Well, first off, i tried to search. The server is brutally slow right now and i always keep getting error messages when i do try and search. We also should have a suspension/handling section...hell, this whole site needs an overhaul...but ANYWAYS...


So, anyone have this pairing? Im thinking of re-doing my suspension setup (B+G spring/stock SE struts) which give me a sag that i dont like. My buddy Big_ham has Tein S-techs and seeing them in person is incredible. The drop is beautiful and even...even with a system out back. He has his paired with the best on the market Illuminas, slightly too expensive for my poor college a$$.

Are the Tein S-techs just too aggressive for the GR-2s? Or will it be a decent enough setup? Theres currently a GD on GR-2s which sparked my curiosity...






-eric

 

BAD IDEA!!!!! GR2's belong on stock springs. You will need KYB AGX, KONI, or illuminas for these springs... Spend the extra cash and do it right.

 

gr2s aren't great shocks for drop over 1.5". just get agx.

 

I'm running blues until they blow but they are holding up fine so far (15k miles).

 

Hmm, i know GR-2s arent the greatest. Guess i'll save up for AGXs




-eric

 

Ahh dude they will work fine. My really good friend has had that set up for 1 year 5 months. And his struts are fine. Maybe you can get more years out of agx's or something but gr2's are fine. That set up works really nice because the struts are kinda firm but the springs are soft so it rides perfect.

 

Thats what i was thinking. I mean if i can get a coupla years outta them, im fine. Really no aftermarket shock lasts longer than that. Also, i was reading that GR-2s use the medium settings of AGXs, and while they're not as tough as them, they arent bad. They are better than Blues by far...so ive read. Who knows, i'll probably end up getting that setup anyways...


:EDIT: Have tein s-techs been out for over a year though!?


-eric

 

If you do decide against the GR-2s, I would suggest the Illuminas over the AGXs. Everyone indicates that the Illuminas are more comfortable, and don't sacrifice much/if any performance. If you do some looking, they aren't much more expensive than the AGX at all.
Of course, just my $.02

 

First off, I agree that there should be a section on suspension. I've read the FAQ and I wish it would rate the products on a scale in terms of firmness...

I'm thinking of going w/ Tein S-Techs w/ Illuminas. I see the people who have that setup seem to swear by it as well.

What I want to know is how that setup performs? Is it bouncy or firm? The stock SE suspension leans/wobbles too much if you're taking a curve at speed. I'm looking for a ride that feels like I'm "on rails" when taking a curve. Obviously, I'm going to be putting on a rear stabilizer bar as well. I just don't want to spend $1700 on coil overs....

So , how DOES the S-Tech/Illumina combo do in the curves...???

 

Umm, last i recall, this thread wasnt a "how does this [insert random setup here] suspension handle" Not trying to be a d!ck or anything. If you wanna know, start up a thread or contact some .org members that have that setup. My buddy Big_Ham has that setup, PM him...




-eric

 

You got PM

 

ha ha ha ha.....true that.
I would personally not go for the GR2's on the S-techs, but that is just based on hearsay. I don't know about it from experience.

If I were you, Eric, I would probably just get AGX. There is no need to drop that kind of cash on Illuminas, no matter how good they ride. I mean, for the price they are, they ought to get you dressed in the morning. ha h aha

 

Hell you can run stock maxima shocks with s techs and not have them blow. But the ride will be crappy, and you'll bottom out alot.

 

Don't get your panties all bunched up - my question was related to yours, since you're considering a cheaper alternative to S-techs/Illuminas. It's not like I was jacking your thread with talk of air-bag suspension or something completely OT. There's no need to have attitude.

Ammi thanks for the PM, I replied...

 

I wasnt looking for a cheaper alternative to Illuminas, since i wasnt even considering them. If anything, its between S-techs/AGX's or GR-2s.




-eric

 

I've also decided I like the look/drop of the S-Techs, so if you get the new setup in the near future, let me know your impressions!

 

You'd be crazy if you didnt! Take a look at my buddies setup (big_ham).








Thats how the maxima shoulda came from the damn factory!





-eric

 

3 words.... Dont do it.

Save up and get AGX's. I have B&G's with GR 2's and they blew within 2 weeks. GR 2's valving arent made to hold on to such a drop... especially when S techs are literally riding on bumpstops.

