There have been lots of aftermarket spring/drop comparison threads on the Org, but none to my knowledge has expressly addressed the question of drop on 5-speed Maxes. It makes a difference because the 4th-gen 5-speed Maxima is 58 pounds lighter than the automatic 4th-gen Maxima (and other generations are probably very similar). This weight difference is entirely over the front wheels so it makes a difference in the actual front drop. The stock Nissan springs differ between 5-speeds and autos for this reason.

Most spring companies seem to design their springs and drops for automatics since 90% of Maximas are autos. That's unfortunate for us with 5-speeds, because the front drop usually isn't quite low enough, and the rear may appear to sag. This is certainly a fairly minor appearance point, so if you don't care, please don't b!tch about it here, simply leave this thread.

I would like to build a little photo database in this thread to show each spring's appearance on manual Maxes. Since there are loads of threads devoted to the handling characteristics of aftermarket springs, let's focus on drop only here.


Here are the photo requirements:
1. 4th gen Maxima
2. 5-speed manual cars ONLY
3. Profile shot (from the side) that clearly shows the front and rear drop (no funny angles)
4. Nobody in the car and no extra load anywhere in the car (if you have a system in the trunk, say so)
5. Car parked on level ground (the sides of most streets are NOT level due to the crown of the road)
6. No photos wider than mine...mine are plenty big

Above or below the photos, state the following:

A. Springs and struts on the car
B. Actual drop in inches, if you measured it
C. Wheel and tire size
D. Anything special about the springs/struts at the time of the photo (e.g., just installed the springs, or my struts are shot)


Even if other(s) have already posted photo(s) of the same springs you have, please post because the more photos we have with various cars and different rims, the better the comparison will be.

Here is my car with TEIN High-Tech springs (AKA "H-Techs") and Tokico Illumina struts. The principal reason I opted for High-Techs was the advertised 1.6" front/1.2" rear drop, which was the largest difference (0.4") between front and rear that I could find. I'm fairly happy with the drop (front could be a little lower) and the ride is pretty comfy but I'm looking for a better handling spring. So basically, I'm especially interested in people with Eibachs, H&Rs, Vogtland, and Tokico springs, but anyone with any aftermarket spring is encouraged to post photos (as long as they depict a 5-speed 4th gen!):


TEIN High-Tech springs (AKA "H-Techs") and Tokico Illumina struts
17 inch rims with 235/45 tires

 

i was gonna post mine but i pwned myself and lost my memory cars for the camera. lol @ me

 

GC on KYB GR2's
drop is around 1.6" (f), 1.8" (r)
I have a 2.5 cu.ft. sub box with one 10" sub in the trunk.
Pic taken several months ago, I've had the set-up for 1 yr.
Soon to be on Teins Basic

BTW, you should include wheel/tire combo because tire size affect wheel well gap. Mine is 17x8 on 235/45/17.

This is the only side shot I have:

 

http://community.webshots.com/user/maximaSE327

there are a few pics... i have tein basics coilovers, ride awesome and look great

 

Nice drop...I'm hoping to be that low once mine is in! How much drop do you have? What size of wheels?

 

H&R springs with KYB AGX installed Jan '05. Not sure how to resize pictures, but here you go...225/50/16



once it stops raining out, I'll take some more with my new rims if you want. Just for comp. 225/40/18

 

Megan Racing springs, stock shocks/struts
2 coils cut off front springs, rides nicely but i'm looking for a more non-ghetto setup when i have money
less than 2 finger gap in front, 2.5-3 finger gap in rear.

oh yeah, 17" rims

 

s-techs on gr2's with 235/40/18 up front and 225/45/18 in the rear

see sig for pics

 

^^^ Little hard to see the wheelgap in that pic.

 

Front 3/4 of Tein S-Tech on KYB AGX's.

I'm sure there will be more with this setup. I like this overall for a street setup but I would like to be a little bit lower in the rear. I think next go-round I may try the Tein Basic coilover. I think using the stock upper mounts would eliminate alot of the issues I was having with the D2 Racing Sport coilovers with the pillow-ball mounts.

 

Thanks for the suggestion, edited!

BTW, LOL @ the fact that you're worried about longer studs and wheel spacers yet you're planning to drop your car lower on Basics? That's gonna cause you many more probs than spacers ever will!

Keep the photos coming, boys.

 

Finally, this is the best pic i had. I'm pretty sure the springs are H&R's--the car was lowered when i got it...17's with 225/45/17's

 

A. Canuck Motorsports Springs/KYB AGX Shocks
B. Advertised 2", ~2 finger gap front/~3 finger gap rear
C. 15" Sawblades wrapped with Toyo Proxes TPT 205/55/15 (Stock sidewall size...not sure right now~55)
D. Used springs just installed, probably didn't settle much more. Ground may be slightly unlevel, but I believe the gap is shown well.

 

maybe include a couple comments on ride quality and handling ability as well for those who care about more than just the drop.

 

Wow, BigLou, that is a huge front drop and a small rear drop...never seen anything like that. Are you sure the fronts aren't cut?

 

I was worried about loosing my wheel with spacers and stock studs.

