Sprint VS Tein:
Looking to buy either or of these springs and run them on my OEM Shocks (03 Max with only 1,000 miles). (Tokico Blues's are too firm, and KYB GR-2 are basically OEM replacements-really no different than new OEMs)are my thoughts.

Feedback on any of these two Springs, which one will provide a more harsh or firm ride. Sprints any good when compared to Tein S-Techs????

Thanks!

 

Its the other way around. The blue sucks and the GR2 are the better shocks. BTW be prepared to blow ur shocks with any one of the springs. They are the lowest springs. sprint 2" and tein 2.2 and 1.6 . Good Luck

 

I dont know where you get that information, but that's just wrong. Many people said Tokicos suck and GR-2 are firm. The GR-2 are not just OEM replacement and they provide stiffer ride, but not too stiff. "BTW, be prepared to blow ur shocks with any one of the springs". My advice is: buy your springs and shocks/struts altogether and install them together. Save the labor cost.


~limsandy

 

Or do it yourself... to hell with labor

 

GR-2's aren't stiff at all....very resilient to bumps...

 

Hey guys,

I've been hearing of guys running lowering springs on OEM shocks without any problems. I've heard from more than two shops and vendors related to this board that GR-2's are really no different than OEM, and that Tokico Blues are stiffer (I have them on my Z32) to say Tokico Blues suck, I think is a inaccurate statement. KYB are good no doubt,(I have AGX's on my Supra TT), I just think the bottom line is, that it comes down to personal driving style and the type of roads you drive on will show how long your OEM shocks last--especially on a new 1,000 mile Maxima. Please tell me why that is wrong of a statement??

Everybody knows (or should know) that 99% of jap cars come from the factory with Tokicos or KYB's, as they are the two main OEM shock manufacturs over there.

In regards to OEM shocks, I just think personal driving style and the type/condition of the roads you drive on weights more into it than we think.

Learning more, and getting more confused by the day

Which are better Tein or Sprint? (My original question)

 

Neither Blues nor GR2s are the same as OEMs. They are both "stock replacements" but isn't everything?!? These are upgraded replacements to stock for more performance-oriented owners. They are also a must (as a minimum) with an aftermarket spring.

My experience with both leads me to believe that GR2s are stiffer. Saturn with Eibachs and GR2s that beat the **** outta me. Talon TSi with Eibachs and blues that was perfect. It's a preference thing.

Dunno about Teins, but Sprints are downright abusive!

 

Are you dissing on my sprints? Calm down I am going to need to sell these things. They are much more stiff than the H&R springs that you have. They do make the car look better though.

 

I totally agree that the car looks awesome with these springs!

 

Well - I just got in on the TEIN GD going right now, and I'm pretty excited to get them installed.

Judging by the pictures, I'd say the TEIN DROP is the best -- perfectly EVEN and just right.
2" off of the front to me = the TOTAL elimination of the OBSCENE fender gap at the front.
Nothing more.
I'm determined NOT to let 2" drop scare me! It's NOT THAT MUCH!..not on OUR cars anyway! REALLy.....

I HOPE the ride is not as punishing as the 2" drop says it will be, like the Sprints.
Anyone got the Spring rates on the TEINS??????
Now that's a good question to ask.....vs. the Sprints anyway.

As for the SHOCKS/STRUTS:
I am REALLY having a hard time with this one.

Gr-2's are NOT made to support a 2" drop spring, yet everyone is going with this set-up and loving it.
I'm wondering how long THESE will last with a Hi-perf. spring like the tein???
Only time will tell.

In my opinion, I'd say that the Blues and the GR-2's are an improved OEM replacement, NOT a matched hi-perf. setup like the TEIN or SPRINT.
I guess we need to match spring rates to the shocks -- I am having a hard time believing that we should match shocks/struts to the actual DROP in inches of the springs.

Right now, I am REALLY leaning towards the AGX's - definitely a match, and who is gonna argue with Adjustablility???? Cool!
Now, i just have to wait for the OEM fit for my '02 to be made.

HOWEVER -- I think I've got nothing to lose by just dropping the TEINS in on my stock struts with only 10k on 'em for now.
What's the WORST that can happen??
So, I'd blow one and have to take it apart again to install my NEW AGX's.
I can live with that!

I'm sold on the TEINS, but I'm not sold on the GR-2's OR the TOK's.

I don't think either is matched for these two springs.
Cr@p.....what am I getting myself into????

D@mn you guys -- you're making me spend too much money!!!

I plan on doing this work myself

my 2cents
gr

 

I said the same thing, but my ride is real rough. I don't believe that the Teins won't be as rough on the stock struts. They might be great springs, but they are not magic. I felt the same way as you and now I don't enjoy driving my car as much because it is rough and a little embarasing to have people in it bouncing around. IMO, there are 2 choices you should take. Buy the upgraded struts with that aggressive of a drop or go with a much less aggressive spring. I chose #2 because of Money. In the future, I will upgrade and maybe go back to the sprints or I might like the maxspeeds and stick with them.

 

Its on Teins.

