Hicas for grip

[timtiminy]

I have an opportunity to pick up a super hicas s13, I was planning on building an s13 for grip and have 2 non hicas s13s i have never driven a hicas model but supposedly it was made to better the handing on an already good handling car. I figured that the hicas model would be good for a grip setup. I know Halo has a hicas s13 and loves it. I would like to hear more from him as he uses it for grip and autox. I just want some oppinions from people who have driven or own hicas models.

[Oo_Skyline_oO]

I've been wanting one for the longest time. how much they run now a days

[GSXRJJordan]

Hicas is generally unreliable/unpredictable, and that's why everyone I know of who has it, gets rid of it. For autox it might be helpful, but something like that only has to screw up once, before you decide to ditch it for good. If HaLo runs it, I'd like to hear his thoughts on pros/cons.

[timtiminy]

GSXRJJorddan: thats what i hear as well, but mostly from the "drift" crowd or people that have taken one on for a spin once. doing a little research it seems that people that have actually driven it for some length of time really grow to like it and prefer it over non hicas. I would love to hear Halo chime in i have a few questions reguarding setup too. and if i remember correctly there was a guy in grassroots motorsports magazine that had his hicas 240sx and he was doing really well in the scca autox even against the early 90's civics, ill try to find the issue

[Z33dori]

The only real grip exp i had with my hicas was at stock ride height. And at high speed corners the car felt really float as the back wheels would adjust thier angle going though the corner (this was in the mountains). It felt really unsafe at first but then i adapted to it and it felt pretty good, allowing me to push the car through the turn, w/o pretty much any understeer.

if i can get my car running clean again, i'll have the chance to try at the hicas on a autocross course.....and we shall see how it goes.

[drift freaq]

I have owned several Hicas cars. I have run them in the mountains. They were ok. I prefer not to have it. Thats more because it adds close to 100lbs to the weight of the car. I also like to drift so hicas does not fit into the picture. Would I pick another one up? For the price yes. I love the steering racks, for grip or drift. They just rock. I would drive a hicas car daily and not worry about it.

[timtiminy]

i am wondering if a properly tuned non hicas car would handle the same as an equally tuned hicas model (tuned; reffering to suspension) or if the hicas would further increase the handling? i ask this because i plan on going with full suspension uprgades, such as dampers and springs, sway bars, bushings, wider tires, hlsd. basically the works...

[drift freaq]

i am wondering if a properly tuned non hicas car would handle the same as an equally tuned hicas model (tuned; reffering to suspension) or if the hicas would further increase the handling? i ask this because i plan on going with full suspension uprgades, such as dampers and springs, sway bars, bushings, wider tires, hlsd. basically the works...

That is a interesting thought. I do not know if anyone has ever tested it out.

[chibo]

I believe Jason Rhoades was running a HICAS car which then went HICAS elimiator when he built the car for SM, might want to talk to him if you're actually serious.

[1eightySX]

i have it and I am getting rid of it, or at least canceling it. I have a spare power steering hose for it in my trunk if anyone wants it. Anyway, it is weird it kicks at weird times and always scares the crap out of me for like half a second.

[racepar1]

I have driven one hicas car, which was stock and I didn't drive it hard I just tossed it around in an empty parking lot a bit. The rear end of the car felt VERY vague, like it was connected to the rest of the car with a rubber band. When you toss a non-hicas 240 around you can feel the tires break grip, slide a little, and grab again. With the hicas it just feels strange. I'm sure you could get used to it, but I will GUARANTEE you that there is no performance advantage and it is almost certainly a dis-advantage. Also the hicas cars are un-predictable because it has glitches and kinks in the system. The first time that the hicas glitches out and scares the crap outta you I will guarantee that you will be in a huge hurry to get rid of it. If you like to drive and you want to learn how to do it well then ditch the hicas. If there was really a performance advantage then why did nissan dis-continue it?

[S14DB]

I dunno how randomly moving the Toe around helps handling.

[cdlong]

i'm pretty sure it's not random. i bet the nissan engineers that programmed the system know it's not random. but what they want to do with the rear end of your car and what you want to do with the rear end of your car may be completely different. some like it, some dont, why not give it a shot.

overall, it's a better car, suspension, brakes, and steering wise. if the HICAS is the only part you don't like, just swap one of your non-HICAS rears in.

edit: to clarify a little, toe isn't static through the suspension travel anyway. usually the suspension toes in as it compresses. that's good for some situations, but not all. HICAS just adds a measure of control that most aren't used to. unfortunatly, the control is given to the engineers, and it still doesn't match all situations.

