abraxus22

Tint
New Stereo (Full) - HU, Subs, Amps
Clear Side Markers
Clear/Chrome Tailights
02/03 HID headlights with halo Kit
Lowering springs (H&R)
19" Zenetti Fives with Pirelli Neros
Chrome Gauge Bezel

Nissanaholic

I've done:
1.15% Tint
2.Brighter fogs and headlights

Thinks I plan on doing:
3.Clear side markers (only on front)
4.Stock HIDs
5.CAI

hayai240sx

1. Suspension
2. Suspension
3. Suspension
4. Suspension
5. Suspension

Maxima has a really bad suspension setup from the factory (doesn't compliment the power it has) . On turns, car feels like it's going to fly off the pavement ...

mburke911

Thanks! Great thread.

oldmanshirt

Do you have a GXE/GLE or an SE? I'll admit that my SE reminds me way too much of my '92 Regal Gran Sport, but I'm more satisfied with the suspension than I am with the brakes. These are my top 5 mods:

1. Brembo blanks and Hawk pads
2. Front strut brace and rear sway bar
3. Yellow fogs
4. LEDs all around
5. Subtle interior mods (chrome gauge rings; AE door sills; LEDs in gauges)

I plan on doing absolutely nothing to the VQ, b/c she's perfect just the way she is.

MadAlex2002

My 2002 SE is a daily driver in the morass (vehicular, and any day now, climatic (as in ice storms ) that is the traffic of Northern Virginia, and I intend to leave it stock - mostly only use my Max's go-fast mode to get in front of the pack and for an occasional shot of adrenaline. Outgrew my upgraditis with my '84 VW GTI (talk about handling like a go-cart!).

Succinct

IMHO, the best upgrade, by far, for my 2003 Maxima 6-speed was getting rid of it and replacing it with a more reliable car. I don't miss it a bit, and no longer fear the onset of the next expensive SES light. I'm totally serious.

Other than THAT upgrade, I was very happy with the improvement per dollar provided by the RSB and FSTB.

03blackmaxse

My car is currently stock, its an 03 black SE Titanium Edition, I just bought it. My plans include (in order): tint, audio system, lip (spring mod), intake, drop, rims. If/When i come across a nice set of lights (black tails or black headlights) for my 03, I'll pick those up as well.

NmexMAX

iTrader: (22)

You have something else to drive (Lowered + Lip + snow = FTL)

03blackmaxse

lol NmexMAX, was that a question? I know that a lowered car and snow don't mix too well, the drop will be one of my later mods due to cost..but if i go for it, I'll probably get coilovers so that they can be adjusted. I was also just thinking I can go for the lip and some bigger rims, I think that might eliminate some of the wheel gap. I'm sure that living in NM is better when driving a lowered car, a lot of people around here drive cars that are dropped to the max in the snow-just makes me shake my head-especially when its a nice car.

TDotMax

iTrader: (1)

We don't get that much snow in Toronto. I remove my lip in the winter and still drive lowered in the winter and no issues. Even Buffalo gets more snow then we do.

MaximumPower01

I agree 100%


For the last year or so, I've been learning ALOT about my Maxima (alot more than I did the previous 4/5 years)...and have become quite comfortable with the DIY routine..

I have yet to touch anything from the headers on down (that comes this spring, after tax returns), so I cannot comment on them, but I have found several DIY upgrades that I have been very please with..


My top five: (so far)

1.) Cold Air Intake (CAI) - should be one of the first upgrades you make to the engine, gives it that deep throat sound along with a few horses

2.) Performance Tires - amazing how big a difference a new set of treads make

3.) Hawk Pads/CNC Cross-drilled/Slotted rotors - Compared to stock, these pads and rotors have made a huge difference already...(not so much the rotors, but the pads) (especially when that old lady decided to stop in the middle of the road, while i was going 40-50 mph...stopped on a dime!)

