Engine Mods

I have a 1997 Nissan Maxima that I recently aquired and I'm looking into making some mods to it. I wanted to do some engine mods, but my car is an automatic (grr), and I hear that alot of engine mods in general wear down the engine (ie. cold air intake). Can anyone clear this up and give me suggestions on what I can do to get some more power flowing through without hurting the engine? The car was running sluggish recently, but I took it into the dealership and got the belts tightened and they also replaced my alternater because there was a recall. It seems to have gained back the power that it has lost and it is definately moving better :D. Thanks for your input

-OPTiK

Mods to do that will get you the most bang for your buck:

Y-Pipe and CAI (or HAI) = +20hp, about 15 average across the powerband above 3.5krpm (prices vary)

Front Strut Tower Bar = Severely reduced Body Roll and improved handling for ~$50

B-Pipe = slightly reduced restriction, better flow = 2-3 hp

Cleaned Throttle-Body = Improved Throttle response, better running engine, more stable idle.

Clean Idle Air Control Valve = smoother idle, not really necessary inless you start noticing problems.

Mods that help the engine breathe better will give you better fuel efficiency at docile engine speeds, and more available power when you want it. These mods in and of themselves shouldn't wear the engine down more, but the wear may be a result of their "fun factor" and lovely engine noise.

The VQ engine is a pretty sturdy engine. You'd have to attack it with a 20lb sledge to really have the serious engine problems other cars eventually get. So, don't worry about it and mod away.

a valvebody mod will give it a lil more umph, this mod will take out the time inbetween the tranny shifting. it will take bout .3-.4 off ur 1/4 mile. or so ppl have said

Yes, a valve body mod wil also increase the life of your transmission as well.

with tranny cooler:licker:

tranny and oil cooler :D also a lightweight underdrive pulley from unorthadox too

question when u change your underdrive pully dont you have to change like ever belt in your engine??:confused:

i think its only 2

Where else can I get a Valve Body Mod (aside from Don Cooper in Texas)? Are most average mechanics/transmission shops aware of this procedure or do I have to go somewhere special to get this done?
I've had tranny problems in the past with other cars and don't want the same to happen with my Auto Max!

jus get the mod and u can prob follow the directions on maximadriver.com under how to, and u can prob do it on ur own. but yes most shops should be able to do if for u relativly easy. except they iwll charge u out the ass ;)

if it's a secondary car, and you're feeling ambitions and have some bills to blow, you could always try for the auto->5spd conversion. Just an idea for you, but it's the way I'm gonna go, when I can.

prob easier to jus find a 5 speed and trade off or somethin tho!

Thanks for the response so far guys.

This is my primary car ('cause it's my ONLY car!). I take pretty good care of her and would hate to trade 'er in just to get a 5-speed. Besides, living in the big city makes driving a manual pretty difficult at times.

I haven't begun my modifications (intake, exhaust coming soon) and I don't plan to take my baby on the track and race....I would just like to feel more comfortable with giving the Automatic some gas once in a while at a green light once she's got some power--and not burning out the tranny in the long run.

How much could this Valve Body Mod cost at a shop? I'll have to study the steps on MaximaDriver and see if I could possibly do it myself.

i think u have to special order them, but i think its like 4-500, but im not REALLY sure

yeah, it would definatly be easier to just find a 5spd, but well, I just think it'd be cool to say "yeah, I did this conversion myself.." and well, greater challenges yield greater rewards, you know..

if u can do the conversion on ur own, more power to ya. but that shit is still expensive

Add a MEVI the 97 takes well to the added power and makes the engine perform like a 2k on the higher end of the rev range.