I just thought I would post this as some information. Over the winter I put stock suspension on my 95 5speed. The set up that I put on was from an automatic car. From the floor to the center of my front fender it was 28 11/16's inches off the ground. I ended up switching the springs back over to five speed springs a few weeks ago and let the settle a little bit. I just took the same measurment yesterday and to the center of the fender it is 28 4/16's inches, so I lowered the front of the car almost a half an inch. I am guessing this will really be more helpful for auto people who just want to lower the front a little bit since I doubt too many 5 speed guys have auto springs on their cars. My car may be a little lighter than some others in the front so you may be able to net a little bit more if you car is heavier IDK. I have a carbon fiber hood, aftermarket Y pipe/intake/00VI. I really just posting this up as information, you can post if you like.

 

Interesting... Thanks for the info though. Anyone know why Nissan did this?

 

An automatic trans is heavier, so requires a heavier duty spring.

 

Were they both from an SE or Non-SE respectively?

 

The auto springs were either GLE or GXE, the 5 speed springs were from an SE.

 

Oh... well the SE is supposed to have the "sporty" suspension... maybe thats why?

 

I'm just posting my findings. I am not going to start guessing.

 

Oh, I know, and I appreciate your post. Im just turning this into a discussion haha

 

I am pretty sure all A32 springs were meant to be at the same ride height. The weight difference between the 5 speed and auto is not that drastic (~50lbs?), so I'm guessing you probably had newish GXE/GLE springs and kind of worn-out SE 5 speed springs.

 

I remember the day I got done with my 5 spd. swap that my front end was noticeably higher. Due to the fact that you did remove a much heavier transmission and replaced with a lighter one. I contacted Nissan about this and the techs assured me that no matter what transmission you have in it the springs are the same.

 

it may just be that over the years the slightly haevier weight caused the spring to sag a little more. i dunno...

 

other members here have stated that the five speed springs offer a lower ride height, I was just documenting my own experience.

 

I have to agree as well. I have a 5 spd, when I took out the coilovers and bought a set of OEM suspension setup, it came out of a GLE AUTO, IIRC. I definately see that the front end sits way higher. The gap seems much bigger than my AUTO SE(never touched the suspension yet).

 

yeah it is the SE set up it is lower.

 

The SE manual springs in the front are lower. This has been documented for a long time. And sometimes I dont believe techs because sometimes they say stuff just to get you out of their faces or because sometimes they just dont know.

This isnt for all techs just some, not tryin to hate on anyone.

 

The only sag you're likely to see in this suspension is the rubber insulators on at the top of the springs.

If the replacement spring end coil isn't aligned exactly in that groove in the rubber it will sit taller for a while until the rubber relaxes around the new spring.

Dave

 

 

I have 5 speed springs in my auto coupled with Illuminas. The ride is nothing short of fantastic and it brings the front end down just enough to make both front and rear gaps perfectly even.

First off, if you compair the 5 speed front springs to the auto springs you can clearly see they are different. Physically, they are one coil winding shorter and stand about 3/4 of an inch shorter. I feel they are also firmer making the 5 speed setup geared more twards a sport car then auto's are. A little secret Nissan never really advertised.

I would highly recommend anybody with an auto transmission looking for just a slight edge on looks and performance to switch to 5 speed front springs. The set up rides fantastic and provides even front and rear fender gaps.

Take a look at this picture. Even with 17" wheels on, the front gap doesn't appear huge anymore with the 5 speed springs. It's actually looks a touch lower in this picture, maybe my gas tank was empty when I took that shot. A full tank and an empty tank do make for a slightly different ride height in the rear.

 

I know that the 5 speed springs are shorter. I was merely stating that if it was only to compensate for the weight difference it should not be half an inch shorter, as the auto can't be more than 50lbs more than the manual, and the car would not sag a half inch for an extra 50lbs.

If they are in fact an entire coil shorter and made with identical diameters etc, then the spring rate of the 5 speed fronts will be hiked up compared to the auto fronts.

 

sounds good to me.

fixed.

 

So ... I guess we need to have an SE member (5spd and auto) check height, and non SE member do the same. I have a GXE 5spd .... i'll try to measure the front tomorrow.

Dave ... do you mean the rubber that sits over the center of the top? I am guessing?

 

If you wanted to do that you would need to have more constants, like tires and perhaps the car itself and swap springs back to back.

 

When i put on my Vogtland springs and Illuminas on my 5speed i30t i switched my stockes over to my automatic i30 cause it needed new shocks..

To be honest.. i actually like my Stock i30t springs with KYB AGX on the automatic. Its smooth, firm and pretty damm responsive.

 

Are there spring rate differences between the SE and GXE 5 speed springs?

 

Hasn't anyone tried to get a part number on this?