I was driving down the FDR Drive a few days ago and theres a part by 14th Street where the Con Ed plant is at that has a long sweeping turn. As I went into the turn, I hit a bump... and I felt the suspension soak it up for a second until it hit the bumpstop... as it hit, I felt the front wheels loose traction and skip towards the wall. Its not fun driving on blown struts... its actually dangerous. Most of the time you dont even realize it since struts tend to deteriorate over time. You wont know they're blown until you get new ones and realize the difference in the ride.

 

How about gr2s with Progress springs? I love the way that burgandy car looks. I dont mind the stiff sports car ride. I mean we are putting performance springs and shocks in, you are going to get a stiffer ride. The only thing im worried about its 1. Performance, 2. Blowing the Struts, and 3. Bottoming out. I live in MD so the roads arnt to great. Many hills in the outskirts and alot of nasty roads in the city.

thanks guys

sean

 

You can say THAT again! That looks AWESOME! Now I *REALLY* wanna get these on my Max...

 

I didn't know B&G's drop that low. I mean, plenty of people use GR2's with Progress, Maxspeed, etc with no problems. Are the B&G's really that much lower?

 

I have had GR-2s for almost 2 years now and I hate them. I have them paired with H&R's and they are dead. My struts are completely blown. I would not buy them again. They are no worth it to me. Should've just bought AGX at the time but oh well. Sooner or later I'll be buying some illuminas.

 

Any comment on the Illumina/tokico spring setup from CM?

Also, if i went the eibach route, which shocks would I want.

How does stiff springs blow out your shocks?
"KYB GR2 Shocks
Description: Supposedly very similar to a KYB AGX except the damping settings are fixed at around an AGX setting of 2/4 which is 10 to 15% firmer than oem. It is not recommended to be paired up with very very stiff aftermarket springs, but softer ones are fine. In the case of very stiff or very low springs, these shocks can wear out much quicker."

Also one side note: 2 inch drop is too low cuz you hit the bumpstops. I thought this was dangerouse as hell. People do it anyway?

Do the tien S ever hit the bumpstops? They look nice, but i'm worried about performance....

 

You will be fine with TEIN S-Tech, my shop has been installing those on various applications (Maxima, Hondas/Acuras etc.) and they're well made. As matter of fact, TEIN S-Tech springs come with urethane tubing wrap to minimize the noise so that you don't need to recycle your stock pieces. Other lowering springs don't include that.

I recommend TEIN S-Tech with AGX (or Illumina) all around. For people that are 'on budget' and want to save that extra $75-100 bucks, I suggest AGX (or Illumina) up front and GR2 in the rear.

TEIN S-Tech is similar to B&G in terms of ride comfort. It has a 'sportier' ride as compared to Eibach Prokit or H&R without a doubt.

Many people complain about B&G springs sitting higher up front -particularly on 5spd Maxima, whereas it sits dead even all around on an auto. With TEIN S-Tech, they will sit more evenly on a 5spd (or Auto for that matter). There's no need to worry about the rears sagging. Roads out here in NY are infamous. If cars with TEIN S-Tech can survive out here, it'll survive anywhere.

AnGe

PS- TEIN S-Tech Springs are $150 pickup in NJ or NY
646-321-9779

 

Yea they're that low, but they're a soft spring so they arent harsh at all. Problem is that the streets here are horrible. I'm sure theres alot of people with Progress and Maxspeed that have used GR2's but they in no way drive around roads like here in the city. Every street here and highway have all kinds of potholes and crap all over the place. When I drive out to Long Island or to Jersey the roads are a million times different. They're so smooth and you dont have to drive around dodging potholes. Its all a matter of where you live.

 

I am currently running S-Tech with GR-2 and they work fine. No issues in ride comfort or handle. And I read a post that said the GR-2's are stock replacement, that is not necessarlily correct. The GR-2's are slightly stiffer than stock. The Tociko Blues are the ones that are stock replacements. From my experience with the GR-2's it rides fairly well with its drop and the ride comfort is not too bad at all. Not bouncey or extremly stiff like a board. That's just my incite.

 

Whatever you do, just don't use Tokico blue with any lowering springs with the exception of H&R (at best). Depending on where you live (NY-NJ in my case), Tokico blues will start to lose its dampening ability after 5000 miles. Only good thing about them are that they have lifetime warranty.

AnGe

 

I have B+Gs and i dont think they are a very low spring








You can easily see the rear sag in the pics, but also keep in mind...my drop looks lower because im running no slightly oversized 225-55/16s which accounts for .4 inches more tire than stock.

Also, i paired my B+Gs with stock struts that had 70+K miles on them. I have 102K now. Just now do i think my fronts have blown so the stockers have held up well.

