Got my Illuminas and H&Rs last week and finally installed them yesterday with my buddy's help. We both agree that it looks much better than my stock suspension; however, those who are not familiar with the horrendous Maxima wheel gap have trouble telling the difference.

What do YOU think?

Rear Shot 1 Before


Rear Shot 1 After


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Rear Shot 2 Before


Rear Shot 2 After


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Front Shot 1 Before


Front Shot 1 After


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Front Shot 2 Before


Front Shot 2 After

 

... and finally...

Side Shot Before


Side Shot After


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Questions & comments welcome.

 

I guess the most important thing is how you feel about them. Some people who dont know maximas might not think much, but we all know the difference between yours and the monster trucks out there. How is the ride and handeling? Put a tape measure on them and let us know what you dropped to exactly. Looks good!

Fat

 

Personally, I don't think that the H&R drop sufficiently covers up the wheel gap, but who cares about looks right? Those are some of the best springs out there in terms of ride and handling (many people use em for road racing and autocross), and that's what matters. You'll enjoy em.

 

Looks better than stock, but it isn't really what H&R are for. How's ride and handling?

BTW: did you end up getting new shock mounts or you reused your old ones? Also, in what condition were your old mounts?

 

Certainly a nice improvement to my eyes. Back end looks a little lower than the front, which is pretty common w/ H&Rs, but the taller sidewalls on your 16's do help mask that a bit. Enjoy the new springs - after over a year w/ H&R just on the front I'm still really impressed with the ride / handling balance that is struck on these springs.

 

The looks have def improved and handling has improved I bet. Great job!

 

I'll measure it once it stops raining... the ride & handling is AWESOME. No more bounciness... nice solid ride, although I was rather surprised the first time I went over this little high part of the road and the car jumped up and came down.

Cornering is great too (got an OTTO FSTB too). There's this area I drive through often with 15-25mph speed limit on the curves. I was taking the 15s at 30-35 and the 25s at 40-45 when the road was wet. *NO* problems or slipping or feeling of "omg the car is going to flip over" that I would get with my old suspension when taking those corners at 10mph less with perfectly dry road. Of course, I won't be driving like that in the future, but it's nice to know what your car can do.

I know the wheel gap isn't completely covered, but that wasn't my original intention. When I found housecor's site I looked at all the drops and the comparisons and saw that the H&R gave the wheels a nice "concentric circle" type look with the fender curve and it wasn't TOO low. With the H&R's my wheel gap isn't SUV-style like it was before, I have a much better than stock ride, I don't have to worry about ramps or speed bumps, *AND* the mechanic said he was able to align the wheels perfectly and that I don't need a camber kit. I'm super happy with 'em and I'd recommend them to anyone who isn't looking for a really really low drop.

As for the strut/shock mounts, nope... I used the same old ones. Condition? They looked fine to me. I don't know what a "new" vs. "worn" one looks like, but they looked solid and didn't have any obvious malformations. The dust boots, however, looked pretty bad, but I didn't have any new ones and I figured they were in good enough condition to keep using. Haven't noticed any weird noises or anything while driving, so I guess it's fine.

Oh... I have my Illuminas set to 3 and I like the ride. Should I just leave them alone or try a 1 or a 5? Is the difference really noticable?

Ah... and what are your thoughts on getting an RSB to complete the package? Will I notice a big difference?

 

You can play around with the settings to find something that you like, since the settings are for you to find the damping that best suits the spring rates you have. Just remember that you may possibly over or under damper with the extreme setings which may result in a ride too bouncy or too harsh.

The RSB will definitely reduce roll and tighten the rear but it will also introduce oversteer, even on a lowered Max. It will turn more sharply and the rear will tend to want to "jump" out if you hit a bump on a curve, which in extreme cases, has even caused loss of control. If you think your driving style and ability can handle more oversteer (and if that's what you want), then give it a shot, but if you like the way it handles now then don't do it.

 

Glad you are enjoying them sounds like you a got exactly what you wanted, cant ask for more than that.

Fat

 

if you put those on strictly for aesthetics, id say it wasnt worth it, not too much of a difference from stock. people who dont have maximas wont notice anything, but some people arent out to catch the eyes of others and just do it for themselves. so as long as your happy with them, enjoy them.

 

that's a different drop from mine:http://memimage.cardomain.net/member...77_43_full.jpg
http://memimage.cardomain.net/member...77_44_full.jpg

 

Are you running H&Rs with Illuminas too? Your drop seems a little lower... why would that be?

 

the drop will settle some after time. how long have you had them on there?
also i had H&R's on my 91 se-r and loved them.

 

this drop is like that because there is a little secret to it

 

Oh... 20, maybe 22 hours. =)

Good... so far I do too.

 

Don't worry - I won't tell anyone. You can PM me your secret whenever you want.

 

I bet you cut them.

 

not cut, that's for sure...

 

bet NO ONE will figure out what the trick here is

 

...well we're all waiting to find out...

 

there is a little trick and the car doesnt have illuminas just stock struts and shocks

 

umm.... oversized wheels/tires? I don't know. TELL US!!!!!!!!!