Struts & My 2002 I35 Sport Package

[nuwave85]

I just found out that the rear struts on my 2002 I35 Sport Package need to be replaced.

Now I've been through two years of forum posts and the short list obviously starts at the Tokico Whites but i haven't seen anyone with the 02 I35 Sport Package describe any other strut choices. The KYB website excludes the Sport Package, and the Tokico isn't clear about the fitting either but I'm waiting for a email reply from both to confirm it.

It's my daily driver on highways and streets, like others before me i'd like to get rid of some of the "floaty-ness" when i am on the interstate. I wouldn't mind a lowered stance but it would be a bonus.

Is there another choice that I'm missing?

[maxhopper]

I have BC Racing coilovers on my 02 Max SE. I ran Illuminas on my 97 with H-tech springs, they are great struts/shocks.

There is no differce in fittment between you I35 Sport and a non-Sport.

[jltibbs]

Scott speaks truth!

Welcome to NICOclub.

[nuwave85]

Ok... but as I continue my search I still see "excld - sport pkg".

Could someone please tell me what the difference is between a standard I35 suspension and my Sport Package equipped 02?

Websites hint at an upgraded suspension but dont describe it.

[maxhopper]

This is the only thing I could find.

Sport Package-equipped I35s come with Vehicle Dynamic Control (VDC), a stability control system adopted from the 2002 Q45 sedan. VDC controls individual wheel brake pressure and engine torque automatically in understeer, oversteer or slippery road surface situations. Using a steering sensor, g-sensor, wheel speed sensors and brake pressure sensors, VDC can control individual wheel brake pressure and engine power to help bring I35 under control in potentially dangerous situations.

But I do not see anything that says there is any difference in the suspension mounting between the two.

[jltibbs]

I'm almost positive that the VDC is in tune with the suspension; dampening in particular. Don't quote me, but I think that's why it will not work.

[maxhopper]

I checked the FSM for both the 02 and 03 I35, and it only shows one configuration for both the front and rear suspension. http://www.nicoclub.com/FSM/i35/2002/su.pdf

VDC is under the brake section, starting on page BR-91. http://www.nicoclub.com/FSM/i35/2002/br.pdf

There were two different strut/spring combos available that year, so I would imagine that the Sport probably had slightly stiffer strut valving/spring rate. That still does not mean that they attached to the car in a different way.

[jltibbs]

That's probably 100% true, but where I feel there may be an issue is if the dampening is electronically controlled, aftermarket struts will not have that electrical connection. That's the point I was looking at. I looked at the 02 Q45 FSM and it appears to have an electrical piece on the top similar to the active suspension systems.