Best Coilover Spring Rates for Track vs Street (and Drift) — Nissan 350Z & Infiniti G35
Best Coilover Spring Rates for Track vs Street (and Drift) — Nissan 350Z & Infiniti G35
Choosing the right coilover spring rates for a 350Z or G35 isn’t about chasing the stiffest setup—it’s about matching your driving discipline to a proven baseline and then dialing in balance with alignment, tires, and damping.
This guide covers street, street/track, track/race, and drift spring-rate targets using the baseline options published for the TL-ONE Single Adjustable Coilover (350Z/G35) .
Quick chassis note: the 350Z & G35 front suspension is not a strut
The Z33/V35 chassis uses a double-wishbone style front suspension and an independent multi-link rear. This affects motion ratio, load transfer, and how spring rate translates to actual wheel rate compared to strut-based platforms.
Baseline spring rates (street, track, drift) for 350Z & G35
These are proven starting points based on the TL-ONE published options—not theoretical targets. Final tuning depends on tire choice, ride height, sway bars, and intended driving discipline.
| Use Case | Spring Rates | Goal |
|---|---|---|
| Comfort / Performance Street | 14k Front / 6k Rear | Street compliance with controlled chassis behavior. |
| Street / Track | 16k Front / 7k Rear | Balanced dual-duty setup for spirited driving and track days. |
| Track / Race | 20k Front / 8k Rear | Increased platform support for braking and sustained corner loads. |
| Drift | 16k Front / 10k Rear | Rear support for throttle-on attitude and consistent transitions. |
How to choose the right spring-rate baseline
1) Be honest about your primary use
- Mostly street → 14k / 6k
- Street + track days → 16k / 7k
- Track or competition → 20k / 8k
- Drift-focused → 16k / 10k
2) Don’t select spring rates without damping in mind
Spring rate alone does not define ride quality or grip. Proper damping allows higher rates to remain usable and predictable, while poor damping can make even mild spring rates feel harsh and unstable.
3) Use alignment and sway bars to fine-tune balance
Once the correct spring-rate baseline is chosen, balance should be refined using alignment, tire selection, and sway bar setup— not by blindly increasing spring stiffness.
Why “true rear” coilovers matter on the 350Z & G35
A true rear coilover places the spring and damper together at the rear wheel rather than using a divorced spring arrangement. This improves rear wheel control, consistency under load, and predictability during braking, transitions, and power application.
Recommended starting points by discipline
Street
14k Front / 6k Rear provides daily-friendly compliance while maintaining solid chassis control.
Street / Track
16k Front / 7k Rear is the most versatile option for mixed use.
Track / Race
20k Front / 8k Rear offers higher platform stability for braking zones and long sessions.
Drift
16k Front / 10k Rear prioritizes rear consistency for throttle application and transitions.
TL-ONE note: these are baselines, not limitations
These spring-rate combinations are published TL-ONE baselines. Final setup can be tailored using tire specs, ride height, sway bars, vehicle weight, and corner balancing when available.
FAQ
What spring rates should I run on a street-driven 350Z/G35?
14k Front / 6k Rear is the recommended performance street baseline.
What spring rates are best for street/track use?
16k Front / 7k Rear balances compliance with track capability.
What spring rates should I run for drifting?
16k Front / 10k Rear is a proven drift-focused baseline.
Are these rates fixed?
No. They are starting points that can be tuned based on your build.
