Got me a "new" maxima, looking for info
#1
Got me a "new" maxima, looking for info
So I got a loaded 1995 maxima for free, just have to go pick it up from my grandparents place in FL and its mine. It has 80k miles and a blown plenium gasket or dead IACM or (hopefully) just a few dead vacuum lines giving it one heck of a rough 400 rpm idle that gets happy at higher rpms last time I drove it (last summer). It's a peppy little thing and I quite like it, much different from driving a TQ monster stroker V8 and is very well behaved on the roads. I came here to get more info on the car and in particular its characteristics and engine (like how is this motor put together? valve size, spring type, journal size, main bolt number, piston material, egr or no egr, how revvy etc......) so I can give it some light mods (CAI, exhaust, nitrous and a tune if engine permits it, simple stuff like that) to make it more fun to drive about in as my daily car. Planing on doing a bunch of visual mods and changes to make it interesting as my truck is a sleeper and 90% of people who don't know about cars or don't look closely think its a base model stocker! Overall I'm looking forward to getting this thing running is great shape and having fun with minor and visual mods and my first use of NOS
Last edited by Striker2237; 01-26-2015 at 11:48 PM.
#2
You definitely want to look into the all motor section of the forum to see the engine builds, bolt-ons, etc. If you're interested in forced induction, check out that section to. Just search for builds. There are a lot of members who document their entire build process here on the forums. They'll normally tell you what you need and don't need, as well as what works best. There's a lot to be learned here! Enjoy.
#3
Check out JWT and their ECU which will raise your redline from 6500 to a screaming 7200 rpm;
http://www.jimwolftechnology.com
If you add a JWT ECU with an 00VI (variable intake manifold from a 2000-2001 Maxima), your top end will be screaming. Don't know if adding NOS to that would be a good mix
The infiniti I30 from 1996 to 99, like my car, is the same car too, just with added snob factor. Helps with looking for stuff at the junkyard
Your motor is a VQ30DE. Wear it like a badge of honor
Welcome!
Last edited by dwapenyi; 01-27-2015 at 03:13 AM.
#4
The mod that gave me (and many others on the org) the most bang for the buck was a Warpspeed Performance Y-Pipe. We have members in the Northeast who have coated their Y-pipes with ceramic primer and paint who I'm sure will chime in with additional tips.
http://www.warpspeedperformance.com/
Check out the How-To section.
https://maxima.org/forums/4th-genera...tall-pics.html
http://www.warpspeedperformance.com/
Check out the How-To section.
https://maxima.org/forums/4th-genera...tall-pics.html
Last edited by CS_AR; 01-27-2015 at 05:21 AM.
#5
Member who somehow became The President of The SE-L Club
iTrader: (19)
Join Date: Jun 2001
Posts: 16,033
Put the performance y pipe on it, give it a complete tune up, change all the fluids etc. might want to give the suspension a good look, maybe replace the struts and shocks, check the brakes, make sure the FL sun and age hadn't dried the tires out.
Then just drive the **** out if it and you've got a vehicle ready for anything.
Then just drive the **** out if it and you've got a vehicle ready for anything.
#6
It is a 20 years old car, even mileage is kind of low but not worth a lot of money so if I were you I won't spend money on any performance mods, just do regular maintenance, keep the car in good running condition and enjoy the ride.
#7
Put the performance y pipe on it, give it a complete tune up, change all the fluids etc. might want to give the suspension a good look, maybe replace the struts and shocks, check the brakes, make sure the FL sun and age hadn't dried the tires out.
Then just drive the **** out if it and you've got a vehicle ready for anything.
Then just drive the **** out if it and you've got a vehicle ready for anything.
#8
Lucky for you that you have the 1995 model. Tuning it gives you the most options like ECU compared to all the other years 96-99, which are 99% the same car. In fact, there are many threads here where guys with 99, 97 etc Maximas "downgrade" their ECU to a 95 just to take advantage of the greater aftermarket support.
