MaximumPower01

So, I've been waiting patiently for my W2's and they finally came in yesterday....

Last year, i spent most of my time/money doing maintenance, rather than performance mods....


.....such as:


1.) Replaced Oxygen Sensor - Bank 1, Sensor 1 = $111 part
2.) Replaced Oxygen Sensor - Bank 1, Sensor 2 = FREE ;-)
3.) Replaced Oxygen Sensor - Bank 2, Sensor 2 = $83
4.) Replaced Mass Air Flow Sensor/Meter (MAF) = $82
5.) Replaced Spark Plugs (NGK Platinum) = $24 parts
6.) Transmission Flush & Filter Change = $110
7.) Replaced Front Brakes, Bendix = $45
8.) Replaced Rear Brakes, Bendix = $25
9.) Cleaned Fuel Injectors, Lucas Oil Fuel Injector Cleaning Kit = $10
10.) New Fan Assembly, Replaced = $50
11.) Removed Radiator, Flushed & Cleaned by air hose - $5
12.) Seafoam flush via brake booster = $6
13.) Replaced PCV Valve = $9
14.) Clean/Re-use In-Cab Microfilter = FREE





This year, I want to take it a few steps further...........................along the lines of headers (all the way to cat), handling (springs, struts, rsb, fstb), Turbo kit (piping, intercooler, t3/4), or even possibley a Powertuner, with an in-dash laptop




As far as mod's go, this is whats been done to the car, within the last year (performance):


1.) Injen Cold Air Intake (or WAI) = $235
2.) Random Technology High-Flow "Cat" Converter = $216 part
3.) Throttle Body By-Pass Kit = $13
4.) Stillen Fuel Pressure Regulator = $52
5.) Royal Purple Synthetic Motor Oil = $54 per case (8)
6.) Crossdrilled/Slotted Rotors (front), CNC machined = $60
7.) Crossdrilled/Slotted Rotors (rear), CNC machined = $60
8.) Nexen 3000 High Performance tires - ZR rated - 340AA tread wear = $352 parts, labor $40.
9.) Gutted Trunk (-100 lbs) = Free
10.) Removed Weatherstripping, front & back, under hood - (Engine Temp Drop) = Free





With that said, my question is:


If you had $1000 bucks to play with (for your Max only), what would you do with it?

(according to what I have setup already)



Thoughts?

Rydicule

For the 5th gen (2k and 2k1), headers have proven to bring little more benefit than an aftermarket y-pipe, which would be cheaper. If you're looking for gains, definitely go for the y pipe, but reconsider the cost-benefit of headers. If you're going to drop a grand on one thing, I vote the suspension. The car has plenty of get-up and go for a daily grocery-getter, but the improved handling will make it more fun around those back roads.

steves01max

I wish i had 1000 bucks right now lol but with it I'd do tints since i didnt get them yet, a sound system and new front struts/strut bearings cause they sound worn away. Im not much into performance mods since its my daily driver. I like keeping it simple.

NmexMAX

iTrader: (22)

Rip off, totally. get a JWT/Stillen type and save $150


Rip off, get a test pipe for tuning.

I spent less than a dollar on mine.


Whatever brand, make sure it's adjustable.

Sure why not.

I'd rather upgrade the entire braking system. xdrilled = looks, not performance.

Save 120$ more by not getting these.

Sure why not, only if you need tires.

Spare, jack, cardboard, carpet?


I wouldn't do this.

You do not mention anything to control your fuel, so your AFPR will be useless.

Get a y-pipe, AFC & wb o2 sensor with the money I saved you. A tad over the 1k mark, but still, worth it. IMO.

steves01max

My bad... go with the spring/struts and sway bars. A much better investment I wish I could do right now since the car needs a little better handling. Also better handling tires. Without them the handling mods would be limited.

NmexMAX

iTrader: (22)

Or, pay attention to handling.

Last year I picked up some Illuminas, Progress springs, RSB, FSTB, all for under a grand. Beautiful investment. And there's still much more that can be done to the suspension. Just ask irish44j.

SoonerFan

iTrader: (5)

suspension - springs, struts, FSTB, RSB, LTB

TDotMax

iTrader: (1)

Not true, depending on other mods the headers can be a lot more beneficial then just a y-pipe on a 00-01.

SoonerFan

iTrader: (5)

negative...on a 3.0, the y-pipe eliminates both precats. full headers dont add anything.
3.5 needs headers because the y-pipe doesnt remove the precats

MaximumPower01

1.) Injen Cold Air Intake (or WAI) = $235



While I understand why you present this viewpoint towards Injen (and other WAI's), I respectfully disagree with the above statement.....

