5th Generation Maxima (2000-2003) Learn more about the 5th Generation Maxima, including the VQ30DE-K and VQ35DE engines.

What do you do to make your engine look pretty? :)

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Old 03-21-2012, 05:43 PM
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^ blue silicone rad hoses as well? IT will even it out a little bit I think
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Old 03-21-2012, 05:53 PM
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looks miles better ranmas!
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Old 03-21-2012, 06:08 PM
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Originally Posted by TunerMaxima3000
looks miles better ranmas!
Indeed it is. Here are some thoughts:

The engine cover looks quite nice. I still think there should be contrast between it and the UIM, but what the heck... it looks good.

I agree about the VMS cover. It's too prominent on the Max. Looks good on my G, though. Keep it for the next radiator.

I'm so p1ssed off that I didn't figure out how to separate the open-hood sensor from the bracket. Feel like an idiot. Good for you, ranmas. Mine needed better attention than I could give it... if I had known, I would have bought a new one and had the bracket powdercoated.

You, sir, need new strut nuts. Badly.

The adhesive residue... just buy some Goo Gone. Problem solved.

Get some metal polish and work on the main AC line on the passenger side, as well as the little AC return lines on the driver side. Oh, and the two side-by-side little PS lines on the passenger side. All you need is a shop rag, some light elbow grease, and some good metal polish.

The metal strap holding those two PS lines to the frame is rusted away. Remove it and paint, or buy a new one.

You seem to have a random use of blue fender washers. Get a plan, ranmasman.

You've got a blue fender washer plugging a hole on the drivers side strut tower. That looks dumb. C'mon, man, that's what hole plugs are for. You cover up holes, you don't plant a flag and say, "Look, a hole."

Last edited by Rochester; 03-21-2012 at 07:36 PM.
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Old 03-21-2012, 06:33 PM
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I painted a bunch of nuts today, strut nuts, and the nuts for the grille/bumper support bracket (next to headlight bolts) I didn't expect it to work, but it actually stuck good, just skuffed them with a 3m pad first.
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Old 03-21-2012, 06:40 PM
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Let them dry/cure for a couple of days. Otherwise the tool marks will show on your nuts, , when you reinstall them.
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Old 03-21-2012, 08:13 PM
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Originally Posted by ShocknAwe
^ blue silicone rad hoses as well? IT will even it out a little bit I think
You must have been reading my mind. Not going to mess with it N/A. When I go turbo I am going to get the blue silicone hoses!!!

Originally Posted by Rochester
Indeed it is. Here are some thoughts:

The engine cover looks quite nice. I still think there should be contrast between it and the UIM, but what the heck... it looks good.

I agree about the VMS cover. It's too prominent on the Max. Looks good on my G, though. Keep it for the next radiator.

I'm so p1ssed off that I didn't figure out how to separate the open-hood sensor from the bracket. Feel like an idiot. Good for you, ranmas. Mine needed better attention than I could give it... if I had known, I would have bought a new one and had the bracket powdercoated.

You, sir, need new strut nuts. Badly.

YES, I downloaded your excel spreadsheet on bolts and sizes and plan on getting titanium ones.

The adhesive residue... just buy some Goo Gone. Problem solved.
THANKS, will do.

Get some metal polish and work on the main AC line on the passenger side, as well as the little AC return lines on the driver side. Oh, and the two side-by-side little PS lines on the passenger side. All you need is a shop rag, some light elbow grease, and some good metal polish.
WILL DO, THANKS

The metal strap holding those two PS lines to the frame is rusted away. Remove it and paint, or buy a new one.
I'll Buy a new one and start fresh! Opportunity for more powdercoating!

You seem to have a random use of blue fender washers. Get a plan, ranmasman.
Yeh, they just placeholders now...LOL.

You've got a blue fender washer plugging a hole on the drivers side strut tower. That looks dumb. C'mon, man, that's what hole plugs are for. You cover up holes, you don't plant a flag and say, "Look, a hole."
I know you've told me before. Its all a work in progress. I don't have a garage so I cant just go out in the middle of the night and work on the car all night long under a light, unfortunately. I'll get everything together by they summer. before this big NY maxima meet!
Also those are coolant lines that run in front of the engine by the O2 sensor holders? They are all rusted out. I think I'm going to buy some new ones and powdercoat them black.

Last edited by ranmas2004; 03-21-2012 at 08:20 PM.
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Old 03-22-2012, 05:30 AM
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Originally Posted by ranmas2004
Also those are coolant lines that run in front of the engine by the O2 sensor holders? They are all rusted out. I think I'm going to buy some new ones and powdercoat them black.
That not unusual. I'm guessing those water pipes look like pooh on 99% of the 5th Gens still on the road.

They're only $50/each (approx). But be super careful about installing them... the little rubber O-rings can very easily rip when you insert the ends of the pipes, which you won't know it until you fill (and spill) coolant.

