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GENERAL
Why do people lower their
Z/G?
- There are generally two functions that lowering a 350Z or G35
may accomplish:
- Aesthetics: Some people like the look of a lowered Z.
The Z comes pretty low from the factory, but another inch drop can
make a huge difference the overall appearance of the car.
- Performance: By lowering the car, you are also lowering
the center of gravity. This will improve cornering and reduce body
roll through turns.
How far can/should I lower my
Z/G?
- This of course has no definitive answers. The answer depends on
many factors including:
- Type of driving -
- Suspenion setup -
- Road quality - where will you be driving? Daily driving
a slammed car is not easy and there are many road hazards to take
into account.Even potholes can cause severe problems if your car is
lowered to much. Driveway angles are the most common problem. Many
driveways or parking lot entrances become impossible to navigate
with a car that is extremely low.
- Body kit? - If you have an aftermarket front bumper,
lip, etc.., this will have an impact on how far you can or should
lower your car. Aftermarket body parts are typically lower and/or
longer than the OEM bumper
If the car is used as a daily (city)
driver, what is a safe amount, if any, to lower my car?
- The answer to that depends entirely on the road conditions in
your area. Being a factory designed sports car, the vehicle's ride
height is already the lowest that Nissan engineers felt was
acceptable for the majority of roadways in the United States.
Further lowering of the vehicle may cause the owner to run into
some previously unexpected situations, such as: the inability to
enter automatic car washes, scraping when entering/exiting
driveways, scraping or inability to traverse speed bumps and so
forth.
- Each owner will have to make their own assessment of
road/driving conditions in their area before lowering their
Z/G.
Do I need to replace the
struts?
- If the spring rate is within approximately 10% of the factory
springs, then strut replacement is not necessary. If the new spring
rate exceeds the OEM spec by more than 10% then accelerated strut
wear will occur. Rates much higher than stock will result in
premature strut failure, excessively bouncy ride quality, and
potentially unstable handling characteristics. If you are upgrading
to a coilover system, strut replacement is not an issue.
HOW?
How do I lower my Z/G?
- To lower your Z or G in a safe and effective manner, you will
need to purchase and install aftermarket suspension components.
This can be as simple as a set of lowering springs or as involved
as a full coilover suspension setup. These are the two recommended
methods for the Z/G
Can’t I just cut the
springs?
- Though you will hear numerous reports to the contrary, cutting
the factory coil springs is not a valid method for lowering you
Z/G. Springs may appear simple in design, but fairly complex
physics are at play. Cut springs can result in poor ride quality,
unacceptable handling, accelerated strut wear, and even damage to
suspension components. Anyone who tells you that cut springs are
"just like" aftermarket lowering springs is a person who has never
ridden in a vehicle that has been lowered with a quality suspension
system.
Which are better: springs or
coilovers?
- The answer depends on what situations the vehicle will be
exposed to. Under specific conditions, a well selected spring/strut
combination can produce performance results equal to (or better
than) a coilover setup. Coilovers shine with their adjustably,
making them adaptable to varying street and track conditions. If
you have no need for this level of adjustability, then lowering
springs will suit you just fine.
AFFECTS
Will lowering my Z/G affect the VDC
system?
- Nismo uses disclaimers on their suspension parts, saying that
they should not be used with VDC systems. However, no negative
affects have been documented so far.
Will lowering my Z/G affect the ABS
system?
- No. Lowering your car will have no impact on the anti-lock
braking system.
Will I need an alignment after
lowering my car?
- Yes. After any suspension components are replaced, a four wheel
alignment should be performed. CAUTION: Misaligned rear suspension
components can render your Z/G very unstable and dangerous to drive
at speed. Drive cautiously until the suspension has been
aligned
Will lowering my Z/G affect the ride
quality?
- If spring rates remain similar to stock, then so will the ride
quality. Raising or lowering the spring rate will have
corresponding effects on ride quality.
Will lowering my Z/G really improve
the handling?
- In general the answer is yes. Though vehicles that have been
excessively lowered (or make use of an inappropriate spring rate)
can experience a negative hit in the handling department.
OTHER CONSIDERATIONS
Do I need adjustable suspension arms
when lowered?
- The answer to this depends on how far you lower the car.
- The front upper A-Arms are NOT adjustable, so any amount of
lowering will increase camber. While this is good for handling, it
is bad for tire wear. A 1" drop has shown to increase tire wear if
the camber is not realigned. See Front A Arms
- The rear suspension is toe/camber adjustable to an extent. With
an excessive drop (anything over 1") you will most likely need
aftermarket rear adjustable suspension components. See Rear
Suspension Links
