Lowering Springs: Tein vs. Tanabe

[JDMZ32]

Tanabe GF210:Model: 300ZX (Z32)Year: 90-96Spring Rates F/R: 3.4/3.8Down Data F/R: 1.5"/1.1"MSRP (from Tanabe USA): $240.00

Tein S-Tech:Model: 300ZX (Z32)Year: 90-96Spring Rates F/R: 3.5/3.4Down Data F/R: 1.38"/.83"MSRP (from Z1 Motorsports): $180.00 and "Starts at $210" on Tein's site

which is best all around? and what exactly are spring rates? i need that to be explained... Tanabe has a lower drop, but is more expensive based on those prices.

also, is there anything else you need to do when installing springs? i am unfamiliar with suspension. and coilovers aren't really an option anytime soon for me. thanks!

[freakonaleash1187]

If you are putting lowering springs on, you definitely want to think about replacing your shocks if they haven't been recently as 17 year old stock shocks will most likely blow-out shortly after putting lowering springs on them. As for the spring rates, what do you want out of your setup? If you are just going for street with a little extra umph, you don't absolutely need the stiffer spring. If you want a car that handles like no other, *usually* the stiffer, the better, there are exceptions though, as there comes a point when it becomes too stiff for your setup. I have KYB AGX shocks with Eibach springs on them right now and I am happy with the setup. I have been to auto-x a few times with this setup and it is a huge improvement over stock.

[nissanz300]

I currently run tein s-tech springs with the kyb agx struts as well. let me say. wow i felt a difference. although i have only had stock and then this so im not to sure about all the others. but like freakonaleash1187 said all depends on what you want. also a good set of rims and tires would help out a TON. and so you remember if you lower it the camber will be off. I have the rear adjustable upper control arms now. but nothing to fix the front.

[KPeeZy]

I currently have Bomz coil over springs and tokico struts. the car rides pretty stiff but handles very well . I dont drive over 70 miles per hour on the freeway because some bumps on the roads hit the wheels pretty hard. maybe the 30 series tires are too low profile.

[JDMZ32]

thanks for the answers.

as for what i want: i want it to be noticeably lower than stock AND feel stiffer. i want it to handle better. my dad's C5 feels pretty good - stiffer than mine. i really want a set of coilovers, but i can't afford those yet, so the springs are sort of temporary, so i wasn't planning on getting aftermarket shocks with it. i don't understand what spring rates are, or toe/camber. i don't understand any of that. i don't remember exactly, but i think i read something that said if i don't correct something else while installing lowering springs, it will wear out my tires extremely fast.

!

tein 3, tanabe 1. why? is it because Tein is all suspension and more well-known and tanabe makes other parts (like exhaust)?

[nissanz300]

who ever said you will wear out your tires fast is correct. thats due to the negative camber that lowering springs will give you. camber is the tilt of the tire from the top. if it tilts in towards the car thats negative.(which lowering springs will give you) and out is positive. the z has specs to have negative camber but not as much as the springs will give you. also you can adjust it in the rear with the cam bolts. but it wont be enough. toe. hard to explain when i cant show you. but take your feet and point both of them in towards each other. then back out. thats toe. this will chew your tires up more than anything else. because your tires wont roll straight they are actually dragging.

[JDMZ32]

ok. so toe is bad.

a lot of people want negative camber, though. why would they want it if it just kills your tires?

what do i need to get along with lowering springs to correct the camber and set it back to whatever stock is? is stock what it should be?

thanks.

[nissanz300]

you only want negative camber if your using it as a track car. for a daily driver it is not recomended. to correct camber you will need a adjustable uppercontrol arm. thats for the rear. the front you have options. the 300 degree kit or adjustable arms again.

[infamousz32]

for the front you can just get a camber correction kit which is a lot cheaper and works pretty well.

[JDMZ32]

thanks!

are these corrections expensive?

[JDMZ32]

...well i hope not.

[Ksizz13]

Ground Control Coilovers + Tokico HP struts are amazing!

[craigztoyz]

Ground Control Coilovers + Tokico HP struts are amazing!

How much did they set you back?

Thanx, lloking into the longterm options, early.