And coolant ain't cheap, don't you know.
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Old 03-22-2012, 10:07 AM
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Originally Posted by Rochester
That not unusual. I'm guessing those water pipes look like pooh on 99% of the 5th Gens still on the road.

They're only $50/each (approx). But be super careful about installing them... the little rubber O-rings can very easily rip when you insert the ends of the pipes, which you won't know it until you fill (and spill) coolant.

And coolant ain't cheap, don't you know.
I didn't really notice mine until I saw on this thread where you installed your new ones (I think it was this thread). Now when I see them I just can't take it. Can't wait to switch them out.
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Old 03-22-2012, 10:10 AM
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Just look away if this makes you uncomfortable.

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Old 03-22-2012, 10:20 AM
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Originally Posted by Rochester
Just look away if this makes you uncomfortable.

If looking at that like this: makes me this: then proceed with this: b/c ^that's hawt.

Did you paint those? I don't remember
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Old 03-22-2012, 10:23 AM
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Originally Posted by Nexus67
Did you paint those? I don't remember
There's a local shop that does quality powdercoating for a very reasonable cost.

The name of this color is "Black Chrome". Good name for a horse, now that I think about it.

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Old 03-22-2012, 10:32 AM
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Originally Posted by Rochester
There's a local shop that does quality powdercoating for a very reasonable cost.

The name of this color is "Black Chrome". Good name for a horse, now that I think about it.

So clean. That color was a perfect match for your TE, I'm wondering if I'll have the same luck w/ Sunlit Sand; still want to try it. Black Chrome...hmmm...yessssss (Mr. Burns' voice). Thank you suh
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Old 03-22-2012, 10:36 AM
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Originally Posted by Nexus67
So clean. That color was a perfect match for your TE, I'm wondering if I'll have the same luck w/ Sunlit Sand; still want to try it. Black Chrome...hmmm...yessssss (Mr. Burns' voice). Thank you suh
You're welcome.

Oh, and not a TE. The car was/is a 2003 SE 6MT with zero options other than what comes with the 6MT. And the color was Sheer Silver.
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Old 03-22-2012, 10:45 AM
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Originally Posted by Rochester
You're welcome.

Oh, and not a TE. The car was/is a 2003 SE 6MT with zero options other than what comes with the 6MT. And the color was Sheer Silver.
My bad. Still matches, you display superior color coordination that I often reference in my own color themes.
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Old 03-22-2012, 11:17 AM
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Originally Posted by Rochester
You're welcome.

Oh, and not a TE. The car was/is a 2003 SE 6MT with zero options other than what comes with the 6MT. And the color was Sheer Silver.
I always thought yours was sterling mist John?
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Old 03-22-2012, 11:33 AM
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Originally Posted by vball_max
I always thought yours was sterling mist John?
No. I never cared for Sterling Mist. Sheer Silver was unique to 2003, like Polished Ti.
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Old 03-22-2012, 11:40 AM
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Rochester, please dont take this the wrong way, as I am NOW careful about what I post, but that color on your water pipes isnt black chrome....its actually Chrome Smoke. Black chrome is considerably darker and needs to be applied over actual chrome, argent silver, or reflective chrome for best results. Bike Week just pasted here in Florida, and since I powder coat on the side, I did quite a few parts for bikers in daytona, and the hottest color I did was Black Chrome. These are my water pipes, they are coated in Chrome Smoke. as far as the O rings tearing...you are 100% correct. If you however lightly coat them in coolant, they slide in easier. The other bypass pipes etc. were coated Wrinkle Black.

Originally Posted by Rochester
There's a local shop that does quality powdercoating for a very reasonable cost.

The name of this color is "Black Chrome". Good name for a horse, now that I think about it.


Last edited by 4DRZ; 03-22-2012 at 11:42 AM.
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Old 03-22-2012, 11:43 AM
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Originally Posted by 4DRZ
Rochester, please dont take this the wrong way, as I am NOW careful about what I post, but that color on your water pipes isnt black chrome....its actually Chrome Smoke. Black chrome is considerably darker and needs to be applied over actual chrome, argent silver, or reflective chrome for best results. Bike Week just pasted here in Florida, and since I powder coat on the side, I did quite a few parts for bikers in daytona, and the hottest color I did was Black Chrome. These are my water pipes, they are coated in Chrome Smoke.
No problem, man. Do I scare you or something? Don't mind me. I'm a harmless e-Bully.

Black Chrome is the name of the color that the PowerCoater told me, is all. I've had a number of things coated by him in that color, and it's always the same. Maybe he's wrong, or uses a different supplier for the paint, or it's the lighting... IDK. It is what it is.