Hmm, ange, you bring up a good point. Pairing different struts up front/back. Dont most people with AGX rears not like them because their bouncy?


-eric

 

I heard that some people have had their AGX break down on them. I believe if you live in the warmer region then it will be of most benefit. Correct me if I am wrong. In the cold weather the AGX are known to stiff up badly. I got this info from threads I've read before. But again, correct me if I am wrong. Since you're in Florida then AGX should be fine, I think.

 

I would be interested to know what your experience is as well with the AGX in the rear is, Ange.

**I already have some maxspeed springs...would you still do the front/rear split that you suggested? like Illuminas or AGX in front and GR2 in rear? Just curious, Ange.**

 

I had H&R/AGX combo for about 10 months and I think I've adjusted the rear AGX once or twice during that period. I'm just a lazy girl.. I just left the setting as is in the rear. AGX rears are nice to have, but one can easily do without.

Give Illuminas a try, they're not too shabby (100x better than Toico blues).. I liked how the Illuminas ride in njmaximaseltd's Maxima

Two things, first of all, AGX front/GR2 rear setup saves you a few bucks (as compared to AGX all around) without sacrificing much. Secondly, how often do you think your actually going to get on your knees and reach behind the wheel to adjust the rear shocks. Probably not as often as one might imagine (if at all) UNLESS you are real an-al about your suspension. If you are real picky about lowering your car for both looks and performance, you should be looking at JIC coilovers.

-AnGe

 

Thanks for the info, Ange.
No coilovers for me here.
Roads are too bad, I just cannot get that low of a drop....it will beat me to death.

I would like to save some, and my argument about the GR2's is that most people that get the AGX never adjust them like you said. I don't know that I would. I would if I had them, just because they are adjustable and that is why I paid for them, but there is probably no need. I am just an.al like that.

 

Hey guys with Adjustables in front, and GR2s in the back. The one thing that I love about my Illuminas, is the ability to keep the rears slighly more firm than the fronts. It makes such a HUGE reduction in understeer, making the car feel much more neutral (isn't that the goal anyway?). I would think going with softer GR2s in the rear would cause the opposite (increase understeer), and that would certainly be undesirable, eh?

 

Not something i would be worried about. I cant remember the last time i got that aggressive with my car. These arent handlers to begin with...



-eric

 

Well I don't feel I drive like a madman, but firming up the rear did really help the overall feel of the car. Perhaps if this had never been an option, I'd never have missed it. The front goes where I point it in the corners now, and the rear is more than happy to follow around. If I get REALLY aggressive (rare) it almost feels like the tail end gets light and starts to move out. It never gets close to spinning around, but it definitely helps the car rotate around the corners better.
P.S. Just something I noticed with my car, and thought people should know, when considering saving a few $$ by skimping on the rear end.
As for normal, daily drinving, you probably won't notice a difference. But, I didn't lower my car for daily driving. I was looking for a performance upgrade, not just looks.

 

gr2 are fine it wont last as long as the agx or illuminas but it will do the job. i have gr2s on my sprints and its not bad at all. i like the feel of my suspension. it will feel similar to your b&g on stock. if your are really tapped for cash i would do it. thats what i did and i have no complains at all. studman also has the tein on gr2 i was talkin to him about it at the meet and he is satisfied with them too. my drop is pretty similar to the tein drop except the fact that sprint is high in the rear but with my system it evened out. my 100lb system in the trunk evens it down nicely. that my reason for picking sprints over tein.

 

Just a sidenote....
I am not a fan of the altezza tails, but the black/chrome ones look the best, IMO, on that dark wine colored car.

 

After reading the first couple of post and from the research i've done b4 owning a maxima.

I think the kyb agx's are just adjustable in ride qality not hight while the gr2's arent adjustable in any way.

So im confused as to why everyone is saying save up for those instead.
I mean if you think you are going to be adjusting your ride quality all the time the by all means get the agx's but if not then gr2's should do the job.

As far as them blowing, everyone drives different and meet different road conditions. My cousin has agx's and he blew both rears. thats just my .02

I would however like to know if there are any other differneces between the Agx and Gr2's.

 

Yeah ... well ... I got sick of them and sold them. I'm too old for Altezza's. They did look hella pimp at night, but I prefer the red/clear look myself.

Anyway ... Tein drop ROCKS. I personally wouldn't go with anything KYB ... I've heard too many negatives. I have blown Tokico's here that I can sell to someone cheap for warranty replacement or to hollow out to accept Koni inserts?