Help on springs!!
#81
So just a thought. Do you think that Nissan Engineer's designed the suspension geometry to only be correct at one specific height? Because you keep mentioning that it will mess up the geometry and steering arc if the car is lowered. If that were so then your coil-over shock suspension for $600 would also be ruining the suspension geometry. Your suspension travel will still allow the shock to depress over, lets sayyyy 3", and throw off the geometry, and thus ruining it. Well I'm not an engineer but I'd have to say that's wrong. The reason the shock is at the angle it is, and the travel of the suspension components are what they are, is because it maintains the correct geometry the whole time, or is at least within the acceptable limits.
#82
You can still have some sort of geometry with your drop. It really depends on how much you lower it. Once you really start lowering it, geometry gets all out of whack. This is why the auto-x guys buy coils and barely lower their cars. They're looking for optimal handling and that can really only be achieved at that height which is closer to stock.
#83
I think they only lower it so much because they will eventually get to where I am! Hard, lock to lock turns rub the inner and outer fenders as I sit right now. My bet is they probably go as low as possible without running into anything. Not to mention it is HELL on axles. I'm sure you've noticed that turning your wheels will slightly raise and lower each corner which is how the suspension maintains the correct geometry. I honestly believe the only thing that really suffers are things like bushing, from the constant stress instead of momentary, and maybe ball joints and tie rods for the same reason.
if we had adjustable control arms, we could lower our maximas even more than 2 inches, without ruining the suspension geometry. there's actually a lot of engineering that would have to go into us having great suspension geometry at substantially lower heights. i definitely suggest reading through some of those threads. very informative.
Last edited by WesCTR; 01-19-2012 at 08:05 AM.
#84
you don't understand how lowering maximas past a couple of inches ruins the suspension geometry. chris and i aren't talking about simply keeping the car balanced. going lower ends up putting the axles below the control arms, which affects the roll center and creates unnecessary stress on the axles. there's a thread in the advanced handling, braking, and chassis forum that dives into this. it's a pretty good read. i learned a lot from it.
if we had adjustable control arms, we could lower our maximas even more than 2 inches, without ruining the suspension geometry.
if we had adjustable control arms, we could lower our maximas even more than 2 inches, without ruining the suspension geometry.
#86
#87
I've read most of them... There's quite a bit of fluff in them too, so I'm sure I haven't read them all. It might not be THAT easy, but its really not that complicated either. I already realize I'm to the point on lowering, where it hurts a few parts here and there, but in my driving experience, its all good. I am far more stable in corners and at high speeds. Its more predictable than the stock sloppy suspension.
#89
I've read most of them... There's quite a bit of fluff in them too, so I'm sure I haven't read them all. It might not be THAT easy, but its really not that complicated either. I already realize I'm to the point on lowering, where it hurts a few parts here and there, but in my driving experience, its all good. I am far more stable in corners and at high speeds. Its more predictable than the stock sloppy suspension.
Our set ups won't compare to coils at around stock height though. I'm trying to keep a balance of looks and handling. The car will be lowered but not dumped and the coils will be set to full stiff.
Last edited by ChrisMan287; 01-19-2012 at 08:35 AM.
#90
Yeah, your geometry is out of whack but the car feels more stable. I loved my previous Eibach/AGX set up set to full stiff. The car handled pretty well compared to stock.
Our set ups won't compare to coils at around stock height though. I'm trying to keep a balance of looks and handling. The car will be lowered but not dumped and the coils will be set to full stiff.
Our set ups won't compare to coils at around stock height though. I'm trying to keep a balance of looks and handling. The car will be lowered but not dumped and the coils will be set to full stiff.
#91
stability comes from the decreased body roll. i like your drop. your car is clean. i'm probably going lower so i hope i don't encounter too many issues.
