How to improve handling?
10-03-2004, 04:22 PM
#1
Senior Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Dec 2003
Posts: 631
How to improve handling?
I just drove my friend's new 2004 Saab 9-3 Aero. Holly $**** - it is pretty nice. Maxima still smokes it, but handling wise -- that's the other story.
So this brings up the question - what do you guys do to improve our boat-link handling? So far I only have Front Strut bar. What can I do next to get a better feel in corners, less dive..?
Thanks!
So this brings up the question - what do you guys do to improve our boat-link handling? So far I only have Front Strut bar. What can I do next to get a better feel in corners, less dive..?
Thanks!
10-03-2004, 04:27 PM
#2
the most noticeable is a rear swaybar. for a full effect drop it with your choice of springs get better shocks or struts. I got rear strut bar also and my car drives like its on rails. 
10-03-2004, 07:45 PM
#5
How to improve your handling:
Buy an AERO!!!
HA!
Seriously -- my Dad had one of these when i was in high-school....I've never driven a better handling car. Not that they don't exist -- I've just never driven one!
And the BRAKES...!!! Damn.....
Seriously -- do what everyone else said. Or get a different car.
gr
HA!
Seriously -- my Dad had one of these when i was in high-school....I've never driven a better handling car. Not that they don't exist -- I've just never driven one!
And the BRAKES...!!! Damn.....
Seriously -- do what everyone else said. Or get a different car.
gr
10-03-2004, 08:12 PM
#7
ignotum per ignotius
Join Date: Nov 2002
Posts: 165
My personal suggestion is:
#1: Good Performance Tires (check reviews on tirerack.com)
#2: Addco or Progress Rear Sway-Bar
#3: Front Strut Tower Brace (Something inexpensive, like Otto)
#4: Springs and Shocks (H&R w/Tokico Illuminas)
#5: Blehmco Lower Front Tie Bar
This would leave you with a Maxima with good handling with a more connected and controlled feel, but would retain most of the smooth ride quality and ground clearance. And as a bonus, excessive wheel well gap will be reduced.
If you are willing to sacrifice some ride quality for even better handling, go with eibachs, or coilovers.
#1: Good Performance Tires (check reviews on tirerack.com)
#2: Addco or Progress Rear Sway-Bar
#3: Front Strut Tower Brace (Something inexpensive, like Otto)
#4: Springs and Shocks (H&R w/Tokico Illuminas)
#5: Blehmco Lower Front Tie Bar
This would leave you with a Maxima with good handling with a more connected and controlled feel, but would retain most of the smooth ride quality and ground clearance. And as a bonus, excessive wheel well gap will be reduced.
If you are willing to sacrifice some ride quality for even better handling, go with eibachs, or coilovers.
10-03-2004, 08:24 PM
#8
Senior Member
Join Date: Jan 2004
Location: West Henrietta, NY
Posts: 831
Trust me when I say Don't waste your money on any Strut tower braces and Rear sway bars. Go straight for better springs and struts. This car will not "ride on rails" short of spending THOUSANDS of dollars. I have owned cars with stock suspension that corner better than a maxima that has upgraded struts, springs, fstb, rsb, and subframe connectors. I purchased a front strut brace and rear sway bar and it was a waste of money. I am now looking into springs/struts.
If you want CONSIDERABLY better handling there is nothing that can be done beside replacing the springs/struts. I have both bars and the body roll is still unreal. With my 99 cougar I could go around turns at twice the speed I could with my maxima. You may think you will save money (like I did) by doing the cheap upgrades but in the end if you want MUCH BETTER handling you will end up buying new springs/struts anyways so just do it now.
Mark
If you want CONSIDERABLY better handling there is nothing that can be done beside replacing the springs/struts. I have both bars and the body roll is still unreal. With my 99 cougar I could go around turns at twice the speed I could with my maxima. You may think you will save money (like I did) by doing the cheap upgrades but in the end if you want MUCH BETTER handling you will end up buying new springs/struts anyways so just do it now.
Mark
10-03-2004, 09:06 PM
#10
Originally Posted by Triple8Sol
FSTB. RSB. springs, shocks/struts, wider wheels with good rubber. No, not Hankook...I said good rubber 
10-03-2004, 09:20 PM
#12
Senior Member
Join Date: Jul 2002
Posts: 686
Originally Posted by mdloops
Trust me when I say Don't waste your money on any Strut tower braces and Rear sway bars. Go straight for better springs and struts. This car will not "ride on rails" short of spending THOUSANDS of dollars. I have owned cars with stock suspension that corner better than a maxima that has upgraded struts, springs, fstb, rsb, and subframe connectors. I purchased a front strut brace and rear sway bar and it was a waste of money. I am now looking into springs/struts.
