VI question

What is the variable intake? Is that only available for the 99 and older models because it comes on the 2000+? I've got an 03 by the way.

What is the variable intake? Is that only available for the 99 and older models because it comes on the 2000+? I've got an 03 by the way.

Air routing varies. 3gen VGE has it. See the 'pwr valve': http://www.cardomain.com/ride/748507/3

Generally Long route means low end torque. Short, hi end pwr.

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variable intake is comaparble to vtec

variable intake is comaparble to vtec
Not really...VTEC has the variable timing on the valves, not the intake...I think...maybe they have variable timing on the intake too...I dunno, my honda knowledge sucks.

Not really...VTEC has the variable timing on the valves, not the intake...I think...maybe they have variable timing on the intake too...I dunno, my honda knowledge sucks.

well i sorta meant in terms of having low end power and then switching runners to another for top end... but ur right tho, its timing vs intake

the VI is standard on all 00+ maxima's that's primarily where the 5th gens extra 32 hp came from over the 4th gens. it allows for better airflow past 4000 rpm to give better top end power. in other countries the 4th gens came with Variable intake manifolds. it's becoming more common for usdm 4th gen maxima owners to put a VI on their car from a 5th gen max. personally, i think a 4th gen with VI and ECU upgrade would spank a stock 3.5.

and nissan VVTC + VI is extremely similar to honda's Vtec.

With the car breathing in that much more air, would an intake (either CAI or short ram) be worth getting?

sure, but think of it this way, up to and including the 4th generation, maxima's are already weak on the top end due to the fact that they don't have the variable intake manifolds. so if you add a CAI, all the extra piping makes it that much harder for air to travel freely so a short ram is the way to go on a 3rd or 4th gen. but if you have a VI then the extra piping isn't as big of an issue, and the fact that the air is so much cooler will make lots more power on the top end.