Suspension advice...

[ill-legal?]

I've never really felt the need to modify the suspension in previous cars I've owned so I am not particularly knowledgeable in this department. I daily my Z and don't want a super stiff, spine-jarring, track-tuned suspension...it's unlikely this car will ever see any track days. However, I would like to find somewhat of a balance and reduce some body roll on cornering, give it a little more of a sporty feel, while still retaining a little bit of softness/comfort in overall ride quality so that I don't feel beat up after my commute.

In an attempt to keep at least a little money in my bank account, I'm curious if a simple set of sway bars would be an adequate solution on their own? Or are there other options I should consider either instead of or in addition to sway bars? What does the typical path for suspension upgrades look like on our chassis?

 

[ZMidlife]

Sway bars will be the first set of mods I'll be doing

 

[AlfredoGonzalez]

I've never really felt the need to modify the suspension in previous cars I've owned so I am not particularly knowledgeable in this department. I daily my Z and don't want a super stiff, spine-jarring, track-tuned suspension...it's unlikely this car will ever see any track days. However, I would like to find somewhat of a balance and reduce some body roll on cornering, give it a little more of a sporty feel, while still retaining a little bit of softness/comfort in overall ride quality so that I don't feel beat up after my commute.

In an attempt to keep at least a little money in my bank account, I'm curious if a simple set of sway bars be an adequate solution on their own? Or are there other options I should consider either instead of or in addition to sway bars? What does the typical path for suspension upgrades look like on our chassis?

Sway bars will be good for you. The ones from z1 are prolly a bit on the stiffer side and they can get squeaky in colder temps due to the poly bushings but thats what im rocking. For you I suggest either the nismo sway bars or the stillen.

 

[kevinbonds]

I've never really felt the need to modify the suspension in previous cars I've owned so I am not particularly knowledgeable in this department. I daily my Z and don't want a super stiff, spine-jarring, track-tuned suspension...it's unlikely this car will ever see any track days. However, I would like to find somewhat of a balance and reduce some body roll on cornering, give it a little more of a sporty feel, while still retaining a little bit of softness/comfort in overall ride quality so that I don't feel beat up after my commute.

In an attempt to keep at least a little money in my bank account, I'm curious if a simple set of sway bars be an adequate solution on their own? Or are there other options I should consider either instead of or in addition to sway bars? What does the typical path for suspension upgrades look like on our chassis?

I would just go with the Stillen sway bars and call it a day.

 

[VR30Infection]

I've never really felt the need to modify the suspension in previous cars I've owned so I am not particularly knowledgeable in this department. I daily my Z and don't want a super stiff, spine-jarring, track-tuned suspension...it's unlikely this car will ever see any track days. However, I would like to find somewhat of a balance and reduce some body roll on cornering, give it a little more of a sporty feel, while still retaining a little bit of softness/comfort in overall ride quality so that I don't feel beat up after my commute.

In an attempt to keep at least a little money in my bank account, I'm curious if a simple set of sway bars be an adequate solution on their own? Or are there other options I should consider either instead of or in addition to sway bars? What does the typical path for suspension upgrades look like on our chassis?

I would ask this: have you driven the car hard enough to feel the built in understeer? Have you felt the front end lift and rear squat that unsettles the chassis and causes abrupt weight shifts within the chassis giving you an unsettled or un planted feeling?

 

[ForSale24]

I was gonna say the same thing VR30infection just said lol... His questions are important because maybe you only need 1 sway bar vs 2 or none... I only run a rear Z1 bar on soft. Some have said a front bar increases steering feel. My theory is that adding both at the same time is a "placebo effect" sure the ride changed some buy one cancelled the other out until you hit the track... Sway bars are a good, cheap starting place. If your about to toss money at Coilovers? Try them out 1st see if any unwanted car habits disappear. Anti roll bars might be the place to start if you weren't already fixing most issues with coilovers and tires

 

[VR30Infection]

One thing I was getting at is that some of the issues felt in the Z are due to being under sprung and poor damping. The damping stands out the most for me. This is why some people experience some of the same issues with lowering springs. If the rebound is not stiff enough and you get traction in the rear then you will still experience front end lift. It’s tough with the factory tires as well because they are made of hardened oil slick. . Changing anti-sway bars changes roll stiffness and gives you the ability to tune roll stiffness front to rear. Stiffer springs also increase roll stiffness so really everything affects everything. Everyone is different, has different goals. What’s right for one could be wrong for another.

