On a quest for best handling in a 3200 lb FWD sedan, I looked at the chassis. My take on the Maxima 97-99 chassis is that it is very flexible. No wonder the FSTB works so darn well. Also, next time you jack up the car, notice how much the doors flex and become out of line. This being said, what else besides the usual FSTB and RSTB can be done to stiffen up the chassis? Even the review of a 2002 Max by Forbes.com says that the chassis is flexible. I think this could add a significant difference to the handling of the car. I have some ideas. I know one mod for a Taurus SHO was to weld the subframe to the body of the car. Unfortunately, I do not think the maxima has a subframe. Also, this would significantly change the crash crumple zones of the car.

I know Civics/Accords and other cars using double wishbone suspension have various suspension arm braces. Maybe something else can be braced on our car.

Finally this would be to the extreme but most effective, but a custom 6 or 8 point roll cage with welded points at the front floor, the B pillars and extending to the trunk area would probably be the best chassis stiffener of them all. If my car ever makes it to the 11s (hehe) I'll have to have this done. Goodthing I know a shop that does this the next state over.

 

Design a lower control arm brace if possible. Below is the link to the N-tech brace for the B13/B14 sentra/200sx. You can try adding a RSTB for additional stiffing. http://www.sentra.net/solm/april01/ntec.shtml

 

Go with 6 points or 8 points custom roll bars. The parts and installion would run around $1300. The draw back I see is that you wouldn't able to fully recline your seats anymore. At that point, might as well get non reclinable racing seats and harness.

 

I really don't think all the chassis stiffening is worth it. The 4th gen Maxima is a very light sedan compared to the competition. Are you sure about you 3200 lb weight? My Max weighs 3120 lbs with me in the car (175lbs) and a 1/4 tank of gas. My registration lists my car at 3015 lbs. Most of the cars in this class (Taurus, Accord, Camry, Grand Prix, Regal) weigh in at 3200-3500lbs. I strongly believe the main reason the Maxima feels rough, not so supple, twitchy, etc. is because of it's relatively light weight and longer wheelbase. BMWs feel solid and supple largely because of their heavy weight (3 series = 3400lbs, 5 series = 3700lbs). Anyways, with all that said, there is little you can do to stiffen up the 4th gen chassis. A X-brace will do little for the Max compared to the way out-of-date SHO chassis that dates back to '84 (I believe). Many modified Mustangs and Camaros also run X-braces, but again, it's related to the fact that the Mustang is using a platform from the 70s and the Camaro is using a chassis from the early 80s plus many models have t-tops. The 4th gen chassis was something like 60% stiffer than the 3rd gen. With my front end completely jacked up 3" off the car, my doors still open and close fine, but you can tell the chassis is being "tweaked".

You do need to make a decision though, are you going for a drag car or a autocross car? The cars' setup will be completely different depending on what kind of speed you're looking for. If 11s are really in your future, design yourself some traction bars. If you really think the chassis bends a lot, concentrate on the front end. The cabin on back is plenty stiff.



Dave

 

people are starting to fill the chassis with poly fill crap. Supposely it stiffen's the chassis so there are less creaks, handles better, and better ride. I belive some magazines are starting to talk about it. its been done in Japan for awhile already.

 

Eric,
What's the name of the shop you are talking about?

 

Rhodes Custom Auto. I got their name from a search, I believe you were the one who posted it. They're in Delaware and I noticed one of the cars had a Cecil County Dragway sticker on it, which is the track I race at.

 

try and contact N-Tech and see if they will develop a brace.

 

Rhodes custom auto seems to do good work. I haven't able to find any more shops that can do custom roll bars in the NE area.

 

there is a shop in Reading PA. Das Sport i believe its called ... they do amazing work. Work on Race porsches primarily, they can do a welded system, or a bolt on cage.

Also maybe Sub-Frame connectors like the mustang guys run might do something.

 

What about Viagra?

 

Rhodes custom auto seems to do good work. I haven't able to find any more shops that can do custom roll bars in the NE area.

 

TRUST ME! there is something in the works right now. And all of you will be like "DAMN" nobody has a clue!!! Hang on!

 

You really think the car flexes that much? I would say the best bet is a roll bar. I personally like the look, the stiffness, and the secure feeling it gives you incase you roll your car (god forbid that ever happens to anyone on this board...well maybe a few exceptions but...)

 

bump...mainly because this thread has interesting info and is supplmental to the recent discovery of the WSP sub-frames.

This should be a sticky.