So, I am speccing out some improvements to my 01 SE20A. The rear shocks are going fast, and this brings with it the opportunity to seriously improve the way the car drives.

So - Tokico Illuminas, up front at least. Looking at the pricing I won't save much by going with GR2's in the back. The front could use some tightening up in terms of damping, but the original rears were great while they lasted - compliant but not mushy.

Now come the springs, and here I basically want the same or slight improvement to the stock ride (firm, not harsh), but take a half inch off the front and rear to center the wheels in the wheel well. So either Eibach Pro Kits (1.3"F, 1.0R) or H&R 53060's, 1.4F, 1.3R. I checked housecor's site, it gives the edge to the H&R's, and some other FAQ on the internet gives it to the Eibachs.

So what say you?

 

For purely comfort with a bit of a drop, H&R. To tip the scale slightly towards better handling, Eibach, but from what you're saying, you won't really go wrong with either for what you want to do. Both are good quality springs and should ride just fine.

 

Similar drops man. The Eibachs are a bit stiffer than the H&Rs. However they also sit more level as well. As long as you pair either with a decent set of struts which you will, you'll be happy.

 

If your area have plenty of smooth roads and not pot hole ridden like major cities, then go Eibach will be fine. If you are in a major city the Eibachs will quickly turn from stiff to harsh.

 

I recommend H&R's, just got them installed a few weeks ago and am loving them..they are on stock struts so the ride is nice...here is a pic for ride height...

plus: A friend of mine (zero2sixtyZ on the org) had Eibachs and one of them snapped and had problems with their customer service, I would ask him directly too...

 

Thanks for the feedback, and MM, your Max looks real nice. H&R's brought you down to what, 4.24" of ground clearance from 5.5"?

 

Thanks, somewhere around there I think...have not measured recently...perfect setup for me right now, until I get Tein SS...

 

There are so many threads about H&R or Eibach that if you spent 15 mintutes reading on here you'd have all your Q's answered. It's almost as bad as asking what Y-pipe should you get.

 

How helpful of you:

http://www.google.com/search?source=...&aq=f&oq=&aqi=

 

^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
search the org not google

 

You realize that a) since everyone puts their mods in their sigs around here, EVERY thread is a hit, right? and that b) when people use the .org search, smart-alecks like you say to use google? Not you, ever, but the posters who generally post the informative "try search first" posts since they have nothing to contribute.

 

http://forums.maxima.org/5th-generat...ng-thread.html post #6

http://forums.maxima.org/5th-generat...rs-fronts.html post #18 but the whole thing is good.

http://forums.maxima.org/5th-generat...rings-out.html whole thread

http://www.shiftice.com/spring_strut_decision.html this ones been around a while


I'm more smart than a$$

 

And failed to read - I mentioned shift ice too, since, well, hoursecor runs it..

Anyhow, time to quit being in the special olympics with you.

 

I have H&R springs with Tokico Blues and have not been happy with the ride. The drop is uneven, slightly lower in the rear, and all potholes (New Jersey) causing really rough ride. Plus, my wife is starting to complain...

I'm thinking of making a change back to OEM (in springs/struts, not wife) to get a softer ride back. My question is this: If I were only changing one, struts or springs, which would provide a better ride? I'm trying to figure out if the struts are hurting the ride quality more/less/equal to springs.

I thought I picked the best ride quality options in the Blues / H&R combo. Is it possible something else is wrong?

Thanks.

 

Don't get mad at me, your the one beating a dead horse with a "which spring should I get?" question. To avoid this in the future don't ask a dumb question.

 

You did cut the bump stops enough right?? H&Rs are the comfiest springs next to stock from what I gather.

 

The blues are really a bit soft to use on sport springs. They ride excellent on the stock setup, but tend to show their weakness on sport springs. The Illuminas will dampen a bit better, especially on the rebound which is where the blues are lacking. Even with that in mind, a sport spring isn't going to ride as nice as the stock setup.

I once did a spring setup in a 5th gen that had an amazing ride quality. He put H&R's in the front and left the stock springs in the rear. He coupled them with KYB GR2's all around. I was very suprised at the excellent ride quality, and the stance looked great too, with just a nice rack twards the front.

That's something you may want to keep in mind and would be easy for you to try, being you alreay have all the components. If you need any help installing them, please shoot me a PM as I'm also in NNJ.

 

How much would that actually hurt the ride quality?

 

I didn't do the install myself, not enough skill and not enough time. Something just doesn't seem right and I'm guessing it's the springs/drop that's hurting me the most. From trolling around I notice nearly all comments consider the blues to be a true stock replacement but H&R commentary have more people debating how much they will actually end up decreasing ride quality.

njmaxseltd - you said H&Rs up front, stock rear, but I'm getting most of my hard hits over bumps from the front, not the rear. Makes me worried about keeping the H&Rs up front. Any reason to think something else is wrong?

 

Quite a bit. You loose around 1.3" of wheel travel with the lowering springs. Plus the car didn't come with much suspension travel to begin with, I think that is part of the reason for the OEM front end height. You have to take off .75-1" off the bump stop or you'll be bouncing off them all the time on the larger bumps.

 

Stock springs are coming back. I'll get ready to be sore after visiting the dealer.

 

You're having the dealer do your suspension?? Im sure there is a local who is willing to do it for you for a lot less man.

 

for the best balance of good handling and good ride...H&R

 

Sorry, getting the parts from the dealer. Local mechanic of mine will put them on.

 

I have H&R with KYB GR2, very soft ride close to stock but the only thing I don't like about H&R that back sits lower then the front

 

illumina set to 3/4 & eibach

if you not getting illuminas stick with the H&R's on stock or anything else..

also the front sets lower on auto so some pics can be deciving.

 

I have H&R springs on my max for about 6 month now. I do not regret any bit of it. Friend of mine had eibach on his 4th gen and loved them also. Atleast from what I've ever read H&R seems the way to go.

 

[quote=MaximusMorpheus;7390653]I recommend H&R's, just got them installed a few weeks ago and am loving them..they are on stock struts so the ride is nice...here is a pic for ride height...

plus: A friend of mine (zero2sixtyZ on the org) had Eibachs and one of them snapped and had problems with their customer service, I would ask him directly too...


How are the lowering springs on stock struts holding up?

 

They are still holding up and am happy with the stance and ride..

 

Nah for that Coilovers.....

 

^Thread is Eibach/HR

Coilovers + winter time = FTL

I've got HR's now, the ride's no diff than stock SE IMO, but the height in the front is starting to get to me.

 

Well then I say Eibachs, had them on two previous Maximas, the H&R for a replacement spring but to lower I say Eibach and great handling...I seen pics of a friends on H&R vs stock I was like Wtf is the difference seemed the same....

 

Thats good! Is the back lower then the front? It's what I've heard peoples only complaints about H&R springs is.