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By Mike Kojima

I am writing to defend the beam axle of the 200SX once and for all! I have owned and raced classics in SCCA and IMSA quite a bit. I also own a 200SX (SCC Magazine Project SE-R). I feel that both are fine handling cars.

Stock on stock the classic rotates a little better under lift throttle which is advantageous for racing, especially Solo II type stuff and the 200SX pushes a bit more making it a bit more forgiving. The difference is pretty difficult for most people to tell, rather subtle.

The beam on the 200SX is rather sophisticated for a beam, being a twist link that allows independent action of the wheels. It also has a lateral link to lower the roll center and for lateral location. The advantage over the classic being no toe, camber or bump steer change under roll, so as not to make as much trailing throttle oversteer. The bushings have minimal stiction, combined with the twisting of the beam make for a tramp free ride even under cornering load on rough surfaces.

This is not at all like the crappy beam on cars like the Paseo, Tercel and American cars. It really works. When modified the SX will outcorner about anything. Searl whooped up on lots of Porsches and every classic on street tires at a time trial track event in his SX. My car handles better in some ways than my super trick 300zxtt. I am not biased but have a lot of experience with both cars.

Springs
Manufacturer	Application	Drop (front/rear)	Part #	Cost	Notes
Eibach	Pro-Kit, Sentra Pro-Kit, NX2000 Pro-Kit, 200SX	1.25" / 1.25" 1.25" / 1.25" 1.4" / 1.3"	6316.140 6324.140 6335.140	~$185	Fronts are linear rate, rears are progressive (see below)
	Sportline, Sentra Sportline, 200SX	1.8" / 1.8" 1.9" / 1.8"	4.1663 4.3563
Ground Control	Sentra NX2000 200SX	Adjustable		$399	Spring rates can be matched to the application
InTrax		2.0" / 2.0"			Linear
Sprint	Sentra 200SX	2.0" / 2.0" 2.0" / 2.0"	9000 9100	$229	Spring rates are either progressive or dual rate

Shocks
Manufacturer	Application	Part #	Cost	Notes
GAB	Sentra, NX2000 front and rear 200SX front (same as above) 200SX rear		~$215 each ~$215 each ~$155 each	Fronts are 4-way adjustable, rears are 8-way adjustable
Tokico	Sentra, NX2000, 200SX front Sentra, NX2000 rear 200SX rear	HB-1068, HB-1069 HU-2905	~$90 each ~$90 each ~$75 each	Tokicos have a lifetime warranty
Koni	Sentra		~$125 each	Installation requires some fabrication
KYB	Sentra		~$80 each	Only rears will fit with ABS

Bushings
Manufacturer	Application	Description	Part #	Cost	Notes
Energy Suspension	Sentra	Front Suspension Rear Suspension Front Sway Bars Rear Sway Bars Shifter	7-3109 7-3110 7-5115G 7-5116G 7-1103	$41.95 $83.95 $20.95 $36.70 $7.30	Click here for pics and install notes

Camber Plates
Manufacturer	Application	Part #	Cost	Notes
Stillen	Sentra, NX2000, 200SX	308100	~$345	Adjusts camber only. Click here for more info.

Strut Tower Braces
Manufacturer	Application	Location	Part #	Cost	Notes
Stillen	Sentra 200SX 200SX	Front Front Rear	307012 307011 307511	~$225 ~$225 ~$208
Pan Motorsport	Sentra, NX2000, 200SX	Front		~$90
Courtesy Nissan	Sentra, NX2000, 200SX 200SX	Front Rear		~$75 ~$75	Click here for more info on these STBs

Sway Bars
Manufacturer	Application	Part #	Cost	Notes
Stillen	Sentra, NX2000	303048	~$300
Suspension Techniques			~$220	Click here for ST Swaybar install notes

Eibach Pro-Kit spring rates: (Rates are lb/in. All rear springs are progressive)

* Kit Wetzler asked an Eibach engineer directly.