Don't worry, I'm not going to drop it that much. I'll only be down to 1 finger gap and the axles should hold up. That's what most of the guys out here in Cali are running and they've never had issues after being on it for more than a year. Ride quality is great as it should since it is a true coil-over. I still have a good sense of when to tell when too much is....too much. Having the tires tuck into the fender wells would be too much. Compare the ride quality of my current set-up against the Teins Basics, there's no comparison! So basically, I'm going for Teins Basics because of improved ride quality and handling, and a slightly lower stance. I'm not trying to be as low or lower than VIP Max, I don't want his headaches.

 

Ridin' on ground control coilovers w/ KYB AGX's

BEFORE BODY KIT---- 1 to 1 1/2 finger gap in the front and 2 finger gap in the back
AFTER BODYKIT--2 finger gap up front and 21/2 finger gap out back

 

My drop is very similar to that.

 

Tokico HP (blue)/ Tokico Springs, Progress Sway. (40lbs in trunk)

• Ride/Comfort-Pretty much expected, ride is stiff, feel every crack in the road.( 235/35/19 don't help in this aspect)
• Handling-Much improved over stock, minimal body role.
• Bottom Line-Mid performane setup, 1.5" drop front 1.3" rear.

 

Ditto, see sig.

 

Sprint Springs in the front, Arospeed in the rear, with KYB AGX all around

 

Link to my boyfriend's car:
http://www.cardomain.com/ride/2336513

Lowered on H&R springs
On Stock 16"s
Not sure of the drop in inches...I know its lower in front than in back...

 

im actually not sure exactly the drop, but i went by the tein specs and it came out pretty even... its almost 3 in the front and lil over 2 in the rear, i think im gonna go a lil lower in the rear

the rims are 19" RH Evolutions wrapped in 235/35/19 nitto nt555

the ride comfort wasnt compromised too much, not nearly as much as i expected w/ stiffer susp and low pro tires... i would highly, highly recommend the tein basics

 

Good idea on this thread! I have some used Eibach's ready to be installed. I notice there are not too many folks on Eibachs, at least I don't see too many...

 

Neither of your cars looks quite as high in back or low in front as BigLou's...but since neither of you posted the requested straight side shot, I can't really tell!

915Max, nice car, but I don't care about coilovers in this thread since coilovers are height adjustable...hence it's pointless to compare the drop that a particular coilover system gives since it varies!

95bluse, Eibachs are pretty much the best handling spring you can buy for the Maxima, which is why I'm eager to see someone post some photos of 5-speeds with Eibachs. I'm worried that the front is going to sit way too high for my aesthetic tastes, otherwise I would own a set already. Right now there is a lot of renewed interest in Eibachs in the 5th gen forum.

Everyone, please keep the off-topic discussion to a minimum. Handling talk is off topic here. Coilover talk is off topic,l as are photos of Maximas with coilovers. If you want to talk about these things, please start your own thread. You're welcome to put a link to your new thread here if you like, but I was hoping for this to be a simple photo/example thread.

 

Get coilovers, lower it exactly the way you want it to sit, then call it a day!

 

how does h&r or h-tech paired with illuminas compare to tein basics as far as comfort is concerned?

 

Progress Springs on AGXs. (before my D2s and borrowing my friends 18" Rota Subzeros)

 

Here, it's wide so I'll just link to it. It's very similar. Also keep in mind that wheel gap will be a little more prominent since I have slightly lower profile tires.

http://www.electronicfiles.net/files...m/P1000049.jpg

The car's not on level ground but that's exactly what my drop looks like normally.

 

That's a beautiful shot but it's still pretty hard to tell the relative gaps.

If I had the money to buy TEIN Basics I would, they sound great, but unfortunately I'm broke for the near future so a spring swap is all I can do.

Still waiting for a shot of Eibachs!

 

I bought the springs from JSutter, I'm pretty sure he didn't, and wouldn't cut springs.

It was funny when I was installing - I did the rears first, and I couldn't really notice a difference when I finished them up and lowered the car down to jack up the fronts. However, when I finished my fronts, and began lowering the car down, it seemed like it was going to go straight through the floor. Ah well, I'm happy with it, very aggressive stance.

 

I just added a picture of mine with the 18" rims. H&R springs and KYB AGX shocks/sturts. See post #6

 

Ceasars Chariot is riding on Eibach Pro-kits equipped with KYB AGX as of the last time I talked to him.

 

I've seen pics of 5th gens with Eibachs & they have a nice drop. I don't think the same goes for 4th gens. I'll try to link a photo from one of the Toronto guy's White '95, but would like to ask his permission first.

 

Found his cardoman site, the drop looks adequate, but he's still on the original sawblades

http://www.cardomain.com/ride/378515/1

 

KYB AGX Struts
Tien S-Tech Springs

 

Thanks a lot JS, I'm pleasantly surprised with how low your front drop is so I'll consider H&R. BTW, dig the LED mirror covers. I've had mine sitting int he basement for over a year, need to get around to painting them...

 

Thanks for the link, 95bluse. His drop looks plenty low.

Still want to see more 5-speeds with Eibachs before I decide!

 

TEIN H-Techs
KYB GR2s
245/40-17 ADR Battle
Michelin Super Sport

*should i go 45s or 50s on the side wall next time?*

[IMG][/IMG]
[IMG][/IMG]

 

For the 4th gen, I think 235/45 is the most aesthetically pleasing sidewall for 17s. Definitley don't go 245/50 because 245/45 already has too tall a sidewall to look good.