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DB Nissan 350z GT 05'


davey_83

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  • 2 weeks later...

Browsing as you do i came across a used set of coilovers on eBay, listed as Nissan 350z springs and shock absorbers. Thought I don't recognise this make however figured they'd be worth a look. Quick check of the ad out of interest looking to gauge condition and more importantly the make. Made out the wording WAT Racing, who you say. I thought the exact same thing, turns out WAT Racing Performance is a motorsport company in Taiwan who run a FIA rally team (four time consecutive class titles) who also design, build and test their own suspension. Competing in circuit/track along with rally/hill climb competitions.

 

www.watsuspension.com/about-us.htm

 

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Thought for the right price these would be worth the gamble, nothing ventured and all that. Also made sense that a motorsport team might know how to make decent suspension. Was happy with the current ride height, however wanted to dial out the floaty feeling when pushing on as you can sense the weight I guess more with softer dampers along with reduced travel from the lowering springs.

 

Bought the coilovers and in the meantime messaged WAT Racing via Facebook for details on what I had paid for. They kindly came back with the below. 

 

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Being a used set they of course needed a good tidy prior to fitting. Took everything that I can apart to assess and clean. Having never had coilovers before with helper springs (previously had MeisterR and BC on my last car) I again contacted WAT Racing for information on preload. Was absolutely blown away with the reply *see below.

 

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Thought ok let's get to it.

 

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Looking much better

 

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The complete set awaiting assembly

 

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Built up and preloads set to manufacturers spec.

 

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Ride height of each corner checked from bottom of the alloy to arch.

 

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Rears first, figured I'd get the easy pair out the way.

 

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Considerably weight saving.

 

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Spin the car round and onto the fronts, again fair bit of weight lost due to forged top and lower mounts. 

 

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Initially siting way to low.........

 

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Raised each corner and went for a drive round the block. Back on the drive and adjust ride height again. Currently sitting -40mm however later want to set the ride height to -25mm. Will no doubt settle after a decent drive out. Damping set to 8 clicks front and 12 rear out of 40. 

 

The next day went to Wheels On Wednesday car show in Spetchley, circa 70 mile round trip encountering motorways, duals, A and B roads, gravel track and even cattle grids. To my relief the ride is great, deals with poor road surfaces very well. Will feel better once it's raised a bit too I'd have thought. Compared to the 16yr old shock absorbers of course the ride is going to feel way better. The car deals with adverse cambers and undulations so much better now with greater body control. To explain poor road surfaces are no longer poor surfaces. Haven't of course lent on the car yet, but I am looking forward to seeing what's what.

 

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Edited by davey_83
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15 hours ago, ballistic said:

Awesome. Looks fantastic, looks like the gamble paid off. 

 

 

 

Cheers pal, yeah thankfully so.

 

13 hours ago, HEADPHONES said:

Wow.....what a find!

Add to that the very personal support from that you got and it all sounds a fantastic purchase.

 

Yeah I felt a bit more confident when I was building the suspension back up, following the communication from WAT. It was clear they knew what they where talking about and was more than happy to take the time to explain the set up. 

 

4 hours ago, msitpro said:

:scare: unexpected! Very nice

 

What are the spring rates?

 

You're telling me, during lockdowns I've spent more on the car than all the years prior!!! 

 

Spring rates are 14kg/mm front and 6kg/mm rear.

Edited by davey_83
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On 28/06/2021 at 13:01, davey_83 said:

 

Cheers pal, yeah thankfully so.

 

 

Yeah I felt a bit more confident when I was building the suspension back up, following the communication from WAT. It was clear they knew what they where talking about and was more than happy to take the time to explain the set up. 

 

 

You're telling me, during lockdowns I've spent more on the car than all the years prior!!! 

 

Spring rates are 14kg/mm front and 6kg/mm rear.

Ahh snap on the front. What do you think?

 

Currently running 8k on the back of my 'true' coils myself - purely for arch clearance reasons due to silly wide semi slicks and stock arches. Extremely stiff. I have 6k rear springs as well and really that's the limit IMO for any kind of comfort whatsoever.

 

I think I'll go 10-12k front and 6k rear when these wheels/tyres come off and I go back to the TC-4s.

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I didn't choose the spring rates, didn't even know what they were till the package arrived and from reading past threads on here 14/6 is what I'd have chosen. No doubt with more time behind the wheel and when I raise the ride height a tad dial in some rake, il be able to lean on the car to see how it responds. Normal driving thus far feels really good.  Also 14kg with the 2kg helper spring I guess would change the dynamics at the guess being sandwiched together?

Edited by davey_83
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No offence to anyone else but this has got to be my favourite grey Z, you do such a good job with it always looking on point, that kit what a find too looks absolutely lovely especially after the graft and clean 

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Cheers pal, means alot - need more updates on yours. Got my license in 2001 and in that time only had 5 cars *2 currently. I take the time to find the best example I can afford and I look after them. Never been one for chopping and changing, so end up having my cars for a long time. Enjoy doing what bits I can myself and the car only goes into a garage for its annual MOT or wheel alignment. Then there's realms of detailing, very much a passion. 

