I know I've mentioned it a few times before, and now with the help of 2J-Racing, it finally happened. I replaced my Scott-Russell with a Panhard Bar. As far as street driving goes, it's awesome. It's totally a different car. I haven't been able to hit the AutoX as this car isn't quite ready for that yet, but once I make it out to an event, I'll definitely post my thoughts. Here's a link to the thread with pics.

Panhard-Rod install on 4th gen

 

Do you have any data on how much this helped any of your Auto-X times?

I am very interested in that it seems folks like the "feel" better but hard data is hard data.

 

Updates please?

 

click link in original post. haven't autoxed yet, but i'm gonna be trying to make it out to an event soon.

 

I have been following that. Was just hopeful that you may have some #'s.

 

i wouldn't judge this product based off of my number since my driving skills probably isn't the same as yours or anyone else here. the numbers i'd be looking at are the ones engineered into the car. it's a known fact the rear rollcenter is high and if you lower your car the front rollcenter will be way lower. the fundamentals of suspension building tells us that a bad thing. this mod corrects the problem to a degree if your lowered and completely if your not lowered. if you really want number, ask smokinjoe. he's run the same road courses in the same car with the scott russell, a watts-linkage, and a panhard bar. both the watts and panhard showed better track times but the panhard won in the end. the panhard lowered the rear rollcenter the most. if his number's aren't enough to convince you, mine won't be either. here's his youtube channel.

http://www.youtube.com/user/72Smokinjoe

 

What I was hopeful of was knowing what you ran prior vs what you run now.

If you are normally mid pack of your group and suddenly place 8-10 spots higher with no other mods... thats a good thing.

 

the last time i autoxed was in CA (i live in FL now) in a different Maxima with a completely different mod list. in this Maxima, the panhard was one of my first suspension mods and i've made a few more since. i haven't gone to an event in this car yet. so again, it would be difficult to see any gains from the panhard strictly. this is why i say ask Joe. the only before and after change he made was the watts link, then panhard bar. perfect for what you're looking for.

 

One day.... One day....

 

I swear... you get me all excited and say this is a must have for Auto-X and now you can't give me any sort of hard data.

I must now hunt you down and jumk punch you up in your man business. :P

 

don't you get frisky with me Mr Dycks i have no numbers, but believe me. the balance this mod brings to the 4th gen Maxima is unreal. if you're tired of understeering all over the course or even daily driven roadways (drive safely) you need this mod!!! you'll never have this level of neutral steering and manageable throttle lift oversteer without it. i'll definitely post my numbers vs the fastest and slowest run of the day once i make it to an event. that should hopefully give you a good idea.

 

Doo eet!

 

Just keep in mind for any of you Auto X guys that this will likely put you into a pretty modified class. SP at best, if not SM... don't know because I haven't followed the rules in years, but it's definitely beyond the ST ruleset!

 

I need to goto an AutoX where they actually care about a Maxima then, that would be fun.

Wait... Unless you ruined it for us

 

Nah.. They knew my car was modded to hell when I went 5+ years ago, so I just entered in SM and finished near the bottom so nobody cared.

But please do everyone a favor and don't 'cheat'. There are local guys that run in those classes that are trying to get points to go to nationals. interfering with the guys who are trying within the rules isn't OK in my book. it's one thing for an occasional competitor to "cheat" and finish at the back. it's another thing entirely to take finishing position and points away from the guys who are trying to get to Nats.

 

Everyone thought I was stock at the last big autox I went to @ the HPD academy, meh, 3rd gens just have that "look"

"If ya ain't cheatin, ya aint competin'..."
-Random Wisdom



JK, I don't compete enough in real A/X's anyways, they all seem as boring as friday night test and tunes @ Baytown IMO, the big fancy A/X's just aren't my thing anymore.

If I get some decent tires for the rear of the ride I may goto MSR Red Meat Race fuel, I'm trying to get into Road Coursing... (Well I'm going to MSR on the 28th, but depending on the condition of the ride will determine rather or not I'll do gymkhana or hot laps)... Which is why this Panhard thingy-ma-bob is tempting, I will be able to determine a good before and after if I do end up getting this.

 

if i understand this correctly, it seems the panhard is street touring compliant.

14. STREET TOURING CATEGORY

H. Solid axle suspension allowances:
1. Addition or replacement of suspension stabilizers (linkage connecting
the axle housing or DeDion to the chassis, which controls
lateral suspension location) is permitted.
2. Traction bars or torque arms may be added or replaced.
3. A Panhard rod may be added or replaced.
4. The upper arm(s) may be removed, replaced, or modified, and the
upper pickup points on the rear axle housing may be relocated.
5. The lower arms may not be altered, except as permitted under
14.8.B, or relocated. Methods of attachment and attachment
points are unrestricted, but may serve no other purpose (e.g.
chassis stiffening). This does not authorize removal of a welded on
part of a subframe to accommodate the installation.

 

Oh chitttt!

 

That's handy, since almost every Maxima I've seen out there competes in ST or higher classes.
I would have assumed it wouldn't be allowed in ST, but that's definitely good to know.

 

Hmm, interested. Can you still use this bar with a RSB or do they get in the way of each other?

 

Just from my guess at the looks, they should work with each other.

 

yes they can be used together. i have a stillen now but i'm sure a progress would still clear.

 

Think I've read that section like 50+ times. Never thought of actually fabricating one...

Just one more problem competing in ST...
http://www.facebook.com/video/video....50381223473677

 

yeah, those old school honda hatches are insane. damn them and there double wishbone havin light weight ***** after reading the rule book a few more times, i was wondering if deleting precats with a y-pipe bumps you to STX. my guess is no but the verbage is pretty clear.

E. Catalytic Converters
ST, STS, STR – Catalytic converters may be replaced by aftermarket
units. Replacements must:
1) Be certified for use in that vehicle application by the manufacturer
or reconditioner,
2) Bear correct EPA-mandated labeling,
3) Be of the OE quantity and type (i.e. oxidation, three-way, etc.)
and
4) Be used in the same location(s), relative to the chassis, as the
OE converter(s). If the volume of the replacement catalyst substrate/
core is smaller than the original, the replacement must fit
entirely within the extent of the original.
This does allow for high performance replacements, provided they
meet all restrictions herein.
STX, STU – Any high flow catalytic converter(s) are allowed, but
must attach within six inches of the original unit. Multiple catalytic
converters may be replaced by a single unit. The inlet of the single
replacement converter may be located no further downstream
than 6” along the piping flow path from the original exit of the final
OE converter.

 

Not to get off the susp topic but 14.10.D "Exhaust manifolds and headers (including downpipes) may be replaced with alternate units which are emissions-legal." As long as you keep the main cat downstream and don't straightpipe, and pass your local emissions test, I thought I met the rules.

 

i like your interpretation. i'll go with that.

 

here it is with a Stillen RSB installed.

 

You didn't take a plasma cutter to the old Scott-Russell link?

 

Thanks for the pic! What does adjusting the bar into the other holes do, stiffen the rear and lower it? Sorry for the dumb question.

 

i know, i won't be need that upper srl mount anymore. the lower mount is gone though. that shaved about a quarter pound off my curb weight

the axle adjustment is for height changes and the chassis adjustment is for rollcenter changes.