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**Getting Ksports, But need some Advice**

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Old Feb 5, 2007 | 09:46 PM
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**Getting Ksports, But need some Advice**

Im getting K Sports pretty soon, but I was wondering a few things. My Max is a daily driver, but I dont drive that far like 15-20 miles a day or so. But I like to go out on the Back roads on the weekends and hit the Smooth curves!

Anyways I was wondering what some functional suspensions mods that would work well with the Ksports. I have skimmed through the K sports thread and all I saw was a suggestion for a FSTB. I was wanting to know what would be worth the money and time. I have about 200 dollars to play with but I can save up more.

I have done some reasearch but I thought maybe this is more specific and maybe someone could help me out.

Thank You IN advance for the Info and help!
Old Feb 5, 2007 | 10:09 PM
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Ksports are awesome.

Get an FSTB, an RSB! They're awesome combos.
Old Feb 6, 2007 | 01:46 AM
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DON'T DO IT! K-Sports are crap.
Old Feb 6, 2007 | 06:04 AM
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I would not say that they are crap... But they are not the best. I would go with Boss Chen coilovers if you really want them.

Also, start replacing your bushings with Energy Suspension bushings.
Old Feb 6, 2007 | 05:03 PM
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Get either sub frame connectors or a lower tie bar. Best bang for the buck from where you stand.
Old Feb 6, 2007 | 06:55 PM
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why are ksports crap? Iam about to purchase a set myself. What does Boss Chen have over ksports and where can you buy them?
Old Feb 6, 2007 | 08:29 PM
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Ksports are not very good, its that simple. They are cheaply made, dont last long, and have many little issues. The dampers are junk, the springs are from who knows where, and probably put together by kids. D2 are the same crap. My favorite issue was the camber plates drilled incorrectly which made the camber adjustment go diagonal....... Wheres the quality control?

AFAIK BC uses Eibach springs and Daiyama dampers. At least they are name brands.
Old Feb 6, 2007 | 09:21 PM
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Originally Posted by JSutter
Ksports are not very good, its that simple. They are cheaply made, dont last long, and have many little issues. The dampers are junk, the springs are from who knows where, and probably put together by kids. D2 are the same crap. My favorite issue was the camber plates drilled incorrectly which made the camber adjustment go diagonal....... Wheres the quality control?

AFAIK BC uses Eibach springs and Daiyama dampers. At least they are name brands.



................
Old Feb 6, 2007 | 10:00 PM
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Thanks for your input MaxBoost, and JSutter, your posts were useful. I have done lots of research on the K Sports, and have found that there are a small percentage of people who do not like there product, but that comes with any thing thats mass produced. I feel that they are right for me and thats IT!

I was really just wondering, from the people who do Have K sports what are some suspension mods that would work well with Coilovers in general, and would also allow me to still have a daily driver. Thanks

David
Old Feb 6, 2007 | 10:28 PM
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Originally Posted by KickerMax02
Thanks for your input MaxBoost, and JSutter, your posts were useful. I have done lots of research on the K Sports, and have found that there are a small percentage of people who do not like there product, but that comes with any thing thats mass produced. I feel that they are right for me and thats IT!

I was really just wondering, from the people who do Have K sports what are some suspension mods that would work well with Coilovers in general, and would also allow me to still have a daily driver. Thanks

David
Kinda wondering similar things myself, like are the ksports a good choice on a daily driven max? Or better off with a lowered strut spring and shock setup? Wheres the best place to get the best deal on the ksports also?
Old Feb 6, 2007 | 11:53 PM
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you should really talk to larrio motors. He can get you a set of boss chen for a hundred or so dollars more for a better built quality coilover.
Old Feb 7, 2007 | 01:20 AM
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Originally Posted by A33 VQ30DEK
you should really talk to larrio motors. He can get you a set of boss chen for a hundred or so dollars more for a better built quality coilover.
especially since he's selling two sets in the classifieds right now...
Old Feb 8, 2007 | 09:29 AM
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BUMP anyone else have advice?

Thanks
Old Feb 8, 2007 | 10:41 AM
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Rear sway bar and start swappin out crappy OEM bushings for ES bushings...

Basically anything you can do to help the Max handle better is a worth while investment, just invest wisely.

The big part being the coilovers, Boss Chens are the best bang for the buck coilover we have.
Old Feb 8, 2007 | 11:16 AM
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Sorry to get a lil off topic but i was wondering if i only need the energy bushings for the front of a 95-99 maxima?? Reason i say that is because i'm on the energy suspension web site and it only lists specs for the front end control arm bushing and nothing for the rear. Help clarify this for me. Thanks
Old Feb 8, 2007 | 11:33 AM
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To the OP: Get every single Energy Suspension bushing available for your car. Then get chassis stiffening. Lots of it. Right now. Front strut tower brace, rear shock tower brace, subframe connectors, stage 2 lower tie bar... Anything and everything you can get your hands on.

Don't get a RSB for now. It'll give you a nice handling improvement, but you should get the chassis stiffening first.