[a_ahmed]

You guys in the states who have choice of non hicas cars are lucky most here are hicas and it sucks.

When I first got my project car at 800$ it was beaten to hell but, the worst bit was the leaking rear hicas hahaha...

I mean I don't know.. what can I say.. I've driven it a little, it turned in better for sure, it was phenomenal with stock suspension, it just does... but... it feels weird and a lil unpredictable... and unpredictable is definetely not cool.

If we could steer both wheels ourselves now that'd be cool but we'd have to be alien with 4 arms and two heads :P

I got rid of mine with a hicas stopper, removed all the equipment, lines, even the hicas computer, but even with the stopper the rear hicas tie rod shit really sucks imho...

So what have I done, I just recently got a non hicas subframe and getting spl toe arms... cant wait to install it all.

I'll stick with predictability and proper tuning over some weird initial turn in advantage.

[khmer1]

what is hicas?

[jed240]

there r sum pros to a hicas but most wouldnt notice. it may not be the best for driftin but on some surprise bends or ramps when u r going way 2 fast hicas keeps the car stable, think of it as traction control which maintains grip without applying brakes to individual wheels. its all about getting used to it, at which point its not so unpredictable, most f the time u r not aware that it is there. hicas is not discontinued, its still being put into g37 and gtr. hicas is a nissan thing like vtec is to honda.

[cdlong]

what is hicas?

"HICAS" + google.com works wonders

there r sum pros to a hicas but most wouldnt notice. it may not be the best for driftin but on some surprise bends or ramps when u r going way 2 fast hicas keeps the car stable, think of it as traction control which maintains grip without applying brakes to individual wheels. its all about getting used to it, at which point its not so unpredictable, most f the time u r not aware that it is there. hicas is not discontinued, its still being put into g37 and gtr. hicas is a nissan thing like vtec is to honda.

the part of that i could actually read didn't make any sense. learn how to communicate with the written word and come back.

[jed240]

"HICAS" + google.com works wonders



the part of that i could actually read didn't make any sense. learn how to communicate with the written word and come back.

sorry i dont speak korean

[Z33dori]

well that was uncalled for..

[SW20Racer]

sorry i dont speak korean

dont be a dick. i speak english just like you and i barely made out what that first post said. something about comparing ALL WHEEL STEERING to VARIABLE VALVE TIMING

but, you did bring up something valid. the gtr with super hicas. maybe a heavier car makes for better hicas usage...

[Farzam]

20 year old technology isn't that great, generally speaking.

I'd rather have a non-hicas.

[VG30Drift]

I've driven both non-HICAS and hicas s13s and I prefer the NON HICAS MUCH MUCH MORE!. I practically own a hicas (gf's car, coilovers etc...) and I drive it almost daily. I primarily have run them on mountain roads, and the HICAS just makes the car feel unpredictable. It just feels like someone else on here stated "like the rear is connected to the rest of the car with a rubber band." Also if you ever plan on doing any drifting, its a lot harder to initiate the drift. Although... I'm pretty sure HICAS did come standard with VLSD and ABS. So, if you don't mind the extra weight you can cancel the HICAS and get an S13 with ABS.

[sldbyuramg]

seems like you would have more control in a non- hicas car. that is if your a good driver. i'm sure a beginner would benifit greatly...but when you take the control away from the driver...its probably not a good thing. unless of course you dont know how to "drive" your car.

same thing with the evos...most people who race evos steer clear of the AYC because it takes complete control of the rear end away from you...and that is most important in racing

[chetacheese]

hicas=4 wheel steering. ill make u-turns in the smallest streets and interesections and wouldnt have to worry about reversing. i have one myself and so far i like it. its pretty much personal preference and purpose of drive. if you want to hit up the canyons, go with the hicas. ive ran mine in the canyons and this thing handles beautifully. as for drift, i havent actually done so, but after research, people said not to drift with it. and it sounds logical to not drift with a 4-wheel steering car.

[luftrofl]

I think that HICAS is interesting, but I can't say that I'd keep it even if I had it. Our minds have an idea of how cars behave at the limit. HICAS dramatically changes how the car behaves, with benefits that most people don't want or need.

sorry i dont speak korean

Don't be an ass.

