My dad and I got into a debate about aftermarket suspensions after he spoke to an old friend. His friend lowered his Datsun when he was 20 (he's now 45) and regretted it so much, he sold the car. My dad is using that as an argument that my Max should not be lowered. My position is, it's been 25 years and Nissan has basically reinvented itself; the Maxima is a 4DSC and won't take poorly to an aftermarket suspension that's stiffer than stock. I'll be using Illuminas and S-Techs when I lower my 96. I expect a stiff ride; I want a stiff ride. I grew up in an Integra so I have a feel for sporty rides and I like them. The purpose of this thread is to discover ALL negatives of an aftermarket suspension on our 4th gens and ways to combat them. I'll be running 225s on 17s with the new suspension if that makes a difference.

~THT

P.S. I have a sneaking suspicion my dad's buddy cut his springs as he's a bit on the thrifty side.

 

I honestly think the only downside is weather conditions (if you live in an area it snows) and rattling/noises from the stiffer ride. Other than that, with just GR2s and maxspeeds I put in, the ride is much better. Takes corners better, less body roll, and it drives much smoother and more stable. Illuminas will have a much stiffer ride, but it will handle very well. Go for it.

 

Stiffer ride & suspension noises.

-Cyrus

 

Yep, it snows in IA but the roads are kept pretty clean. I thought Illuminas would result in a softer ride than any other strut?

~THT

 

Yes they do. Illuminas can be set to have a softer ride than any KYB product.

Downsides:
- camber off of adjustment which will cause you to wear the inside of your tires. You might need a camber kit
- suspension noises can happen if you get some poor quality springs or shocks. My H-tech/Illumina don't make any noise
- very stiff ride. Yes the s-techs can ride pretty stiff specially when you have some low profile tires, but is not that bad.
- Due to the stiffer ride your interior will rattle more and more every day
- Some people have say that going lower that 2" can cause your axles to wear out. I didn't have this problem when I has my sprints
- scrapping everywhere. If you live in an area that has some big speed bumps you will scrap every time

 

It's harsh on bumpy roads and in the cold.

 

Do you think I'd need the camber kit for my proposed setup?

~THT

 

The only downfall of a properly lowered car (not slammed) is that the suspension cannot absorbe larger bumps and dips. Aside from that, the positives outweigh the negatives.

There are suspensions out there that are designed for all show, those who want to slam their cars. There are also suspensions out there that provide your car with a finished look with upgraded handling and ride control.

For the 4th gen Maxima, which is a 4 door luxury sports car, it really shouldn't be lowered more then 1.5 inches. Anything more then that leaves you with very little suspension travel which will negatively effect your handling. It can actually make your car handle worse over rough road surfaces.

You need to maintain a descent amount of shock/strut travel in order for your suspension to do what it's designed to do, absorbe bumps and maintain vehicle stablility. Once you reach the limits of suspension travel you can no longer absorbe bumps or maintain vehicle stablilty. The result is a car that bounces along bumpy road surfaces giving you a harsh and almost uncontrolable ride. Nobody want to go for a crusie in a car who's ride is harsh and bone jaring. You want firm, tight road hugging with the ability to absorbe bumps. Thats what a sports suspension is supposed to do.

 

Too many bumpy roads here in the Metro Detroit area, this is why I kept my SE suspension stock nor did I do any drop, I admit it'll be nice to have a slightly lowered drop for a "clean" look and w/ the amount of drop njmaxseltd mentioned, but if you're in an area like mine where there's lots of bumpy roads, then you'd be better off stock ... just my 2 pennies

 

Roads here are pretty decent. Potholes are few and far between and inclines aren't very steep. So would it be advised that I not get the S-tech springs? I don't mind a rough ride but I'm lowering the car because I want better handling, not just for appearances sake.

~THT

 

I think the only downside is rough roads and pulling in to some parking lots that have a steep entry

 

If you truly value handling over appearance, springs such as Eibachs and H&Rs would probably be a better bet.

http://maxmods.dyndns.org/index.php?SuspensionSelection

 

As long as they produce an even drop and improve handling, I'm happy. I'm gonna cancel my order for the S-Techs and get the H&Rs instead.

~THT

 

s techs handle great in my opinion.
________
MARIJUANA CARD

 

Not bouncy or uncontrolled? Have you hit your bumpstops before? If so, how often? What struts are you using?

~THT

 

Stiffer ride will lead to more interior rattles/shakes eventually. I can hear rattles especially in the front dash but also now in the roof, sides, back, etc. Can't help but feel the suspension played some roll.

Still, the maxima really does benefit from lowering--much less body roll and definitely better looks, being my top two pluses. Worth it. I actually love my H&R/Koni setup.

 

not bouncy, but controlled. thumb up. i got illuminas too, btw.
________
Property For Sale Pattaya Thailand

 

A properly lowered maxima should not give you any problems. Heres a good mild drop setup I would suggest:

Tokico Illumina Struts | Koni Yellows
H&R Springs | Tein H-tech | Eibach Prokit | Progress
Motivational Strut Mounts (+1 inch extra suspension travel)
KYB Dustboots
If anything else is worn on the suspension on the car, replace it as you get everything installed.

 

me did did the same thing....we debated, and i just went and bought it anyways. what is he suppose to do. hahahaha......well my car is lowered. i jsut notice very hard ride around atlanta streets....and i scrape every now and then, and my grilfriend *****es and complains cause it makes her sick.....but i like the last one.

thos era ereally the only negitives i have.

 

Believe what he's saying. He's lowered with Illuminas and HRs I believe, I could not believe how smooth his car rode, and the car handled really damn well too taking curves in excess of 65MPH+ was an amazing feeling, and the car was so damn stable with minimal body roll. I'm saving up $ (which is hard to do being unemployed) and I will replicate Tom's suspension setup. Anyone that has ridden in or driven Tom's car will back me up.

 

FYI - My setup is H&R springs, Tokico Illuminas set on 2 all around, rear Motovational mounts, FSTB & Addco RSB all rolling on 17x8 rims with Sumitomo HTR+ rubber.

I've installed plenty of different setups in Maximas over the past 2 years at my shop. There is no other setup that rides & handles as smoothly as that.

 

You said it perfectly