Clean_92

Hey i know this topic has been covered ALOT but I need some help choosing brands and what not.

I have done this so far to my 91 Maxima 5spd, Short shifter, "jdm" all amber corners, 15" gunmetal rims ( came with car ), stainless muffler with custom straight pipe exhuast,K&N intake filter, and a system.

I am used to cars that handle well and want to lower the Max's stance and improve the handling.

Most of the springs i see on the internet are like 1.5" drop Is there any brands that are lower like 2" or something. And whats a good shock/spring combo that gives you a nice and LOW drop.

Any Pics or your drops ??

Thanks
Ray

Clean_92

Will Cheap 95-99 Coil Sleevs work ?

GReDdyXMaXiMa

HAHA , coil spring SU*CKS A$$. I have two maximas which it is sprint springs and intrax . If you really want to lower your car and I suggest you to go after INTRAX. By the way , 95-99 coil cover springs will not FIT. Interautomart sells lower spring.

Shocks , go after kyb-gr2 or tockicos. Your bestfriend is always there for you is E-BAY a easy finder.

Matt93SE

iTrader: (44)

Please don't post unless you know what you're talking about.

for good handling GR-2 are absolute crap. Tokico at minimum, or buck it up for Konis.

but a 2" drop won't give you great handling. just because the spring drops it more doesn't mean it'll handle better. Eibach are the best handling spring out there so far, as they've got the highest spring rate.

for other needed handling toys, check my website.
www.mattblehm.com

MaDMaX024

listen to matt as far as suspension goes.

GReDdyXMaXiMa

Matt , I OWN two cars and I am here to tell my experience between sprint and intrax. Intrax rides much better than sprint. Kyb-gr2 are NOT absolute CRAP at all which it is almost same as tokicos.

Of course , The eibach is good as for handling and pick up on same paces when you floor it.

If you are try to be wise with money and good quality suspensions for your car then it is about money talk.

GReDdyXMaXiMa

This the car I have 1992 nissan maxima that came with kybgr-2 and sprint spings.

Matt93SE

iTrader: (44)

Just because you own them doesn't make you an expert on them.

I've installed:
Eibach
Sus Tech
Sprint
Intrax
Tokico (about 5 sets)
KYB (2 sets. they both upgraded to Tokico)
and 3 sets of Konis.

I drove every one of them after I installed the parts, and the Eibach + Koni handled better by far.

I'm not trying to be rude, but would you rather listen to someone who's installed and driven just about every combination out there, or someone who's got the lower end combination saying they're better than I think they are.

Seyath

Clean_92, Listen to Matt. He knows what he is talking about. Greddy, not trying to diss, but the Tokico's OWN the KYB's. Plus, Matt changes suspensions like you change underwear, so I would listen to what he has to say.

Seyath

Clean_92, Listen to Matt. He knows what he is talking about. Greddy, not trying to diss, but the Tokico's OWN the KYB's. Plus, Matt changes suspensions like you change underwear, so I would listen to what he has to say.

Jeff92se

iTrader: (82)

Save money buy cheaping out on price, yes. Eventually costing you 2-5x more because the KYBs can't handle the extreme drop and the extra cost on tires becuase the sprints fubar your camber, definately no.

Pay a little now or pay alot later, your choice.

1994 se lover

what are the major ride/feel differences between KYB, and TOKICO, and whatever else is available...

Matt93SE

iTrader: (44)

firmer/smoother ride.. Toks are a slightly stiffer shock than the KYB, so they'll be more sporty feeling.

the Konis have adjustbale rebound on them as well, so you can set it how you'd like. you can go from cadillac soft (Just a hair softer than KYB) all the way to bone-jarring firm.

GReDdyXMaXiMa

It's okay. As long people have different opinion for their own.

I haven't had a problem with kybgr-2 and it has been almost two years now.

Yea , I know that tokicos r better than kyb gr-2

My next step is to get tokicos for my 93 nissan maxima. and It feels good to get flame from u guys. :-D

1994 se lover

i would imagine that on heavier cars, like ours, the difference between a stiff and softer shock is clearly noticable...
because our vehicle mass can through our cars around if the shocks arent capable...
matt.. i know you said tokicos are the cats ***.. but how much softer/mushy of a ride were the kyb? p.s. id be having my set-up with ST's..
any comparable experiences to my srpings..???

Pit5Bull

@Matt93SE...

