Bear with me here...I'm not trying to start a GLE vs SE war.

I NEED to get my GLE to handle better...without replacing the tires/wheels (yet) and keeping the ride good for a 82 mile commute.

What suspension components are different from the SE to the GLE? I already know about the springs, but what about the shocks/struts and stabilizers?

Thanks for any help.

Justin

 

The differences are:

1) Higher spring rates and stiffer dampers in the rear

2) Different part number for the control arms. I guess it's the bushings that are different.

3) Thicker front sway bar.


If you want your max to handle better, you might want to consider a rear sway bar. You'll feel the car is more planted to the ground when travelling at high speed through corners or windy road.

 

I recommend new shocks asap! While your at it go maxspeed for a (somewhat) stock but firmer ride.

 

Good info!
Looks like I'm going to start with the FSTB, SE front sway bar, and aftermarket rear sway bar.

Are new sway bar bushings required for an SE sway bar swap out?

 

If i recall correctly, it's not that easy replacing the front sway bar. At least not as easy as putting a rear sway bar on.

 

Get a FSTB & RSB... this will improve handling & dampen road bumps the same as it does now. To stiffen things up even more (chasis-wise) get the www.warpspeedperformance.com Sub Frame Connectors. For FSTB: www.custommaxima.com RSB: www.Cattman.com

My buddy has the FSTB & RSB & his Max handles 10x better than mine!

Don't mess with shocks/struts, or you'll ruin that oh-so sweet GLE ride

Don't expect to corner like an S2000, no matter how much $$$$ you drop into your Max.

G

 

Thank God someone makes sub frame connectors for the Maxima! I've put them on every car I been able to...the difference is amazing. The Maxima needs them...the chassis is very sloppy.

I don't expect to get it to handle like my old S2000 (or my '98 Camaro with every chassis/suspension mod available)

My Maxima is a commuter, but it could use a bit of refinement. I'll put in all the chassis bracing and add a rear sway bar and leave it at that.

Thanks for all the help!

 

My car (GXE) has basically the same suspension as your car. If you check my sign, I have basically all the braces that you can add on to the chassis. The SFC's will make your car more solid and improve handling. I had to modified the stage 2 for proper installation (can be a big hassle if you can't find a good muffler shop). The stage one is best for comfort ride. With the stage 2 & 3, the car will handle more like a sport car, provide that you have a good set of springs & struts.

-For more info, search under "SFC" and you will see my thread which I had created during the process of the SFC's installation.

 

I noticed in the pictures of the subfame connectors that the bottom of the maxima was bare metal. Mine has an undercoating on it. Was this an option, or is it something the previous owner had done?

 

Maximus,
I see what you mean about the clearance issues...I've dealt with that before on two of my cars, and I don't plan on messing with it again. (it's especially bad on high-horsepower cars that twist everything and cause clunks and bangs under the car, then heat up the exhaust so much that it causes more issues when it expands...irritating)

I'll take a closer look and talk to the guys at Warpspeed before I decide how far to go.


Matt:
I'm not sure what I was seeing in those picture, but they should be coated in some way, and the welds should be painted as well. I've had experience with chassis components from:
Kenny Brown Performance--zinc coated, but look like bare metal...won't rust
LG (G2) Racing--powder coated

 

I had the technician at the muffler shop modified the connectors for the stage 2. He was able to center the connectings plate by modified the 4 rods that tie the front and rear subframe together. The SFC components were coated w/dark paint (not sure if it's corrosive resistance). However, you can paint them w/rust resistance chemical prior to installation.

I believe that the original design was for the 4th gen. Maxima which explain why the installation process wasn't straight forward for me.

 

Thanks again for the info.

So let me get this straight...when you installed your subframes only the 4th generation versions were available, so you had stage 2/3 modified to fit your car. And since then, Warpspeed has a version specific to the 5th generation cars (that you didn't use).

 

No, I was told that the subframes that were shipped to me was designed for the 5th gen (dimesionwise) but I still had difficulty installing them. The stock b-pipe was in the way and the center plate was off center. The technician who did the installation for me had to fabricate the connecting rods so that they would fit. I had asked Dallas at Warpspeedperformace in regarding the fitment issue and he wasn't much help since it was impossible to contact him. Perhaps, they have address the fitment issue since then? I hope so for the sake of those who are interested with this product!

 

Nice.
I'll order Stage 1 & 2 today, and hope for the best, since it seems that nobody else makes subframes for the Maxima.

BTW, have you had any ground clearance problems with the kit? (if your car is stock ride height)

 

First thing you need to do is get a Rear Sway Bar (RSB) This mod is without a doubt the best most notable mod for our boat suspension. Next in line would be shocks and springs. I have found the Tokico/H&R combo to provide me with a very nice ride that isn't harsh at all. It's close to stock without the boaty feel. After that the FSTB should finish it off nicely. The FSTB doesn't provide you with a noticeable difference like the other mods do, but it does help in cornering. Find someone in you area that already has these mods and take a ride.

 

hey there,

Remember me?
When are you gonna let me have a ride in your car?

 

I am sure you will enjoy it...DO post about your experiences once you have them installed. As for ride height, I have no issue except for some scrappings under tall speed bump if I don't slow down. This is with a lower suspension.

 

Good to hear about the ground clearance. I had some serious issues with one of my Camaros and the X-brace, but it was lowered as well.

I'll let you know how everything turns out.

Thanks for your help.

 

no problem bro! Good luck with the installation process and keep us posted.

 

first i'll start-out saying i'm a newbie and not very mechanically inclined, so pls bear w/ me. bought a new 03 GLE and the ride is awful - i'll be trading soon if i can't do something with it. the car bottoms-out frequently and genarally feels sloppy and wallows over rises and dips. does not inspire confidence at speeds. dealer says there's nothin wrong...is this really how they are??? i had a 97 SE that i loved and can't believe they made this into an Olds.

car is a family/commuter in PA. any commentssuggestions are appreciated. thanks.

 

This is how to normal GLE suspension is. Like mentioned before, the RSB will really help. There is a few different shock/spring selection that will surely stop all of the floating. I too wasn't very mechanically inclined before coming to the org. The how to's listed here are right on the money and we are here if you run into any snags along the way.

 

Why do you still want a ride? You already bought the toks/H&R setup. We can do it though. Every Saturday there is a meet at the Manassas Airport Burger King. I had to pull out of our Maxima mini meet at the last minute do to "inlaw issues". Wife, kids and I moved into my inlaws house for 3 months while our new house is being built. They gave me a honeydo list late in the afternoon with a guilt trip assigned to it.

 

I was thinking on getting the intake and exhaust work done. Since you have the aftermarket intake & y-pipe/b-pipe, I am just curious on how much more power gains and if they are worth the investment. Hey, I am sorry about your current situation...when is your house's construction will be finished?

 

Originally they told me end of December/January. Now it's November 5th. However, within 8 days they put up the foundation, framing and the entire roof and the shingles are awaiting installation on top. I'm pretty sure it's gonna be done really early. I guess I'm different because I'd rather it be December/January so we can save some more money to buy all new living room furniture and I can replace my aged surround sound with a Yamaha receiver and Mirage speakers. The Intake is worth the money. The Y and B added about 5hp and 7tq, but it did make the car sound much more aggressive at WOT while sounding normal under regular driving.