Need help w/moding my Maxima

[jmmax]

I just bought a 97 Maxima GXE (manual) and I wanted to add some things to it using only $900 (for now that is). I am new to moding cars, so hopefully someone can help me out a bit. First, my car is just stock right now and doesn't have a spoiler in the back, nor does it have nice rims, no cd player, and the sound system needs some work. I want to do a couple of things to my Maxima overtime, but for now I just need opinions on what I should do first with my $900. I was first thinking about adding a new spoiler (just a basic one found on most 4th gen Maximas). I also wanted to add some more power to my car...so what would be a cheap but still efficient way of adding some more power?

Basically, what do you think I should add to my car first?

[FarbsMaxima]

Since I'm such a pro i'll answer your questions 1st.
1: I am super into performance. The two main things I would get first are an Intake (Injen CAI, Frankencar Hybrid...etc.). Personally I like frankencar, it sounds like a mad beast when your WOT and they are really good down there. Steve from frankencar is really nice and everything fits well. The other big mod is a Ypipe. I have bought from budget twice and its about 180$ shipped to your door and I got it in 6 days my 2nd time ordering it.
Those are the two basic perf. mods. If you want to get serious you can get a basic nitrous kit for about 400-600 used or new with some accesories.
2: I can't really help you with looks, I've never done that much. You can buy those diamond cut clear corners which look sharp and also shave the emblem and words off your trunk.

Thats all I really got right now.
Check out maxima.org and go to parts for sale, sometimes you can get some good deals and everyone is really nice there. I think someone is selling a frankencar intake for 100$shipped.
For my future plans I'm set on a specific goal and thats hitting low 14's or high 13's.
I only got intake,ypipe,and catback but I plan to get a UDP, hopefuly MEVI and nitrous in the near future.

Hope this helps,
=Scott

[jmmax]

Thank you. Do you think it would be difficult for someone like me who has never done something like this before, to add a ypipe and intake?

[VQmax95]

I would do suspension first, then performance. I'm so very glad that I did. And for a little over 400 bucks you can get the MEVI from Courtesyparts.com and still have money left for the Y and Intake. Oh yeah, I made my own intake and its just the same as a Frankencar(the old ones that didn't have the bend at the end) It cost me 16 bucks total.(already had the filter).
Kevin

[BP2K2Max]

Originally Posted by jmmax

Thank you. Do you think it would be difficult for someone like me who has never done something like this before, to add a ypipe and intake?

he's right as fas as which mods to get, but i'd say get a weapon-r short ram intake cuz this is my 3rd modified nissan and my 2nd maxima all with WR's and everytime i race someone they have asked me what kind of intake i have. it's beastly and guarantees 7.2 hp at the wheels over stock. i don't know of any other intake that can make that claim unless it's a cold air. an intake is a pretty simple modification to do yourself. Unless you have a lift or carstands and an impact gun you'll never get the bolts off for your y pipe, i'd have that done prefessionally.

[jmmax]

Right now my Maxima is looking plain. Do you think I should get some nice descent rims on it first, or should I start out with performance first? Would my Maxima look stupid if I first bought a spoiler that Maxima SE's have without nice rims and nothing else done to it. Also, should I make a cd player my first addition to my car? If I do performance first, I will definately get an intake and a ypipe like you guys suggested. But what do you think, exterior first and then performance, or performance before exterior?

[VQmax95]

If you're going to get rims, do suspension first. No matter how nice the rims are, your car will still look like a 4x4.

[jmmax]

Around how much would it cost me to lower my Maxima? And how many inches would you recommend me lower it?

[jmmax]

Better yet, is it possible to get that professionaly done? I wonder how much that would cost.

[VQmax95]

My suspension cost me 350 bucks and I did the work myself. There isn't really a set price, it just depends on what you choose to go with. It is possible to get it done by a shop, but I'm sure they would charge out the ass. I've never done it before, and it took a friend and I about 3 and a half hours to do. Its easy. You'll just have to get it aligned. Around here that costs about 50 bucks.
Kevin.

[VQmax95]

Oh yeah, I lowered mine 2 inches. Depending on where you live, you may not want to go that low. I've heard that anything lower than 2 inches will start to do some damage, but I'm not too sure.

[jmmax]

Right now www.wheelmax.com is selling rims for $499. check it out. Does anyone know if these things are already mounted when they give them to you? Maybe, since wheelmax is selling these rims for so cheap (compared to what they normally go for), I should just buy them now and let them sit in my room till I get the money to lower my car..then put them on after that. Opinions?

[jmmax]

My suspension cost me 350 bucks and I did the work myself. There isn't really a set price, it just depends on what you choose to go with.

VQmax, I think I am going to do what you suggested. Around here, it will cost me lots of money to lower my car, so I really want to do it myself. But the biggest problem is that I don't know anything about this stuff...you said it is easy...I don't know if it would be for me. VQ, can you give me some suggestions on what I should get for my suspension and where I can get it. Also, any instructions on how to do this would be appreciated. Thanks for the replies.

[VQmax95]

Ok, what I have is Sprint springs and KYB AGX struts. The ride is very firm and some people say that its harsh. I feel much more of the road now, but it doesn't bother me. You can go to www.custommaxima.com or www.cattman.com and see what the have. I think their packages are like 550 bucks. There are many different combos to go with, and I can't even start to tell you what to get...That is ultimatly your descision. Try looking at H&R, B&G, Eibach, Intrax, progress, Sprint...there are many spring choices. As for struts, I love my AGX's. Adjustable and very nice dampening. There is also Tokico(sp?) and Koni. All are said to be good. Also, if you really want to do it yourself let me know. I have instructions from the guy that I bought my stuff from. They are very nice and detailed. Good luck.
Kevin.

[BP2K2Max]

Originally Posted by VQmax95

Ok, what I have is Sprint springs and KYB AGX struts. The ride is very firm and some people say that its harsh. I feel much more of the road now, but it doesn't bother me. You can go to www.custommaxima.com or www.cattman.com and see what the have. I think their packages are like 550 bucks. There are many different combos to go with, and I can't even start to tell you what to get...That is ultimatly your descision. Try looking at H&R, B&G, Eibach, Intrax, progress, Sprint...there are many spring choices. As for struts, I love my AGX's. Adjustable and very nice dampening. There is also Tokico(sp?) and Koni. All are said to be good. Also, if you really want to do it yourself let me know. I have instructions from the guy that I bought my stuff from. They are very nice and detailed. Good luck.
Kevin.

are you using stock shock absorber?