Over the weekend I installed Koni Yellow shocks for a 370Z/G37 coupe and Swift RWD sedan springs. Koni doesn't list the sedan as being compatible, but I risked it

Installation: I did it by myself. It kinda sucked. A helper would have....helped

The shock through bolts are a known as a bitch. On the drivers side, I realized I was torquing down on the suspension. I supported it with a jack, and the bolt came right off.

The orientation on the passenger side is different. Lefty-lousy is up. There wasn't enough space to do the wrench/floor jack technique. I put a 6 point wrench on it, hanging down, and beat it with a dead blow hammer.

Everything about the install is straight forward, the fronts are secured by 3 buts at the top, the through bolt below, and a bracket with 3 more bolts. Remember to route the brake lines properly. I didn't and had the joy of taking the first one back out.

I rented spring compressors from Auto Zone, pretty easy to use. The fronts didn't seem to be under any compression. You could probably just take the top hats off. But danger and all that. I only had to compress the front Swifts a little. Again, if you had a helper, you could probably push down on the springs enough to get the nut on the shaft. Compress the springs, remove the top hats, reassemble. Done.

The rears are even easier. There are two 12 mm nuts at the top, one 17 mm at the bottom. Remove the three bolts, take the top hats off your stockers, assemble them with the Konis. Done.

Highly recommend 6 point sockets if you are going to DIY this. An impact wrench would be awesome too.

 

Before/After F/R

 

Driving Impressions:

To sum it up: I love it.

I spent almost an hour today just driving my car. Mostly 2 lane county roads crisscrossing the NC/SC border. 45 MPH speed limit, 3rd gear, flirting with....lets just say more then 45

No real degradation in ride quality. The roads were smooth, so I can't say I experienced any pot holes or anything. But there was a general tightness that was lacking in my G37S. Undulating irregularities produced...nothing. No float, no softness. Just absorbed. There is a firmness to the suspension that wasn't there before, yet its not harsh. You hear bumps more than you feel them.

It's most apparent in the initial set. You turn into a corner, and that is it. There is no suspension movement. It is an immediate motion.

You can also feel it on shifts. Imagine accelerating at 2/3 throttle, clutching and shifting gears. Normally there is a fore/aft movement, as weight is transferred. Gone. The whole car feels so much more buttoned down. I love it.

Cons:

I doubt I'll be able to adjust the rears on the care (currently set at 1.5 turns from full soft, fronts at full soft)

I wish the drop was more level.

 

Looking forward to driving impressions with the konis

 

nice write up! where are the adjustment ***** for from and rear?

 

The rears dont use a **** to adjust. They have a window with 2.5 mm hex indents at the top of the shock. You stick an allen wrench in and turn. I'm not sure if I'll be able to adjust them on the car yet.

 

I wished they made Koni's for the AWD.

 

I think you might be able to do inserts. When I was researching them I think someone over on the G35 made it work, but it was expensive.

 

Looks great! Going to have to seriously consider the koni yellows down the road.

 

Are you on the lowest perch in the front and highest perch in the rear?

 

Drop looks perfect.

 

What width are your tires? Maybe some wider tires with or without spacers could be in store?

 

Stock size 225/50/18 front and 245/45/18 rear.

Not really any alternative sizes to run on the duckfeet

I'm getting Michelin Pilot Super Sports on Sunday