So, which shocks/struts would you pair up with a set of Suspension Techniques springs? I've already purchased the springs from a former Maxima owner (had them on his car for only a month before he sold his Max), and will be picking them up from him today. I was planning on getting the KYB GR-2s because I'm still riding on the stocks @ almost 200K miles. Gotta get this done soon. I'm planning on getting new wheels/tires by the mid-to-end of the summer, but I know I've got to get the suspension done beforehand. I definitely want better handling, to be sure, but I'm not planning on doing any major autocrossing or anything like that... Just want to be able to handle them Highway 1 curves with no problem, yadig? I'm in the same category as 1994 se Lover with the ST's, so your advice will definitely be appreciated! I guess in my case, since I saved $$$ on the springs, I can spend a bit more on the shocks/struts and get the quality I'm looking for. I had adjustable Konis w/Eibachs on my 92 Honda a few years ago, and loved that setup, but I think the Koni's are a bit out of my price range right now.

Thanks for your advice in advance!

BTW --> Looking forward to getting those ground wires from you in the mail so I too can brag about your quality work!

peace2u

Matt93SE

iTrader: (44)

I'd use Tokico at minimum, if not go all-out on the Koni. they're another $150 or so per set over the Tokico, but very much worth it.

jwmaxse

iTrader: (1)

Sounds like good info Matt, thanks, I'll be needing it after a while here. It's good to hear from an expert that just because a car is lower doesn't mean it handles better. I'll definitely go with the Eibach's and Koni's when the time comes.

Clean_92, I'd go with what Matt says instead of trying to come up with your own combo and hoping that it works....experience is king!

internetautomar

iTrader: (30)

KYB is a "stock" replacement, as is Tokico.
Koni is designed as a performance replacement.
and as has been said the eibach has the firmest ride, because of it's spring rate.
It will also have better handling than a lower spring with a softer rate.

Mizeree_X

iTrader: (9)

How much did you get your Konis for? At Shox.com they are $532, which is the cheapest I've found them (and a reason I went with the tokicos, as the difference is more like $225, which is the cost of the Eibachs themselves).

maximaon20s

why go lower when you can lift? i kid, i know i must be the only max on the planet with an inch and a half lift, but i have done it all when it comes to lowering cars as well, air ride springs and even hydros. Koni makes the best springs and as for coil overs, i dont like coil overs.

Pit5Bull

Picked up my ST's today

I think I'll take Matt's advice and go for some TOKIKOs. The Koni's are just too far out of the price range for me now (I had them before and know how great they are). Time to give the Tokiko blues a try. The cheapest I saw them on eBay for was $268 for the entire set. If I can get them for that price, I can live with that since I have a mechanic who'll install everything for me for $70

Thanks for the advice, Matt!

peace2u

mtcookson

iTrader: (2)

are the tokico blues the only tokico's available for our car? those are definitely more of a stock replacement and don't handle lowering very well. my friend put some on his lowered AE86 and they didn't last long at all... it could have been the accidental 5 inch drop though...

internetautomar

iTrader: (30)

in a word:
Yes, nothing else is to be found on their catalog.

Matt93SE

iTrader: (44)

Yeah, Tok blues are the only thing for us.
They're actually pretty good on our cars too.

for some reason, the 4th gen guys have horrible times with them, but the 3rd gens do very well on them. I had some on my car for about 50k miles and when I pulled them off (to install Konis), they were still nearly as good as new. I put them on a friends car and he's still driving on them today.



Some of it depends on the type of car they're going on, but the 3rd gens have a history of good luck with them.

Pit5Bull

@Matt93SE...

What's your take on the Suspension Techniques springs? I'm planning to take your advice and get the Tokikos, but I just wanted your input on these springs, their drop, handling, ride, etc.

peace2u

Matt93SE

iTrader: (44)

ST springs are some of the softer ones of the bunch. they DO improve handling over stock, but they're not as stiff as Eibach or Sprints, so they're not as great an improvement.


that also means the ride is smoother.. drop is about 1.5" on them- middle of the range for the springs.
eibach- 1.25"
ST- 1.5"
intrax- 1.75"
sprint- 2"

those are ballpark numbers and I have have the intrax/sprint backwards.. but the Eibachs are the stiffest and going to be the best on handling- the drawback is that they're also a bit bumpier than the others. it's a tradeoff.