#92
for real? grrrrrr you had them lol! My suspension height will be a little lower than stock. probably over an inch but not more than 1.5". Im getting 2 hd raxles tmrw(for $120 mind you @ 5k hehehe) so when my suspension is done? Ill put it up against any CO only set-up. Sure its not as good but its what I think is best for my end goal. Also tmrw I will be getting 300zx calipers already set up for the 4th gen so the handling of mine will be good AND I can keep from killing myself. to get back off topic lol, has anybody driven on tsw's wrapped in 245? this seems far to wide for a max and seems it can only rub
#95
I'm looking to modify. currently stock. 97 gxe (auto)
92k
Need to work on my handling suspension first - its horrible
This is my list:
-Cheap- Front arm kit - FCPImport
-Sub frame collars-Bought
-Asmoil syn oil/Amoil syn trans oil (flush) to be done this weekend (bought)
-New NKg shocks (this weekend)
- So my debate is either Shocks/Strut Springs (H&R & Illuminas) - or coilovers - Only looking for about 1.5 " drop - looking for improved handling but do not want too harsh of a ride?? "what should i get"?
_New wheels/tires... thinking Motegi racing 17" m125's- I wish they just came in plain silver instead of gray/titanium( need to save) would love some g35 6 spoke but there actually more expensive 159 @ piece- have not purchased
any comments appreciated
Thanks
![Frown](https://maxima.org/forums/images/smilies/frown.gif)
Need to work on my handling suspension first - its horrible
This is my list:
-Cheap- Front arm kit - FCPImport
-Sub frame collars-Bought
-Asmoil syn oil/Amoil syn trans oil (flush) to be done this weekend (bought)
-New NKg shocks (this weekend)
- So my debate is either Shocks/Strut Springs (H&R & Illuminas) - or coilovers - Only looking for about 1.5 " drop - looking for improved handling but do not want too harsh of a ride?? "what should i get"?
_New wheels/tires... thinking Motegi racing 17" m125's- I wish they just came in plain silver instead of gray/titanium( need to save) would love some g35 6 spoke but there actually more expensive 159 @ piece- have not purchased
any comments appreciated
Thanks
#96
suspension is very personal. However, our cars have a limited after-market and this makes it hard to decide. Everybody on here will say CO's and its a good choice for a 1 stop shop. wheels are also very personal. Tiger, no they don't make alot for 4th gens. at all. guy wants $400 for 5k old rims and tires. even if they arent my first choice, I cant pass that deal up for even just the 245 wide tires
#97
![Roll Eyes (Sarcastic)](https://maxima.org/forums/images/smilies/rolleyes.gif)
#98
Go with H&R's/Illumina's.
#99
I said they don't improve it enough to warrant the cost. Get it right if your gonna be a smart ***. Low end CO's are perfect for people who aren't essentially building a new suspension like me. Co's are not the end all be all of suspension set-ups. CO's simply make it easy to upgrade your suspension by taking a few bolts off and sliding em in. For the 4th gen? throwing in CO's doesnt make it handle like a 370 in 1 step. THIS is my point.
#101
Yes, its a good idea to replace the bushings on both front and rear but the OEM front strut mount/top hat rarely NEEDS replacing but they only sell the front bushings with the plate. The rear bushings have no plate per say so you can get them separately. Def a worthwhile purchase and so are new strut boots and bump stops to protect your purchase. I dont know about you but just in taking my OEM strut off the boots fell all apart. GL with the upgrades, you wont be sorry no matter the direction you choose. oh BTW GC's coil sleeves with AGX's are the way to go, ask chrisman
![Stick Out Tongue](https://maxima.org/forums/images/smilies/tongue.gif)
#102
I said they don't improve it enough to warrant the cost. Get it right if your gonna be a smart ***. Low end CO's are perfect for people who aren't essentially building a new suspension like me. Co's are not the end all be all of suspension set-ups. CO's simply make it easy to upgrade your suspension by taking a few bolts off and sliding em in. For the 4th gen? throwing in CO's doesnt make it handle like a 370 in 1 step. THIS is my point.
GC's + Koni's + camber plates = pretty much $1500 but that would be a sick set up.
How many miles do you have on your strut mounts? You could go with AGX's but they're not valved as soft as Illumina's which will equal a harsher ride, especially in the cold.
#106
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