 

its me and you buddy, spreading the word!

i recommed GR2s though, but...

 

I have been on gc's and toks since december. The ride is FINE. Toks aint that bad, and GC's give a perfect drop. Go tein or GC.

 

Yep, SE-R I really listened to your reccomendation (after all your a guy on the internet ). Seriously, you really seem to love these things, live in LI (so I can find you and complain if I'm not 100% satisfied (j/k)) and you had / have a 92 SE-R like I used to!

Now hopefully I don't get fuked on both the group deals I'm in!

 

I'm sold on the Teins (Their on order)

However, someone please convince me that the GR-2's are really needed over the OEM shocks on a "new" car.

Has it really been proven yet that they last longer than OEM's--Like I said, I think it really depends on driving style and the type/condition of roads you drive on that determines what wears down/blows a shock. this my logic anyways

I'm not cheap by no means, however, why replace something that may not need replacing

 

There was a guy who was about the Teins on the stock shocks. Said they were all rough and bouncy. The GR-2s are supposed to be able to control the higher spring rate much better (makes sense). I hope this is the case, otherwise I'm out the $260 as well!

 

Looks like man, but yeah I suggest GR-2's as well.

 

I called Tein, and per their words: The Tein S. tech spring is tested with the OEM shocks, and the 2.2/1.6 drop is based on being matched with the OEM shocks. THEY ARE TESTED WITH THE OEM SHOCK. Talked to the tech there, per his words: Teins do NOT need to be matched up with an aftermarket shock, nor do they need a camber kit, the shocks will wear based on individual driving style, in addition to what type/condition of roads you drive on. Once again, this is per Tein.


In addition, I just drove my good friends 03 Sentra SER-Vspec with Teins and OEM shocks. It drove very smooth, and was NOT harsh at all, firm but certainly NOT harsh. I was surprised. Now if a Sentra drove like this, why wouldn't a Maxima with its longer wheelbase and more weight ride better than a Sentra?? In my view it would. Oh well, thrown off again.

Teins=
GR-2's=

 

Try telling this to ToasterMax who has the Teins with OEM struts. He doesnt like it 1 bit. Those of us who have upgraded struts however love it so you do the math.

 

how about koni yellow's...i dont know anyone who has them on their max...but from what i hear on other cars...they are the best on the market..pricey though

 

I'm not trying to get flamed on this, I mean this is a forum to discuss this stuff- its just the point I'm hearing conflicting things, plus you guys haven't had the GR-2 's long enough to really see how long they will last!? Has anyone had the OEM/Teins on long enough to see how long they last!? All these combos are yet still too new.

Have OEM Shocks/Teins combo been given a fair chance? I have heard one car that rides like crap, and been in another that drives fine.

Maybe getying the GR-2's is the safe bet or maybe saving $260 and giving the OEM's a chance is another less expensive safe bet.

Yes, either way, the Teins are the S-it

 

Koni's are a great shock, but yes pricey (usually $136 a piece), however, the Tein/Koni Combo is "unproven" on a 5th Gen Maxima-can the 5th Gen with Teins/Koni's please come forward

I know of none out there. But think about, do you really need an adjustable shock on the Maxima.... Depends on how you want to drive I guess

 

Bottom line is harsh, firm, soft, etc are subjective terms.

Not everyone will agree on this ever!!!

Also the condition of the roads, size of your rim, and stablizer bars will affect the ride.

I have maxspeeds and OEM SE struts (made by tokio)for about 20K and love them. I'm waiting for adjustables so I can stiffen up for autoX.

 

Well, have you had the stock shocks/Tein combo for a long time? Has anyone? These guys are saying that having stock shocks/Tein combo will give you a $hitty ride, we were not discussing how long the stock shocks will last. Draw your own conclusion, as you may. But I'll stick with my Tein/GR-2 combo and be happy with myself.


~limsandy

 

Not getting flamed on here, yeah that always works out well. As for how long the OEM's will last, that wasnt the issue for me to being with. You see the OEM's might last a big but the problem is they do not have enough dampening pressure to control the Teins. ToasterMax stated every time he's hit a bump his car is all over the place. Basically the OEM's are not strong enough to tame the Teins so to speak. I dont know how long the GR-2's last nor how long the OEM's do. Its just more for ride control, do it any way you please its your car but just remember it wont control the springs too well.

 

Yeah, nobody wants to get flamed here. I guess the bottom line is, with our cars, and the aftermarket parts for them being fairly new, only time will tell how well these shock/spring combo's really last and perform.
I still believe that the ride quality and lasting of the shocks still is based on personal driving style and road conditions-so everyone has and will have different feedback on whats harsh and whats smooth,etc..

At this time, just to play it the safer route, I will get an aftermarket shock, with my Teins. And based on whats available at the time, KYB GR-2's seem to be the logical choice if I want to keep my Max for awhile, and save on labor costs down the road. We'll see how this works out I guess--its only $250 right!

So I guess this thread can come to a close

 

ground control and tokico since december and it still rides fine. GC is way stiffer than tein. I have 225/40/18 tires. I hope this helps....