Retrofitting a J30 with a J30T suspension?

[GeoFX]

Anybody out there ever retrofit a J30T suspension onto their J30s. Excluding the 93-94 "T" models with HICAS, the only suspension differences between the two are the rear springs, rear stabilizer bar and bushings, and lighter wheels.

Thinking about doing that this weekend with used springs and stabilizer bar I sourced plus new stabilizer bar and connecting rod bushings (already have the lighter alloys) when I replace the rear shocks...anything I should watch out for? Will do a four-wheel alignment after settling it for a week.

What kind of ride would I expect? Is ride height going to change?

Thanks in advance for any advice.

[gr8scott72]

If you ask me it's not worth the trouble. Just slap the wheels on there and call it a day. Maybe even the tail fin. I think the tail finless J's look funny.

Btw, I have a tail fin off my 93 that I was just yesterday thinking about ripping off there and selling.

[AZhitman]

I don't anticipate you'll notice much... the rear sway bar with poly bushings will make it a little more tail-happy, but the differences between the Touring and Standard J were negligible.

[GeoFX]

If you ask me it's not worth the trouble. Just slap the wheels on there and call it a day. Maybe even the tail fin. I think the tail finless J's look funny.

Since I'm replacing the rear shocks anyway it's not really that much of a hassle to swap the springs and sway bar (gonna do it myself).

Just wondering if the difference in ride is really worth it....anybody if do a comparison?

[gr8scott72]

Rear shocks take about 10 minutes each. Springs and sway will take much longer. Like I said, probably not worth it. Do the springs, wheels, and buy my tail fin.

[GeoFX]

I don't anticipate you'll notice much... the rear sway bar with poly bushings will make it a little more tail-happy, but the differences between the Touring and Standard J were negligible.

The rear sway bar in the J30T is actually thinner in diatmeter compared with the standard J (17.3mm vs 19.1mm) so the rear springs are probably what makes the J30T more neutral-handling my guess...

Any difference in ride height? The T springs are shorter but stiffer than the standards.

[GeoFX]

Rear shocks take about 10 minutes each. Springs and sway will take much longer. Like I said, probably not worth it. Do the springs, wheels, and buy my tail fin.

I can't imagine the rear springs and sway bar taking that much longer. The springs you have to take out anyway to put the new shocks in and the rear sway bar seems to be only held in place by the connector rods on both sides I think...

[yodawill2000]

How much and what color is the fin Gr8 ??

Im finally over being bitter about you getting that t for a K.

Must be nice to be in the used car biz ..

[gr8scott72]

How much and what color is the fin Gr8 ??

Im finally over being bitter about you getting that t for a K.

Must be nice to be in the used car biz ..

LOL The funny part is I've only driven it 3 times in a month. I've been driving one of the cars up here at work.

It's silver and how about $45 shipped?

[colincliff2]

I agree on the spoiler thing, i'm not a fan of mine without one. I just need to find one that comes w/ a template so I don;t install it in the wrong spot!

[driverdriver]

Echoing some of the others, upgrading a j30 supension with J30t bits is not a good use of time unless your installing the HICAS system.

I've driven both the J30 and '97 J30t(without HICAS) and they handle basically the same. A J30t with HICAS and upgraded supension bits is a different story.

[NASCARLANCE]

How much of a difference is there between the feel of the HICAS and non-HICAS J's. Is it so different that you would notice it in everyday driving?I recently drove a Lincoln LS and I like the way the J drives much better. The LS felt floaty and did not give the feedback from the road the way an Infiniti/Nissan does. It just did not feel connected to the road.

[driverdriver]

With HICAS you literally feel like your cornering on rails. Body roll/lean barely registers. It allows for confident cornering at some very high speeds. I have never needed to tap the brakes. Sometimes, I get the feeling, during some very extreme cornering that the rear will swing around-but it doesn't. Everything is in check and under control.

HICAS is even more fun on a slightly less weighty car like a 300zx. A good friend has a 300zx with HICAS and its a blast!

At lower speeds it simply sharpens cornering/turning.