4.) Synthetic Motor Oil - I used to use Castrol GTX, 10w30, but have since switch to Synethic (Royal Purple)...Huge difference imo...just seemed to give the car new life

5.) 93 Octane - Not really a mod, but the type of gas you use is very important in maintaining the life/performance of your car, imo

.

Dynamic_furry

Has anyone ever tried using a PCM (Power control module) for their Maxima?

cobra21

iTrader: (7)

hey im looking for yellow fog light bulbs for my 2k3 nissan maxima? any ideas on where to find them? ebay? any group venders? i tried looking at PIAA.com but they say for 2002-2003 they dont have PIAA fog lights for them? please message me with any places to go to buy

scmax2000

iTrader: (16)

If I had an auto 03 I would get these things first:
CAI, FSTB, UDP, Cattman catback, Cattman Headers, and Eibach springs and keep the exterior stock to be a sleeper.

dawoo_nj

What is the best brake setup? Cost? Website?

MyBlue02

you need "H3" bulbs...almost everyone makes "yellow", there is also a thread about the "lexus yellow capsuls" you might want to check out

as this has been covered, slotted and drilled rotors or not realy worth more that "looks"

pads...most say hawks hps pads

rotors...most say brembo oe blanks

Revs2Hard

iTrader: (7)

Top Five
1) Dropsprings & struts
2) RSB & FSTB
3) Wheels & Tires
4) Berk intake W/APEXi filter
5) catback exhaust

Next 6-10
6) Warpspeed Y-Pipe
7) UD pully
8) Colder spark plugs
9) Zex Wet Nitrous Kit
10) Purge Kit & bottle wormer

Tippy Toes

iTrader: (6)

Anyone have or use an MSG box? I know its for more modded cars but if you're into retarding the timing and some mods I heard these were a good purchase.

Cheers

Tippy Toes

MaxBoost925

iTrader: (33)

You mean like Mono Sodium Glutamate found in Cup Noodles?

Black026spdLSD

All Go, Before Show... except for little things like corners and DDEs. haha

Maxim(a)SerjVQ

I think the best mods period are very similar to Irish;

1)Tires (not really a mod imo but a required change nonetheless)
2) BRAKES/PADS (I like xdrilled but regardless of what you choose, get high quality ones like Brembos or if you have phat stacks o' $$$ get a BBK) and Hawk HPS pads
3) SFC (I don't have one yet but VERY highly reccomended)
4) RSB (Rear Sway Bar; trust me you'll love it)
5) Bushings. (Helps the car's suspension do it's job) ES Bushings preferred.

when you work all that out;
6) Shocks (Tokico makes the OEM shock, so grab some Illuminas or HPs and goto town!)
7) cat-back (mine rusted out so it was a good time to upgrade; get a stainless kit)
8) Rims (once you get stickies on the stock rims you won't need to revisit this until later, so it's low priority but still a VERY good idea. get something lightweight and strong (VIA, JIL, TUV standards; should be stamped on the rim someplace))
9)VB/tranny cooler mod. you shouldn't need it til this point if you haven't done much to performance mods.
10)Oil Catch Can (there's a reputation this engine has for burning oil, if you swap your lube every 3k its not a big deal, but this characteristic has been blamed for eating Cats, destroying rings, detrimental deposits on the inside of the engine and occasionally for summoning lesser demons to the mortal plane)

11) Forced Induction

NOS will eat your engine alive. you ever wonder why those ricers with 150shots are always at their performance shop?
If you SC, keep good track of your oil and change it twice as often as necessary.

Torgus

iTrader: (10)

this is for all around not just show and not just go
1) Stereo System: mp3s are a must, HU + all speakers replaced and amped, subs $1200
2) Suspension: Springs/Struts, SFC, LTB, RSB $1200
3) Power: Headers, Intake, AFC, Pulley, Cattback 2,200
4) Looks: Bodykit, HID upgraded fogs and headlights, clears, various lighting upgrades $1500
5) rest is up to you...