[sldbyuramg]

well i think Hicas is really cool if your not "driving" your car...by driving i mean i went thru 2 sets of michelin pilot sport PS2 a year with my evo8. if your into chill driving with the occasional canyon day then great...but if your goal is to get a lil oversteer every turn you make...then i would say pass on the hicas.

PS i have also driven hicas so i do know what it feels like...it all comes down to personal driving needs and preferences

hicas=4 wheel steering. ill make u-turns in the smallest streets and interesections and wouldnt have to worry about reversing. i have one myself and so far i like it. its pretty much personal preference and purpose of drive. if you want to hit up the canyons, go with the hicas. ive ran mine in the canyons and this thing handles beautifully. as for drift, i havent actually done so, but after research, people said not to drift with it. and it sounds logical to not drift with a 4-wheel steering car.

[drift freaq]

hicas=4 wheel steering. ill make u-turns in the smallest streets and interesections and wouldnt have to worry about reversing. i have one myself and so far i like it. its pretty much personal preference and purpose of drive. if you want to hit up the canyons, go with the hicas. ive ran mine in the canyons and this thing handles beautifully. as for drift, i havent actually done so, but after research, people said not to drift with it. and it sounds logical to not drift with a 4-wheel steering car.

Ah this is because of your front Steering rack having a quicker ratio on the hicas car vs non hicas cars. Its not about the 4 wheel steering. Hicas aka 4 wheel steering on our cars equipped with it only comes into play above 45-50 mph. Unlike the Honda 4 wheel steering that worked at low speed.

[racepar1]

HICAS has negative effects on handling guys! People keep speaking of "benefits". If there were any performance benefits then you would see a lot more hicas cars being used for purpose built track, autocross, and time attack cars. I have never seen a purpose built hicas track car anywhere. It makes the rear end unpredictable and vague. I don't care what you wanna use your car for that is not good. Nissan discontinued hicas for a reason, drivers didn't like it and there was no real performance advantage.

[sldbyuramg]

+1.... straight to the point

HICAS has negative effects on handling guys! People keep speaking of "benefits". If there were any performance benefits then you would see a lot more hicas cars being used for purpose built track, autocross, and time attack cars. I have never seen a purpose built hicas track car anywhere. It makes the rear end unpredictable and vague. I don't care what you wanna use your car for that is not good. Nissan discontinued hicas for a reason, drivers didn't like it and there was no real performance advantage.

[drift freaq]

HICAS has negative effects on handling guys! People keep speaking of "benefits". If there were any performance benefits then you would see a lot more hicas cars being used for purpose built track, autocross, and time attack cars. I have never seen a purpose built hicas track car anywhere. It makes the rear end unpredictable and vague. I don't care what you wanna use your car for that is not good. Nissan discontinued hicas for a reason, drivers didn't like it and there was no real performance advantage.

I agree the only benefit a Hicas car has in my opinion is the front steering rack alone being a quicker ratio. :D

[SW20Racer]

Nissan discontinued hicas

no they didnt.

http://jalopnik.com/cars/new-york-auto-show/new-york-auto-show-infiniti-g-coupe-and-ex-concept-249695.php

edit: lol, i didnt know i posted a smiley. i took it down, it conveyed the wrong sentiment. dont be mad racepar1!

[racepar1]

:hyper: no they didnt.

http://jalopnik.com/cars/new-york-auto-show/new-york-auto-show-infiniti-g-coupe-and-ex-concept-249695.php

Excuse the fuck outta me! They discontinued it for years and just this year they brought it back. HICAS = BAD, end of thread.

[Matej]

While the 240SX Hicas system does more bad than good and everyone either disables it or gets rid of it, the gearing in the Hicas steering rack on the other hand is better than in the non-Hicas one, I wouldn't mind picking up a Hicas steering rack for my car if I run across one at a junkyard or somewhere.

[lordofthemiasma]

I have a 1991 hicas with an sr in it and adore it. Once youg et used to the better handling you will adapt and be able to outperform nonhicas cars badly. there is a curve locally that i have taken at well over 130 mph with no issues in the hicas car, i made the mistkae of attempting this in a non hicas car that a friend owns and almost died because the car slid out, running very similar suspension/ same size wheels/ tires. ALot of people say it is unpredictable because they have read this and that, the z32 hicas models are very unpredictable because it is electronic whereas the 240's are hydrolic. the factory vlsd is nice but as said drifting a hicas car is alot different then a non hicas one, the steering rack is sweet it is only like 4 turns lock to lock. only shitty part is the fact that parts are hard to find, i have a very small power steering leak where the lines run to the back but have never even bothered to try and find the block, granted its not even worth fixing because it is very small but it wouldnt be an easy part to come by. if you have an opportunity to get one do it, worst case scenario will be that you put eliminator bars in, and have a bit heavier but much nicer 240 with abs, vlsd, and sweet rack :)

[cdlong]

sorry i dont speak korean

neither do i.

i'd call you an ass and tell you to shut the hell up but it seems some people have beaten me to it.

