..on a 95 GLE, you are wanting to improve upon three things on this car. Handling, performance, and looks, and probably in that order. Here's the story. I've been driving a 94 Acura Legend GS for the past 4 years, but now I've sold it in favor of my wife's 95 GLE which is bone-stock. No offense, but the Acura was much better in the handling department and somewhat in the performance department as well.
1) The GLE just has too much body roll for me and doesn't seem near as stiff and the Legend. I'd really like to improve upon that. I'm kind a newbie in the Maxima world when it comes to mods, so help me out here. I've read about sway bars, strut bars, springs, struts/shocks, but not sure about what would make the most difference for the least money?

2) I'm giving up around 40HP going from the Legend to the Maxima. From my reading it seems the best place to start here would be a Y-pipe. What the best buy in this market? If you don't believe the Y-pipe is the best mode for improving all around performance, then what would you suggest?

3) Looks. I'd like to have a more 'sporty' look on the GLE. I think if it just looked like an SE I'd probably be happy. I had 55 series 16" tires on my Legend and I 'think' I would be happy with something close to that. Are the SE rims 16" and would they work on my GLE without modification?

A prohibitive factor here is obviously money. What would you do if you were in my shoes and wanted to achieve something close to what is outlined above?

 

Y-pipe = $180
K&N filter = $50
H&R Springs = $250
KYB AGX struts = $400
Clear bumper lights = $30


Then save up for some nice wheels and tires. Those will be about $1000 alone.

 

I agree, though you can save on the KYB's by getting GR-2's instead of the adjustable ones (can you get a full set of AGX's for $400?).

FOr handling, add a rear sway bar from Addco/Progress (avail at custommaxima.com or cattman.com) for $140 shipped. A cheap front strut tower bar from ebay ($20) or a finer one from custommaxima.com ($68) would also improve handling.

I'm putting on my GR2's + Progress springs + RSB + FSTB over the next week or so and expect a marked improvement.

 

It appears the springs made by Progress are lowering springs. I'm assuming H&R's are as well. Have these been suggested for asthetic purposes or does lowering the stock max actually improve handling? If they do improve handling, what is the least amount of lowering that would be acceptable and still improve handling?

Also, I actually do have a K&N filter (I forgot I did that). Which manufaturer of Y-pipe is the best bang for the buck?

 

All those questions and more:
http://drewm.dyndns.org/~drew/maxfaq...aModifications

 

Another question. My GLE has the third brake light mounted in the rear deck. Can this be easily removed and still be at least presentable looking? I ask because I've considered adding the rear spoiler w/brake light integrated.

 

If you get the parts from the SE, yes it can be removed and look just fine.

Gosh... with all these upgrades, you might as well trade in for an SE, which comes with them all stock, plus a lot more features.

 

take the third brake light out and see for yourself..

just pulling it out should do the trick

 

For the Y pipe, you can find the best bang for the bucks at www.budgetexhaust.com they work all the same. it's 160$ U.S for the Y pipe.

 

The springs dramatically improve handling. Doing the suspension with H&R/AGX pretty much satisfies all 3 of your criteria by itself. H&R's give the least drop at about 1.25". They also offer the best ride of any of the aftermarket springs. Keep in mind that they are lowering springs and will be stiff, but if you want performance/handling improvements they are the only way to go. Doing the suspension eliminates a TON of bodyroll and makes the car MUCH more responsive.

I cranked my front AGX's up to 3 last weekend and I have noticed that bailing out of turns where you're on the wrong side of the road has become ridiculously effortless. Making quick emergency turns under braking is a completely different experience than even the AGX's at 2...to say nothing of the improvement over the factory. The SE has stiffer suspension than the GLE anyway...that thing must handle like a barge.

If you do the install yourself you can save some decent money but if you get the springs/struts installed I would plan on that taking up most of the $1k (afte shippig install costs, parts costs, replacement rubber parts, etc.)

 

You folks have been invaluable. After reading your responses and provided links I've decided I'm going to start with a set of springs off an SE, a set KYB GR-2's, Progress anti-sway bar, and a cheap eBay FSTB. I can do all of that for about $460.00. I also realize that I won't end up with street racing characteristics, but I'm a family man anyway. And yes, the GLE does handle like a barge compared to my Legend. I'm really just looking to have something more driver friendly in big city traffic. That combo leaves me some jack to add the Y-pipe, possibly some SE rims and maybe even a spoiler.

 

If i were you I would go with lowering springs over the SE springs. I have an SE and I am going to lower mine soon. The SE springs won't make it handle as nice as lowering springs.

 

You will be amazed at the handling improvements with that setup.