My rear shocks are bad, so I am going to use this as an invitation to upgrade the whole suspension. I do not want to slam my Max, just want to get rid of the 4X4 and gain a little better handling and definately want to retain 85% of the ride quality of the original stock SE setup. I also don't want ANY excess noise, no rattling etc. IT looks like I am going to go with H&R springs, but I am still open for shock/strut matching. The illuminas look like overkill for somebody like me, who doesn't race, autocross etc. so the adjustability feature might be wasted...or maybe somebody can tell me otherwise why I would really need this..... The springs are $219 front and back from tire rack. And the illuminas are 419 front and back from ebay. so, 638 plus shipping from each vendor, gives me an illunina-H&R combo,. Then there is the custommaxima kit that is 650, but uses the illuminas but also uses tokico springs-are the springs in the kit as good/comfortable as the H&Rs? What about the tociko blues? I am kinda leaning against them as I heard they are pretty much the stock oem shock. Any other non adjustable shock-strut that I can match up with the H&R's? Again, I want comfort, a nice looking drop and NO NOISE form the new suspension. Thanks for your help

 

illimunas are not for racing, they are for pure comfort they are the softest riding strut out there, here this is my bible http://maxmods.dyndns.org/

 

Just go to this site and buy Illuminas for $408 shipped. Just tell them that you are from maxima.org
http://www.performancepeddler.com/default.asp

I bought them last week, and was looking exactly for the same setup as you are.

 

I went with Tein H, (H&Rs did not give enough frop fo rmy taste) and KYB GR-2s. Ride is slightly harsher but still comfortable enough to not be annoyed by every bump on the road. Also not that great drop Tein H give allows in my opinion to go with cheaper struts ($260 for all for).

 

werd 408! fawk agx! but wait isnt agx the same price? hhm

 

Go for the Illuminas... if not go with H&R and KYB GR2's

 

Also, I *MIght have a bad mount- It is clicking at times back there, so I think it might show its ugly head at the time of installation. If this is so, how much is a strut mount? Its the rubber thingy correct? If it is still good, will i be able to reuse the stock dust boots etc? What I am asking is- will I be able to buy the strus/shocks and springs and simply be able to slap them on if everything is else is currently good? Can somebody post a few pics of the illumina-hr setup? I DO want a drop- but people are saying that the drop hr's make is not sufficient. Whats the deal. This is my first real dive into suspensions so forgive me for my ignorance. Oh , and this setup is silent right?

 

by the way, I wont need any camber kit if I usew the hr springs right?I mean, its not big enough of a drop to warrant a cambe rkit right? Camber kits are only for slammed cars right?

 

Any word on the camber kit and strut mount question^^^^^^ :-)

 

I believe not if you go with mild drop springs as H&Rs or Tein H. With bigger drop it is preferable, but I am sure many guys on the org don't bother.

 

H&R's are in my opinion the best spring available for our cars. Nice drop, makes the car look finished not slammed. Excellent handling by eliminating body roll do to their progressive design and most of all excellent ride quality.

Illuminas are the smoothest performance strut available right now for our cars. The Tokico Blue struts are just a little to soft for a lowered set up. Anything from KYB is on the harsh side when coupled with a progressive sport spring.

Spend a little more money and get the Illuminas. You can dial in a setting that fits your driving needs. You can go from a caddy like soft pillow ride to a nice firm sports car setting in less then 2 minutes. Adjustments are easy to make from the top of the struts. I believe the H&R / Illumina setup is the best ride and handling combination available for the 4th gen.

 

If cost is a big factor. KYB GR2 Shocks/Struts should be considered you can get them for about $211 shipped.
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eB...spagename=WDVW

 

You will not need a camber kit.

I am riding on the H&R/Illumina combination and love it. When I need a softer ride (carrying older passengers), I have it with just a twist of a screwdriver. When I want to drive aggressively and really push my car, it's just a matter of a few minutes. I currently ride on 3f/4r and it's very comfortable while allowing me to handle just as well as my previous Integra.

~THT

 

You will not need the camber kit. And you will most likely not need new strut mounts... Strut mounts dont really go bad. Strut bearing and strut boots you do need though.

 

Definitely replace the boots. After 60K, all four of mine were shredded

~THT

 

well, the fronts are brand new (new front end) 15k ago by the dealer udeer warranty. The rear have never been touched. How much are boots and where do i get them?

 

OEM boots is the only way to go.

Illuminas are probably closest to what you want, then Konis. H&R are nice, H techs a bit stiffer. The tokico springs are really nice to.

 

i have the h&r/ kyb gr2 set up.. i will do just about anything to keep you from buying the gr2's... im currently about to swap them out for illumina's. as far as your camber kit goes, it will depend on how YOUR car will align. theres no golden rule, i need a camber kit for one side on my car, the other is good.. but to answer your question, i wouldnt consider any other set-up other than the the hr/illumina.

 

here is a pic of my car on H&R and stock struts. i ditched that setup for tein s-techs and illuminas. illuminas are amazing. i suggest you get illuminas because you might think you wont adjust them but once you put them on you will want to see what they are capable of. you could go from soft that it seems like you are riding on clouds to a stiff suspension if you have good roads where you live. camber kits are not needed for H&R springs. they are a good spring cause of the quality. drop is decent also. here is some pics of the drop.




front:



rear:

 

So what exactly comes with the illuminas? What am I gonna need to go to the dealer to get to have on deck in case I need it?

 

Here is a good site with the break down of the part numbers and pictures.
http://www.kcmaximas.org/tech/suspension/index.html

 

mostly everything you already have. you will need to buy things depending what kind of shape your parts are in.

 

http://doug.maxima.org/showthread.php?t=335520