[drift freaq]

While the 240SX Hicas system does more bad than good and everyone either disables it or gets rid of it, the gearing in the Hicas steering rack on the other hand is better than in the non-Hicas one, I wouldn't mind picking up a Hicas steering rack for my car if I run across one at a junkyard or somewhere.

uh you pretty much restate what I stated about 5 posts earlier. Only adding that you want one.

[racepar1]

I have a 1991 hicas with an sr in it and adore it. Once youg et used to the better handling you will adapt and be able to outperform nonhicas cars badly. there is a curve locally that i have taken at well over 130 mph with no issues in the hicas car, i made the mistkae of attempting this in a non hicas car that a friend owns and almost died because the car slid out, running very similar suspension/ same size wheels/ tires. ALot of people say it is unpredictable because they have read this and that, the z32 hicas models are very unpredictable because it is electronic whereas the 240's are hydrolic. the factory vlsd is nice but as said drifting a hicas car is alot different then a non hicas one, the steering rack is sweet it is only like 4 turns lock to lock. only shitty part is the fact that parts are hard to find, i have a very small power steering leak where the lines run to the back but have never even bothered to try and find the block, granted its not even worth fixing because it is very small but it wouldnt be an easy part to come by. if you have an opportunity to get one do it, worst case scenario will be that you put eliminator bars in, and have a bit heavier but much nicer 240 with abs, vlsd, and sweet rack :)

Well over 130 mph huh? On the street too! I refuse to believe that anyone is that stupid to try a "well over 130 mph" turn on the street in his own car much less a car that he doesn't own. But hey, maybe you are that dumb.

[Matej]

uh you pretty much restate what I stated about 5 posts earlier. Only adding that you want one.
First Amendment bro, freedom bro, America!

[TPS240sxS13]

Ah this is because of your front Steering rack having a quicker ratio on the hicas car vs non hicas cars. Its not about the 4 wheel steering. Hicas aka 4 wheel steering on our cars equipped with it only comes into play above 45-50 mph. Unlike the Honda 4 wheel steering that worked at low speed.


Well that’s not all true, I own a HICAS and it works all the time. For example, at low speeds when the front wheels turn right the back will turn left, and at "highway" speeds when the front tires turn to the left the back will also turn left. HICAS on my 240sx is more of a love hate relationship, I love that I can make a u-turn better than my buddies IS300, but I hate it that a new rack and pinion can only be bought from Nissan and they want over $1300 for it. A reason to why you don’t see it much these days is because too many skyline owners complained that like many of you said, its feels weird in the rear, HICAS works as well as you diving skill and most guys who own skylines are pro racers. In the end it’s a really awesome daily driver that can be a real monster on the track, when it comes to drifting wait for a rainy day.

[LS240]

there r sum pros to a hicas but most wouldnt notice. it may not be the best for driftin but on some surprise bends or ramps when u r going way 2 fast hicas keeps the car stable, think of it as traction control which maintains grip without applying brakes to individual wheels. its all about getting used to it, at which point its not so unpredictable, most f the time u r not aware that it is there. hicas is not discontinued, its still being put into g37 and gtr. hicas is a nissan thing like vtec is to honda.

The new GT-R most definitely does not have HICAS.

I have a 1991 hicas with an sr in it and adore it. Once youg et used to the better handling you will adapt and be able to outperform nonhicas cars badly. there is a curve locally that i have taken at well over 130 mph with no issues in the hicas car, i made the mistkae of attempting this in a non hicas car that a friend owns and almost died because the car slid out, running very similar suspension/ same size wheels/ tires. ALot of people say it is unpredictable because they have read this and that, the z32 hicas models are very unpredictable because it is electronic whereas the 240's are hydrolic. the factory vlsd is nice but as said drifting a hicas car is alot different then a non hicas one, the steering rack is sweet it is only like 4 turns lock to lock. only shitty part is the fact that parts are hard to find, i have a very small power steering leak where the lines run to the back but have never even bothered to try and find the block, granted its not even worth fixing because it is very small but it wouldnt be an easy part to come by. if you have an opportunity to get one do it, worst case scenario will be that you put eliminator bars in, and have a bit heavier but much nicer 240 with abs, vlsd, and sweet rack :)

This post is full of win. I especially love the part about outperforming non-HICAS cars badly. O Rly? Please do tell.