------------------------------------------------------------------

A few thoughts on what's been said up until now:

- Initial impressions on the Boss Chens are fantastic, and they promise to be great products. In time, they may well crush everything else out there. But it's premature to talk about their quality right now because they're brand spankin' new and almost no one has them.

- JStutter is biased. Having made your own custom setup with Koni dampers, Eibach Race Springs, and Stillen camber plates will do that to you.

- Ksport coilovers do not suck. They're far from being God's gift to suspension, but they get the job done. They're not the kind of thing you can just install and forget -- no coilover kit is -- but their build quality is perfectly reasonable, if not better. Last I heard, their yearly damper failure rate was still less than 1% and their pillow ball mounts are damn near indestructible. No other kit has proven to be more reliable, and no other kit gives you that kind of build quality with as much performance for so little money.

- I drive daily on my Ksports in the greater Philadelphia area. The roads aren't bad for the most part, but they're not exactly perfect. On these roads, the Ksports are fine for me -- stiff as hell, but adequately damped. If I lived in New York or New Jersey, I probably wouldn't have gotten them.
Old Feb 8, 2007 | 11:42 AM
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Thanks for the info d00df00d, it really helps.

Good Idea about stiffening the chasis first.
Old Feb 9, 2007 | 11:49 PM
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Im thinkin i'll get the FSTB and LTB Stage 2 and some bushings.

But I was wondering, could someone give me some Ideas as to what would be a good setup for SubFrame Connectors. I think I found a couple of local shops that will do it, but I want the best design so I can sit down with them and figure it out. Maybe if some knew the geometry of the Subframe connectors that would be awesome!

Thanks guys
Old Feb 10, 2007 | 12:07 AM
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Originally Posted by KickerMax02
Im thinkin i'll get the FSTB and LTB Stage 2 and some bushings.

But I was wondering, could someone give me some Ideas as to what would be a good setup for SubFrame Connectors. I think I found a couple of local shops that will do it, but I want the best design so I can sit down with them and figure it out. Maybe if some knew the geometry of the Subframe connectors that would be awesome!

Thanks guys
Stick with the tried-and-true design: One bar running along each frame rail, and crossbracing between those two bars. Three points of crossbracing should be enough (two diagonal bars and one horizontal bar). Use bolts to fasten the crossbracing to the frame rail bars so that you can work on your exhaust if you have to, but weld the center section (where they all meet) together if you possibly can.
Old Feb 10, 2007 | 12:36 AM
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Something like this?

He used:
Main rails DOM tubing 1.5" in diameter with .120" wall thickness

And the cross-bracing DOM 3/4" x .120

Old Feb 10, 2007 | 04:12 AM
  #21  
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Hey, sciff5's car.

Yes, exactly like that. You don't have to use exactly the type of tubing he used (IIRC he would have used something with thicker walls if it were readily available), but that's the design.
Old Feb 10, 2007 | 12:12 PM
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Originally Posted by natty99
especially since he's selling two sets in the classifieds right now...

Where at i can't find his thread?
Old Feb 10, 2007 | 01:18 PM
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Ksports will need to be rebuilt regularly, as much as once a year..... that sucks. Why would you bother with something like that on your daily driver? I will stick with my setup, it cannot be beat.
Old Feb 10, 2007 | 01:40 PM
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Originally Posted by JSutter
Ksports will need to be rebuilt regularly, as much as once a year..... that sucks. Why would you bother with something like that on your daily driver? I will stick with my setup, it cannot be beat.

Im not really sure I asked your opinion on whether or not I should get Ksports! Im pretty sure Im a big boy and I can make my own decisions. If all your going to do is bash Ksports then stop posting, if you actually want to help with some answers to the questions then please do.

Thanks
Old Feb 10, 2007 | 03:49 PM
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Boss Chens or TEIN Basics are the best coilovers for 4th gens, unless you're seriously into handling at any cost (i.e. loss of ride comfort and $$$), in which case JICs might be advised.

Boss Chens do not come with Eibach coilover springs, they come with generic springs but you can replace them with Eibachs yourself if you really want. The struts are made by an Asian company with no English name, but they make OEM struts for many manufacturers so I think they're high quality. Everyone on the Org who has Boss Chens seems to love them, and I've personally ridden in a BC equipped 5th gen and was extremely impressed with the ride, which seemed as good as stock despite the low drop!

BTW I've already claimed one of the sale Boss Chens that Larrio is selling.
Old Feb 10, 2007 | 05:46 PM
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Originally Posted by KickerMax02
Im not really sure I asked your opinion on whether or not I should get Ksports! Im pretty sure Im a big boy and I can make my own decisions. If all your going to do is bash Ksports then stop posting, if you actually want to help with some answers to the questions then please do.

Thanks
Sorry I should have directed my post to d00df00d.

I didnt bring up anything about them being crap, triple8sol did, then I answered rays question. My original post told you what your next step is. I did help you.
Old Feb 10, 2007 | 09:47 PM
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my bad, I was a little frustrated, and it had been a lond morning, but its all good now. And I forgot about your first post, thanks for your time and advice.
Old Feb 11, 2007 | 06:31 AM
  #28  
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Originally Posted by SuperStasiu
Where at i can't find his thread?

