*Admin, can you edit the title? It should say 2011, not 2001.
A few weeks ago, I purchased a 2003 350z base model with high miles that has been well taken care of. My wife and I were ready to hit Z days last week, but I noticed my control arm bushings were shot and we missed out this year. So, I borrowed a hydraulic press and replaced them and the strut bushings in the control arms with Whiteline bushings. I got an alignment and all was great. But, then I was on Craigslist and saw some wheels and tires from a 2011 370z and scoped the up for $471 bucks. They have no curb rash and look great. But the car rides rough as **** now. I had 17's and the 370's are 18's. They are wider and taller. I am not sure if the tires are just old or If I really need to upgrade the suspension. Can someone point me in the right direction? I did think about lowering the car a half inch or so.
Thanks
Jason
How did your car ride before you put on the 18" 370 wheels?
What's the miles on your car?
What tires (make&sizes) are on the 370 wheels?
What tire pressures are you running in the new tires?
I'm just using my Z as a comparison. I had 17's like you with the stock
Bridgestones(weak tires).I went to 19" wheels with Hankook V-12'S.
The ride greatly improved as did the road noise.
Yes,shocks could be a factor for sure. But cheap tires pumped up to over 40 lbs
could also do the same.
The car rode ok before, It was a little bumpy. It has 166k. I do think the tires need replaced and so do the shocks. What is the difference between the suspension on a base model and a track or enthusist. I know the brakes are 4 piston and they have bigger wheels. But, what else is diffent. Same springs, struts, etc...?
The tires had 25 psi in them when I cleaned them up an took a test drive. They were just as bumpy when I aired them up to 38 psi. I will go down to about 30-32 and see if that helps. I think 18's have Yokohma tires now. Like a 245/45/18 in the rear and a 225/50/18 up front??? I know the height is corrrect, not sure about the tire width. The tires pick up all kinds of road noise and I can feel and hear every bump in the road.
With 166k miles ,you sure do need new shocks. Are the original shocks on the car?
There was no difference in OEM suspension with the 350Z models.All have the same stuff.
The only difference is that the Track had Brembo brakes.
I would lower the tire pressures to about 32lbs. See what happens.
Is there any wear on the tires?Cupping or wear at edges?
Looking back when I bought my Z in 2002,I drove a Track with 18's.
I did notice the ride being quite harder than the 17's on the Touring that I
eventually bought. Another possible factor is that your wheels&tires are off of a 2011 370.
They could have been sitting in a garage for 5 years or so . THe owner may have bought aftermarket
wheels and just parked the wheels&tires. The tires could just be hard or dry. I'd replace e'm.
If you are looking for a great all around tire that really works well on the Z and is super quiet and gives
a great ride,I highly recommend Hankook V-12'S.Unless you plan on tracking your car(have rather soft sidewalls)these tires will do the job.
I'd do the following sizes:
FRONT;225/45/18 or 255/40/18
REAR:245/45/18 or 275/40/18
I am not sure what orginal parts are on the car. I bought it from an engineer outside of Atlanta. My guess is that the shocks are orginal. I dont plan on any Track driving. Any recommendations on shocks? The tires on the car were pretty new. The drivers side did have a little camber wear. The new bushings should and the alignment should help that. I had the car aligned with 17's. I really need to go back and have them double check the alignment. EUROZ, you are 100% correct. The guy with the 370 had them stacked up in his garage for 4-5 years. I think I'll shop for tires and shocks.
Us old timer Z guys(hey,I GO BACK TO the 240Z),will share horror stories of
2003 models and some early 2004 that had the front tire inside edges wearing out
due to camber screw ups when they were built. I went thru 3 sets of tires (under warranty)plus just as many dealerships that knew how to fix the problem. I'd think your 03 Z would have been fixed by now. If not,you would hear a roar from the front tires when you brake.
Go with the Hankooks. Some tires just work with a car.
These do.
Are you using stock 370Z lugnuts? The 370Z wheels require lugnuts with a washer. If you are using tuner lugnuts or stock 350Z lugs, that could be your problem.
Ding, ding, ding...we have a winner! OP most likely reused their old lugnuts, which won't properly secure the Z34 wheels. They'd be well advised to carefully check the OEM lugs and threads for damage, as use of the wrong lugnuts causes damage.
Hope the OP is still reading his own thread and updates us!
Yes, I am reading. But, I didn't catch the last post until tonight though. It felt like the lug nuts seated properly on the 370z wheels. I am using the stock 350 lug nuts. For the time being, I'm going to put the stock wheels back on because the tires are just better on those wheels. I own a vw that I coverted to 4 wheel disc brakes with a 5x130 lug pattern for Porsche wheels and they use the washer's that you guys mentioned. I will throughly check the wheels and lug nuts when swapping back to stock.:wink2: I just I need to sell some other junk for new tires on the 18's I haven't drove it very much and I have been pretty busy. I did change the rear diff and the trans fluids and ordered some compression rod bushings. I have to leave out for a few days in the morning and it will be a week before I can swap the wheels. I was on vacation last week, but I managed to slip away from the family and scour a salvage yard in Daytona. I managed to get a driver's side arm rest without any cracks from a pick-n-pull for $4.70. Now the interior is 100% all there and in great shape.
You are very welcome. I am glad I was able to helpp.
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