[drift freaq]

Well that’s not all true, I own a HICAS and it works all the time. For example, at low speeds when the front wheels turn right the back will turn left, and at "highway" speeds when the front tires turn to the left the back will also turn left. HICAS on my 240sx is more of a love hate relationship, I love that I can make a u-turn better than my buddies IS300, but I hate it that a new rack and pinion can only be bought from Nissan and they want over $1300 for it. A reason to why you don’t see it much these days is because too many skyline owners complained that like many of you said, its feels weird in the rear, HICAS works as well as you diving skill and most guys who own skylines are pro racers. In the end it’s a really awesome daily driver that can be a real monster on the track, when it comes to drifting wait for a rainy day.

If you think your Hicas is working all the time your seriously smoking something good. Good read up on Nissans on explanations of the system.

P.S. You can get Hicas racks you just have to know how and where. :D

I have owned several Hicas cars and now of what I speak of.

[drift freaq]

First Amendment bro, freedom bro, America!

woohoo hahahhaha state the first amendant for basically parroting my statement . Man you make yourself look bad in trying to be funny.
You are seriously one screwed up individual. LOL

[TPS240sxS13]

If you think your Hicas is working all the time your seriously smoking something good. Good read up on Nissans on explanations of the system.

P.S. You can get Hicas racks you just have to know how and where. :D

I have owned several Hicas cars and now of what I speak of.


all i know is i sat in my drive way with my buddy and we both saw the back tires move when we turned the stearing wheel. then again my car has a mind of its own and has tryed to kill me before. so no worries

[SochBAT]

Dave is THE man about our cars. HICAS racks are cheap as hell to find, and shit, you get a core exchange of like, 90 bucks or something. Totally worth the change, IMHO.

Rule #1 - Real friends don't let other friends buy 240s. They just make the community dumber.

[drift freaq]

Dave is THE man about our cars. HICAS racks are cheap as hell to find, and shit, you get a core exchange of like, 90 bucks or something. Totally worth the change, IMHO.

Rule #1 - Real friends don't let other friends buy 240s. They just make the community dumber.

Actually Socheat, You can still find Hicas racks used cheap. You can get them rebuilt. Core exchanges are starting not to happen because the rebuilders can't get enough used ones.

[SochBAT]

Ever heard of PPE? They quoted me roughly 100 for a rebuilt hicas rack, which i find it cheap as dirt when i worked delivering parts. Out in hacienda i think?

[racepar1]

Ever heard of PPE? They quoted me roughly 100 for a rebuilt hicas rack, which i find it cheap as dirt when i worked delivering parts. Out in hacienda i think?

DON'T trust that quote! Rebuilders do not know the difference between a hicas and a non-hicas rack bu looking at them, or even the difference between a s-13 and s-14 rack for that matter. If you buy the rack from them you will almost certainly not get a hicas rack.

[sldbyuramg]

I have a 1991 hicas with an sr in it and adore it. Once youg et used to the better handling you will adapt and be able to outperform nonhicas cars badly. there is a curve locally that i have taken at well over 130 mph with no issues in the hicas car, i made the mistkae of attempting this in a non hicas car that a friend owns and almost died because the car slid out, running very similar suspension/ same size wheels/ tires. ALot of people say it is unpredictable because they have read this and that, the z32 hicas models are very unpredictable because it is electronic whereas the 240's are hydrolic. the factory vlsd is nice but as said drifting a hicas car is alot different then a non hicas one, the steering rack is sweet it is only like 4 turns lock to lock. only shitty part is the fact that parts are hard to find, i have a very small power steering leak where the lines run to the back but have never even bothered to try and find the block, granted its not even worth fixing because it is very small but it wouldnt be an easy part to come by. if you have an opportunity to get one do it, worst case scenario will be that you put eliminator bars in, and have a bit heavier but much nicer 240 with abs, vlsd, and sweet rack :)

that is because you don't know how to drive. period...end of your fairytale story of the incredible 130mph curve