 

[Bumflik]

My experience of upgrading to Swift springs and Whiteline Front and Rear anti-sway bars with end links have made me feel more planted and eliminated the boat like roll on the curves plus the steering is so precise which I personally wanted. I went full stiff front and full soft rear adjustments.

 

[Mugzilla]

...

 

[ill-legal?]

I would ask this: have you driven the car hard enough to feel the built in understeer? Have you felt the front end lift and rear squat that unsettles the chassis and causes abrupt weight shifts within the chassis giving you an unsettled or un planted feeling?

I've only had a few instances (so far) where I've felt some understeer...but yes, I have experienced the front end lift and the unsettled feeling you're referring to. My car is only about 800 miles past the break-in period and a lot of the time I'm driving to/from work in heavier traffic where I can't really open it up too much. But I've got a couple roundabouts where the body roll really starts to become apparent, especially compared to other cars I've owned and driven on the same routes.

I will be putting new wheel and tire setup on the car at some point in the near future...I have my new wheels already and I'll gain an extra 1/2" of width in the rear. I'm leaning towards the Continental Extreme Contact Sports, unless Michelin drops a ridiculous discount promo in which case I'd go PS4's. I was thinking about trying to do the sway bars at the same time...

 

[ill-legal?]

I was gonna say the same thing VR30infection just said lol... His questions are important because maybe you only need 1 sway bar vs 2 or none... I only run a rear Z1 bar on soft. Some have said a front bar increases steering feel. My theory is that adding both at the same time is a "placebo effect" sure the ride changed some buy one cancelled the other out until you hit the track... Sway bars are a good, cheap starting place. If your about to toss money at Coilovers? Try them out 1st see if any unwanted car habits disappear. Anti roll bars might be the place to start if you weren't already fixing most issues with coilovers and tires

I'm not sure I want to go all in with coilovers...in my somewhat limited experience driving cars that have been modified with coilovers, the ride quality was rough (handling was noticeably better than stock, but was a little much imo for what I'd want in a daily).

How would you describe the change in feel with your rear-only Z1 bar setup on soft? Do you think you'll add a front later or do you feel like just the improvement over stock with just the rear was sufficient?

 

[VR30Infection]

I've only had a few instances (so far) where I've felt some understeer...but yes, I have experienced the front end lift and the unsettled feeling you're referring to. My car is only about 800 miles past the break-in period and a lot of the time I'm driving to/from work in heavier traffic where I can't really open it up too much. But I've got a couple roundabouts where the body roll really starts to become apparent, especially compared to other cars I've owned and driven on the same routes.

I will be putting new wheel and tire setup on the car at some point in the near future...I have my new wheels already and I'll gain an extra 1/2" of width in the rear. I'm leaning towards the Continental Extreme Contact Sports, unless Michelin drops a ridiculous discount promo in which case I'd go PS4's. I was thinking about trying to do the sway bars at the same time...

Okay. So some of the things you’re saying you’ve experienced will not be completely fixed by sway bars and tires. As far as going to full coilovers and having the ride suck, this doesn’t have to be the case. I would point you to Annex Suspension Group. Give them a call and tell them what you’re looking for and they have a money back guarantee. I worked with them and were either doing a full club sport setup or a hybrid setup which is to be decided at this point. I went back and forth with them by email and then talked to them for a long time. They are great. They know what they are talking about and they have a great track record so far. They work with suspension frequencies not just throwing spring rates around to make an overly stiff car.