So, after about 15,000 miles on my Tokico HB "Blue" Struts, I installed a set of Illuminas this past weekend. I'm a big fan so far. I have them currently set at 2 front and back...will likely toy with stiffer settings next weekend. Immediately notice a better feel during impact with small potholes and bumps in the road. These struts are just better. Driving streets I drive every day, on my way to the office this morning, I noticed reduced sound on impact on a few road bumps I pass every morning and a more comfortable compression and rebound. Still on H&R springs, so this is a comparison of the strut swap only.

Just adding my endorsement to the existing accolades.

Also installed a set of PIAA Super Plasma H3s as my fog bulbs were dead. Took the recommendation from Housecor's site...good call, I appreciate the advice, they are great matches to the HIDs in the headlights.

I still have a set of SS brake lines to install...maybe next weekend...also have an oil cooler sitting around...I guess I'll get to that one of these days too. Thinking about going back to a solid rotor or a slotted one...the x-drilled rotors have given a drone like an airplane powering down every time I brake ever since they were installed.

 

Yep

I was starting to hate my car's ride with the stock struts, but the Illuminas made it all better. It was well worth the $$ and the wait This is on stock springs too. I use 2f/3r.

I highly recommend you buy a high quality Sears Craftsman flare nut wrench for swapping the brake hoses--you do NOT want a flare nut rounded off by a cheap-*** Great Neck flare nut wrench from Autozone like I had.

 

Good advice...I do have a Craftsman wrench for the brake job and will have it handy.

 

Hey...while we're on the topic, what size is the nut on the lines? I don't have a full set of flare nut wrenches.

 

i'd like to know too, since ill be doing them soon, and i dont have any flare wrenches.

 

Now back to the original topic.

Ive got my Illuminas sitting in my room right now! Im just waiting for my Eibachs to come in. I was hoping to install them this weekend, but someone at SWA F*cked up so I dont have my springs yet.

I am soooo excited to bolt these babys up. I almost installed the struts with the stock springs this weekend, but decided it would be kind of stupid to do it twice

To make it worse, I am going to be out of town next weekend, so I have to wait another WEEK until I can do the install.

 

I think it's 10mm. (for the flare nut)

 

It will be worth the wait, and even moreso to do it right the first time

 

Where did everyone get there illuminas from and for how much? If anyone doesn't mind to mention. Thanks!

 

Nice. Now set them up to 5 and find some smooth, twisty roads. I've been driving around on 5 lately and its not too harsh for me, but that all depends on your roads and preference.

 

where is a good place to buy these illuminas and a good price?

 

Take a look at your pads, do they have a sharp edge? Most pads have a angled edge to decrease noise.

 

Ah, another satisfied Illumina owner. I still love my Illuminas. 2F/2R=

Oh, and thanks for the plug.

 

MichaelAE...good to see you back on here and still modding

My Tein S.Tech/KYB GR-2 combo is too bouncy so I wanna try the Illuminas eventually. Where'd you get them, and how much?

 

I never stopped modding, it is just that I have been "modding" my house lately a little more than my car. You know, spend more time on modifications which increase their target in value vs. decrease. That being said, I'm hoping I come up with some new stuff for the Max this summer. That new 2-piston on 13" rotor from Stillen looks tempting.

As for the Illuminas, I bought them from Shox @ $495. I originally found them cheaper on ebay, but the seller didn't actually have the items and after a 1 week delay, I insisted on a refund and ordered them from Shox. Sometimes it is worth paying extra for service and Shox has always been prompt, responsive, and helpful.

 

An angled edge? Which edge are you referring to? The entire pad is in contact with the rotor...nothing angled about it. Metal Matrix pads...maybe it is the pads.

 

I was literally thinking to myself on the way to work this morning, how I WISH Nissan would have offered these struts as a std upgrade on the SE pkg.

What an amazing difference!

I'm on progress springs currently running 1f/2r, Kumho 712's in 235/17's, fr/rr sway bars.
My kidneys were taking a beating on 4/5! The roads I drive are not as smooth as I'd like, but on a nice open road the stiffer setting is utterly MAGIC! The steering response is really tight on the higher setting.

The greatest thing about these IS the adjustability -- one day you're nice and smooth on 1-2, next day you're riding the rails on 4-5!
It's awesome.

Can't recommend this mod highly enough. Money well spent.
i hope they last.

I got one of the first sets for 5th gens thru CustomMaxima.com, $450 set.
Great C/S -- recommend them highly.
To me, it WAS better to pay more thru a dealer - and for warranty purposes.

gr

 

Got my Illuminas through Southwest Autoworks for $475.

+5% off for Org members!

 

1F/2R? Hrm...don't think I've tried that combo yet. 1F/1R was too soft as I recall. Think I'll try your combo on the drive home

 

I was just thinking the same thing.

 

$425 Shipped

http://forums.maxima.org/showthread.php?t=292713

 

I like having the rears 1 step higher than the fronts... I've read before that the rear suspension has a lot of influence on the overall "feel" of the car's handling, and I like having the rear end bounce a little harder than the fronts (makes it "feel" sportier). I use mine at 2F/3R on stock springs. I've used 3F/4R before, and while the car does appear to handle curves/bumps/etc. quicker, the ride quality over bumps is harsher, so I kicked it back down to 2F/3R which is where I have it now.

 

Particularly to those sitting in the back seat.

 

You guys crack me-up!
I was thinking that I wanted to switch to 2/3 myself today! ....I think I've hit every setting EXCEPT this one....

I like to have the rear a little tighter (like my women!) as well.

I always confuse oversteer vs. understeer, but to me - the rear stays more planted and consistent with the front when I have the rear tighter. IMHO.

1/2 is pretty soft in comparison to other settings, but it IS much more smooth for the DAILY DRIVE. On this setting the big bumps don't make my lower intestine want to spontaneously RELEASE NEARLY as often!!

I'm taking a road trip with my mother this weekend, and I didn't want to rattle her poor 60 year-old body to pieces in my car while the susp. was set on 4/5.

Man - I LOVE these struts....now i need some Big Brakes, Y-Pipe, B-Pipe, Intake, Supercharger, 19" Wheels, CF parts -- wait a minute....I need A Z!!!

gr

 

Watching you guys discuss this makes me want these struts even more!!! Waaaah....

MichaelAE, you should go on www.nwmaxima.com It's where all the locals hang out now, and I need more 5th gens to talk to

 

4F/5R?! Ouch. This setting is only worthy of the mother in-law. I tried it when I first purchased the Illuminas just out of morbid curiousity. VERY rough, but the car felt ultra pinned down. Made the whole car feel lighter and snappable. One thing I've found about stiffer settings: If you crank up a CD it masks the sound of the bumps and you don't notice the stiff ride near as much. I've found the sound of my car crashing over an expansion joint is often far more painful to me than the actual jolt.