Upgrade Advice Anyone?

Hi fellow Maxima enthusiasts. I could use some advice. I have a 96 SE and its all stock. I want to get some performace boosts. What should I do in what order? I might be able to spend up to $1500 if its all really justifyable in terms of hook-up. I am using the Max for Solo2 competition. I already have some new rotors about to go in (drilled and slotted Brembo Bianchi) to go with Porterfield track/streed pads in front and Stillen Metal Matrix pads in the rear.

Im thinking:
1) Front tower brace
2) KYB AGX strut/shocks
3) Intake
4) Exhaust

All help and comments totally welcome, thanks folks!

any comments on the Injen intake?

http://store.yahoo.com/southwestautoworks2002-store/199561998.html

get the y pipe first, it will make a huge difference in performance. i got the budget y(or f as they call it) its only 160 US shipped and have no regrets after 5 months. there isnt any bees in a coffee can noise either unless your heat sheild is vibrating and this can be fixed easily.

As for intake i have the place racing cai, which i have set up as a hai right now because i cant find a saw. i got the cai because supposedly they are better for automatics(performance wise) and i wanted a true cai. by the way the intake sounds bad ass. 230 shipped


Next ill be getting kyb agx with some kind of springs(not sure yet) about 600?

about 990 so far? hope this helps, have fun

Definately a help- thanks!

Oh I never mentioned- its a manual. Is there a go-to intake for manual trannies for 4th gen?

i have a weapon -r intake. it's not a cold air cuz i don't really care for them but i did get the carbon fiber piping upgrade. i like it a lot, but you can get pretty much any intake

Thanks- whats the knock on cold air intakes?

It's just that 4th generation maxima's are kinda weak when it comes to high end power(unless you get a mevi) and with the cold air intakes all the piping tends to be retrictive at the high end range, where it's already weak. either way it's better than stock.

Originally posted by Spaniard
Oh I never mentioned- its a manual. Is there a go-to intake for manual trannies for 4th gen?

Get a Frankencar intake. It is the best intake in my opinion. I would get an intake as my first mod if I were you and then a BUDGET(it has to be Budget, j/k) y-pipe at www.Budgetexhaust.com

Here is the link to Frankencar: www.frankencar.com
Listen to the media clips and see if you like the sound. As far as exhaust goes, I personally like Greddy.

1. Y-Pipe
2. Frankencar Intake
3. JWT ECU (not JET they SUCk!!)
4. ZEX nitrous system (with bottle heater, and new fuel pump)

Depending on the shot you use (you could do 100 easy) You could shave 2.5+- seconds off of your 1/4 time with all of that. Of course that's if you can drive well. VI doesn't really improve many 1/4 times if you have a manual unless you are boosted (or so i've heard and read).



Jeff

PS. OH yeah, the cost. 160 shipped for the Y-pipe, I paid 130 shipped for my intake, around 600 for the JWT ECU, and 700 or so for the ZEX system. (i bought mine used so thats about how much I paid for it.) Total is a little much but its still good.

Originally posted by zeff789


PS. OH yeah, the cost. 160 shipped for the Y-pipe, I paid 130 shipped for my intake, around 600 for the JWT ECU, and 700 or so for the ZEX system. (i bought mine used so thats about how much I paid for it.) Total is a little much but its still good.


you have the jim wolf ecu on your car?

so how does the frankencar, or any intake for that matter, sound at low rpm's??? is it still noticeable? and what about at cruising speeds?

Originally posted by thrasher
so how does the frankencar, or any intake for that matter, sound at low rpm's??? is it still noticeable? and what about at cruising speeds?

Low at low r.p.m's. Almost not noticeable. Loud growl when you go WOT.

Whats an ECU? Are there different chips for the 4th gen Maxima?

the only 4th gen "chips" i have seen are where you send them your ecu and they tweak it according to what mods you have done to your car. i don't know anyone who is willing to have their max laid up for 6-8 weeks while this gets done.

My recomendations:

These are based on the fact that you are competing in Solo II as you previously mentioned.

1: Suspension upgrades - KYB AGX and the spring of your choice. Probably Eibach since you are auto-xing. ~$500-$600

2: A cheap FSTB. ~$50

3: GOOD TIRES! This should be #1. ~$400-$600

We're looking @ $950 -$1250 dollars here. Handling - the Max's biggest weakness, should be addressed by now.

Onto the engine:

4: Y-pipe - Depending on your location, which justifies wheter you should get SS or aluminized steel: $160-$340.

5: Frankencar - since your a 5-spd:cool: ~$150, I think.

You've now spent most of your $1500.

More random thoughts:

If you have $ left over: RVM UDP: There is a group deal on the org for them at $75. They dyno'd for an 8 hp increase. That puts you at 1 hp for every $10. Better than an intake but doesn't sound nearly as cool.

Don't get a JWT ECU unless you have the MEVI.

zeff789: Nitrous isn't going to do him a whole lot of good in SCCA competition.

Thanks, Bluebird. Heres what I managed to find out from some Solo2 gurus, and what Im gonna do. I'd be interested in anyones feedback.

Im running Stock category. Its rather restrictive. Im committed to finishing this season out in the category though, since I have a good amount of points.

This means:
No Y-pipe. (No modifications in front of the Cat.)
No slotted or cross drilled rotors. No Aftermarket non-factory available spec most anything, including intake. :p

What I can do and am doing:

Stillen b-pipe, Stillen rear exhaust. The guy doing the work talked me into a kind of 5-way adjustable shock and strut but I dont remember the brand. I will update on monday... Anyways, he said it was the bomb. I put a K+N air filter in. Believe it or not, I bought into the "Tornado" hype, has anyone else? I just need to know if it is legal in Solo2.

As for the recommendations- Thanks! In a few months I will move up to a new class that allows upgraded but street-legal mods. (read:most everything but the Y-pipe, dammit!)

Oh, and tires, I replaced my Bridgestone S-03s with a new set. They are a great hedge bet on any rainy weather events but they didnt last too long.

Cheers

Oh yeah, whats a MEVI?:cyclops:

Originally posted by Spaniard
Oh yeah, whats a MEVI?:cyclops:

multiple engined vehicles incorporated :rolleyes: :finger: :p

Um, sorry to be so ignorant, but what does that do/mean?

Originally posted by Spaniard
Oh yeah, whats a MEVI?:cyclops:

Middle Eastern Variable Intake Manifold. It a uses two differents sets of runners that are different lengths. It allows the VQ to breathe better and make power all the way to the redline instead of falling flat on its face around 5500 rpm's.

ha- middle eastern? Name aside, whats the cost to get it going?

Originally posted by Spaniard
ha- middle eastern? Name aside, whats the cost to get it going?

About $110 for the RPM switch, vacuum device, etc. Check the group deals forum on the orgy.