Nissan Z Lowered Suspension Questions

[papozalsa]

Gotta admit, performance aside as I have no experience with them, the aftermarket NISMO coilover suspension setup appears...'chintzy?'...compared to other systems.

This is the Z1 (Feal) kit next to the NISMO, which is almost 2x the price.

Looks aren't everything. I'd lean toward performance over presentation every time. But they're not even painted or powdercoated. The cheapest shocks you can get, Duralast? idk, are painted.

No everything that shines is gold, right now I'm having issues with the Z1 Coilovers. Z1 just sent me the rear set to replace the ones I got. I don't know how that will go, but I'm not that thrill.

 

[kevinbonds]

No everything that shines is gold, right now I'm having issues with the Z1 Coilovers. Z1 just sent me the rear set to replace the ones I got. I will how that goes, but I'm not that thrill.

I have learned this the hard way, If I am upgrading to coilovers, I shop on the higher end of the market and make it an Invesment. I have heard so many issues with the Z1 coiliovers, but it was the same on some of my other cars, the lower price point suspension parts are always problematic,

 

[FSUZ33]

I have learned this the hard way, If I am upgrading to coilovers, I shop on the higher end of the market and make it an Invesment. I have heard so many issues with the Z1 coiliovers, but it was the same on some of my other cars, the lower price point suspension parts are always problematic,

Fortune, HKS, Ohlins, ?… just curious.
I can’t make 5mm spacers work, so coilovers aren’t even on my radar at this point.

And has anyone determined stock spring rates? I’ve seen everything from 8.5k-11k front and 8k-10k rear.

 

[papozalsa]

Fortune, HKS, Ohlins, ?… just curious.
I can’t make 5mm spacers work, so coilovers aren’t even on my radar at this point.

And has anyone determined stock spring rates? I’ve seen everything from 8.5k-11k front and 8k-10k rear.

Fortune 500, 10 kg F & 9 kg R

 

[trackratZ]

Fortune, HKS, Ohlins, ?… just curious.
I can’t make 5mm spacers work, so coilovers aren’t even on my radar at this point.

And has anyone determined stock spring rates? I’ve seen everything from 8.5k-11k front and 8k-10k rear.

Chad, you might want to check out KW V3, Ohlins, Bilsteins, those are quality and I see them a lot on tracks. You're paying for quality and adjustability - compression, rebound settings. Buy once cry once, you don't want to compromise on critical suspension stuff like coilovers.

 

[ForSale24]

Fortune 500, 10 kg F & 9 kg R

I have a set of the fortune auto 500. For daily driving so far the spring rates are 11k and 4k... Very smooth not too stiff, even with a bunch of Z1 suspension arms

 

[papozalsa]

I have a set of the fortune auto 500. For daily driving so far the spring rates are 11k and 4k... Very smooth not too stiff, even with a bunch of Z1 suspension arms

That was the Fortune Auto recommendation after I answered the online questionnaire. I also called them up and spoke with their Tech Representative.

 

[kevinbonds]

That was the Fortune Auto recommendation after I answered the online questionnaire. I also called them up and spoke with their Tech Representative.

I had narrowed down my choice to these or Billstein's. MCA Pro Street Nissan 400Z Adjustable Suspension Kit

 

[ForSale24]

I had narrowed down my choice to these or Billstein's. MCA Pro Street Nissan 400Z Adjustable Suspension Kit

The specs look good. (18k sounds high vs Fortune Auto's piston tech with lower numbers. take that with a grain of salt) I've never heard of this company (since I'm American) if it's a brand you trust, keep it high on your list. Billstein's might be good too. I vaguely know of them. maybe im wrong but I don't think they get used much on our platform for daily driving....

 

[kevinbonds]

The specs look good. (18k sounds high vs Fortune Auto's piston tech with lower numbers. take that with a grain of salt) I've never heard of this company (since I'm American) if it's a brand you trust, keep it high on your list. Billstein's might be good too. I vaguely know of them. maybe im wrong but I don't think they get used much on our platform for daily driving....

MCA was started by Murray Coote who is a well known suspension expert globally. The last 10 years or so they have expanded to a broader market, they used to just do custom work. Very good quality, they also make a comfort series of coilovers which are a great street friendly product.

 

[Thefunk]

Wow thanks for the quick and numerous responses guys ?. I thought about it a bit and I'm not currently planning to track the car so I went with @kevinbonds recommendations for stillen swaybars, RSR lowering springs, along with the Z1 spacer fitment kit. I'll make sure to provide an update on how things end up. Once again thanks for all the help.

I was gonna ask what your plans were for the car. When I got my Z I did Stillen sways first, tracked it, then eventually got Silver's Neomax Coilovers with swift springs 14k front 8k rear. 2nd time on track they made a world of difference especially coming into corners.

 

[C89]

Getting away from the (cough) confrontation… which is interesting to me as I just bought the 2025 Nismo.

I thought Nismo Z factory car parts (from Japan) meant they were better than the branded Nismo stuff. Would you advise to change out any Nismo Stock parts for other brands? I’m not planning to track the car at this time.

It’s a great car, but a bit harsh on rough roads and cornering has some body roll with the stock setup. I’m quite a spirited driver around corners or on twisty roads so I’ve noticed that. I guess you can’t get stiff cornering without experiencing some extra harshness on rough city roads around me. I have experience changing to Stillen Swaybars and Eibach Progressive Spings on other Datsun & Nissan sportscars.

Also- Do you know if the Stock Nismo ‘coilovers’ are just rebranded H&R? I know they aren’t actually coilovers… but that’s what I’ll call the suspension strut components here. Thanks.

Personally, for street (and possibly track every now and then), I wouldn't change out the Nismo parts that was exclusive to the Nismo Z.

As @kevinbonds said, the stock Nismo parts were specifically developed to enhance the Z's performance to the next level, it would seem counter-productive to change that balance.

 

[alienpoker]

Personally, for street (and possibly track every now and then), I wouldn't change out the Nismo parts that was exclusive to the Nismo Z.

As @kevinbonds said, the stock Nismo parts were specifically developed to enhance the Z's performance to the next level, it would seem counter-productive to change that balance.

That’s good advice. I’m thinking that Maybe the 2025 RZ34 Nismo will be the last ICE Z that Nissan does. IF so, it will be worth more if it’s kept stock.

In my post I was asking:
Are the *branded Nismo parts* (you buy in the US) the same as the JDM Nismo parts that come on a brand new Z? Someone would know if Nismo Japan uses branded products. Or if they all are developed in-house. Or a mixture.

 

[kevinbonds]

That’s good advice. I’m thinking that Maybe the 2025 RZ34 Nismo will be the last ICE Z that Nissan does. IF so, it will be worth more if it’s kept stock.

In my post I was asking:
Are the *branded Nismo parts* (you buy in the US) the same as the JDM Nismo parts that come on a brand new Z? Someone would know if Nismo Japan uses branded products. Or if they all are developed in-house. Or a mixture.

The branded Nismo parts you buy in the USA, are not the same as the JDM parts used on the actual car, and in some cases may be inferior to what is on the car from the factory.

 

[FSUZ33]

The shocks/struts on my and your NISMOs aren't branded NISMO. They're Tokico, same as the Sport and Perf shocks.
NISMO front strut: E6110-6GR1A
Non-NISMO front strut: E6110-6GP0B