I did it again!!

Mac, are you sure the KW coil-overs will fit with the stock wheels? As I read there info, spacers may be required.Grease Monkey

the ACS kit is a very good compromise between handling and cruising. The car doesn't become too stiff.

However, I considered the car to be weakly dampened, resulting in quite a bit of rolling (even with the Dinan bars) and shaking.
A typical bend on the Ring is a bend that you take at around 90 to 100 mph, with substantial load on the outside suspension of course. Then right in the midst of it you hit a bump, and immediately the car starts to work, especially on the tail end.

The coilover set up lets you adjust the hight to avoid body contact as much as possible (yes, it happens, and quite easily), plus you can set the rebound, which lets you finetune how stiff you want your car.
On an even track you can quickly go to a setup that glues the car to the ground by simply rotating an adjustment wheel on each shock absorber. Takes 5 minutes.


http://www.dwz8.de/misc/karussel.jpg

This picture gives you an impression of the load on the car in certain situations. The Z8 is right in the midst of the Karussell of the Ring, almost down to the ground.
(Yes, Andrew, I will send you the full res pic ;-) )

I am using a stage 2 setup now, there is also a stage 3 setup that allows you to adjust the pressure side as well.
Grease Monkey is right, you may have to add slim spacers, however, this shouldn't matter. I had to add 15 mm on each wheel because of the brakes, and I have plenty of room for the coilovers. So my guess would be that you don't need more than 5 mm max.

I have to apologize that I still haven't found the time yet to write all this up and document with photos, but I will once the driving season is over here in Germany...

If you still can do this...

http://www.dwz8.de/misc/20051030_0044n.jpg

or this...


http://www.dwz8.de/misc/LF6Y0855n.jpg

you don't want to be sitting in front of a screen instead... ;-)

Cheers,
Dieter

Wheel and tire combination? Are you using Brembos?

Andrew.. careful what your caling a beater there buddy.. when Shadowman gets done with it I'm not sure your going to feel the same way about your new gal.

Sean

PS: I got more info on those wheels you were looking for.. call me over the weekend if you like.

19" Racing Dynamics, PZero Rosso Asimetrico
Front 245/40, rear 275/35

The brakes are from Brembo
Front 380 mm 8 pot
Rear 340 mm 4 pot

Cheers,
Dieter

with your tires? Yikes! I have 295/19 rear and 265/19 front but without spacers.............then again, I am not tracking the car the way you are. But I would like too.

I have the same brembos BTW.

it's the design of the rims unfortunately, combined with the offset.
I may change to different wheels next year to be able to fit wider tires as well.

Which rims do you use?

I've been trying to find a set of RD2s, but they no longer offer them in the U.S. I might buy yours if you switch. Wheels are always subjective, but I think the RD2 has a classy "factory" look to complement the Z8.

I can certainly help you to buy them here in Germany, no problem to get them. I am sure they can be shipped to the US.

HRE 19x9 in front and 19x10 in rear