If you want CONSIDERABLY better handling there is nothing that can be done beside replacing the springs/struts. I have both bars and the body roll is still unreal. With my 99 cougar I could go around turns at twice the speed I could with my maxima. You may think you will save money (like I did) by doing the cheap upgrades but in the end if you want MUCH BETTER handling you will end up buying new springs/struts anyways so just do it now.
Mark
If you want CONSIDERABLY better handling there is nothing that can be done beside replacing the springs/struts. I have both bars and the body roll is still unreal. With my 99 cougar I could go around turns at twice the speed I could with my maxima. You may think you will save money (like I did) by doing the cheap upgrades but in the end if you want MUCH BETTER handling you will end up buying new springs/struts anyways so just do it now.
Mark
10-03-2004, 09:53 PM
#14
Originally Posted by BEJAY1
What's wrong with Hankook? Their Z211 is excellent and their forthcoming Z212 is anxiously awaited.
10-04-2004, 08:02 AM
#16
what about just illumina shocks with stock springs. i would think it would help some because the stock shocks are so poorly dampened. i wanna give this a try before going to lowering springs....
10-04-2004, 09:11 AM
#17
VMaximus02-- I am really interested in your impressions of the SFCs. How do SFCs change the handling and dynamics of the vehicle? I understand you have all 3 stages installed? What were your personal impressions?
10-04-2004, 09:37 AM
#18
ignotum per ignotius
Join Date: Nov 2002
Posts: 165
Originally Posted by boondoxmax
what about just illumina shocks with stock springs. i would think it would help some because the stock shocks are so poorly dampened. i wanna give this a try before going to lowering springs....
10-04-2004, 09:54 AM
#19
ignotum per ignotius
Join Date: Nov 2002
Posts: 165
Originally Posted by mdloops
I have both bars and the body roll is still unreal. With my 99 cougar I could go around turns at twice the speed I could with my maxima. You may think you will save money (like I did) by doing the cheap upgrades but in the end if you want MUCH BETTER handling you will end up buying new springs/struts anyways so just do it now.
Mark
Mark
10-04-2004, 10:14 AM
#21
Here are a few links regarding the SFC's:
http://forums.maxima.org/showthread.php?t=286295
http://forums.maxima.org/showthread.php?t=255346
http://forums.maxima.org/showthread.php?t=244439
http://forums.maxima.org/showthread.php?t=175684
The last one was my original post about the SFC's.
http://forums.maxima.org/showthread.php?t=286295
http://forums.maxima.org/showthread.php?t=255346
http://forums.maxima.org/showthread.php?t=244439
http://forums.maxima.org/showthread.php?t=175684
The last one was my original post about the SFC's.
10-04-2004, 10:27 AM
#22
ahh yes, gotcha. Great links to have handy. I'm still chasing down a damn shimmy in my car's steering, which I am not sure of yet, but that's where my $$ is going until I fix it... after which I plan on doing stage 1 SFCs.
10-04-2004, 12:32 PM
#23
Senior Member
Join Date: Jan 2004
Posts: 124
Ever since I sold my '99.5 A4 for my Maxima, I've been trying to find a way to improve the handling of the Max. Comparitively, the Maxima handles like a couch.
Of course, the Audi had Quattro and was sitting on an Eibach Pro-Kit, so the thing handled like a dream. It puts my Max to shame.
So this weekend I'm putting Progress springs along with Tokico Illuminas on my Maxima, I'm hoping that that will improve things dramatically. I'll probably go ahead and add an RSB to that combo as I've heard the effect on the floaty rear end is incredible.
Will let you know!
Of course, the Audi had Quattro and was sitting on an Eibach Pro-Kit, so the thing handled like a dream. It puts my Max to shame.
So this weekend I'm putting Progress springs along with Tokico Illuminas on my Maxima, I'm hoping that that will improve things dramatically. I'll probably go ahead and add an RSB to that combo as I've heard the effect on the floaty rear end is incredible.
Will let you know!
10-04-2004, 12:39 PM
#24
Check VMaximus02's posts out... the solid "european" feel you're looking for is better attained using Subframe Connectors. But I must commend the choice of struts; I love my Illuminas 
10-04-2004, 01:05 PM
#25
Originally Posted by mdloops
Trust me when I say Don't waste your money on any Strut tower braces and Rear sway bars. Go straight for better springs and struts. This car will not "ride on rails" short of spending THOUSANDS of dollars. I have owned cars with stock suspension that corner better than a maxima that has upgraded struts, springs, fstb, rsb, and subframe connectors. I purchased a front strut brace and rear sway bar and it was a waste of money. I am now looking into springs/struts.
