New Maxspeeds+Illuminas...pics and general impressions
09-09-2004, 03:42 PM
#1
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New Maxspeeds+Illuminas...pics and general impressions
Well, went ahead and put the Maxspeeds on with Illuminas last weekend.....4 hours by myself.....just me and my air tools 
So....first the measurements:
2000 Maxima Stock height ground to wheel arch (per shop manual):
Front: 27.8" (pre-drop actual measurement: 27.9")
Rear: 27.1" (pre-drop actual measurement: 27.2")
Current measurements with Maxspeeds:
Front: 26.7"
Rear: 26.5"
these measurements are after only about 10 miles of driving (measurements done right after the test-drive last weekend)......I assume they will settle a little bit more. As you can see, the wheelarch height is pretty even.
Furthermore, here is the wheel "gap" measurement (top of tire to inner wheel arch measured with a caliper)
front: 1.6"
rear: 1.3"
I'm happy with the look...it is as even as I had hoped and still doesn't look "lowered" unless you know maximas.....
Now for ride impressions:
Keep in mind that I am coming off SE springs, which are stiffer than GXE/GLE.
I also have LTB, FSTB, and RSB that make a difference.
With Struts set at level 3 all around:
ride is good on small bumps and smooth roads. big highway dips are solid...no more bouncing, the illuminas absorb all of the dip with no bounce. Bigger bumps are a bit firmer than stock, but the struts absorb vibration better than stock (i.e. with stock struts/springs it was harsh and alot of rattles on big bumps, now it's just "very firm" and is over quickly)
I originally had front struts set on 4 but that proved a bit harsh on our crappy roads around here. With my other suspension mods the handling is very balanced, if not just a slight bit of oversteer. I am going to turn the rear struts down to setting 2 (as most people here have done) to get back to a balanced stance with slight UNDERsteer (which is safer).
Overall, very pleased with the turnout. Install was a piece of cake with the air tools. The drop looks even, and the ride is overall improved, especially the flatness in corners
so now the pics:
I took this one after the first day...it has settled a little bit more since then
The front assembly:
So....first the measurements:
2000 Maxima Stock height ground to wheel arch (per shop manual):
Front: 27.8" (pre-drop actual measurement: 27.9")
Rear: 27.1" (pre-drop actual measurement: 27.2")
Current measurements with Maxspeeds:
Front: 26.7"
Rear: 26.5"
these measurements are after only about 10 miles of driving (measurements done right after the test-drive last weekend)......I assume they will settle a little bit more. As you can see, the wheelarch height is pretty even.
Furthermore, here is the wheel "gap" measurement (top of tire to inner wheel arch measured with a caliper)
front: 1.6"
rear: 1.3"
I'm happy with the look...it is as even as I had hoped and still doesn't look "lowered" unless you know maximas.....
Now for ride impressions:
Keep in mind that I am coming off SE springs, which are stiffer than GXE/GLE.
I also have LTB, FSTB, and RSB that make a difference.
With Struts set at level 3 all around:
ride is good on small bumps and smooth roads. big highway dips are solid...no more bouncing, the illuminas absorb all of the dip with no bounce. Bigger bumps are a bit firmer than stock, but the struts absorb vibration better than stock (i.e. with stock struts/springs it was harsh and alot of rattles on big bumps, now it's just "very firm" and is over quickly)
I originally had front struts set on 4 but that proved a bit harsh on our crappy roads around here. With my other suspension mods the handling is very balanced, if not just a slight bit of oversteer. I am going to turn the rear struts down to setting 2 (as most people here have done) to get back to a balanced stance with slight UNDERsteer (which is safer).
Overall, very pleased with the turnout. Install was a piece of cake with the air tools. The drop looks even, and the ride is overall improved, especially the flatness in corners
so now the pics:
I took this one after the first day...it has settled a little bit more since then
The front assembly:
09-09-2004, 04:44 PM
#5
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the measurements above were when I first did it (I changed the original post to reflect that point)....I just went out now and measured it out front of my house (too dark for a good pic):
front is another .3" lower (26.4")
back is another .15" lower (26.35")
gaps are reduced to
front: 1.3"
back: 1.15"
after about 700 miles now of hard driving this week that is probably close to as low as it will get....
front is another .3" lower (26.4")
back is another .15" lower (26.35")
gaps are reduced to
front: 1.3"
back: 1.15"
after about 700 miles now of hard driving this week that is probably close to as low as it will get....
09-09-2004, 06:17 PM
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Originally Posted by -ZIPPIN-
so with which part of this did sooner help you? just want to be ready for sooners posts!!
and if I really want to lift up the car, can use either the 10-ton boat forklift or the 30-ton travel lift...
this took me about 4 hours, including smokebreaks and dilly-dallying.....pretty quick and easy.....
09-09-2004, 06:36 PM
#10
Congrats! Until you get to install the SFC's, then your suspension modifications are not yet completed! 
The stage 1 SFC's will help smooth out the ride significantly. I have a feeling that you will want to get the cross bracings (stage 2 & 3) as soon you test out your new ride with the stage 1 SFC's on.
The stage 1 SFC's will help smooth out the ride significantly. I have a feeling that you will want to get the cross bracings (stage 2 & 3) as soon you test out your new ride with the stage 1 SFC's on.
09-09-2004, 06:40 PM
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Originally Posted by VMaximus02
Congrats! Until you get to install the SFC's, then your suspension modifications are not yet completed!
The stage 1 SFC's will help smooth out the ride significantly. I have a feeling that you will want to get the cross bracings (stage 2 & 3) as soon you test out your new ride with the stage 1 SFC's on.
The stage 1 SFC's will help smooth out the ride significantly. I have a feeling that you will want to get the cross bracings (stage 2 & 3) as soon you test out your new ride with the stage 1 SFC's on.
09-09-2004, 06:48 PM
#14
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Originally Posted by -ZIPPIN-
^^why are you dawging on your crib> thought it was on MTV cribbs, last month
my crib has requirements...finishing master bathroom remodeling....upcoming kitchen remodel....new deck next summer - home stuff is not cheap. Those three projects will cost about as much as a new maxima....all done on my gov't salary and my wife's (much lower) salary....
? j/k
09-09-2004, 09:38 PM
#16
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Join Date: Dec 2002
Posts: 2,763
Goodluck with the home stuff, but no Home Depot mods on your part means less new mods. I say just sell the wife and mod the car. j/k
Originally Posted by irish44j
shouldn't you be watching the Colts game right now? Now go away, or I shall taunt you a second time.
my crib has requirements...finishing master bathroom remodeling....upcoming kitchen remodel....new deck next summer - home stuff is not cheap. Those three projects will cost about as much as a new maxima....all done on my gov't salary and my wife's (much lower) salary....
my crib has requirements...finishing master bathroom remodeling....upcoming kitchen remodel....new deck next summer - home stuff is not cheap. Those three projects will cost about as much as a new maxima....all done on my gov't salary and my wife's (much lower) salary....
09-09-2004, 09:41 PM
#17
Originally Posted by Oxidizer2k
Goodluck with the home stuff, but no Home Depot mods on your part means less new mods. I say just sell the wife and mod the car. j/k
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