I'm considering getting the Tein CS to improve performance (slightly over stock) as well as get a small drop while retaining a comfortable ride. I recall from Gsedan's post that the CS can be adjusted to be 50% more stiff than stock. Since I don't go to the track (perhaps some day) and mostly enjoy driving through corners in the country, it seems that the CS would be a good fit (also a daily driver). The other option would have been the JDM Flex, but there's a really good price for the CS right now and I'm not sure I'd really make use of the Flex. The question would be what is the max drop I can expect before I have to get additional hardware (front/rear camber/toe adjustments?)? Thanks.

 

Hmmm, I would not paint the CS as having the ability to adjust 50% stiffer then stock. it uses spring rates that are 25% stiffer then oem and tein told me they pretty much are valved to hold the line with how they are advertised, "comfort". Never the less they will feel a lot better then the oem suspension and should ramp up performance to a certain degree. Based on my conversation with Tein, they will not offer me what I want and I don't track my car either. I'm feeling that the HKS RS is more in line with my needs, I'm also watching upcomming developements comming from PerformanceNissan's unitech race car team, TrueChoice and J Ritt of Stoptech.

I think the key thing to say about the CS is that it will fell a lot better then the oem suspension and offer some performance enhancement. I would just not say it's a real canyon carver.

Tein CS (Monotube construction, adjustable dampners )
Special Note: A comfort ride system compare to HKS LS, in conversations with Tein, they are valved and sprung for comfort. Those looking for performance should make a different choice. If you buy them and they are too soft for you, revalving them is a LOT more expensive then revalving other Tein Coilovers.
Can use Teins EDFC in car dampner adjustment system
Spring rates 392/392 Stiffer then oem by F+25% R15%
Transfers +10% roll stiffness to front


HKS RS (Monotube construction, adjustable dampning) $1410
Spring rates 448/448 F+43% R+31%
Transfers 12% roll stiffness to the front
Special Note: “Marketed” as HKS’s track coil over with a good street ride, it is more aggressive then the HKS LS+ and does not transfer as much spring stiffness to the front.

Tein Flex JDM specs (can be special ordered est 6-8 weeks delivery)
Full-length adjustment and height adjustment for separate setting of the height and spring preloadCan use Teins EDFC in car dampner adjustment system
Spring rates 560/560 Stiffer then oem by F+78% R+64%
Transfers 14% roll stiffness to front
Side Note: This is the original specs first offered in the U.S. with the Flex, shortly after it’s introduction the specs changed to those listed further above (672/672)

Even though it's been delayed, I'm also interested in the Bilstein Pss9 system, but with the rear springs swapped out for linear units.

Bilstein PSS9 coilover (Monotube construction, adjustable dampners)
Special Note: Mild spring rates, but Bilstein says the dampners are performance valved
Spring rates 370/240-420 (rear progressive)
Stifer then oem by F +18% R +23% (at peak rear spring rate)
Transfers +5% roll stiffness to rear

 

When you near 400lbs/in, you're getting close to the edge of tolerance for 'comfort'..but ofcourse, what feels comfortable for me might not be for you.

If you want to retain factory-like ride and lower stance, I would sugget you just
swap out the springs and get a swaybar set. It will transform your car into a
much sharper handling machine while retaining stock-like comfort. (this is the
route I ended up going. I was originally in the market for the TypeCS myself).

 

What are the prices and where are you getting them from?

 

Gsedan35, as always, thanks for your informative post. I guess I'll wait a bit to see how the other options develop. Is it correct to say that the more stiffness that gets transferred to the front the more understeer there will be? Therefore it's best to get a system with the least amount of transfer and thus more neutral?

Kenchan, I already have Nismo sways installed, but looking for a little bit more.

GReddySetGo, check this thread: http://www.my350z.com/forum/showthre...hreadid=104442 for special pricing.

 

>Is it correct to say that the more stiffness that gets transferred to the front the more understeer there will be?

Yes.

>Therefore it's best to get a system with the least amount of transfer and thus more neutral?


Since you have Nismo which are non-adjustable, that would be
correct. If you went with adjustables, then you can use the CS as is
and set the rear to a stiffer setting than the front and get a neutral to
inducable over-steer setup...although you can play with the dampness
a little bit (stiffer on the rear) and see if you can simulate a similar
effect...your straight line ride will be altered though.

For your reference, Im using 358 on front and 463max on the rear plus
soft setting and med setting respectively on the stillen swaybars Fr/Rr...
My car turns almost as good as my modded Cooper-S (almost).

 

Might have to sell my Nismo sways and get an adjustable set...

I take it you have Stillen Rear Camber rods to correct for a large drop?

 

quick question. why'd you go with eibach rears instead of the tein stech rears?

 

Someone answer this please.

Also does this drop height apply to any kits applied? As in springs alone, or springs and shocks or coilovers. What about the Tein H-techs?

 

I would try the coilover kit of your choice before you sell the Nismo. I think
you can get it pretty close to your preference with those sways by tweaking
the dampness if you have any shortcomings....but since you are trying to
maintain straightline comfort, there will be some compromise in the comfort
level if you start stiffing up the rear dampers.

Yes, my car could not get the rear camber within -3 on the back without
the camber rods. Unless you plan on getting front camber adjustments,
you should try to target about -2 on the back. The front ends up about
-1.8 with a mild 1.2" drop. I like to keep atleast -0.4 more camber on the
rear as the car tends to like to slide out in the back with the PilotSports
with any less neg camber.

Proper alignment settings is very critical on this car...it responds to such
small variations.

 

I had the full S-TECH set on my car...but the rear springs are so soft
that my car was leaning every which way through the turns and the
car felt very disconnected. I could literally shake the car with my
pinky. I wanted to improve performance while lowering, not compromise.

So, did more research and found a spring with soft initial bump rate,
and stiffer at max compression...the Eibach Prokit.

S-TECH rear = 274lbs/in (linear)
Eibach rear = 274lbs/in initial to max463lbs/in (progressive)

This alone was a nice setup, but I still couldn't take the smaller corners
very fast, so ended up getting the Stillen swaybars. I originally just put
the rear on and it felt good. but I wanted more, and endedup installing
the fronts as well and using soft upfront and med on the rear. Very nice
setup. best part is, the straightline ride is very comparable to stock
or even a tad better.

 

On the coupes, I would say 1" drop is max. Even so, you will still need to get
an alignment done and live with some compromise in tire wear. You will
be better off with stiffer spring rate if you are worried about getting your
car out of alignment. A 1" drop on say a H-tech is 1" without passengers.
Once you and your passengers board the car, the drop is going to be
more like 2"+ (possibly lower than on Eibachs with -1.2" drop + same
passengers). If you have stiffer linear rate springs with proper struts to go
with it, your gross weight will not affect your ride height as much.

If you drive alone often (like me 99.99% of the time), then lowering
springs with progressive rate on stock struts are fine. If you drive
with friends onboard often, you should consider leaving the car stock or
get stiffer linear rate springs + struts, or coilover kits like the CS with
near 400lbs/in. The 400lbs/in will not feel stiff at all if you have
passengers onboard. Even without, it won't be a jarring ride, but
coming close to it especially if you are riding on 19's.