Upgrading a Maxima

Hi, I'm new here and a couple of months ago acquired a 93 Grey Nisssan Maxima GXE. I need advice on what I can do to upgrade my car safely without killing the engine or messing something up. What upgrades are out there that are more bang for your buck? I do not want to spend wads of cash to only get a couple of horsepower difference. And I was also wondering if it is possible to change the transmission of the GXE to a 5 speed manual. If it is, than what would be the general price and would it mess up the engine's torque or the way it functions?
So far I love my car, it is a joy to know that you can kick the crap out of stock Honda civic and still be able to pick up the groceries later on. I give my hat off to Nissan for making such a beautiful car.
anyways, please help me with these questions.

there are a number of things you can do to improve the HP and are relatively inexpensive.

1) CAI or cold air intake (or equivilant like K&N air filter) approx. $215

2)Cat back exhaust (pipes going from the catalytic converter, also known as a cat, to the muffler and also including the muffler) approx $600

3) high flow catalytic converter approx $250

4) y-pipe (if they make them, i think catman makes one) y-pipe is the pipe that connects the engine's exhaust manafold to the catalytic converter approx $300


it is possible to convert your car into a manual but its gonna cost about the same if you bought a new car with a manual in it, its better off just selling yours and buying another with a manual

thanks

do u know which companies make a turbo or super charger for my 3rd generation max?
please answer, and thank you again for replying.

If you want an extra 30-45 hp for less than a grand get a budget y pipe(21 hp peak gain!) that's the best bang for your buck for only $160 an intake $150, cat-back exhaust $600. that's about 40+ hp for about $910. having this shit installed will put you at the $1,000 mark

go to www.turbomaxima.com i think they have 3rd gen turbo's for a lot of dough.

all the above figures are for a 4th gen but i'm sure it's all comparable
i would only get a budget y pipe. i'm under the impression that stillen and catt-man and warpspeed get their parts from budget. i may be wrong though.

Damn man you really know your shit!
what mods do you have in your max?

i have a weapon-R intake with carbon fiber piping, a stillen cat-back exhaust, a budget y pipe on order, 2 cerwin vega 12" subs a kenwood double din tape/cd/cdchanger.

not much performance wise...


yet;)

You migh thave a look at an ECU upgrade and an underdrive pulley. The ECU mod is second in gains only to y-pipe (at least as far as basic bolt-ons), plus it doesn't hinder your ability to resell the car.

you should only really do an ecu after you have the car breathing freely. what good is it having performance grade spark timing and air to fuel ratio's and all that just to have it routed through the same restrictive piping.

after you get an intake and full exhaust system, you should get a variable intake manifold (MEVI or VI) that'll give as much gain as an ecu or y pipe and that'll be maaaad free flowing air. then you should get an ecu, unorthodox pulley set, clutch and flywheel.
then you go cams and eventually forced induction.