A year ago I set off in search of an intake for the Maxima and found the reviews for the Injen, to be very good...almost all the way across the board.....

Personally, I think alot of people DONT install the Injen AI properly, as I have read some reviews/threads, where people have said that its actually "robbed them of power"....

Well......I say thats total b.s, imo.......cause personally, I think most of them just shove the Cone filter up too high, shutting off the intake altogether and not allowing the air to pass freely...

My Injen Intake runs great, and as you seen in the "Seafoam vid", it doesnt sound too bad either....

The only thing I would agree with about the INjen, is the price.....as I admit, it is a bit high....

But where im gonna find a brand-new PlaceRacing AI..............? (cause i wont buy used)




2. Random Tech Hi-Flow Cat Converter




While I really cant say with conviction that this product has improved anything or not (w/out a Dyno to prove otherwise), I will say I had THREE 02 sensors go out in 3 months, along with my MAF.....

I thought it might have had something to do with the cat converter clogging up, so I replaced it with the Random Tech Hi-Flow Cat............

Again, I'd rather have the new parts than go to junk yard and get a used cat......

And sorry, I wasnt familiar with "test pipes", last year, when this was done.....as stated in the post...





3.) Throttle Body By-Pass Kit = $13 A kit?..




Yeah...I didnt do my research before buying the kit and noticing it was a rubber hose with two fittings....





4.) Stillen Fuel Pressure Regulator = $52




Indeed.....its adjustable




Crossdrilled/Slotted Rotors (front), CNC machined = $60
Crossdrilled/Slotted Rotors (rear), CNC machined = $60




Save $120?.......I needed new rotors, as my OEM's were done....and I got ALL FOUR Crossdrilled & slotted, (cnc machined), for $120...


Advanced Auto wanted $59 a piece for OEM's....(front and back)

So actually, I spent as much on CD/Slot rotors as I would have OEM






Fuel Regulator doesnt help??......Anyways, What are you referring to?........And AFPR?





As i do appreciate the helpful insight, you missed the part where these things were already done....hehe....

No biggie though, everyone makes mistakes...

Thx for help!

OC guy

iTrader: (7)

do we always have to replace the transmisson filter with tranny flush? my mechanic told me that our cars dont come with transmission filter. he said the procedure is just cleaning the pan and changing the fluid. He must be wrong or you just paid for nothing.

EDIT: well i heard that theres no need of changing the fuel filter cuz its located in the gas tank. well this true but i have no idea about tranny filter so far.

TDotMax

iTrader: (1)

Wow, I'm aware of the pre-cats. But in the All-Motor section I was advised that full Cattman headers are still the better choice on a 3.0....

SoonerFan

iTrader: (5)

the 00-01 auto tranny does have a filter. its flat and covers the bottom of the pan. i changed it on my 00.
i dont think it needs to be changed every time you change the fluid

SoonerFan

iTrader: (5)

there is no proof that full headers (vs y-pipe) provide any substantial power gains on a 3.0

MaximumPower01

Man, my heart screams for headers, y-pipe, b-pipe, and exhaust!!!!...........lol



But then again, she really puts things in perspective.....doesnt she?










Handling, here i come....





Btw soonerfan, whats the LTB stand for?

Revs2Hard

iTrader: (7)

I just had 1000 bucks to play with and I got alot of stuff for my max performance wise.

Here is what I would do if I where you:

Used Cattman Y-pipe $150 (F/S on the org right now)
Berk Intake with APEXi Power kit $187 (Replace the Injen intake)
GR2 struts New installed $550 (great budget struts I sell alot of them)
Used Tien S Tech springs $100 (F/S on the org right now)
Ebay FSTB $35 shipped (on ebay all the time)

It come's to $1022 if you want to do the labor yourself on the struts, you could get alot more.

upstatemax

iTrader: (15)

Last time I looked full headers gained nearly 20whp on a 3.0 while y-pipe alone gained 12ish...

Not a huge jump in power, but if you have the money for headers, IMO they are worth the extra $$ effort.


Saying there is NO gain from headers is not true at all.

SoonerFan

iTrader: (5)

LTB (lower tie bar) http://www.mattblehm.com/suspension.htm

SoonerFan

iTrader: (5)

i said "substantial power gains"
headers are more expensive and A LOT more work to install...not worth the minimal gains

MaximumPower01

There is definitely a tranny filter on my 01....as I was there when he took it out....

If Im not mistaken, the Valve body is located directly above it, too....