Originally Posted by mdloops
If you want CONSIDERABLY better handling there is nothing that can be done beside replacing the springs/struts.
Originally Posted by mdloops
With my 99 cougar I could go around turns at twice the speed I could with my maxima.
Mark
Mark
2000 Maxima lateral roadholding index: .85 G'S
1999 Cougar lateral roadholding index: .81 G's
This is the second thread recently where you talk about your 99 cougar being so much better than the maxima. If the F-in Cougar is so awesome, why don't you sell the maxima and get a Cougar?
I'll take a maxima over anything that says "Mercury" on it...
10-04-2004, 01:29 PM
#27
My stock suspension handles curves fine as is with stock springs and Tokico Illumina struts... I've taken some curves on public roads at fairly high speeds without worry, besides the lump in my stomach telling me not to do it 
Right now I'm looking to smooth it out a little, which SFCs should play a huge part. That and going back to stock profile (225/50-17 instead of 235/45-17 like I have now) to soften up some bumps 
Right now I'm looking to smooth it out a little, which SFCs should play a huge part. That and going back to stock profile (225/50-17 instead of 235/45-17 like I have now) to soften up some bumps
10-04-2004, 03:23 PM
#28
This is the second thread recently where you talk about your 99 cougar being so much better than the maxima. If the F-in Cougar is so awesome, why don't you sell the maxima and get a Cougar?
I'll take a maxima over anything that says "Mercury" on it...
I'll take a maxima over anything that says "Mercury" on it...
AMEN to that
10-04-2004, 03:54 PM
#29
Originally Posted by maximo-SE
AMEN to that
As we can see from the numbers above, the maxima OWNS the cougar in skidpad. It also OWNS the cougar in accelleration, speed, style, amenities, looks, number of doors
and the list goes on. The Maxima is far from perfect, but don't ever insult the maxima by saying a Mercury is in any way better than the Max....laughable. 
10-04-2004, 08:16 PM
#32
Senior Member
Join Date: Nov 2001
Posts: 963
Originally Posted by boondoxmax
what about just illumina shocks with stock springs. i would think it would help some because the stock shocks are so poorly dampened. i wanna give this a try before going to lowering springs....
10-04-2004, 08:16 PM
#33
Originally Posted by Puppetmaster
Irish... no one coulda put it better... mdloops, why'd ya even get a Maxima with all your negativity anyway? Ya did test drive it right?
Originally Posted by boondoxmax
what about just illumina shocks with stock springs. i would think it would help some because the stock shocks are so poorly dampened. i wanna give this a try before going to lowering springs....
10-04-2004, 10:54 PM
#35
my friend's rx8 will own me any day of the week. haha.. i have no problems with that.
oh yeah... i didnt know you can have stock springs with tokicko illuminas?? Does anyone know how the ride actually feels. Is it more soft or stiff? I thought the illuminas gave a softer ride?
haha.. i have no problems with that. oh yeah... i didnt know you can have stock springs with tokicko illuminas?? Does anyone know how the ride actually feels. Is it more soft or stiff? I thought the illuminas gave a softer ride?
10-04-2004, 11:23 PM
#36
Supporting Maxima.org Member
iTrader: (3)
Join Date: Apr 2003
Location: the OC & Silicon Valley
Posts: 2,586
and my rsb is STILL in the garage collecting dust...sigh
and i thought i lost my strut bar the other day but it's still there too just sitting behind a buncha junk...............sigh haha
and i thought i lost my strut bar the other day but it's still there too just sitting behind a buncha junk...............sigh haha
10-05-2004, 05:32 PM
#37
dude...how can you pay $$ for stuff and just let it sit there? The FSTB takes like 2 minutes to install, and the RSB like 1/2 an hour.....Man, as soon as my stuff comes in, I put it on that freakin day!
10-05-2004, 07:57 PM
#38
Originally Posted by Mike T
I think the real problem is the underdamped, and uncontrolled feel of the stock suspension. It pitches around, and reacts strangly to weight transfer. It will hold onto a turn at good speed, it just doesn't inspire much confidence while doing so. But I do agree, the biggest improvement would come from springs and shocks.
10-05-2004, 08:07 PM
#39
Originally Posted by BEJAY1
Without changing bars, braces, or even springs, the difference of a $300-$400 valving job alone is incredible. Too bad more maxes haven't explored the idea.