Check out JWT and their ECU which will raise your redline from 6500 to a screaming 7200 rpm;
http://www.jimwolftechnology.com
If you add a JWT ECU with an 00VI (variable intake manifold from a 2000-2001 Maxima), your top end will be screaming. Don't know if adding NOS to that would be a good mix
The infiniti I30 from 1996 to 99, like my car, is the same car too, just with added snob factor. Helps with looking for stuff at the junkyard
Your motor is a VQ30DE. Wear it like a badge of honor
Welcome!
Check out JWT and their ECU which will raise your redline from 6500 to a screaming 7200 rpm;
http://www.jimwolftechnology.com
If you add a JWT ECU with an 00VI (variable intake manifold from a 2000-2001 Maxima), your top end will be screaming. Don't know if adding NOS to that would be a good mix
The infiniti I30 from 1996 to 99, like my car, is the same car too, just with added snob factor. Helps with looking for stuff at the junkyard
Your motor is a VQ30DE. Wear it like a badge of honor
Welcome!
#10
The all motor section has the info, a good read;
https://maxima.org/forums/all-motor/...swap-info.html
You will also find that quite are few are doing VQ35DE swaps now. That's going really hard core.
#11
I probably won't swap anything in, vaccum reservoir and controller seem simple enough though! Probably gonna get that y pipe though, seems worth it. Is's an auto unfortunately
Last edited by Striker2237; 01-27-2015 at 06:31 PM.
#12
So i've done some reading on here and on other sites and I'm quite pleased with the engine I have here! From what I understand a V6 in tuner circles is akin to a large displacement V8 in muscle circles in that it is easy to get excellent power out of them and they are strong and reliable. I am intrigued by the fact this engine uses two cams and how cam swaps would work in this sort of a setup. Another thing that interests me is the fact that there are 4 valves per cylinder! Can someone chime in what the total valve curtain area is? I would like to know just how much potential this thing has......and if its possible to install different (bigger) valves in a 4 valve setup. However the thing that would help me the most is someone stoping to explain to me what is the main way to build one of these up? Please bear in mind I'm used to dealing with 350ci plus V8s with pushrod actuated valves that you normally change cams in and replace valves and port to make power with.....I'm not sure what path to take with engines like the VQ30DE (wow, even this engine's name sounds high tech.....)
#13
So i've done some reading on here and on other sites and I'm quite pleased with the engine I have here! From what I understand a V6 in tuner circles is akin to a large displacement V8 in muscle circles in that it is easy to get excellent power out of them and they are strong and reliable. I am intrigued by the fact this engine uses two cams and how cam swaps would work in this sort of a setup. Another thing that interests me is the fact that there are 4 valves per cylinder! Can someone chime in what the total valve curtain area is? I would like to know just how much potential this thing has......and if its possible to install different (bigger) valves in a 4 valve setup. However the thing that would help me the most is someone stoping to explain to me what is the main way to build one of these up? Please bear in mind I'm used to dealing with 350ci plus V8s with pushrod actuated valves that you normally change cams in and replace valves and port to make power with.....I'm not sure what path to take with engines like the VQ30DE (wow, even this engine's name sounds high tech.....)
also, you should do quite a bit of reading in the advanced performance->all motor section.
Search for some dynos. Some people have reached a very impressive 200 hp to the wheels on their VQ30DE NA builds. If you were to dyno your car now you would be at about 160ish whp.
Oh, and the VQ30DE is 4 valves per cylinder with DUAL overhead cams. And outstanding reliability to boot. You'll see members here putting 300 to 400K miles on their motors. These aren't fanatics...they just do regular oil changes and other regular maintenance/tune-ups. It's a great motor.
The VQ motors were on the Ward's auto 10 best motors list for the longest time compared to any other manufacturer.
Yeah, I'm a bit of a VQ fan
Last edited by dwapenyi; 01-29-2015 at 12:11 AM.
#14
Download your factory service manual (FSM) from the links that CS_AR provided in his sig.
also, you should do quite a bit of reading in the advanced performance->all motor section.
Search for some dynos. Some people have reached a very impressive 200 hp to the wheels on their VQ30DE NA builds. If you were to dyno your car now you would be at about 160ish whp.
Oh, and the VQ30DE is 4 valves per cylinder with DUAL overhead cams. And outstanding reliability to boot. You'll see members here putting 300 to 400K miles on their motors. These aren't fanatics...they just do regular oil changes and other regular maintenance/tune-ups. It's a great motor.
