5 Suspension Mods that can Ruin your Car - Engineering Explained
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+1
Springs & replacement shocks like Koni or Bilstein are going to be on par with entry level coilovers.
I think part of the problem is people lower their car on dampers that are already worn and the stiffer springs end up taking a toll on the shocks and accelerating them wearing out. Shocks are a maintenance item.
Springs & replacement shocks like Koni or Bilstein are going to be on par with entry level coilovers.
I think part of the problem is people lower their car on dampers that are already worn and the stiffer springs end up taking a toll on the shocks and accelerating them wearing out. Shocks are a maintenance item.
I had 32k miles on my stock shocks when I installed my springs, it was bad from day 1 with the swifts on them. FA500's with the swift upgrade ride and handle extremely well, even better than stock.
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From: Temple, PA
I had swfits on my X with stock shocks for a year and a half. My car rode like ****, and didn't take bumps in the road very well, after a while it became down right scary to drive as the handling was unpredictable. I have switched to Fortune Auto coils and it is night and day. Here is a good general rule, don't half *** something if you can't afford it now, save up the money and do it right the first time, otherwise you'll be paying twice for install and for springs.
Would anyone recommend which is a better coil-over setup for the G35X Sedan (2008)? I am leaning towards the stance super sport , haven't really considered Fortune yet. Also heard too many stories on the dreaded clunking sound with the BC's. I definitely want to avoid going springs on my oem shocks as my car is close to 120k on the OEM suspension!
The AWD Swifts are a conservative, even drop, and work well with your OEM shocks. However, you will be introducing an extra 1.0* of neg camber, give or take a few tenths. By itself, that isn't a problem... it's the visuals that take a hit. Your 17" non-sport rims will look ridiculous tucked so deep into the fender.
If you're keeping the wheels, then get a set of 20mm spacer adapters. That will run an additional $200 or more.
Point being, even the most reasonable and least expensive project carries with it added expenses. You can't *just* drop the car... there are a lot of considerations.
If you're keeping the wheels, then get a set of 20mm spacer adapters. That will run an additional $200 or more.
Point being, even the most reasonable and least expensive project carries with it added expenses. You can't *just* drop the car... there are a lot of considerations.
Is there any wheel size/set that won't need any spacer when you drop your car?
If I need to invest $200 spacer for my 17", I rather spend more and get a set of nice wheels that doesn't need spacer!!
Aftermarket wheel manufacturers all offer different offset configurations, some more than others. You need to research wheel offset. No offense, OP, but if an extra $200 makes you think, "Why not buy new wheels?", then you're simply not prepared to make decisions here yet. So step back, take your time, research, research. Don't expect all the answers to come at once, or even consistently.
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Since you mentioned concerns of cost here is an idea of what to expect.
$1,400 for FA coils, 330 for spc front arms, 150 for spc rear camber kit, $300 for install, $660 for wheels (keep in mind that I got a special closeout deal that will never happen again and you should expect to pay about 200-250 per wheel used, $1,100 or more for tires (245/40/19). So to do it right you are looking at approximately $4,500.
Last edited by AUR11; Apr 14, 2016 at 04:15 PM.
Yep. Absolutely. Heck, a good set of lugnuts alone could run a couple hundred. 
You know, if the OP just wants the look of a dropped sedan, and doesn't care about the handling considerations, he could easily just throw on a set of Swift Springs for a few years, and maybe some spacers, no camber kit, no aftermarket wheels... in and out for under a grand, parts & labor. Just saying... he *could* do it. (Oh, and another Ben Fanklin for an alignment, LOL)
Whether he should or not is a personal choice. His, not mine or yours.
You know, if the OP just wants the look of a dropped sedan, and doesn't care about the handling considerations, he could easily just throw on a set of Swift Springs for a few years, and maybe some spacers, no camber kit, no aftermarket wheels... in and out for under a grand, parts & labor. Just saying... he *could* do it. (Oh, and another Ben Fanklin for an alignment, LOL)
Whether he should or not is a personal choice. His, not mine or yours.
I'm in an x on swifts with a well maintained suspension including stock replacement KYBs with no problems and the handling is fantastic. Obviously others' experiences will vary.
But I will add that I am meticulous with making sure everything is nice and tight because I live in a city riddled with potholes that get worse after every harsh winter. Many of the roads in the city feel like those roads manufacturers use to test the durability of their suspension.
My car was scraping/bottoming out/hitting the ground on these roads for years before I added the swifts and whenever I drive any other car on these roads the same problems are experienced.
The KYBs aren't the ones the car came with 130k miles ago. A replacement set was less than 200 dollars and took an afternoon to install in my dad's driveway. it really is a maintenance item. like pads and rotors.
The ride has only been made better on my x if anything. In fact I haven't actually hit the ground/bottomed out ever since i got the swifts. But this may just be testament to my ability to doge potholes getting better/blind luck.
Personally if they're the same price, I'd rather get a higher quality strut and spring that is actually beneficial for the application than a cheap coilover with features I probably wont need or want.
Also, I'd like to add that I F******en hate pot holes. I hate them so much.
Last edited by Baadnewsburr; Apr 14, 2016 at 06:03 PM.
You know, if the OP just wants the look of a dropped sedan, and doesn't care about the handling considerations, he could easily just throw on a set of Swift Springs for a few years, and maybe some spacers, no camber kit, no aftermarket wheels... in and out for under a grand, parts & labor. Just saying... he *could* do it. (Oh, and another Ben Fanklin for an alignment, LOL)
Whether he should or not is a personal choice. His, not mine or yours.
Whether he should or not is a personal choice. His, not mine or yours.
Swift Lowering springs is the best choice for the G37x(S) and with the upgraded rear sway bar from the G37(S)/Z.
Adding a GTSPEC FSTB further helped a bit...both in handling and visually.
With 20mm spacers on all four with either stock wheels or like me, I re-used the OEM tires and went with aftermarket wheels in the same size as stock...giving the appearance and handling the G37x(S) should have.
These mods didn't hurt the wallet too bad when time came to return the lease...
plus selling them used afterwards was a non issue.
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I have to ask... is the handling on the X/Journey that bad? Very soft and understeers a lot?
Suspension travel is a GOOD thing, if you like your wheels touching the road.
Suspension travel is a GOOD thing, if you like your wheels touching the road.
Last edited by SonicVQ; Apr 14, 2016 at 07:35 PM.
I've been on Swift springs with my X sedan for over 3,000 miles... Have had Hotchkis F&R sway bars along with 19x9 wheels for nearly 6,000 miles. Car handles amazingly well, yes the ride is a bit harsher, especially on Jersey roads. But other than that, it's not bad at all. I even travelled 550mi from NC to NJ with 4 people in car with no complaints. Car has 48,000 miles on it too. I'll either upgrade to coils or just get new shocks/struts once my current ones go. But if you're just looking for a minimal drop, Swifts are fine for the X.