Hi everybody,

I have read all of the threads on lowering I can, but one question remains unanswered. Are there any spring/strut combos that are Very close to stock ride? I am over 40, and I just will not put up with a bad ride. My stock 2002 SE rides okay, but I can't go much worse. I want to lower just a little such as with the H&R's or H-techs. Once, I had a new 94 Probe GT and that was the stiffest riding car I had ever been in. THAT is too rough.

Also, is there any spring that is mild enough for the stock struts to handle?

Thanks,
Scott

 

You've answered your own question. H&R or Tein H Tech.


~limsandy

 

or Maxspeeds as the cheaper alternative with similar ride quality and drop height...

 

I think Maxspeeds or H&Rs would work best.

 

Thanks for the replies, but can anyone put in perspective how close the Maxspeeds or H&Rs are to stock(i.e., almost same, significantly rougher, help I need a kidney belt, etc.)?

Thanks

 

I agree with the suggestions above. In your case, stay away from Eibachs & S-tech. Equally important is strut decision. If you stick with stock struts you won't be happy with the ride for very long - if at all. I'd recommend an adjustable strut so you can dial in softer settings to your taste. Illuminas imparticular are receiving great reviews on the org.

 

h&r will be pretty damn close- closest to stock. You can get away with stock struts with H&Rs.

 

maxspeeds are 1.6 in front and 1.4 in back.
if your using stock sturts.. your ride is gonna be bumpy..
i dont know bout H&R

 

H&Rs are the softest and give you the least drop.
On stock struts/shocks it will be fine, with the GR-2 its a little bit stiff in the city and annoying, but with stock struts/shcoks you should be ok.

 

I have Maxspeeds on stock struts. My drop was about 1.25 inches all around on my 2K2. The ride is very close to stock, except over harsh bumps. Then it's rougher. I'm very happy with the ride...and I'm over 40, too.

 

I disagree. I ran H&Rs on my stock shocks for about 3 months and I hated it. It road much like stock until you hit some big dips and then the stock shocks couldn't handle the higher spring rates of the H&Rs. It really depends on the quality of the roads where you live. If you have rough roads with big dips in them I would suggest you stay away from stock shocks with aftermarket springs, but if you have mostly smooth roads or interstate then you can get by.

 

Thanks alot everyone. You have been very helpful. There is only one way to find out for sure though.......

 

Sounds like you are going to throw the dice....Please let me know your thoughts as I want to do this as well BUT dont want the kidney belt either.

Plus it has to ride close to stock as the wife REFUSES to let me drop it so it has to be incognito

 

SEturner-H&R's ride BETTER than stock...maxspeeds (what I have) are the perfect alternative at half the cost...the drop is even and its not bad....In NYC I scrape driveways so going lower isn't much of an option for me unless I can raise at given will.

The ride is great until you hit bumps and it gets pretty bumpy but NYC is pothole capital so that could be an attributing factor

In TN, I dont forsee any issues for you.

 

i'm running MaxSpeeds on stock shocks.

ride quality for me is a bit harder than stock. i feel more of the road and bumps for sure. but not too bad at all. well worth the drop for sure.

the drop amount was just what i was looking for. 1"-2". didn't want something outragiously low...just wanted to get rid of some of the wheel gap. they cut it about in half.

looks nice and classy. plus, can't beat the MaxSpeed $! i plan on tossing on some GR-2 shocks in the future.

 

H&Rs are the best in your case. Second would be the Maxspeeds.

 

I also qualifiy for old fart discounts at most retail stores. j/k.

You can see in my sig that I have H&Rs w/Tokico blues. This is the best set up for me. Combined with RSB and FSTB, the handling is great and ride quality is more like the stock SE setup should have been. A classy but not too aggressive drop with MUCH better handling with very little roll and no float. Also, the family can ride without feeling every bump.

That's my .02.

 

i'm an old fart too....(26)...will be going with htech's on stock shocks

 

When you get the Toks Blue, is it the full assembly? Or a cartridge?

Meaning if I get the blues and the spring, I can assemble the whole thing off the car and just install the new assemblies? Then of course get it aligned in a week or two.

 

Colonel-

Not sure. I had someone due the install for me.

 

Hey Old F*rt!

Take a dose of this:
http://maxmods.dyndns.org/index.php?MaximaSprings

And buy the springs in the morning.

Most of the detailed info is based around the 4th Gens but there is a ton of quality info. Also check out: http://maxmods.dyndns.org/index.php?MaximaShocks as there is a good description of the accurate purpose of the shock's purpose (read: aftermarket springs should be matched to aftermarket shocks)

Illuminas seem to be the current favorite for smooth riding shocks.

Good luck and let us know how it turns out.

P

 

I forgot to mention this:

http://maxmods.dyndns.org/index.php?SuspensionSelection

Enjoy!

P

 

Man! I keep finding more good info on that site! This info should demystify the spring/ride/shock voodoo:

http://maxmods.dyndns.org/index.php?SuspensionHarshness

 

Very interesting site. I have one question though. In two seperate places, it says that a Maxima on Eibachs(which the site says is one of the least drops) has only 1 inch of suspension travel! Can this be true? I see no way of staying off of the bumpstops if this is true. I know our cars are not 4X4s, but I thought it would be several inches at least.

Thanks

 

WOW..i need some TEQUILA. here i was set on H&R's and stock until i had the muaa to afford the Tokico blues,,,,now i am confused,,,and forgive my 31 old fart age,,,WTF is GR-2????

 

I know that the 4 geners talk about getting aftermarket bumpstops or new mounts (KYB?) when moving to certain springs. I wish I know more, but I am looking towards my own suspension soon, so I know somethings but don't have the experience.

You can try asking the 4th gen forums as there are tons of peeps there with aftermarket springs/shocks.

BTW GR-2 are shocks KYB non-adjustable shocks: http://maxmods.dyndns.org/index.php?MaximaShocks

P