I am currently wanting to take my Max's suspension up a bit (I have Tokicos and ST springs). I am awaiting my 2000-2 FSTB, but I also want to use the last of my tax return. I can either buy an Addaco RSB or the WSP subframe connectors for about the same price. Granted, the subframes cost money to install, whereas the RSB would be a DIY job, but if the subframes do more its worth it. I was just wondering which gives the most "bang for your buck"? Thanks for any advice.

 

Don't think of it that way. Cornering forces are deflected to three different places:
1) tires (specifically the sidewalls)
2) Suspension (shocks, springs, bushings, swaybars)
3) Chassis (twisting, flexing)

You've already taken care of number two for the most part with the ST springs and Tokico's. I know for a fact that they are extremely tight. Using stiff or low-profile tires will help number one. What this does is direct a lot more force into that spaghetti, Nissan chassis. If you stiffen the chassis (SFC's and upper/lower STB's) then some of the cornering forces will not be able to be absorbed by the chassis' flexing. Instead they'll go where they are needed, the suspension. The more forces put into the suspension, the better it can do its job. Hence, with a stiffer chassis, an understeering car will understeer more, turn-in will be sharper, responsiveness and feel will be better and caster/camber angles will be more correct during cornering. With a stiffer chassis, you'll have a better idea of how to balance your car's suspension (i.e.- 1" RSB vs. 0.75" RSB, 1.25" FSB vs. 1" FSB, caster camber plate settings, F/R tire sizes etc.), which is why I would personally prefer the stiffer chassis first. Plus your car will ride smoother and more quietly (less rattles).

 

Trust me! The SFC's will do soooo much. I have them with stock suspension.

 

I don't think you could have said it any better, Justin. If everything Matt has said/told me is on the money, SFC will be my next suspention mod (not that I have anything left to do to it to my knowledge except for better bushings). SFC!

 

I wouldn't say that, I'm very hypercritical. Okay it's late, I'm going to bed.

 

3rd gens don't rattle like 4th gens. I can't wait to get the subframes then my suspension will be complete. I have the S/T sways waiting for my max on the pourch which I hope do good for my maxs cornering. (Side Note)My Girlfriend bought me the sways

 

Wow... that is SO cool! Let us know when you get them on and how it turns out.

 

You guys are missing the whole point. The SFC will indeed stiffen up the chassis and is a great mod. But your car will still understeer quite a bit. Why because the SFCs don't alter the basic suspension set-up. The addco rear bar WILL do that. I added that AFTER the Tok/Eibachs and it made a world of difference. The front end doesn't have to work nearly as hard and the front end dive in turns are reduced greatly.

I don't have the SFC mod yet but I still would recommend the RSB first. Both are great mods though. Another + for the Addco is that you can install it in about 1 hour if it's your first time.

 

I'd personally go with the SFCs first, but if you plan on doing both sometime, then it doesn't really matter. both will help the car's handling tremendously.
the SFCs will make the biggest difference initially, but the RSB (or full set from ST) will still make for a very noticeable upgrade.

 

Get the SFC's first, then you can wait for someone to make some trick RSB links that won't break.

 

Anyone know how much thicker (if any) the Addco bar is over the ST rear sway?

BTW, I'll be doing the SFC's real soon

 

That's my plan! Not that I can really afford to/should buy either right now...


James92SE: The ST rear sway is 3/4" (1.25" front - same as stock but solid) and the Addco RSB is 7/8".

I'm STILL somewhat confused as to why it wouldn't be a good idea to combine the two sets in a fashion....

 

Hmmm....well I have the ST sway bar set now. I've been wondering if it'd be worth putting the Addco on the back. 3/4" and 7/8", I wonder if the Addco is thick enough to justify buying it. That's a pretty small difference between 3/4" and 7/8"...

 

I have KYBs, ST springs, ST sways, and a FSTB on the way. Besides the SFC, what's left for my suspension? Is there anything else? Who makes suspension bushing "kits" cause I've been looking like mad. I need those.

 

While the difference in diameter between 3/4" and 7/8" is 16.7%, the overall theretical effect in moving up to a larger bar is actually pretty huge. What's at stake is not the diameter of a bar but rather the overall cross-sectional surface area (where the forces will be distributed during torsion). Although the Addco bar might be only 1/8" thicker, it's surface is area is 36% greater (remember surface area is (pie)*(radius squared); 0.60 square inches for Addco, 0.44 square inches for the ST). If you compare the cross-sectional surface area, you've got 36% more area with the Addco, and thus translates to greater stiffness than you would have initially thought. Of course, we're assuming both companies use the same materials in making their bars--if it's different, the tensile strength of the bar will be variable, and the theoretical advantage of the thicker Addco product may or may not be as great in real world usage.

 

Yup. Go to www.addco.net They have a chart there showing the relative stiffness (as a % upgrade) of various diameter swaybars. It may surprise you.

Also, the most important factor in torsional stiffness is the diameter of the bar, which is (partially) why our front stock sway is hollow. The solid ST front sway is probably only modestly stiffer.


Nismo1989 I think you're done! AFAIK, there're no polyurethane kits or the like for our cars unfortunately. If there are, those who have them are secretive jerks! I suppose you could get camber plates or something, but I can't recall if they'd help you tune the suspension any (mostly used only for correcting camber after lowering).

 

oohh, yeah I forgot. I DO need those. Camber plates can help a lot in tuning suspention when you've got all the other goodies. They are good not only for proper tire wear, but for maximum traction. I have 17" wheels and ZR tires. I have a need for camber plates for sure.

 

so gurus which one is it?? the RSB or the SFC's ... whats the verdict?

 

I still vote on the SFCs.

Since I have both sway bars and SFCs, the SFCs made a larger amount of difference between each mod (which both were huge leaps in performance).