Nissan Z Lowered Suspension Questions

[Maze]

I just got a used Nissan Z Performance AT and I'm loving the car while I learn more about it. The engine is special (given you take care of it) but wish the car was a bit stiffer both in terms of body roll in corners and squating/diving during acceleration/braking.

I want to buy and install Z1 swaybars+endlinks, their stock fitment kit spacers (20mm all around I believe), and their S-Pro coilovers. Do I need to buy anything additional like the Z1 adjustable suspension kit (F Upper Ctrl Arms, R Camber & Traction Arms, Offset Bolt Delete Kit) if I want to drop the car about 1"-1.5" while being able to get a proper alignment? From what I've read you need these parts but I'm a noob when it comes to suspension geometry.

Also any alternative coilover recommendations would be great. Thanks for the help.

 

[FSUZ33]

Research the Z1 coilovers (made by Feal) before you decide. I have zero experience with them, but there are quite a few negative experiences/opinions shared here going back in time to very recently (within the past week?) regarding very apparent clunking noise from the rear on Z1's coilovers.

 

[ljpetraska]

I just bought that stock wheel fitment kit from Z1. I’m very happy with the look, even at stock height. Proper installation is the key with those.

I’ve considered lowering the Z in passing from time to time but it’s not something I’m going to do immediately. If I do, I’d lowering springs for ease. If you do coilovers, get them professionally done for alignment.

 

[kevinbonds]

My recommendation would be to do things in steps. I would go with the Stillen Sways, the Z1's are really stiff, and not really necessary. Also, maybe try some RSR springs they have a great spring rate and moderate drop. This alone will eliminate the body roll issues and still give a high-quality stock like ride. If you go this route, you should not really need any adjustable suspension components. This will be much less expensive and give you the results you want. If later you decide you need coilovers for hard core track work, just sell the springs and not much of a loss.

 

[ljpetraska]

Coilovers sound and look cool but they’re a nightmare to dial in. 100% agree with FSUZ33 as well - research the brands before you get them. A friend of mine wanted coilovers and bought some cheap ones on eBay that were absolute junk. Clunked on turns, went through tires like crazy. Don’t even attempt those by yourself. Let a professional shop put them in and adjust them properly.

Those should be the last things you consider adding to know whether you still want or need them.

 

[papozalsa]

Research the Z1 coilovers (made by Feal) before you decide. I have zero experience with them, but there are quite a few negative experiences/opinions shared here going back in time to very recently (within the past week?) regarding very apparent clunking noise from the rear on Z1's coilovers.

I'm going thru that right now. 3rd time to the mechanic. It seems if you don't follow the instructions for the preload the springs in the bucket make a clunky noise which means they are loose or might be the top mount. If all that checks ok, then it might be the shocks itself.

 

[offizial]

The springs on rear bucket coilovers are too small. If I get coilovers I’m going to have to buy a lowering spring set, use the thicker spring that comes with the lowering kit in the rear, ignore the coilovers tiny spring that they for some reason come with and install the front coilovers while stashing the front lowering springs. It sucks because you can’t adjust rear height without the little springs the coilovers come with due to the bucket design, but this is what is annoying about these kits. So if I do this and leave the thicker lowering spring in the back then I reduce the chance of loosing a stock rear shock by having the already set lower shock the coilovers come with.
Preferably a custom rear lower control arm will be available and a switch to true independent suspension with a strut can be placed in the rear. This would fix the issue for many. This fix is kinda confusing to explain and looses adjustability in the rear, but with a thicker lowering spring in the rear rather than the small rear spring coilovers come with, you do gain enhancement in the experience. Kinda like a hybrid suspension setup where the front is height adjustable but the rear will be stuck due to the set height on the lowering spring. But you don’t have to worry about the shocks because you use the rear shocks the coilovers come with, and leave the rear lowering spring.

 

[Michael C.]

If you are going for a 1" drop, I would suggest the Swift springs. I obtained those, along with the Z1 20mm spacers, Z1 sway bars/end links, and was able to achieve OE-spec alignment with no issues. My understanding is that going lower will require other suspension bits to get an OE alignment. I hope this helps.

 

[offizial]

If you are going for a 1" drop, I would suggest the Swift springs. I obtained those, along with the Z1 20mm spacers, Z1 sway bars/end links, and was able to achieve OE-spec alignment with no issues. My understanding is that going lower will require other suspension bits to get an OE alignment. I hope this helps.

Increase wear on shocks with this, but if ur going to get coilovers in the future, who really cares.

 

[DrChancho]

My recommendation would be to do things in steps. I would go with the Stillen Sways, the Z1's are really stiff, and not really necessary. Also, maybe try some RSR springs they have a great spring rate and moderate drop. This alone will eliminate the body roll issues and still give a high-quality stock like ride. If you go this route, you should not really need any adjustable suspension components. This will be much less expensive and give you the results you want. If later you decide you need coilovers for hard core track work, just sell the springs and not much of a loss.

If I go with just lowering springs and sway bars, do I need anything else? I love this solution!

 

[kevinbonds]

If I go with just lowering springs and sway bars, do I need anything else? I love this solution!

No, you dont need anything else. I would suggest looking at either Swift or RSR springs. I prefer the RSR, and the Stillen Sway bars. After that you are all good, the only other things would be to upgrade to better tires at some point. I don't see any benefit to installing coilovers for a car that's not driven on the track on a regular basis. The RSR springs are set up to with work with the factory dampers and the Stillen Sways a just a bit stiffer than stock, which is all you need.

 

[DrChancho]

Nice, very much appreciated!

 

[Invisible Man]

I used the Swift springs and Front sway bar from Z1 and have had positive results. The car corners flatter with the front swaybar and there is less body roll with Swift springs. The ride is a bit more firm but I like it this way. I also added the Z1 spacer kit for lowered cars. I read it was a 25mm/20mm setup, but they sent 4 20mm and I am happy they did so I can go wider on the tires now.

 

[Maze]

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.

 

[kevinbonds]

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.

Great choices. Make sure to watch the YouTube video for the stillen sways. They show you how to best set them for the Z.