Help from the Family Sedan side!?!?

[Mr. Anderson]

Guys,

Please don't bash me for asking this.. and admins.. gimme at least 24 hours for someone to answer before moving me !! Promise I'll make this as short as possible.

I just bought a 2003 Atlima 3.5SE and I am COMPLETELY new to the Nissan world. I also have a 96 5sp Honda Accord (tucking my head in my shoulders amongst you 350Zr's) but I mentioned that because I am familiar with tuning imports at least. I absolutely love the car... I needed a sedan for the family and I got a good deal on the Altima.

So when I got home I headed over to the Altima forum and no one there speaks about any other type of performance except maybe CAI or Exhaust!?! And google ain't doing $#@! for me either! So I came here because I know that all of you guys know your shit when it comes to Nissan engines. So here are some of my questions...

First and foremost, and I hope I don't get raped for this.. but I heard and read that the Altima has the same engine as the Maxima and as well as the 350Z?? The VQ35DE. Is that true? I also read that this engine can handle up to 20-25psi on stock internals?

The cold simple truth is that I wouldn't mind my Altima pushing out a little over 300hp... and I want to know what is the best way to do this? If I'm not a serious track racer and just want to have the power there when I want it, should I just throw a wet n20 setup in there and call it the day for $500, and most importantly... can the stock internals handle that as well?? or can you guys suggest anything else?

Again, sorry for posting here... but in the Altima section all they talk about is fixing their headlights and what cool ground effects they have. No bashing.... of course... but wanted some proffesional answers.

Thanks for your time!

[VQuick]

Originally Posted by Mr. Anderson

I just bought a 2003 Atlima 3.5SE and I am COMPLETELY new to the Nissan world...

Congratulations on your purchase, and welcome of the Nissan family!

If you want some really specific info on Altimas and tuning, try www.altimas.net. There are headers, a y-pipes, exhausts, pullies, etc.

First and foremost, and I hope I don't get raped for this.. but I heard and read that the Altima has the same engine as the Maxima and as well as the 350Z?? The VQ35DE. Is that true? I also read that this engine can handle up to 20-25psi on stock internals?

Yes, the Maxima, Altima, 350Z, and quite a few other models all use the VQ35DE. There's probably no way it could handle 20-25 psi stock, though. Not only is the compression too high, but the rods probably can't handle it either. Lots of turbo kits for the 350Z advertise their power gains at only 7psi or so, and it probably isn't safe to go higher than the teens on a stock block.

There is an Altima 3.5 SE at Altimas.net with a turbo kit. At only 5.5 psi, it dynoed 348fwhp. That ought to be plenty.

Nitrous might be your easiest/cheapest option, though. Since your Altima has around 250hp already, it would be fairly simple to get a total of 300hp. You could probably have even more, if you used a bigger jet. I've heard of some Maxima guys running a 100 or even 125 shot.

Hope this helps!

[Mr. Anderson]

Lots of turbo kits for the 350Z advertise their power gains at only 7psi or so, and it probably isn't safe to go higher than the teens on a stock block.

WOW.... the engines that we have in lil Honda world... well mostly for the H and F block can't handle more the 6psi on stock internals MAX!!! And you're saying that stock internals on our engine can handle up in the teens!? That's f&^%$! awesome!! So then I guess I will stick with maybe a NOS shot for now and wait on the turbo.. cause I would be damn happy running 5psi and at 320hp!!!

Lastly, do you know what seperates the motors in the different cars at different baseline HP?? What did they do in the 350Z or the Maxima to get that couple extra HP?? Different cams, different pistons, or is something like bigger intake and exhaust ports?? Thanks for all the info.... can't wait to see what this monster can do!

[VQuick]

I know the 350Z has a different intake manifold. Rather than the dual-length variable manifold that other VQ35s use, the 350Z has a short runner only manifold. That gives it a little more top end.

I'm not sure what else the 350Z has, but some of the newer VQs are likely making more power than Nissan would have you beleive. Rather than just being detuned, some may actually be underrated.