Hey,

I just got my used GC Coilovers and knew that I'd be missing some parts so I gave them a call. I'm missing a couple rubber o-rings & bushings which he'll send for free.

Josh also described everything that the kit should have come with. Apparently I have the older kit for the Maxima (btw ... the GC Coilovers work for both the 4th & 5th gen Max's).

Now, I know Kev & Jane both mentioned creaking noises ... my question to you guys & to anyone else with this setup ... how old are your kits?

Apparently there is an upgraded rear top hat that eliminated / reduced the creaking noises. Does your rear top hat look completely flat with two equal sized diameter holes at the ends of the hat with a slightly smaller sized hole in the middle?

Or do you have the new one that is completely redesigned & looks 'contoured' for lack of another word?

Also ... what spring rates did u guys specify?

I think I have the default setup

700.250.500 &
700.250.300

I can get the springs for $55 / pair / each .. can't remember ... should I upgrade? & if so .. what should I upgrade to?

Your help will be immensely appreciated!

 

We got the new top hats (contoured looking ones). The Stillen camber plates (installed this weekend) eliminates almost all the creaking noises (only heard it once today).

Looks like you got 7" 500 lbs (fronts) and 7" 300 lbs (rears). I'd say bring your rears up to at least 375 lbs (GC's default setup for the Max).

 

Kev,

When'd u get the new top hats? Did that help eliminate the creaks?

Also .. what's the diff b/w the Stillen cambers & Eibach's cambers ...? There's a huge price diff!

Also ... I think i asked this b4 ... the 6" springs will result in a 1" drop ... right?

R both of u running the 6" setup?

tkx!

 

GC sent the new top hats with our orders. I know they're the new ones because they looked totally different than Turbo95Max's old top hats (before we swapped them with the new ones).

I don't know what the difference is between the Stillen and Eibach camber plates because I haven't seen the Eibach plates.

6" springs will drop you more than an inch. You can probably sink to about 2.5-3.0" at most (comfortably).

I'm running 6" all around while she's running 7" all around.

 

Hey Kev,

How low is Jane's ride then with her 7's? Who's ride is more comfortable?

Hmm .. it's weird ... Eibach's adjustable camber plates are $25 .. Stillen's costs about $400 ....

E

 

You maybe refering to Eibach's camber bolts, that allow camber to be adjusted, but I believe you will need an alignment device to adjust your camber. The Stillen's are adjustable and you can see what you are adjusting the camber to b/c there are marks to show what camber you are setting it at...

 

I'm lower but she scrapes.

My ride is more comfortable (over Jane's and Turbo95Max's rides).

Yeah, what Gotrice4 said...

 

I have GCs, but I don't specifically remember what the rear top hats looked like. I do remember that they had holes drilled in them, 2 of them about 1/8th inch in diameter. I get some creaks and groans from my rear. My spring rates are 450 front and ??? rear. I say ??? because the springs I got are not labeled in the same format that most eibach springs are. There are numbers and letters in the sequence, so I just dont know. I'd say 300 or 325# if I were to guess. I purchased mine back in March from a performance shop over Groupbuycenter.com, and they got them from GC after I purchased them, so they are whatever style (new or old) they were making in March.

 

Kev,

Was it the new top hats or the camber plates that eliminated most of the creaking?

 

New top hats are for the rears... camber plates are for the fronts.

 

ok then ... lol .. the new hats eliminated the creaking in the rear & the camber plates in the front ... is this right?

 

My rears never made noise, so I guess the new top hats helped. I don't guarantee the camber plates getting rid of your noises, but that's what I've experienced.

 

Since you have avaliable to you two different types of the Ground Controls...I'm guessin you would suggest the shorter spring, from you max not the longer 7" springs from Jane97SE... Also what would you suggest as the spring rate, i want a very decent ride(i know the GC are not for good ride) and i want to gain some performance..what would you suggest? I have heard that the defaults(500's) are too stiff so would a 425 be better? I'm looking for your opinions and will not hold you accountable for anything you say, just looking for opinions...thanks...

 

Hmmmmm...... if you want drop, I would recommend the 6" spring. GC told me the default rates were 450 front (7")and 375 rear (8"), but I don't know if this is true or not because people have gotten different rates and lengths in the default set.

Turbo95Max and Jane97SE both have 450 and 375 (Jane w/7" while Matthel with 6"). Both their rides are much bumpier than mine. I'm not sure you should try 500 on a 4th gen because 450 doesn't feel too good over BIG bumps.

My suggestion is to stay with the rates I listed but go with 6" if you want more drop. Please don't blame me if you get a bumpy ride (I hope you stand by your word). Remember, you can always raise the car if the springs are too short, but you can never drop the car lower if your springs are too long.

 

I will stand by my word and not blame you for any problems that occure, I'll just blame Ground Control Anyways, Knowing that 450's are a bit toward the stiff side, say i drop to 425 or even 400, you think the ride would even out and stay stiff enough in the corners? I must be the only 18 year old that cares about ride comfort, but I guess I'm weird...Seems like no one can figure out a good spring rate for the front of the max...but i remember Shadow saying that he installed his rear GC's up front and those being comfortable/tolerable...maybe try 375 up front, but I worry that might be too soft...well, i hate to call GC b/c they were not helpful last time i called but maybe i will. Once again, I would appreciate your opinions Kev, and no I won't blame you for the result. thanks again

 

I'm not sure they carry 425/6" because I wanted to go stiffer in the rears and the next step up was 450. I'm not sure how the ride quality would be with 400. The ride might be better, but If you get something that soft (375) up front, you have to make sure the spring doesn't compress all the way if you run over a big bump because you'll damage some stuff.

My suggestion: try and get a ride from a .org member in your area (or at a meet) and see what the ride is like. You can decide then.

I'm holding you buy your word now.

 

Thanks Kev for all your patience through all my questions. You bring up very good points that I will consider in the future. And don't worry, I will keep to my word guaranteed

 

You're welcome. Feel free to take this to email if have any questions in the future.

 

I had the 400's before I switched over to the 450's. They were WAY better than the 450's, It didn't provide enough of a drop so I switched over to 450's.
Let me know if you want the 400's.

 

I'm guessin those 400's are of the 7" length? And how did the change to a stiffer spring rate allow for a lower drop? thank you in advanced for your opinions jane...