don't take my post as lack of patience or that you shouldn't ask questions. I just meant that you can find so much info on this subject because its been talked about so many times.

the best ride/handling is Eibach. If you don't want to spend the money on Koni get KYB or Tokico. I have ridden in Craig's car and the ride was good. I am driving a friends Max with Eibach/Tokico while I get it ready to paint. I think the ride is nice. Its a little firm but nothing that harsh by any means IMO.

As long as you don't get Intrax or sprint (and some of the other major drop springs) you will not have to worry too much about a really rough ride. Heck I don't even think my Intrax/Tokico combo is that bad although most will not like the rougher ride.

 

on searching for past threads on the subject...The key to finding the info you are looking for is PATIENCE..In other words take the time to read through all the past threads on the subject,the info is there,you just have to look for it..


I like my B&G springs pretty good...

 

I am currently in the process of swapping over from Sprint/blown no-name struts (from PO), to Eibach/KYB. I'm doing everything while I'm in there, mounts, bump stops, boots etc. So far last night, I finished the front suspension.

I can tell you it's night and day difference!!

Before, with the Sprints, the ride was extremely harsh, combine that with blown shocks and well... you can imagine. It would bottom out on most manhole covers, nevermind potholes! I noticed that the old Sprints were rubbing coils together from bottoming out, and the bump stops were nearly cracked apart.

What I did find immediately was that the Eibachs definitely have a higher spring rate. Comparing the two side-by-side, the sprints felt alot softer, even just from pushing down on them. I'm not sure what the stock spring rates feel like, since I bought the car with sprints, but I would imagine they're closer to the Eibachs. I don't think the Sprints are of as high quality as the Eibachs, and are most likely built for looks rather than performance.

The new suspension setup with Eibach/KYBs is pure heaven. Not too harsh, not too soft, just right; a great compromise between ride quality and handling. It's no wonder why everyone here recommends them! I have yet to do the rear this weekend (not looking forward to those gland nuts), but already, it feels like driving a new car! I couldn't be happier with the new setup.

 

Michael and MyGreen - I was actually thanking you two for your patience as I respect both of your opinions and appreciate any and all feedback I receive

as for the search - I am definately the last person to ask w/o searching - was just trying to clear the confusion that my searching brought on.

and thank you mszilves for the input as it was exactly what I was getting at

 

is it possibly to lower your stock ride height by cutting your stock springs? just curious...

 

possible...yes.

advisable...NO.

 

lol alrighty thanks!

 

I mentioned it in a previous post, but I'll mention it again here. I had good luck spritzing the gland nuts with PB Blaster (you can reach them by pulling up on the shock bellows while the car's raised) several days before I disassembled the gland nuts. I clamped the strut housing in the pipe vise jaws, and got a 2 1/2" opening jaw adjustable wrench(Harbor Frieght). The second side done this way was relatively easy.

 

KYB = GAB = OEM Nissan

GR-2s and AGXs are beefier than OEM. Eibachs are plenty stiff and will mate with the KYBs perfectly. i run this setup on my S14, ie, GAB w/Eibach Pro.

stay away from ST springs as they soften too much over time. i run these on my Maxima and will change them eventually.

 

KYB =/= Gab =/= OE
they are all different in quality and valving.

 

The factory 3gen struts are made by Tokico.
the KYB GR-2 are about the same stiffness as the stock SE struts. the GXE struts are absolute crap. might as well be riding an elephant.

AFAIK, they don't make GAB for the Maxima. at least they do for the 240 (but KTS coilovers on my S14 pwnzors your Eibach/GAB setup. )

 

between SE and GXE cars is there any difference besides struts? like springs or stabilizer bar or something else that's different, or only the struts?

Another member has advised me to forget OEM struts and just drop in KYBs all around when I do my drum-to-disc conversion.. which I may do, depending on funds at the time.

 

IIRC,the dampening rate is higher on the se strut=stiffer

The only other difference between the two suspensions is a thicker rear sway bar on the se models...

 

yeah, that's about what I figured. After seeing the front sway bar on my gxe the back one looks like a spaghetti stick! Maaybe I'll buy the SE sway bar with my strut-casing/brake stuff too. Maybe.

 

Different spring rates on the VE models as well

 

Sounds about right,my wifes gxe is like driving a fluffy cloud...

My oem suspension on my se was quite a bit stiffer than the wifey's gxe's,and her struts are new..

 

well I've got 3 options, but basically I'll have this: 2 front OEM 90GXE struts, 2 used rear OEM 92SE struts that can either be a) left with used 92SE innards, b) repacked with my used 90GXE innards, or c) replaced on all four corners with aftermarket cartridges. no matter what it's going to be 90GXE springs all around because I really don't feel like changing springs too (time, effort, money, IMO not necessary for my needs). I could also repack my 90GXE front struts with the 92SE front strut innards, but that's extra cost for used materials, so I honestly think that if I do anything at all to the fronts, it's going to mean KYBs all around.

 

Honestly,you might as well just leave your suspension alone until you get the $$ together for aftermarket struts..Replacing used with used will be alot of trouble for little if any gains..

But if you want some oem se springs,i have some for sale,cheap..

 

edit.. errrr, nm. posted 2hrs too late and it's already been said.

 

Well used-for-used was only going to be for the purpose of retaining GXE-all-around balance while going ahead and putting rear discs in. If by chance I have enough money for KYBs at the time I buy the rear SE struts, sure, I'll do it all at once. But it would be a bit goofy to have SE struts in the rear and GXE struts in front, with their respective innards. (Basically I'd follow the BlehmCo writeup.)

As for your springs, whoever said "VE spring rates are different" leads me to think that in a loose sense, all VG models have one spring rate and the VE models are the only ones with the different spring rate. If that's the case, which type of springs do you have, the VE springs? And how much for all 4? I'm not sure you'd be able to beat my source because I'm getting everything I'm getting off the same VE car, and I bet he's willing to sell me as much off his parts car as I can buy (more money for him, of course), so... well you get the point. PM me the price you cited as 'cheap' and we'll see when the time comes.

Naturally, I'd rather do all my mods in one fowl swoop, since alot of the labor overlaps. If I'm doing rear discs, i have to take off the rear struts. So I might as well do front struts at the same time. And while the front suspension is apart might as well swap in a 5spd, which will work out great for shifter rod installation because the exhaust will be lowered for installation of the rear disc brakes' handbrake cable... and while the exhaust is down, why not put in a y-pipe? And I can put on a FSTB when the struts go back on. See how beautiful it all is? And I can even put on some 4th gen (or other suitable) wheels before I put it back on the ground, 4-wheel align it, throw on a pop charger, spoiler and some SE gauges and drive away one happy 3rd Gen owner...

 

^^^^^^^^^^^
Have fun..

 

heh, yeah it's not going to be easy. But then how often is the easiest way the best way? Not often.

 

I've got a pair of lightly used rear tokico inserts for sale

 

Does KYB offer them in their GAS A JUST line. they build a performance model for most imports. It has the 5 way adjustable **** for the rears with an adjuster down the center of the strut rod for the front.

Hope that helps

 

NOPE....only adjustable strut for the 3rd gen is the Koni and they have to be adjusted off the car.

 

I do wish Koni reds could be adjusted while on the car. It would be nice to know how wide the range of ride quality is by actually experiencing it. PITA to do, tho...

 

I played with them once one day... remove, adjust, drive... remove... adjust... drive... etc.

pretty crazy the difference from one end to the other.