Ok. Before I get flammed, let me explain myself. I'm very new to Nissans or suspension upgrades. Bought my 02 Max in July and I've hardly modded anything on it. I want to start with the suspension because the Max is very bumpy (atleast according to my preference). I want my first modification to be the shocks/springs to help my problem but I also want to add a drop to it. I've read mostly all articles on MaximaMods concerning ride and handling. I know I should know the importance of "ride comfort", "handling", and "drop", but only two can be achieved. I can't really tell where "bouncy" feel drops into which category. I'm guessing "ride comfort"? Can this be achieved while obtaining a drop? I want to add the fact that I only want a moderate drop, not a very low sporty drop. It seems (according to this site) that many people prefer Illuminas with H&R springs. Is that the best possible solution right now? Or should I opt of a coilover system? Honestly I don't know much about coilovers. My budget is $700. Labor will be done by my friend who is very experienced. Any kind of help from you guys will be very much appreciated. Thank you guys.

 

$700 isn't bad. More would be great (just in case), but we can probably work with that.

First, you have to know what you don't like about how your Maxima rides. When you hit a bump, do you get too hard of a jolt? Does it bounce up and down a lot after each bump?

If it's hitting too hard, your suspension is too stiff. If it's wallowing and bouncing and throwing you around, your dampers aren't working for you. If it's both, we have a lot of work to do.

Answer that, and tell us what springs and dampers you have now, and we can go from there.

 

IMO, this thread should be in the 5th Gen forum because its not really about "Advanced" Handling, but whatever...

See the info on this site:

http://www.innerbean.com/housecor/sp..._decision.html

And the 5th Gen specific links in the stickies here and the 5th Gen forums should have good info too.

As already stated, check to see that your struts aren't blown. If they aren't, and you really think the ride is too harsh, I'm not sure how much any lowering spring will improve the ride. H&Rs with the right struts should be a comfortable ride, but I'm not sure how that will improve things over stock. My advice would be to find some local guys in the North East forums and ride around in their cars to see if you like any of those set-ups and take it from there.

 

As I'm riding and hit a bump or a hole, it feels like I'm being thrown around..almost if as the strust are shot. Or it could just be my taste in ride comfortt. I like the luxury feel where even a bump feels comfortable. Right now, it has the stock suspension so that is where I want to start progressing. Then spacers, sway bars, etc.

I will post the topic in the 5th gen. forums so see what kind of response I get. It feems like the struts are going but not completely blown. I just want a all around better ride but with a less "thrown around" feel.