The VQ motors were on the Ward's auto 10 best motors list for the longest time compared to any other manufacturer.
Yeah, I'm a bit of a VQ fan
also, you should do quite a bit of reading in the advanced performance->all motor section.
Search for some dynos. Some people have reached a very impressive 200 hp to the wheels on their VQ30DE NA builds. If you were to dyno your car now you would be at about 160ish whp.
Oh, and the VQ30DE is 4 valves per cylinder with DUAL overhead cams. And outstanding reliability to boot. You'll see members here putting 300 to 400K miles on their motors. These aren't fanatics...they just do regular oil changes and other regular maintenance/tune-ups. It's a great motor.
The VQ motors were on the Ward's auto 10 best motors list for the longest time compared to any other manufacturer.
Yeah, I'm a bit of a VQ fan
#16
here ya go, two dents that kinda **** me off but that's it blemish wise.
https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?f...size=852%2C639
https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?f...size=852%2C639
#18
So i've done some reading on here and on other sites and I'm quite pleased with the engine I have here! From what I understand a V6 in tuner circles is akin to a large displacement V8 in muscle circles in that it is easy to get excellent power out of them and they are strong and reliable. I am intrigued by the fact this engine uses two cams and how cam swaps would work in this sort of a setup. Another thing that interests me is the fact that there are 4 valves per cylinder! Can someone chime in what the total valve curtain area is? I would like to know just how much potential this thing has......and if its possible to install different (bigger) valves in a 4 valve setup. However the thing that would help me the most is someone stoping to explain to me what is the main way to build one of these up? Please bear in mind I'm used to dealing with 350ci plus V8s with pushrod actuated valves that you normally change cams in and replace valves and port to make power with.....I'm not sure what path to take with engines like the VQ30DE (wow, even this engine's name sounds high tech.....)
#19
I hear you, as I am also pleased with my 95 max gle as well. Still at 58k miles, though the tranny holding 3rd gear is a bit annoying when slowing to a red light that just turned green. As Ive read around its normal for the 4th gen, which is a trade off that Im willing to accept. BTW body looks in very good shape.
#20
Thanks a lot! Like most (all) cars in my family its a bought new vehicle that has never had any incidents. I was gonna ask if those are stock wheels or not.....I can't figure it out myself but I suspect they are not.....
#21
here ya go, two dents that kinda **** me off but that's it blemish wise.
https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?f...size=852%2C639
https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?f...size=852%2C639
The nice ones just come out of nowhere. You are SO lucky..
I would focus on whatever maintenance needs to occur to get the engine running optimally. You might be surprised how much power your car can deliver when its running at its best. The since you know the car and know the history, you have a nice healthy VQ30DE to build on.
#22
The nice ones just come out of nowhere. You are SO lucky..
I would focus on whatever maintenance needs to occur to get the engine running optimally. You might be surprised how much power your car can deliver when its running at its best. The since you know the car and know the history, you have a nice healthy VQ30DE to build on.
I would focus on whatever maintenance needs to occur to get the engine running optimally. You might be surprised how much power your car can deliver when its running at its best. The since you know the car and know the history, you have a nice healthy VQ30DE to build on.
#25
Your Maxima has more in common with the Q45 on that show than any other car in the picture.
Remember when they turned on the gas and it slowed down? The stock car would have easily met the challenge without gassing by just turning off the governor. All they did was confuse the ECU that refused to allow the engine to burn the extra fuel.
The Q45 community (and I know many) thought the show had lost their mind.
Most of the Q45 owners I know (myself included) run specially built ECUs that provide (e.g. Stage II and Stage III) settings for changing the air/fuel ratios and have the governor disabled. It really takes an ECU that is tuned to what you are trying to do to deliver the full benefit.
You are lucky that you have a 95 model. You have some cool ECU options.
DW is providing some good advice in the post below about the JWT ECU.
Remember when they turned on the gas and it slowed down? The stock car would have easily met the challenge without gassing by just turning off the governor. All they did was confuse the ECU that refused to allow the engine to burn the extra fuel.
The Q45 community (and I know many) thought the show had lost their mind.
