350Z and G35 Coilovers: Street, Drift and Angle Kit Guide

The Nissan 350Z and Infiniti G35 are two of the most common cars at grassroots drift events, and they make great street and track cars too. They are rear-wheel drive, cheap to buy, and well supported by the aftermarket. This guide covers how to choose coilovers for a 350Z or G35, the difference between true rear and divorced rear kits, when you need an angle kit, and what to check after you install everything.

Want to go straight to the parts? Everything in this guide is in our 350Z and G35 coilovers and suspension collection.

350Z vs G35 fitment

The 350Z and G35 share the same front-midship platform, but not every part fits every version. These are the main ones:

• Nissan 350Z (Z33), 2003–2008: coupe and roadster.
• Infiniti G35 coupe (V35), 2003–2007.
• Infiniti G35 sedan (V35), 2003–2006: rear-wheel drive. The all-wheel-drive G35x uses different front suspension, so it needs AWD-specific coilovers.
• 2007–2008 G35 sedan (V36): a newer platform shared with the G37, which uses different parts.

Many coilover kits list the 350Z and the G35 coupe together, but sedans and AWD cars often have their own part numbers. Always match your exact model and years to the product title. If you are not sure, contact us before you order and we will check fitment with the brand.

True rear vs divorced rear coilovers

This is the most important choice on the Z33 and V35, and the one most people get wrong. The factory rear suspension uses a separate spring and shock, which is called a divorced setup. Coilover kits come in two styles:

• Divorced rear: keeps the factory layout, with a separate rear spring and shock. The rear spring sits on a height-adjustable perch. These are simple to install and give a smooth ride.
• True rear: replaces the rear with a full coilover, so the spring sits on the shock body. This gives more precise height adjustment, more spring choices and better control at higher spring rates, which is why many track and drift builds use it.

For example, the SF Racing kits come in both styles: the Sport coilovers with divorced rear and the Sport coilovers with true rear. For a street car, either works well. For drift or track, most drivers prefer a true rear.

Street coilovers

For a daily driver, look for moderate spring rates, damping adjustment, and a height range that lets you lower the car without bottoming out over bumps.

SF Racing Sport coilovers for the 350Z (Z33): a street kit with height and damping adjustment.

Popular street choices include the SF Racing Sport coilovers for the 350Z and the matching kits for the G35 coupe and G35 sedan, plus the BLOX Racing Street Series II and the ISR Performance Pro Series. There is also an AWD-specific kit for the G35x.

Track coilovers

For time attack and track days, you want the car flat and responsive. Track kits run higher spring rates, a wider damping range and camber-adjustable top mounts. The 350Z responds well to a good setup because the chassis is stiff and the weight is well balanced.

Look at the SF Racing Track coilovers for the 350Z, which are also available with a divorced rear, and the Track kit for the G35 sedan. A track kit rides firmer on the street, so think about how many miles the car does on the road.

Drift coilovers

Drift coilovers are tuned for fast weight transfer and quick transitions, with stiffer front spring rates than grip setups. They also need to handle hard landings and contact without letting go.

SLR Drift Spec coilovers for the 350Z, built for drifting.

Our drift options include the SLR Drift Spec coilovers for the 350Z, the Drift Spec kit for the 03–07 G35, the SLR BOSS Drift Spec for competition cars, and the SLR Drift Spec MAX 2-way adjustable coilovers, which let you adjust compression and rebound separately for fine tuning.

Do you need an angle kit?

An angle kit increases how far the front wheels can turn. More steering lock lets you hold bigger drift angles and catch the car when it snaps. The stock 350Z and G35 have limited lock, which is why angle kits are so popular on these cars.

You probably need one if:

• You are spinning out at angle because you run out of steering lock.
• You are moving up from practice days to competition, where bigger angle scores better.
• Your steering feels heavy or wants to self-steer at full lock.

You probably do not need one yet if you are just learning to drift. Seat time matters more than lock at that stage, and the stock lock or a set of modified knuckles is fine to start with.

When you are ready, we carry the SLR Ultra angle kit with billet knuckles for the 350Z and the SLR Ultra angle kit for the G35. See all of our steering angle kits.

Spring rates and damping, explained simply

Coilover listings often list spring rates in kg/mm. A higher number is a stiffer spring. Here is what that means in practice:

• Street: softer rates keep the car comfortable and give it grip on uneven roads. A good street kit feels tighter than stock without beating you up.
• Track: stiffer rates reduce roll and pitch, so the tires stay flatter on the road and the car responds faster. On a bumpy street, though, very stiff springs can make the car skip and feel nervous.
• Drift: drift setups often run a stiff front for sharp transitions and a softer rear to keep the car hooked up out of corners.

Damping controls how fast the spring compresses and rebounds. With adjustable dampers, start in the middle of the range and adjust a few clicks at a time. Change only one thing at a time so you can feel the difference. If the car feels floaty or keeps bouncing after a bump, add damping. If it feels harsh and skips over bumps, take some away.

Air suspension for the 350Z and G35

If you want a low stance at shows but a usable ride height on the road, air suspension is an option. You can raise the car for driveways and speed bumps, then drop it when you park.

SF Racing air struts for the 350Z (Z33).

We carry SF Racing air struts for the 350Z, a true rear version, air struts for the G35 sedan, and the Air Lift Performance kit. Air struts need a management system, compressor and tank unless the listing says they are included. See all of our air suspension.

Budget planning

Plan the whole job, not just the coilovers. A typical 350Z or G35 suspension build costs:

• Coilovers: about a thousand dollars for good street kits, more for track and drift kits with more adjustment.
• Installation: a few hours of shop time if you are not doing it yourself.
• Alignment: always needed after lowering.
• Arms and bushings: often needed for bigger drops, track use or drifting.
• Angle kit: optional, mainly for drift cars.

Supporting parts

• Rear camber arms. Lowering the car adds negative camber at the rear. Adjustable arms let you set it back where you want it. See our alignment and camber kits.
• Bushings. Old factory bushings are soft and worn out on most of these cars. Fresh or firmer bushings make the car feel tighter. See bushings and mounts.
• Control arms and tension rods. These help correct geometry on lowered cars. Browse our control arms.

After installation

• Set ride height first, then align. Changing the height afterwards changes the alignment.
• Measure from the hub to the fender on each corner, and match side to side.
• Re-torque after the first drive, and check again after your first event.
• Check tire clearance at full lock, especially with an angle kit and wide wheels.
• Get a proper alignment. A drift alignment and a street alignment are very different, so tell your shop how you use the car.

Shop 350Z and G35 parts

Everything in this guide is in our 350Z and G35 coilovers and suspension collection. You can also browse all coilovers or check popular coilovers. Specs, lead times and warranties come from each brand, so read the details on each product page.

Frequently asked questions

Do 350Z coilovers fit a G35?

Coilovers for the 350Z often fit the G35 coupe, but the G35 sedan and the AWD G35x usually need their own kits. Always check that the product title names your model and years.

What is the difference between true rear and divorced rear coilovers?

A divorced rear keeps the factory layout, with a separate rear spring and shock. A true rear puts the spring on the shock, which gives more precise height adjustment and more spring options. Most track and drift builds use a true rear.

Do I need an angle kit to drift a 350Z?

Not to start. Learn on stock lock first. An angle kit helps once you are holding bigger angles and running out of lock, or when you move into competition.

How low should I set my 350Z?

For a car that gets driven hard, keep the drop modest and make sure the shocks still have travel. Very low setups need extra arms and alignment work to handle well.

Do I need an alignment after installing coilovers?

Yes. Changing ride height always changes camber and toe. Set your final height, then get the car aligned.