Some mechanics will tell you it doesnt need replaced, though, as with the tranny flush, the filter will also be flushed out.....

Even though my mechanic told me this, I went ahead and did it just to be safe.....

Thats just me though!

SoonerFan

iTrader: (5)

tranny filter http://www.carjunky.com/at_filter_ki...~oemparts.html

upstatemax

iTrader: (15)

Post #9 says something different...

It depends on the person if the gain are worth the install... I wanted the little extra power and the better exhaust tone from extended, equal length primary tubes.

OC guy

iTrader: (7)

thanks guys.
that was nice explanation.

MaximumPower01

I wonder how close to the ground that would be.....if I drop my stock setup by 1.5 inches....


Lots of potholes and roads w/speed bumps around my way

upstatemax

iTrader: (15)

Lots of people on here run them with an eibach/H&R drop with no problems.

SoonerFan

iTrader: (5)

you will be fine..i have it with a drop and have never hit anything.

rowley89

I cant find headers for my 2000 who makes them i found them for the 5.5 gen but thats it??????

upstatemax

iTrader: (15)

http://www.cattman.com/



Top notch products and quality with GREAT customer service to top it all off.

NmexMAX

iTrader: (22)

AFPR = Adjustable Fuel Pressure Regualtor.

Unless you have an AFC & wb o2, then you're not doing anything aside from running rich.

hayai240sx

Suspension upgrade... Only way to put down all your power on turns and twisty roads. Best feeling when underpowered car beats a hi-powered vehicle on turns .

SoonerFan

iTrader: (5)

when i dream...its about entrance ramps.
best is a long curved ramp with two lanes that merges...i take the outside lane and end up the highway first.

HotshotVQ35

iTrader: (5)

why is the turbo kit in your poll? the turbo alone might cost 1K and make a nice paperweight, but to actually turbocharge the max, look at spending 4K+. im with the others, suspension FTW

MaximumPower01

$1K might cut the project a little short, but I have enough to cover whatever goes over......(a kit will range from 785-1000 bucks)

As you see here, http://forums.maxima.org/showthread.php?t=508821, another member did his project with a budget of $1500 bucks.......

So I figured, between myself and my two brothers (who are both racing mechanics), the labor/custom parts, will save us a ton of money!

Hope this answers your question...

NmexMAX

iTrader: (22)

Does that mean you're going turbo? Or jsut stating you have the capability?

MaximumPower01

Just stating the fact, thats all...

upstatemax

iTrader: (15)

I would say he is stating the capability...

Tons of work he SHOULD do before going turbo...

NmexMAX

iTrader: (22)

IBNmexwasbeingsarcastic

MaximumPower01

This is one of those decisions of:

"I know what I should do, but Im having trouble doing it"



But................Im gonna play it the right way, and go with upgrading the supsension....



And thank you all for helping me make the right decision!!!

=)




My choices now are:


Springs:



Eibach - 1.3" drop in front, 1.0" in back

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/EIBAC...spagenameZWD1V


OR


Vogtland - 1.4" drop, all the way around

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/Nissa...QQcmdZViewItem



These dont look too bad either, although its the first time I heard of'em...

MaxSpeed - 1.4" drop in front, 1.3" in back

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/Maxsp...QQcmdZViewItem




Struts:



Tokico HP's - $299........

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/TOKIC...QQcmdZViewItem

Tokico Illuminas - $438

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/TOKIC...QQcmdZViewItem




I was thinkin about Eibachs with Tokico HP's, but I'd also consider this set I just found....(includes both for $414 bucks)



Kyb's Gr2's with Vogtland Springs...





Thoughts?

.

mist max2000

iTrader: (16)

id if this helps,..but this summer im doing springs/struts/LTB ,.. and im going eibach and illuminas,... from research that i have done and,.. from hearing other peoples opinions it is the type of handleing im lookin 4,... you get what you pay for most of the time,..unless its from a company that starts with an I and sells intakes g/l

MaximumPower01

And not to forget....

Im also lookin at RSB's and FSTB's...



RSB:


Progress - $162

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/1995-...spagenameZWDVW

Addco - $145

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/95-03...QQcmdZViewItem






FSTB's:

1.) http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/00-04...74274094QQrdZ1

2.) http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/Nissa...81568910QQrdZ1

3.) http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/00-03...80125943QQrdZ1

4.) http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/STRUT...ayphotohosting

.


Has anyone purchased any of these FSTB's, and if so, how was the quality of it?



Also, Is there a significant difference between the Progress RSB and the Addco RSB?

(besides 17 bucks)

.