First things first,

wussup everyone, i'm glad to be back to the forum. had lost my internet for a while so now i'm back. ok now i got a 98 Automatic, pretty stock except for the 17" Konig Verdicts with the Potenzas. Now would like to lower the suspension, was thinking of going adjustables since well here in Montreal we have like 6 months of winter, i'm hearing mixed stories about this, i'm just wondering if first of all, adjustable suspension exists and how much it is, who makes it etc, second of all, if i were just to buy the springs would it work and what are good lowering springs, or MUST i buy the struts too. And Lastly, Aluminized Warpspeed Y Pipe, Or Stainless. Any difference between the too as far as performance etc, compatibility is concerned. Thanks, I appreciate your replies!

 

Well it sounds like you do need coilovers. Springs might now cut it in winter. However coilovers do give you poor ride quality and do sqeak, but you'll have to live with that. And with coilovers you will definitely need new struts. Coilovers will run $250-$1500 ($350 is the going price for the half-coilovers), and struts (which you will not need for the $500+ ones) run about $350-$400. Go KYB AGX or Koni Adjustables. As for the y-pipe, you will need the more expensive one because it will resist rusting. The cheaper one will rust faster especailly in your climate.
-Cyrus

 

I understand the basics of struts/springs, but how do coilovers work? What is the difference for half-coilovers vs. I guess full coilovers?

 

since you live where there is lots of snow (i think), get the stainless steel y-pipe because the aluminum one will rust. coilovers have a big threaded cylinder at the bottom of the spring and when yopu turn it, the base which is in contact with the spring moves it up or down, depending on which way you turn it.

 

Get H&R's or Maxspeed springs. They make the car look good, not slammed. Best part is you can drive it 365 days a year, through snow, rain, hot summers ect. and never worry about it.

Personally I'd recommend the H&R's.

Y pipe+Canada+snow = Stainless Steel if your keeping the car for many years. I believe the aluminized pipe does come with a 4 year rust through warranty.

 

Half-coilovers are also called adjusable springs. They DO NOT come with struts, but must be installed with them. They are mainly for the look, as the ride is often extremely bouncy and noisy. However they are cheap, and run $250 for the Weapon-Rs and $400 for the Ground-Controls. If you want full coilovers, they are a 1-piece strut and adjustable spring unit. You can drop them further than with half-coilovers, and are normally much more performance-oriented. However for the Maxima people have had tons of problems with the Cattman coilovers, and the new JIC coilovers are $1500+. The reason most people don't have full-coilover is because they cost so much (in many cases double what a normal sprint/strut combo costs). They normally run $1000 (used set) to $1500 (JICs, the most expensive ones). The way I see it, if you plan on keeping these coilovers for a long time, you might as well buy the full setup. If you are experimenting around or might sell you Max in the future, try the half-coilovers setups. BTW Avalon Racing sells the full-setups.
-Cyrus