Most of the Q45 owners I know (myself included) run specially built ECUs that provide (e.g. Stage II and Stage III) settings for changing the air/fuel ratios and have the governor disabled. It really takes an ECU that is tuned to what you are trying to do to deliver the full benefit.
You are lucky that you have a 95 model. You have some cool ECU options.
DW is providing some good advice in the post below about the JWT ECU.
Lucky for you that you have the 1995 model. Tuning it gives you the most options like ECU compared to all the other years 96-99, which are 99% the same car. In fact, there are many threads here where guys with 99, 97 etc Maximas "downgrade" their ECU to a 95 just to take advantage of the greater aftermarket support.
Check out JWT and their ECU which will raise your redline from 6500 to a screaming 7200 rpm;
http://www.jimwolftechnology.com
Check out JWT and their ECU which will raise your redline from 6500 to a screaming 7200 rpm;
http://www.jimwolftechnology.com
#27
Thing is your car or the JWT ECU?. One thing to note is our club does not tolerate street racing.
The Sports Car Club of America (SCCA) is a good club for drivers. Usually each SCCA chapter has AutoX driver training classes at beginning of each season.
SCCA can be a lot of fun.
The Sports Car Club of America (SCCA) is a good club for drivers. Usually each SCCA chapter has AutoX driver training classes at beginning of each season.
SCCA can be a lot of fun.
Last edited by CS_AR; 01-29-2015 at 08:58 PM.
#28
Thing is your car or the JWT ECU?. One thing to note is our club does not tolerate street racing.
The Sports Car Club of America (SCCA) is a good club for drivers. Usually each SCCA chapter has AutoX driver training classes at beginning of each season.
SCCA can be a lot of fun.
The Sports Car Club of America (SCCA) is a good club for drivers. Usually each SCCA chapter has AutoX driver training classes at beginning of each season.
SCCA can be a lot of fun.
Last edited by Striker2237; 01-29-2015 at 09:58 PM.
#29
Since you have a GLE you probably don't have a limiter. Car manufacturers limit the top speed through ecu depending on what tires the car came with OEM from the factory.
If you had a base model Maxima GXE, there would have been a limiter at about 112 to 117 mph.
If you had a base model Maxima GXE, there would have been a limiter at about 112 to 117 mph.
#31
Okay now you lost me......whats with the street racing reference? I am at a drag strip when I'm doing any 1/4 mile pulls and I don't bother with tracks as my truck can't turn fast at all compared to a car....I don't like any sort of electronic interference (except well tuned ABS) in my car so that's why I asked if it has a limiter or not.
The speed limiter appears to depend on model that are others are pointing out.
#32
Oh, ok well that makes perfect sense. Speeding is bad and a great way to get pulled over and lose way more time than you would have saved. Mine is a loaded one so I can assume it doesn't have one?
#33
Check out this thread for information on how to determine GXE, SE, or GLE model.
https://maxima.org/forums/4th-genera...tml#post706590
https://maxima.org/forums/4th-genera...tml#post706590
#35
Cloth seats and many options (Bose, moonroof) is a fully loaded GXE. Like flynir pointed out, you have no limiter.
#37
AC, cruise, tape deck/CD, power locks, power windows, all standard. Anything else is just gravy.
Sent from my XT1060 using Maxima
#38
This is true. I was looking for a car for my dad last year, and I found a 2001 Accord. I checked out the interior and the first thing I saw was a manual window handle.
I thought - how on earth could my old '95 GLE have power windows, digital climate control, keyless entry, heated seats, and this '01 Accord requires you to muscle the windows up and down?
Passed on that accord immediately and got him a '99 GXE. Runs great so far
#39
This is true. I was looking for a car for my dad last year, and I found a 2001 Accord. I checked out the interior and the first thing I saw was a manual window handle.
I thought - how on earth could my old '95 GLE have power windows, digital climate control, keyless entry, heated seats, and this '01 Accord requires you to muscle the windows up and down?
Passed on that accord immediately and got him a '99 GXE. Runs great so far
I thought - how on earth could my old '95 GLE have power windows, digital climate control, keyless entry, heated seats, and this '01 Accord requires you to muscle the windows up and down?
Passed on that accord immediately and got him a '99 GXE. Runs great so far