Hey guys, i have been searching and searching, asking questions, and determining what to do...

Here are the setups i had in mind, if anybody wants to contribute to help me decide.

FIrst off my Sarona body kit is going on this weekend, and i can really determine how low i can go and still be driveable

Choices:
Tein/GR2s
Cattman modified AGX/Progress springs
Tein Super Street dampeners
JIC coilvers

TEIN/GR2's
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This is probably the most cost effective, but there is a lot of debate regarding longevity on this setup. GR2's are only warrantiable up to 1.5" drop meaning with TEIN springs, your warranty is already voided. In addition, i found that the TEIN spring rates especially in the rear are very low, meaning you probably might need the shocks to be a bit stiffer than the GR2's to control the rebound.

Unfortuantely i also found out GR2's are out of stock and i am not sure if the TEIN springs is too low of a setup with my body kit..

I want the even drop with these springs becuaes my rear end of my car already looks dropped with my system in teh trunk.

modified AGX/Progress
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Well you can't use TEINS on AGX's because you need to use 4th gen springs. I heard people say this setup is prone to noise, but i can't see how because the modifications described by Brian Cattman is not major, infact, its almost like a bolt except the rears need modifciations and you need to use the 4th gen strut mount... I like the fact of adjustability, but htis setup is a few hundred dollars more. And the drop is less than teins which may make it ideal.

I am leaning towards this setup, and as an added bonus, the AGX are far superior over the GR'2s and will last much longer with lowering springs..


TEIN SUPER STREET DAMPENERS
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NO body has them, they are not too expensive (1150 at adventon) but there is no pillow mounts included at that price. Not enough information to use this setup

JICS
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I hear rave reviews on this setup, but @ $1400+ its really pricy. Plus i am from canada, and rust is an issue as well..MAXRPM has these and he said he had corrosion..

Overall
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I think i am leaning towards teh KYB AGX setup with Progress springs .. its a bit more expensive, but it seems like this is the best route to go. I want a firmer ride, not jarring, and not too low that might screw up my kit..

ANY RECOMMENDATIONS?

ed

 

go for them and what kinda price did u get on them

 

No prices as of yet, have to wait and see, i jumped on Phoenix GROUP DEAL for dealer costing.. so i have to wait..

ED

 

What about Maxspeeds?

 

Rather than going with the modified AGX, why not get the KONIs instead ? shox.com has the Eibach/Koni cpmbo for $669 I think. Plus the KONIs come with lifetime warranty. At the softest setting, the ride is like european car and you can increase the setting to your taste and needs.

 

The only thing with konis is that you have to modify the stock shocks to fit them..

I am just wondering the level of difficulty involved with this setup in terms of getting them installed.

 

I got Maxspeed/GR-2 combo and love it.....I don't scrape much (every so often a high driveway will cause me to scrape)

I am contemplating swapping out my maxspeeds for teins, but I'll wait awhile....

I can say one thing...with my combo, everyday is a new experience...the springs get tighter and tigher....

 

It is actually pretty simple, all you need to do is cut the top, remove the internal components, drill a hole at the bottom of your strut housing then secure the strut insert. The messy part is the oil getting all over the place if you're not careful.

Btw the bolt from KONI is a 14mm which is kinda hard to find the drill bit. So I use a 1/2" and enlarge the hole slowly with round file. I do have a modified set in excellent condition (no rust at all) if anyone is interested in trading me with your struts or want buy it.

 

The biggest question, is a comparison..

How does koni compare to the KYB AGX shocks?

It seems like maxima equipped konis are very rare..

ED

 

I bought the Koni's not knowing they had to be moddified, stupid me. I returned them the next day. I heard nothing but good stuff about them but my one issue with them (aside costing the most and still needing to be moddified) is that you have to remove the rears to adjust. Sup with that??

I bought the AGX's from Cattman and ordered Sprints from SouthWest.

Good luck.

 

Indeed they are rare because they are considerably more expensive then KYBs and Toks. I've never had struts other than KONIs so I can't give you feedback on those. Like I've told you previously, at the softest setting, the ride is smoother than my stock SE setup; it's soft but controlled. As you dial up the setting, it gets firmer and harder. At about 4 clicks from the softest setting, there's virtually no body roll even if you take it to the limit till your tires break loose. Btw I paired the KONIs with Eibach pro kit and Stillen RSB.

 

Hey Bsetiawan..

I private messaged you.. waiting for response..

ED

 

Reply sent.

 

I would have to agree with you. I've had the koni's with ground control coilovers and so far I am very pleased with them. At the softest setting the ride is very confortable while still being tight, at the higher settings the ride still remains to be somewhat comfortable. I've found that the agx's are a little bit stiffer/harsher when you turn up the dial. If your going for a lower drop, I would go with the Koni's, because I've heard that they are able to handle a lower drop than the kyb agx's.

