XTerra Power

[lukeN1.8R]

Hi all. I was in the market for an XTerra last year. When I went for a test drive I noticed that it was a bit underpowered with only 170 horses, so I went in another direction. Now with the '02's S/C option with 210 ponies I was somewhat impressed by the charger, but not by only 210hp. My Jetta has 150/165 HP/TQ stock and is a good 2000 lbs lighter. My GF is now in the market for a new vechicle and wants an Xterra, and something with some nut. Now I dont expect to be running an Xterra to the track for 1/4 mi times, but I also dont want an underpowered truck. I assume this forum is packed with people with the S/C (or I hope ). Anyone with the charger think that it is underpowered with only 210 horses? also, is there any type of ECU upgrade for it? I can put a chip in my Jet for $400 that will give me an extra 50 horses and 65 lb/ft. Anything like that for the Nissan? ok..one more thing...what are people getting for gas milage with this truck?
THANKS!!

[gothamist]

I don't think any of the guys on this board have the supercharger...at least none of the regular posters I can think of. Perhaps a lurker or two will pipe in with their experiences.

One question--a stock Xterra weighs ~4000 pounds (4WD version.) What the hell are you stripping out of that Jetta to get it down to 2000? My friend's long-discarded '86 2 door Acura Integra weighed more than that, without rear seats.

Gas mileage--assume 15, less if you put offroad mods on your truck, or drive it like a Jetta.

[lukeN1.8R]

well i guess the 2000 was a bit optimistic. i think the acutal curb weight of my car is around 2800?? but still, a much larger vechicle for only 50 more horses seems to be underpowerd, ESPECIALLY with the 170hp flavor

[gothamist]

Yeah, it's underpowered. A friend of mine's girlfriend got a 2.8 VR6 Jetta (automatic though ) recently, and I made the mistake of driving it a few times this past summer. My Xterra felt like driving the Jetta with its parking brake on...

You get used to it though...it's not meant for speed. Especially mine.

[Maddog]

Comparing an Xterra to a Jetta is like comparing apples and oranges. If you want the acceleration of a car, get a car. Like goth, I've got swampers and other mods that hinder my street performance. However, I still have no problem keeping with the flow of traffic on the D.C. beltway, which is saying something.

Having said that, I think we can all agree that we'd like to have a few more horses under the hood.

[lukeN1.8R]

ok, lets forget the comparisons. obviously a car will be able to smoke a truck. but as a stand alone, does it have enough power, or will I need to put more into it to get the thing to move. in its class is it considered a dog, a stallion, or somewhere in the middle? I know nissan makes bulletproof engines and was hoping that this would be one of them. (maxima, sentra, pathfinder, etc etc...)

[Maddog]

I was just busting your balls with the comparison thing. Honestly, while I'd like to have more horses (primarily for offroad applications) I find street performance to be decent. You will have no problems maintaining 80 on the highway, which is about as fast as I would want to drive a 4000lb truck. If you want to compare, check out the November issue of Four Wheeler. They pit the S/C X against the Jeep Liberty in a battle of the mid-sized sport utes.

[PlatnumToof]

Well this is my first post. I just ordered a 2002 SE with Supercharger, I will be getting it in the next couple of weeks. I will write back once I have more experience with it.

However I did test drive both the non supercharger and the supercharger and the s/c was more fun

[warmonger]

I will chime in here since our local Nissan dealer sent us a 2002 SC X for our Truxpo Victory Party Sat. night. First, compared to the 170 hp Xterra, it is a rocketship! It will easily howl the tires (I drove a 2WD) and spin the truck out.

Now for the bad news. Gas mileage goes in the toilet and you HAVE to run premium. There is a price for the performance. I thought the truck was smooth across the powerband on hard accel, but a little sluggish at points on casual accel. I would be concerned about the ease that the rearend goes out from underneath it in the Florida rain. I wouldn't even want to think about it on ice. If you don't mind dealing with these things, then it would definitely be for you. I can't testify how it performs off-road since I haven't seen or driven a 4WD one yet.

[Mojo-3]

I've owned my 2002 SC for about a month now and so far I couldn't be happier.

I test drove both the NA and the SC and found a considerable difference in power with the SC, in particular through the first 3 gears (5 spd is the only way to go for full enjoyment). Gas mileage does take a bit more of a hit with the premium requirement but I've always put mid grade in my other vehicles so the difference is minor. I wouldn't worry too much about the back end kicking out, in the dry you certainly can do it but you have to try, and in the wet - well, all rear wheel drive vechiles sipn out easily. Once you get used to the throttle its easy to control.

One thing I have found to be a nice change from all other trucks I have owned is it has the power I want when I want it. When you need to beat someone off the line at a light or pass on a hill, the SC makes it much easier to do so. It's nice to know it doesn't get pushed around by the competition anymore.

Other benefits: cool interior, 17in rims, BFG Rugged Tires, chrome tip exaust.

The choice is yours, but for me, opting for more power was a no brainer (especially considering the low $ increase - an auto SE is the same $ as a 5spd SC).

[Goliath the X]

Originally posted by Mojo-3
Other benefits: cool interior, 17in rims, BFG Rugged Tires, chrome tip exaust.

I wouldn't call 17inch rims or chrome tips a benefit unless your keeping your X on-road all the time. I can't imagine the tires being rugged enough for me.

All I'd like would be the supercharger and a smaller pully =-) 40 ponnies isn't that much from a supercharger...

[Schludwiller]

Warmonger. Did the 2wd you drove have LSD? I imagine a 4wd with LSD would have a bit more control in the slick stuff. 4wd engaged or not.

[warmonger]

Schlud,

Yes it did have LSD. The problem with LSD is that when you break it loose, you break both tires loose and the vehicle comes around. I actually have more control over my truck in the rain now since I added the air locker. In the old days if I broke it loose it came around sideways. Now it just spins one tire and keeps coming straight. I would lay odds the SC X would benefit from this as well, at least the 4WD.

[scooby]

Hey all, I was reading this post and had to respond. My fiance owns a 1999 VW Jetta GL. I had a 2001 Xterra that I just traded in for a 2002 SE S/C. We have raced a few times for fun and let me tell you I will put my S/C up against any stock Jetta if not just for fun. I have let my fiance drive my X and I had the Jetta and she flew by the Jetta. The initial power you get from the S/C off the line is substaintial. This is just my experience.

[wqbang]

Originally posted by scooby
The initial power you get from the S/C off the line is substaintial. This is just my experience.

It just goes to show that people "buy" horsepower but "drive" torque.