Planning to do the FSTB, RSB, and RSTB as a whole package.

 

Get the FSTB, RSB and Save the cash from the RSTB and use it towards the Eibachs.. you'd be around half way there!

 

This is really a question of which will HANDLE better, I mean what you have listed is not going to increase performace at all, if anything it will HANDLE differently.

But as far as an answer goes on HANDLING, doing the FSTB, RSB, RSTB, would do the best job.

 

Performance doesn't mean just going fast... these mods will all affect the handling performance of the car...

 

Okay my bad, well he did not really mention handling performace. Most people assume performace as engine/tranny performance. But I gotcha now.

Dixit

 

Save your money and go to a good performance driving school, like Roos, Barber or Bondurant. That will speed up every car you ever own, and the accidents you avoid will pay for the school several times over!

P.S. - the RSTB is a waste of money on this particular car and gets in the way of using the trunk.

Dave

 

Come on guys, are RSTB really not that great? I mean, they did alot for the Integra Type-R and Civic Type-R........


So are you guys saying that RSTB is a waste of money? I just found it was a good deal so..

 

Everyone here has said that the RSTB really isn't worth it unless you're auto-xing. You'll see much more if you go FSTB, RSB, Eibach than if you go FSTB, RSB, RSTB.

 

Yeah thats what i would do
I am in the process, my stuff is on order already... i would skip the RSTB and go for the other stuff...

 

Since the Maxima has a solid-rear beam axle already, an RSTB does very little for it. The integras and civics have IRS, so their setup benefits from connecting up the rear strut towers with an RSTB.

 

The Integra and Honda both have real rear suspension, their strut towers are part of the suspension locating system. Also, they are both hatchbacks. The Max rear strut towers only handle vertical loads. Behind the back seat is a bulkhead, not found in hatches, which serves as a stiffening member - much more than any rear strut brace, and it's built in.


Dave

 

Thank you for the consensus negative opinion of the RSTB and explanation of why. I have been considering the RSTB but not wanting the intrusion in the trunk space so now I've made that decision.

My next consideration is springs and shocks. I want a comfortable ride and I don't want to lower my car much (I'm a hardcore skier who experiences deep snow at least once anually). Additionally, I don't want to change the suspension geometry in a way the might compromise tirewear. On the other hand I want a stiffer suspension that handles better and is not upset by bumps as much as the current Maxima suspensions are.

I have been told that the Eibachs lower the car by 2" and they make the ride too stiff for comfort. So, what other suggestions would the more experienced of you make in regards to springs that will not lower the Maxima as much and will keep some comfort while still improving handling and giving a sportier ride.

I have the same question around shocks/struts. I hear that Tokikos are not much better than the stock units. I have no first hand feedback about the Konis but I have heard that they have a short lifespan and they tend to make the ride harsher. Also, the information I have about Koni's is related to 4th Gen Maxes. Is Tokiko the only shock maker that makes performance struts for the 5th Gen Max?

I guess the bottom line I'm asking for is that I've got a 2001 20th Anniversary Max. I will be installing a Stillen RSB and Stillen FSTB and I want to do a moderate upgrade to the springs and/or struts in my car. What do you recommend?

Does anybody recommend urethane bushings in a 5th Gen Max?

 

Anything that increases handling spring wise is going to make the ride more harsh. Eibachs only drop about 1.25" I think they have the smallest drop of all the spring offerings for the max. H&R are supposed to be good and a little softer than eibachs. Wustylez (sp?) has them and says the ride is better than stock.

As far as shocks go, Konis and Tokico are it (that I know of). I've heard more concern over Tokico durability than Koni. Tokicos are also said to not be as strong as Konis. Tokicos are direct replacement and Konis ya gotta some how work into your stock struts (ask Y2kevse and maybe he'll be nice enough to share).

Summary... for you it sounds like H&R and Tokico may be the way to go.. Koni's if you want a little more durability. If the Stock ride is that harsh to you.. maybe you should just leave it be.

 

although, have you thought about stickers? i don't think people realize the overall performance gains stickers have to power and suspension... you may start off w/ the maxima.org sticker and work your way up

kafene.

 

I wish I could figure out how to quote a previous post to a thread here.

Thank you, punkdork, for the reply. The information you provide is very helpful. For clarification the stock ride is way too soft for me, but I don't want a race-ready ride either. I am coming from a Mitsu 300GT VR-4 into a Max so I'm real interested in sportscar-like handling quality. However, some of my frequest passengers have bad backs or are not sportscar people. Few of my friends like a harsh ride. I also make long drives frequently (solo and with company) so I'm a bit leary of stiffening the ride too much.

Given this fedback and other information I have gathered from the gurus on Maxima.org I am leaning to the H&Rs if I feel I need something after I install the FSTB and RSB. I believe I would really like the Koni's but I'm not much of a mechanic and don't have the ultimate set of tools. Further a friend told me that he would have left his stock struts in his 4th Gen instead of installing his Tokikos, but I might just put the Tokikos in if I'm going to have the H&R springs installed. On the other hand, Stillen doesn't state that they replaced the stock dampers in their special project 5th Gen Max, so why should I?

Since my previous post on this thread I've been reading more about the topic on this 5th Gen forum. Through this I've found out about the Cattman coilovers which have some sort of sex appeal to me. It appears they are adjustable in both height and dampening. Both of those features are appealing to me. Does anybody have anything to say about the Cattman coilovers?

Thank you all for any information you provide. I have been leary about posting on this sticky topic. I am looking for experienced opinions specific to the way I would like to customize my Maxima in addition to product information I may have overlooked or not come across.

 

ummmm. I highly recommend Koni Sport shocks with stock springs. This way, you can lower your car with the lower spring seat perch offered by Koni shocks while maintaing the spring rate of stock. That basically means that if you use Koni, you can lower your car with shock springs. You will also benefit from the performance of the Koni sport shocks.