Folks,

It has been a really long time since I have posted. I have owned my 03 SE for like 13.5 years now. The car has been absolutely great! Regular maintenance, and occasional small repairs and it has treated me well. I am starting to think about freshening up the suspension so I am thinking about the struts. I have the Tokico illumina ones and Eibach springs. The struts are not leaking but I wouldn't want them to get to that. They have been on the car for like 100k miles.
It appears Tokico no longer exists. I see a bunch of OE type struts, but I have no idea what will work with being lowered. Since I only trust a few brands I see that there are KYB Excel G, and Bilstein B4 struts out there. Anyone have experience with either?

Appreciate all the input I can get!

 

I'm running the KYB's with Tein S tech springs ( 2.2" front 1.6" rear ) and they work great.

where did you find a set of Bilsteins?

 

I vote for KYBs.

 

I was looking online. Can't remember which site now. Rock auto only had rears I think.

 

Yeah, I have Bilstein rears as well.

Question: I am thinking about removing the VIAS and getting a pedal commander. Do those two things work?

Do the later generation VQ35 intake plenums fit on 1st gens?

Thanks

 

I did the VIAS plate mod many years ago and advanced the timing 2* with an android app at that time. I felt no loss in lower RPMs due to the timing and it helped with the upper RPMs. The car is a joy to drive (and pass slower traffic) on the highway.

Back in the day, the Car Guage Pro app on android and a bluetooth ODB adapter allowed you to advance the timing a bit. I'm sure you can find some instructions here if you search. I don't know if the app still has the capability.

 

Thanks

 

I have done the same. And current fancier obd scanners can also advance the timing. I have a Launch scanner which supports some of the Consult functions.

 

the newer plenum and lower intake manifold can't be run on the 1st gen DE. the newer engine has bigger intake ports and valves, even uses the new smaller spark plugs. best bet is to get all the NWP stuff and ECU reflash. don't waste your money on a pedal commander.

exhaust port size hasn't changed at all since the VQ first came out. I'm actually running 4th gen FED spec exhaust manifolds (that flow better than 3.5 exhaust manifolds) with Warpspeed Y pipe. I actually picked up a set of 4th gen short tube headers to run with mt Warpspeed Y.

 

Thanks. You pretty much have the same set up I have. Although I have the Megan catback with Vibrant muffler for a quieter exhaust. I was even thinking about getting Ebay headers but wasn't sure if they would fit with Warpspeed downpipe. When I left the Megan 2.5" in, it ran like a raped ape, but it was too loud. What I have now is perfect, and very little performance loss.

 

I went all the way to 3" exhaust but I'm running a cherry bomb as a resonator and a Dynomax super turbo and it's still a little loud and I don't like the sound too much..

 

15 years later:
I say Koni's are the best replacement and 2-3 steps above the Illumina's! The illumina's were to weak/delicate and subject to fail. The Yellow Koni's are the real deal. You will need to cut your strut and follow the instructions. It's worth it and works! I've on the same set for more then 10 years. The ride is solid and adjustable to your liking!

 

You're wasting your money the Dynomax Super Turbo mufflers are crap! They are guaranteed to rust from the inside out!
Here's a quality complete Cattman Headers and 3" exhaust system:
My suggestion is invest into Magnaflow products they're the real deal my first truck the mufflers lasted over 20 yrs and they were still working great when I sold it!

 

Nice ! yea I never got to try them, rode on two sets of illuminas over the years but always was super curious.

 

what muffler and resonator are you running?

do you have cats?

 

Koni's are great. I don't think yellows exist anymore. STR.T were out for a bit, I only see 4th gen rear now.

As I see it, the only full set worth buying is KYB. Sachs maybe.

 

I'm running the entire Cattman Headers and 3" Cattman Catback Exhaust System with a Hybrid Magnaflow 6" round x 18" long resonator and Yes I'm running a catalytic converter....

 

Yes they do I saw some online front and rears! But there hard to find (Shox.com)

 

I am skeptical. Their breakdown between Maxima and I30/I35 is different. They claim to have a load of products for the Infiniti but not the Max. Contact them and confirm what's actually in their warehouse.