And I was worried about switching form the 3.5 to the 2.5 (under steer ???)

[Konicaman]

During my recent 1012 Altima shopping experience, I was concerned about going from the 3.5 in my '03 to the 2.5 in the '12.

Turns out that the HP should have been the least of my worries. Not that the 3.5 handled like an Indy car but good lord the 2.5 is horrible in curves. On the curves on my way home, I could comfortably take doing at 60mph in my old Altima. In my new 2.5, I need to be at 50 or less.

So after doing some searching and going around in circles, I am looking for answers. I am not looking to go racing. This is my daily driver and I spend most of my day in the car. What would be the suggestions for convincing my car to turn when I give it a steering input?

I am not really wanting to lower it or stiffen the ride much. Just decent and noticeable improvement with the under steer. Would just a Stillen rear anti-roll bar alone make a difference? I just looked at their website and they did not list a sway bar for the 2012 but I can not imagine the 2012 being different from the 2011.

Any thoughts or suggestions?

[Remi 09 - 2.5S]

I would suggest that you test drive a different car. All of my 2.5's (an 02, and 09 and now a 12) have had excellent handling, both when going straight and when taking corners. It sounds like you drove a car that needed an alignment and/or tires at different and wrong pressures.

[Konicaman]

Originally Posted by Remi 09 - 2.5S

I would suggest that you test drive a different car. All of my 2.5's (an 02, and 09 and now a 12) have had excellent handling, both when going straight and when taking corners. It sounds like you drove a car that needed an alignment and/or tires at different and wrong pressures.

Hmmm... that could be a possibility I guess. If I would not have driven the 3.5 for that last 8 years, I probably would not have even noticed it. There is a series of uniform S curves on my way home and I would always take them at 60. I liked to crap in my pants when I tried that with the new 2.5.

Now I know the 3.5 has stiffer roll bars so I figured this is the main difference.

[realmac]

My bets are on the tire / wheel combo.
215/55R17 on the 03 3.5 vs 215/60R16 on the 2.5 Altimas.

Also a strut tower brace / rear sway bar does wonders for handling. You can probably do both with install for under 250.

[dochidalgo]

In fact, the 3.5 has different calibration of the suspension than the 2.5 cars. Nissan named "performance" type for the 3.5 and "normal" for the 2.5.

[TheRupp]

Originally Posted by dochidalgo

In fact, the 3.5 has different calibration of the suspension than the 2.5 cars. Nissan named "performance" type for the 3.5 and "normal" for the 2.5.

^ This.

They have much different suspension setups. Keep in mind that there are quite a few inexpensive aftermarket parts that will remedy the poor handling of the 2.5.

[Konicaman]

Originally Posted by realmac

My bets are on the tire / wheel combo.
215/55R17 on the 03 3.5 vs 215/60R16 on the 2.5 Altimas.

Also a strut tower brace / rear sway bar does wonders for handling. You can probably do both with install for under 250.

I was looking at the engine bay and it seems that Nissan has added a "strut tower brace" or at least a "wanna be" strut tower brace. Not sure if this is only on the 2012s or how much it does compared to an aftermarket tower brace. I just know it was not on on 03 Altima.

Originally Posted by dochidalgo

In fact, the 3.5 has different calibration of the suspension than the 2.5 cars. Nissan named "performance" type for the 3.5 and "normal" for the 2.5.

It was always my understanding (not that I have that much of an understanding) that the only suspension differences were the roll bars and tires. At least this is what I understood on the 03 generation Altimas.




Thanks for all the replies. So far, it seems that a rear roll bar may offer some improvement. I guess I could try that and see how it is and go from there.

[Blubird]

You had a stiffer suspension, more power, and no crappy CVT...LoL

[XLXR]

Does the 2.5 have a rear sway bar? No rear sway bar can make the difference.

[ChrisChhorn]

2.5's do have a rear sway bar but its tiny.....upgrading mine to the Racingline one made all the difference......it makes me cry to be back to stock The 3.5's were always made with more performance in mind. Im sure the 3.5's have a higher spring rate, thicker rear sway bar, and a higher speed rated tire. (speed rating doesnt mean much to most people but it does give a more stiff sidewall on the tires. the 2.5's only require an H rated tire while 3.5's require a V rated.) The wheels on the 3.5's are also a bit wider which contribute to stability even though its only .5" wider. All these small things add up to make a big difference in stability all the way around.

[caaraa]

Also a strut tower brace / rear sway bar does wonders for handling. You can probably do both with install for under 250.

[702L32]

Originally Posted by Konicaman

During my recent 1012 Altima shopping experience, I was concerned about going from the 3.5 in my '03 to the 2.5 in the '12.

Turns out that the HP should have been the least of my worries. Not that the 3.5 handled like an Indy car but good lord the 2.5 is horrible in curves. On the curves on my way home, I could comfortably take doing at 60mph in my old Altima. In my new 2.5, I need to be at 50 or less.

So after doing some searching and going around in circles, I am looking for answers. I am not looking to go racing. This is my daily driver and I spend most of my day in the car. What would be the suggestions for convincing my car to turn when I give it a steering input?

I am not really wanting to lower it or stiffen the ride much. Just decent and noticeable improvement with the under steer. Would just a Stillen rear anti-roll bar alone make a difference? I just looked at their website and they did not list a sway bar for the 2012 but I can not imagine the 2012 being different from the 2011.

Any thoughts or suggestions?

its your 16" stock wheels and economy tires. my 2011 2.5s was sloppy in the curves with those but handled wayy better with a set of 18's and performance tires. i did have a STB prior to wheel/tire upgrade but the wheels/tires were the difference. i may look into a RL rear sway bar after i get springs


dont know what nissan was thinking when they put those puny wheels and tires on the alti

[wild willy]

All simply fixed by just getting the 3.5 TE (tractor edition)

[B15]

Originally Posted by ChrisChhorn

2.5's do have a rear sway bar but its tiny.....upgrading mine to the Racingline one made all the difference......it makes me cry to be back to stock The 3.5's were always made with more performance in mind. Im sure the 3.5's have a higher spring rate, thicker rear sway bar, and a higher speed rated tire. (speed rating doesnt mean much to most people but it does give a more stiff sidewall on the tires. the 2.5's only require an H rated tire while 3.5's require a V rated.) The wheels on the 3.5's are also a bit wider which contribute to stability even though its only .5" wider. All these small things add up to make a big difference in stability all the way around.

This.

I would start with the rear sway.That should help stiffen things up and control body roll. The RL one is currently backordered, but will be picking one up myself in a few weeks. You can also get the strut bar, but IMO it's not worth the money. Then get yourself a set of larger wheels/better tires.

[Konicaman]

Thanks for all the input. I think I will get the rear sway bar and go from there. When it is time for new tires, I will look into getting larger rims and sportier tires.