Hey all,

Well I ordered a RSB and a FSTB from CustomMaxima today (probably overpaid?), and I will install those in asap.

1) Should I expect some noticeable differences with both things installed? I can't wait to see..

2) Now, next on the list for suspension mods is probably a drop with new springs and struts? I'm a total newb to suspension upgrades. So.. there are 4 springs and.. what do struts do? What will lowering the car accomplish other than looks? And finally.. is it a good idea to get new rims (have stock SE rims) when I lower the car?

Any info would be appreciated. Thanks!
Dan

 

The FSTB, I've been told does little but helps some, you could have gotten one off ebay for a much cheaper price than Custom Maxima.

The RSB, you should notice a good bit of difference on the stock setup, it should kill a decent amount roll that the stock setup has so you should notice a difference there.

As for your suspension questions, the struts are there to help rebound the car from a bump, you hit a bump it will help keep the car from slamming down onto the ground.

Just getting the ball rolling. . .

 

pretty much, lowering your car does make it look good also, but you know that the lower you are to the ground, the more handling because you are not hoovering like a 4x4 does. that is why you can take turns more sharp in a compact car rather than a suv. i have finished my whole suspension. all bars, Tein true coilovers and my car handles freaking awesome. anyways....good luck. and with your rsb and fstb, you wont be able to tell too much of an improvement just by the 2 of them, but when you lower your car with springs and struts, that's when you will see the real difference.

 

I didn't notice any difference whatsoever when I installed an FSTB on my first Maxima. I'm not gonna bother with one of those on my new Maxima.

I've never used an RSB, so nothing to say there.

The springs support the body of the car and control the movement of the wheels. The dampers (the correct name for "struts") control the movement of the springs. Aftermarket springs that lower the car almost always have higher spring rates than stock springs. This means that the car will be lower and stiffer. Lowering the car lowers the center of gravity, which allows the car to handle better in turns (less body roll).

I highly recommend that you get larger wheels and tires when you lower the car. Not only will the car look goofy with small wheels and tires, but you won't be able to fully exploit the benefits of the aftermarket suspension without upgrading to larger, stickier contact patches.

 

I noticed an improvement in the overall solidity of the chassis when I added a FSTB. The car just feels more solid now. I would highly recommend getting one cheap on eBay, because I feel it greatly improved my car, just don't expect performance improvements. That's not going to happen with a FSTB.
As far as new wheels. If I had the SE wheels, I'd leave 'em alone. I think they look pretty classy. However, I have already dropped my car, and plan to do new wheels and tires to replace the 15" steelies when finances allow. Just don't get huge aftermarket rims on the stock suspension. That looks silly IMHO. Drop first, then rims.
Have fun.

 

Thanks for the responses so far guys.. keep them coming.

Also, this might be a little off topic possibly, but sometime when i let the clutch go a bit faster than normal to make a faster start into 1st, the car thumps a good amunt of times.. it's like, the tires aren't getting that good traction? It sounds really bad and load. Does anyone know what I'm talking about?

Thanks.

 

I have an FSTB, eh, looks nice when I pop the hood but nothing too noticeable driving wise.

The RSB definitely will improve your car. I just got my Maxima a few months ago and it needs shocks and struts right now, they're factory !! Anyway, my car would fishtail horribly on turns I took too fast and I had to slow down slower than minivans and suvs. So I'm upgrading little by little.

After installing the RSB, I can corner incredibly better regardless of my other suspension problems. Once I do the rest of the suspension, this car is gonna corner awesome. The RSB will give you a very noticeable difference.

As far as the clutch thump question... try giving it more gas, it may be starving for power as the engine all of a sudden gets the load of the clutch. The thumping might be the car almost stalling out. The faster you let go of the clutch, the more you have to get on the gas.

 

It was early in the morning today I was still half asleep, so it probably was that I didn't give it enough gas.

Igobuck, are you keeping your SE rims when you lower your car? Do a lot SE'ers on here keep their stock rims..? I think it'll probably look fine.. rims cost what.. like at least $500.

 

A lot of SE guys do like to keep the 5 star wheels. A lot of members have gone out and powder coated them to make em look even nicer. Titanium/gun metal is a very popular look. If you lower your car, it'll be a night and day difference in the handling, but the tradeoff will be a bumpier, less comfortable ride. Rims go for at least $500. You can always browse around and look for deals, but generally, a good set of 18"s with tires will run around $1500 and up. Good luck

 

I am going to keep my rims whenever I do lower it, I like the 5 stars and 16's are a perfect size for me. I can still get winter tires in that size and the ride isn't too soft or too hard. If I had 15's I'd be looking to get these 16's. I like the "sleeper look", I'd rather spend my money on performance than looks, I think it looks good as it is. The only things I had to change looks-wise were the front and rear lights. I hate yellow lenses and got it tinted. I'd save the $500 and use 'em for exhaust, suspension, intake, etc. But to each his own.

 

FSTB=some more stiffness and control in steering due to reduction of "torque steer"
RSB=huge difference in all handling. I am on stock suspension, and I have the Progress RSB, and I love it. I picked it up for $100 used, and put it on myself in like 20 minutes. I have never regretted doing that. You will not either.
I am still under inner debate about whether to lower or not. The roads here are horrible, and the driveways can be steep. I scraped twice, even taking them at an angle, in the past month. I just don't want to think about how much more scraping would occur if I lowered, even just 1.5".