Hi guys
I recently bought 97 i30 and now I am thinking about doing some suspension upgrades on it. I want to drop my car about inch and a half front and back and do not want the ride to be too stiff. Any suggestion about what spring and strut setup I should go with? I checked Koni's but they are way too expensive any thing cheaper that does the job? Thanks

 

http://maxmods.dyndns.org/index.php?MaximaHandling

 

tokico blue struts and eibach springs 1.0, 1.3 inch drop real nice. I wouldn't say if it wasn't.

2002 maxima with full suspention and loving it.

 

Thanks guys, the above link has lot of info on this, good stuff. Anyone know if these after market setups work well in snowy conditions, in Montreal we have to drive in snow for about 4 or 5 months a year. And how will the drop of 1.5 inches effect in snow?

 

my friend just got tein springs of ebay for 150 and is very happy with them. the ride got a little stiffer but handles a lot better.

 

Tein H-Tech springs or H&R springs with Tokico Illuminas in the rear ($160) and the same OR something cheaper in the front.

The guy above was talking about Tein S-Tech springs, which cost a little less but do not ride as well.

What is your budget?

 

My budget is around 700 to 1000.
I think I am going to go with H&R springs as they give the drop I want and I heard that they are one of the the softest of all after market springs, any truth to that? Again the ride comfort and 1.5 drop is whats more important to me.
The shocks I am thinking about are KYB GR2...any one with experience with these, are they good?

 

KYB GR2 work very well with H&R's , I have this combo and i'm really satisfied.
after trying few different setups this one works !!!! ride is firm and controlled but not stiff or bouncy, BUT NOWHERE NEAR STOCK !!!

Nick.

 

Yes thats the setup I am gonna go with too, cant wait to get it installed. I am getting a great deal at ebay, everyting for 450$ shipped. This is literly half of what the local shop was asking, I just hope they dont charge me crazy handling fee on delivery here in montreal.
Do you know if i30 takes the exact same shocks and springs as maxima? because on the ebay listing it only says 95-99 maxima.

 

does anyone know a set up that will create MORE comfort...quieter ride...and does anyone have a copy of superstreet sept 2004?can they tell me who the letter of the month is?

 

If you've got $1000 at your disposal, DO NOT skimp on the struts. This is more important than the springs. There are only two brands of struts I'd recommend, Koni or Tokico Illuminia. Nothing else. I have Konis and they're amazing. I've had AGX and GR-2s and they're crap compared to the Konis. Pure crap. To run any type of aftermarket spring, you need a strut up t the task of controlling the spring movement. AGXs are far too harsh and GR-2s are too soft and will wear out very quickly. I run Konis because they're the primere strut company and the struts won't blow if you bottom them out. Do it once and do it right. BTW, I have H&Rs also and they're great, much better than the other springs I've had in the past.

 

What about Tokico Illuminas with Tockico springs? Lot of people saying that Tokico or Koni are the best right now, but how are Tokico springs? How do they compare with H&Rs?
I can get a good deal on ebay for Tokico Illuminas with Tokico springs, or should I spend extra 200 for H&R springs? are they worth it or should I just go with Tokico springs?

 

Tokico (Cool Blues) are very good struts. I have some on my 97 Honda Accord with a progressive H&R 1.6f\r springs. On 40 series tires, the ride was actually comfy. I would imagine that the Tokico Illumina's would not be any different. *The only thing I would say you should be leary about with Tokico shocks is the dent your wallet will suffer from them. LOL They can get pretty expensive.*

I have heard the Tokico springs are not as good as H&R or Eibach springs. But this was coming from a cat that had a slammed civic on Tokico Coilovers.

 

The good thing about Eibachs is that they have a variable rate spring. I dont know about the H&Rs. My car is decent in the city. Its not too hard. It stiffens up a lot in the curves.

I have the Eibach and KYB GR2 setup. I've never had problems.

 

I have the H&R's with Illuminas and I love the ride. Definitely don't skimp on your struts...you will pay for it later.
K