 

I could be given a 400z press car for two days and if it was dirty, instead of driving it non stop I'd rather spend the first half of the day cleaning it thoroughly and then go for a drive as that's what I enjoy.

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Cheers matey, chatting to Jerrick @ MeisterR recently who goes why don't you just my a set from me - tried and tested. I said where's the fun in that 🤣

 

Had to make a little cut, really want to put some effort into part 2

 

 

 

Updated Highlight Spec

 

Motordyne ART pipes *heat wrapped

Motordyne XYZ pipe with HFC

Thorney Motorsport custom 3' exhaust  

Ramair cone filter *80mm intake

JPerformance 3’ hard pipe intake

Wasso 5/16 anodized plenum spacer

VMS lightweight crank pulley

Exedy stage 2 clutch

HDev Grounding kit

DIRENZA oil catch can

 

Varrstoen ES2-19’

Continental Sport Contact 6

WAT Racing Coilovers *true 14kg/6kg

TarmacSportz rear camber arms

Whiteline Z33 differential poly bush kit

UltraRacing W brace

SuperPro ARB bushes

Retrimmed alcantra steering wheel

B&M Racing shifter

 

MY06 headlamps and rear lamps

TarmacSportz rear diffuser

TarmacSportz V1 rear style spats

Custom side steps

Leon Cupra front splitter

 

Carbon b post trims, door mirror covers, engine cover, slam panel, battery/brake servo covers and front bumper insert. 

Edited by davey_83
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16 hours ago, davey_83 said:

I didn't choose the spring rates, didn't even know what they were till the package arrived and from reading past threads on here 14/6 is what I'd have chosen. No doubt with more time behind the wheel and when I raise the ride height a tad dial in some rake, il be able to lean on the car to see how it responds. Normal driving thus far feels really good.  Also 14kg with the 2kg helper spring I guess would change the dynamics at the guess being sandwiched together?

I did wonder if that was the case haha

 

Good thinking on the rake - see so many slam the rear and in my personal experience it messes up the balance of the car , turn in etc.

 

The helper spring will be fully compressed at normal ride height. It softens the spring rate when you 'land' from a larger bump. Think it makes the effective spring rate around (spring1+spring2)/2 when 'landing'. So in your case 8k.

 

You'd not want it uncompressed at all at normal ride height. That's like a progressive wound spring where it could change handling characteristics WHILE cornering - not predictable.

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18 minutes ago, msitpro said:

I did wonder if that was the case haha

 

Good thinking on the rake - see so many slam the rear and in my personal experience it messes up the balance of the car , turn in etc.

 

The helper spring will be fully compressed at normal ride height. It softens the spring rate when you 'land' from a larger bump. Think it makes the effective spring rate around (spring1+spring2)/2 when 'landing'. So in your case 8k.

 

You'd not want it uncompressed at all at normal ride height. That's like a progressive wound spring where it could change handling characteristics WHILE cornering - not predictable.

 

6 minutes ago, msitpro said:

Note also can improve grip via preventing a wheel leaving the ground. (Improved droop)

 

Yeah a level slammed car might look good but yeah defiantly compromised handling and possibly high speed stability due to a light feeling front end. 

 

Yeah the helper would be that quicker reacting force keeping the wheel on the ground maintaining grip/traction *in theory.  911 GT3 runs helper springs and no doubt the handling and body control is best in the game, so no bad thing. 

 

Time to geek out on the new Porsche 911 GT3's suspension | Top Gear

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15 hours ago, davey_83 said:

Cheers pal, means alot - need more updates on yours. Got my license in 2001 and in that time only had 5 cars *2 currently. I take the time to find the best example I can afford and I look after them. Never been one for chopping and changing, so end up having my cars for a long time. Enjoy doing what bits I can myself and the car only goes into a garage for its annual MOT or wheel alignment. Then there's realms of detailing, very much a passion. 

 

I could be given a 400z press car for two days and if it was dirty, instead of driving it non stop I'd rather spend the first half of the day cleaning it thoroughly and then go for a drive as that's what I enjoy.

I have updated my welcome piece however I’m probably going to have to start a “new” build thread tbh, problem is when I find the time I’m usually working on or cleaning the car and forget to update the post so I’ll then do a bleak description and upload a picture instead 😂
sounds like the right way to be, I never understand people who go through cars, I dread buying another one because then you take on the last owners mistakes or issues atleast when you’ve had your car for an age you know exactly what needs doing. 
sounds like the right way to be mate, cleanings the must, driving’s the treat can’t have pudding if you don’t eat your meat 😂

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Washed and sealed for today and it of course rained early door arghhhhh. The actual event was dry and even t shirt weather later on. Few pics of mine from today 

 

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The gloss kids 

 

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