Do coilovers need "supporting mods?"
 

Hey everyone, it's no secret that I'm a car noob.

1. I was simply wondering what kind of supporting mods I would need to drop my car around 2.0"-2.5" if any.

2.Do the stock struts and other suspension related parts give out when you lower your car on coilovers that much?

3. Also, I was wondering what a good all around coilover would be. I was thinking Tein Flex A. There's a new thread discussing the BC Racing BR coils and they seem terrible as far as comfort goes.

I don't mind a rough and bumpy ride all that much, but I do want some semblance of comfort if possible while lowered 2.0"+.

I can say at 2"+ of a drop you'll probably want adjustable front endlinks, i knocked like hell on slow turns until i got them. I got rear lower control arms at the same time as my Tein Flex Z's so i could adjust the camber in the rear, but depending on how much camber you want you may be able to live with just using crash bolts.

As far as comfort goes. I was happy with Tein's suggested dampener settings, nice sporty stiffness, but my girlfriend would constantly curse at me over the slightest bump. I went two clicks softer all around and it rides like stock if not still slightly stiffer but enough to keep her quiet.

Yes, coilovers need supporting mods to go as low as you want.


My plan is to get coilovers, adjustable sway bar endlinks, LCA, adjustable rear trailing arms, and front camber plates at the same time.


You can get lower control arms that have a different mounting point for the shock so that you keep some of the shock travel.

1) Rear lower control arms for camber.

Possibly rear toe arms for toe.. some people get away without but personally for me I needed them to bring the toe back to spec.

Roll center adjuster if you care about suspension geometry.

Possibly adjustable end links. Again, some people can get away without them.

2) If you're replacing with coilovers you wouldn't be using the stock struts anymore. Your endlinks are going to be under tension, hence why adjustable end links are something you should look into.

3) Can't go wrong with Tein Flez Z/A.. Fortune Auto 500s go pretty low with better comfort than BC in my opinion.

This is something I've been interested in for a while, except the only roll center kit I'm aware of is Whiteline's and has been discontinued. What would be other options?

Thanks so much for your help guys. I'm quickly realizing that this is not a "one and done" job, it's going to be a lengthy install and will be roughly $1500-$2000, just to get it done.

What if I just drop the car about 1.5-2.0 (MAX) inches on Tein Flex A coils? Would I still need all the supporting parts? I'm curious because they already sell springs like the eibach sportlines that drop the car 1.4 inches, but not sure how the ride is on those.

I already have the TRD springs but quite frankly, I don't think they lower the car enough for me. It's barely enough and my new wheels will probably raise the car a little bit.

Buddyclub and Megan make some. They're becoming more sparse though.

anything below -1.5", you will need to correct your steering geometry (roll center/bump steer). if you are upgrading your rear toe to adjustable, you will need lock-out bushings because the mounting holes in the subframe for the toe arms are slots (stock toe arms use eccentric bushings for adjustment). bearings, bushings, etc. will get worn out faster due to the strain that they are subjected to.

i have a set of eibach pro-kit springs (-1" drop), spc adjustable lcas, spc front camber bolts, spc adjustable rear toe arms, and spl rear toe lock-out bushings all waiting for install. this setup will allow me to get the adjustment i need without getting fucked up from normal (shitty) road conditions.

this is also my interim/backup setup before i finally get tein flex-a coils.

supposedly, whiteline is to be releasing a V2 for the roll center kit soon-ish.

Don't forget to do periodical maintenance in the pillow bals on the top of the struts, I know of quite a few people who complain about worn and clunky struts, when asked if they have greased them I tend to get strange looks.

I would correct geometry at that level of drop.

I have an email from them stating late summer/fall was the target for it. Hoping they get it out soon!

i wish there were more options

“soon”

My car is dropped roughly 1.5 Inches with Tein Flex A. The only supporting mod you might want is rear LCA for camber adjustment. I have SPC Rear LCA with the Toe Kit and the Toe kit helped bring the toe to a slight toe in with 0.08 and the LCA helped me remove some rear negative camber (from -2 to -1).

I tried to increase front negative camber to about -2 and I kept having toe out, so I'm stuck to around -1.2 degree camber for the front with 0 toe.

Uhhhhhhh, there should be TONS of adjustment on the front tie-rods to get 0 toe with -2* camber. I've got -3.2 and 0 toe up front, zero issues.

Ill throw this out first, I'm not detracting from what anyone has said as they are all valid points and should be considered.

I have Tein Flex Z dropped to about 2+ inches all around. I have had them for about a year now and currently they are the only suspension mod I have on the car. I will throw this out there that the car is only driven on the weekends and the most it sees is some spirited driving, no track time. I do plan on getting more supporting mods in the future; rear toe and LCA, adjustable end links all around, and possibly a roll center kit.

With that I do believe you can do it in stages over a period of time. Just keep in mind that you do run the risk of certain things wearing out faster (bushing) and possibly bending (end links), that is the risk I'm taking right now. The best thing to do is get everything needed and go at it all at once with an alignment and be done with it. It all depends on what you are doing and your budget. If you can wait till you get that $2000+ do it, great, if not then that fine too, but you take on some risk.

Time for me to try another shop....

The best supporting mod is a shop that actually knows how to set up these cars. :)

- andrew

I’m new to the forum and came upon your post while stuck in traffic but figured this might help
https://my350z.com/forum/brakes-and-...ion-101-a.html
The link is to a 350z forum I used to be on when I owned one but I catch myself going back to it because the information on it is useful and in theory I can apply it to my own vehicle. It’s a lot of information but bare with it , it’s worth a read and should point you in the right direction of what you’re looking for . Hope this helps ✊
Btw thanks for having me on the forum.