The only thing I dont like is that to adjust the rears, you have to uninstall the entire suspension.

 

 

 

if you don't wanns pend that much i would recomend maxspeeds to you, those were great springs. but i switched to JIC's i believe in doing it right the first time. if money is an issue (as it often is the case for the most of us) then save up. i only got the maxspeeds on my car because it was free. i'm real happy with the jic's right now tho..

 

What kind of struts did you use with the Maxspeeds? I have a set of Maxspeeds in my garage and I am seriously thinking about pairing those up with a set of Konis

 

i used stock struts because that was what they were designed to be used with.

 

I know this is probably a stupid question,
but whats the advantage of replacing stock suspension?
How is it better?

 

1. handeling is better (for better cornering)
2. to some it looks cool
3. just another excuse to dodge pot holes and go up driveways diagonally

 

O I see

 

 

I prefer a tighter chassis. I changed suspension on my last Maxima and it was like night and day. Since I got so used to it, now my new Maxima w/ stock suspension feels like a boat to me. If you enjoy driving, you should know what I mean.
If you still are in the dark, drive a Maxima hard then drive a BMW hard. You will notice the bimmer is tighter and more controlled in its body motions. When you upgrade your suspension, your car's body motions will be more controlled like the bimmer.
Yea, it looks better too, but thats just a secodary benefit to me.

 

Sounds interesting

 

When I first began researching this topic, Eibach was mentioned all the time. Now I bought them, and o one mentions them. Is there something I don't know???
Plan to install next week - Eibach/KYB GR-2

 

Eibach is a good company, their product is great. I have owned Eibachs in the past, they performed very well. Eibach has been around awhile, now there are more brands coming to market, so just like anything else there will be "trends" in the market, almost like a fad. I think the main reason you don't see them mentioned any more is there are so many choices now that are cheaper than the Eibachs. Also most of the other brands have more of a drop than Eibachs. This doesn't necessarily mean they are better product. Most people here are just looking for more of a drop (mainly for the look), just personal preference; everything has its tradeoffs. Personally (my opinion from researching) I think drop-wise the Eibachs are in the same ballpark as the H&R or Maxspeeds; H&R being the most comfortable ride and Eibachs being the most aggressive spring rates with the Maxspeeds falling in between. When I say most aggressive spring rates what I mean is that Eibach aggressively uses the progressive-rate design, where the further they compress the stiffer they get, so when you put a load on your suspension like hard braking or cornering, the springs "kick-in" to the tighter coils and control the body. Most springs are designed this way but the Eibachs are just more aggressive in this design. What you have will be a sweet setup. Enjoy!

 

Thanks
Feel a lot better. Was beginning to think that Eibachs were not as good as previously thought.

 

not to come off like a dik, but do you have proof of this statement??

I understand that maxspeeds and eibachs and other lowering springs will WORK with stock struts, but in my experience, were DESIGNED for a more performance orientated strut due to the higher compression spring rates....

 

sorry i dont' have it in writting, but i can get it for u if u want.. i was the prototype for the maxspeeds on 5th gens... the owner of golden apple is my friend's uncle.. and that's what they all told me.. they told me to not change my struts because these were made for stock struts.. and these were actually modeled after the h&r springs.. they are pretty much the same spec.

 

well for instance..I am running maxspeeds with kyb gr-2's....what would they say of that??

 

They really are designed to be used with the stockers. Many people don't give the stock units the credit they deserve. No .org member has ever complained about the ride in my car with the stock struts and Eibach springs. They all are somewhat suprized at the ride quality. But that's not to say that the Eibach's wouldn't be better off with a strut designed more for them.

 

i would go with an adjustable strut, the agx or the koni, Problem with the koni is you need to remove the strur to adjust the rebound int eh rear. AGX is the turn of a dial.

As for the agx, its actually the front that was modified. All that was modified was the bracket to connect to the axle. As for the strut mounts, you can either shave yours a bit or get 4th gen ones. I got 4th gen ones.

No noises if you isntall it correctly. And 4th gen springs will be needed, but 4th gen springs drop you lower due to lighter spring rates.

With Koni's you have to sabotage your stock strut and stuff the koni insert into there.. I just dont really think thats safe, but thats why god made chocolate and vanilla...

 

they'll wonder why u spent extra money on struts when u didn't have to.. ,but if you like the ride better the way you have it now then that's what's best for you.
it all boils down to what YOU are most happy with.
aftermarket struts are low charged gas struts. stock is usually high charged gas or liquid.. i think we got liquid.. i'm not sure.. personally if i could afford coilovers that used liquid filled struts i'de get those, because it is alot more consistant. but since i can't and i'm not sure who would make them, then i'de hafta stick with JIC's