Professor

iTrader: (4)

Yes i have ADD, please refresh my mem on the VB mod I have a auto also, when iam crusing at low speed and i step on it, it seems to downshift but theres a rather noticeable delay before it engages then it picks up, is it slipping or is this something normal and will the VB mod fix this ?

pimpin02max

iTrader: (6)

These are the best in my opinion

1)Intake from w/e brand you like the best
2)Warpspeed Y-pipe
3)IM Spacer
4)Lowering Springs
5)Clear Corners

And some other ones

6)Catback from Cattman or Greddy, or Tsudo
7)Stillen Lip Kit
8)Stereo
9)Umnitza Angel Eyes
10)Kinetix IM (if you wanna spend $850)

JiggaD369

iTrader: (11)

What intake and RSB would you guys recommend? These will be my first "real" upgrades towards the new 02 Max.

replicant

I recently purchased a Progress RSB which is also like the Addco RSB, or you can get a Stillen or Cattman (ALL 4 are good).

For the intake, well there are tons of threads on this very topic; from my recent research, the overall prefered intake (warm air mind you), is the Berk with either the K&N or the Apexi filter (the more expensive of the two).

Anyway, that should get you started.

swizzcheez112

So I'm trying to clear out my orange turning signal lens and I can't seem to find a clear plastic lens to clear it out...I went to home depot, Pep Boys, Autozone, Lowes, and even Wal Mart...not sure why, but DOES ANYONE KNOW WHERE I CAN GET IT? OR HOW TO CLEAR IT OUT? I can't cut it bc I don't have the equipment for it, but i need to purchase it some where...ANY IDEAS?....Please help...trying to get this done foreva now...grr!

frank43

I agree!! Good call

machinehead131

iTrader: (1)

Home Depot, Search for housecor and he has a writeup with a picture of exactly what you need, you buy a whole light fixture and take that lense out and cut it to fit your factory blinker hole.

Neapawn

1) window tint
2) Rims
3) Body Kit if done well
4) suspension
5) performance

But it depends on what you want out of the car

Neapawn

That was more of a looks based upgrade list peformance is definatly not last on my list it really depends alot on your income and wants for upgrades

CraigsMax01

iTrader: (8)

2k3 oem hids with the angel eyez, with hid fogs

suspension (whole thing)

wheels

quality stereo, and i stress quality.

all sorts of small details thrown in, AE door sills, AE lip kit

Trurida18

iTrader: (4)

For me in order of how i did them:

1)Window Tint
2) Brakes - Powerslot slotted rotors, Hawk HPS, Goodridge SS Lines
3)Stereo- HU + Comps + Midranges+ Subs + 2 amps = STEREO
4)Intake
5)Lighting - HID fogs and headlights, sidemarkers, tag lights, interior lights
6)Suspension - Shocks, Struts, Front Srut bar

russianguy

iTrader: (1)

wheels
tires
suspension
thats all this car needs

sok1618

Short throw shifter baby....me and my buddy just put it in. Huge change!

Search the thread "free sts"

We also did this mod different from how that thread explains it....information to come soon...

doc2278

iTrader: (3)

been there most my life in Buffalo (18years) hated the 7.5 months of snow some years. Toronto is just out of range of the SNOW BELT FTW.




MY TOP 5 MODS DONE
1. Turbo set up
2. stillen aero kit
3. Carbon Naca duct
4. slotted and vented rotors
5. HIDS

babyboyws6

iTrader: (1)

If you decide you wanna go performance... you should invest in your suspension first....
along with rims and everything...
I think that should come first before rims and performance mods

El_PrOfE

iTrader: (4)

As far as Auto that is that Tranny mod I have been seeing can someone explain. I was thinking of going suspension first and was looking at some tein springs with tokico struts what else would I need for a full mod? suspension mod?

BJSE03

TOP MODS

1.) Intake
2.) Exhaust
3.) Suspension (Front and Rear Strut Braces a MUST!)
4.) Brakes
5.) Larger & Wider wheels

PS. When anyone else replaced their stock Cat-Back, was the stock piping just before the muffler crushed down in order to make it fit??? My 03 was crushed down to about 1" it seems in order for it to fit correctly. I was shocked!