Originally Posted by 4DRZ
as far as the O rings tearing...you are 100% correct. If you however lightly coat them in coolant, the slide in easier.
Good advice.
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Old 03-22-2012, 11:46 AM
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No its not you, its just here tempers flare a lil to easy on this forum. I have a few parts coming in soon that the customer requested to be coated Black Chrome. i will post pics when i am done. Black Chrome is the same color as the RC2 or w/e they were called, intakes that were on here not to long ago.
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Old 03-23-2012, 08:15 PM
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vias delete looks good for sure
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Old 03-23-2012, 09:44 PM
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Old 03-23-2012, 09:46 PM
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Originally Posted by TunerMaxima3000
I dont know what was up with him for a min. Posted on every single recent thread. 4 or 5 words. dunno
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Old 04-17-2012, 11:26 AM
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BUMP!!!!!!!!









Still filthy, but getting there... Still have to order some new parts and get them powdercoated...
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Old 04-17-2012, 11:40 AM
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Very nice dude!! LOL at the "heatsheild".
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Old 04-17-2012, 11:45 AM
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Ditto on the "very nice", and ditto on the "heat shield".

You want SS t-bolt clamps on your upper radiator hose. Yes you do. They cost virtually nothing, and look fantastic. Search the thread for details.

Your washer fluid cap is the first thing I see out of place. Go maroon, black or silver, and it will stop drawing the eye.

Good job, Lowz.
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Old 04-17-2012, 11:57 AM
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Originally Posted by Rochester
Ditto on the "very nice", and ditto on the "heat shield".

You want SS t-bolt clamps on your upper radiator hose. Yes you do. They cost virtually nothing, and look fantastic. Search the thread for details.

Your washer fluid cap is the first thing I see out of place. Go maroon, black or silver, and it will stop drawing the eye.

Good job, Lowz.
heat sheild was laying around, so i figured i would see how I like it...

I am trying to get my hands on another cap (dont want to paint it if i dont have to)
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Old 04-17-2012, 08:01 PM
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or just shave your bay with a full wire tuck lol
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Old 04-17-2012, 08:16 PM
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^Impressive
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Old 04-17-2012, 10:11 PM
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Originally Posted by simpleNclean
or just shave your bay with a full wire tuck lol
That looks awesome, but.... it's not really fair to say you've got a full wire tuck, when in fact, there's no wires..... ie. no headlights, fog lights, battery, etc, etc, you've got an empty engine bay...
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Old 04-17-2012, 10:33 PM
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Im assuming there will be a proper tuck lol. Its a good start nonetheless
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Old 05-07-2012, 04:31 PM
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Here's my engine bay

Just starting to try my hand at purdying up the engine (and yeah, that's QT1):

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Old 05-12-2012, 07:36 PM
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Sanded down and painted my engine cover today.

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Old 05-12-2012, 07:53 PM
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Before.....


Halfway there still got to put Engine Cover and RL FSTB got it Powdercoated Black and Paint Yellow Caps or buy those Colored Caps,and get the Maxima or Racingline Battery Tie Down.....
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Old 06-25-2012, 10:32 PM
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Old 07-09-2012, 09:42 AM
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Well, I finally got around to getting rid of these...



And installed new painted black ones. And installed the mishimoto 4th gen rad...






And the new Wrayth Engineering polymount inserts in gloss black mounts and bracket

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Old 07-09-2012, 09:49 AM
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Originally Posted by knight_yyz
Well, I finally got around to getting rid of these...
Took you long enough!

JK, Ray. That looks great in gloss black. Good job.

I wonder if ranmas2004 is noticing your blue cap on the battery's positive connector?
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Old 07-09-2012, 10:31 AM
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subscribed for ideas

Damn guys, some of you go over the top, WOW!

The only engine bay bling I've got is my ebay FSTB. But I'd like to get into cleaning things up in here. Hmm...
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Old 07-09-2012, 10:56 AM
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Originally Posted by Amerikaner83
subscribed for ideas

Damn guys, some of you go over the top, WOW!

The only engine bay bling I've got is my ebay FSTB. But I'd like to get into cleaning things up in here. Hmm...
Start at the beginning. It's worth the read. Lots of great ideas in here.
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Old 07-09-2012, 10:42 PM
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50 pages, I've made it to 18 but gotta call it quits, but not before:
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^^came today, installing tomorrow ^^

Thinking of getting these as a quick dip into dress-up...what do you think?
http://www.ebay.com/itm/110753080003...torefresh=true

Also, going to wash the engine bay (with car running) and wd40 some hoses, maybe stop by the parts store and get new T-style hose clamps...

Would Plasti-Dip work for painting over the OEM yellow caps for washer fluid and what-not?
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Old 07-10-2012, 05:22 PM
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I used Plasti-dip for the same thing cause I had some lying around, but it is just alright. The edges are beginning to fray, and although I like the rubber texture I'm afraid it will rub off. Over the weekend I'm planning to repaint with flat black spray paint instead.
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