Took me a while to find it originally as well.

http://forums.maxima.org/showthread.php?t=509887
Old Feb 11, 2007 | 11:18 AM
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Originally Posted by VQuick
Boss Chens or TEIN Basics are the best coilovers for 4th gens, unless you're seriously into handling at any cost (i.e. loss of ride comfort and $$$), in which case JICs might be advised.

Boss Chens do not come with Eibach coilover springs, they come with generic springs but you can replace them with Eibachs yourself if you really want. The struts are made by an Asian company with no English name, but they make OEM struts for many manufacturers so I think they're high quality. Everyone on the Org who has Boss Chens seems to love them, and I've personally ridden in a BC equipped 5th gen and was extremely impressed with the ride, which seemed as good as stock despite the low drop!

BTW I've already claimed one of the sale Boss Chens that Larrio is selling.

actually you are wrong. They do come with Eibach springs.
Old Feb 11, 2007 | 11:33 AM
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I've had ksports for a while now. My car is lighter than most people's, and honestly, they ride pretty bad. With 5 people in the car, they ride awesome, 10/10. Handling is great, but i have it set to the highest setting thats safe. Most people will probably slam them and have crappy steering responce.


I'm considering selling my ksports to get the BC coilovers.....dotn know if its gonna be worth it though, probably not because i'll have to put down another 300+ bucks after selling the ksports, and it probably won't be much of an improvement.


edit: pic in my avitar is just me messing around, thats not the highest setting haha
Old Feb 11, 2007 | 12:03 PM
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Originally Posted by A33 VQ30DEK
actually you are wrong. They do come with Eibach springs.
My understanding is if you request it Larrio will include Eibachs, or at least you can buy them on your own separately and replace the generic springs. Perhaps you got Eibachs by special request, or because you were one of the early buyers?

To quote Larrio:

Originally Posted by Larrio
just to clear up some points:

...

The eibach springs are a upgrade and purchased separately.
http://forums.maxima.org/showthread.php?t=461186
Old Feb 11, 2007 | 01:40 PM
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Originally Posted by 4x4Max
I've had ksports for a while now. My car is lighter than most people's, and honestly, they ride pretty bad. With 5 people in the car, they ride awesome, 10/10. Handling is great, but i have it set to the highest setting thats safe.
You know that's only because the spring rates and damper valving are matched (albeit approximately) to the stock car, which weighs more.

I know you know it because I was in the thread when you discussed it the first time.
Old Feb 11, 2007 | 03:22 PM
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Originally Posted by d00df00d
You know that's only because the spring rates and damper valving are matched (albeit approximately) to the stock car, which weighs more.

I know you know it because I was in the thread when you discussed it the first time.
Oh yeah i know, thats why i said my car is lighter than most people's. I'm just afraid of getting soft springs and messign up the shocks due to them not being valved for it.
Old Feb 11, 2007 | 05:15 PM
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You've removed the AC, and the 00VI is probably lighter than the USIM, but what else have you done that makes your car so light? Those two mods are probably less than 100lbs difference from a stock 5-speed. Just curious.
Old Feb 11, 2007 | 05:29 PM
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Mostly that i have a completely empty gxe without ANY options whatsoever, not even a key fob box in trunk. No spare/jack, removed random metal plates in trunk, exhaust parts much lighter than stock, suspension lighter than stock, removed some random brackets/box when doing clutch line, thats all i can think of, but im sure there's other stuff...it doesnt seem like much but small stuff adds up. I'm sure when considering the reductions and that i'm a barebone gxe, i'm quite a bit lighter than a stock maxima.
Old Feb 11, 2007 | 06:27 PM
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Nice. You should get it weighed at a truck stop or somewhere. Cost me $8 here. My 99 SE with no weight reduction besides my mods came in at 3140lbs. I bet yours is under 3,000.
Old Feb 11, 2007 | 06:37 PM
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Originally Posted by VQuick
Nice. You should get it weighed at a truck stop or somewhere. Cost me $8 here. My 99 SE with no weight reduction besides my mods came in at 3140lbs. I bet yours is under 3,000.
Yeah i've been wanting to get it weighed, i would be very surprised if i'm over 3000. I'll try to find somewhere to weight my car next weekend.
Old Feb 11, 2007 | 10:45 PM
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You won't mess your dampers up if you get springs that are within 2 kg/mm of what you have, especially if your car is lighter.
Old Feb 12, 2007 | 12:22 PM
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You think springs 2kg softer all around would make a big difference in ride quality?
Old Feb 12, 2007 | 01:52 PM
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Originally Posted by 4x4Max
You think springs 2kg softer all around would make a big difference in ride quality?
HELL yes. 7/4 vs. 9/6 would be big.

There's more to it than that, though. Let's take this to the Ksport thread so that we don't ***** this one up. Post there, and if I haven't responded by 8pm tonight, PM me.
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