $600-700 camber kits (plus install). You can always just swap your tires from side to side every 5k or so. That will only run you ~$80.
#13
Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 2,864
Likes: 3
From: Boston, MA
Originally Posted by jameyb
Yes, that is right, I am running unrevisded Z springs on the front (just a note all z and coupe front springs have the same spring rate so revised/unrevised won't matter) and "unrevised" coupe springs in the rear (i.e. coupe springs from a coupe that did not have OEM 19" wheels, rear spring rate = 342).
If you have non-sport shocks I would go ahead and get a full suspension including struts/shocks. If I had to do it all over again I would buy a full coupe sport supsension and used the z springs on the front. I may still do this, or upgrade to D-specs.
Yes, I got the coupe springs from a member of this forum. If I recall correctly, I paid $70 for the z springs, $80 for the coupe springs and the sold the 4 I didn't need for $30.
I think I hit everything you asked, if not just let me know.
If you have non-sport shocks I would go ahead and get a full suspension including struts/shocks. If I had to do it all over again I would buy a full coupe sport supsension and used the z springs on the front. I may still do this, or upgrade to D-specs.
Yes, I got the coupe springs from a member of this forum. If I recall correctly, I paid $70 for the z springs, $80 for the coupe springs and the sold the 4 I didn't need for $30.
I think I hit everything you asked, if not just let me know.
If I were to run coupe springs on all 4-corners...what's the difference between the front coupe springs & the front Z-springs??? I'm guessing the Z's are a bit lower of a drop?
As for the D-specs...what's the difference between these shocks & the coupe suspension?
Also, anyone know what this would cost me for a shop to do the install (all shocks & springs)?
So many ?'s & terms I've not heard before, so I'm trying to understand & digest it all.
Thanks!
#14
OK - JUST INSTALLED (less than 10-minutes ago) full 2006 350Z suspension - front coil overs and rear shocks and springs. It may be a 1" drop, but it looks more than that. I have not had a chance to drive the car yet, but I will post reviews once I get home tonight. I still need to have alignment and camber adjusted.