Does anyone know the engine specs , dimensios, sales numbers, trim lines, prices, or any other info on the 81-84 maxima. anything would be appriciated. i am only very familar with 89 and up maximas.. but i really need this info if anyone has it. thanx alot

larry r
89 SE auto

 

I know a little about the 81-84 maxima. They are really similar in drivetrain and suspension and all that to the 810 which is their successor. All of these cars (as far as I know) have L24 straight sixes, unless they are diesel and then they have an L28 diesel engine. If you crack the hood on an early max, you could swear you are looking at a 280zx's engine compartment, the engine looks exacly the same. From what I hear, the L24 in it is very interchangeable with z-car engines like the L28 out of the 280zx. The bigger engines fit with minor mods. What would be real trick is to fit a turbo L28 into an 810 or early maxima to make a really bad *** sleeper car. Nobody would suspect that it would be fast. I imagine they probably don't weigh much more than 3000 lbs too! I have heard of this being done, but have not actually seen one. I hear that a stock Max is fairly powerful, but even a non-turbo zx engine would be an improvement. I seem to remember that they had something like 125 hp compared to a stock zx at 145 and a turbo zx at 185. Anyhow, something to think about.

 

from '84 maxima sales brouchre:
curb weight -------------- 2880 lbs
fuel capacity ------------ 16.4 gal
horsepower@5200 rpm ------ 120
torque@2800 rpm ---------- 134

Advertised as 2.4L fuel-injected overhead cam 6 cylinder -- derived from the legendary Datsun 240-Z. Things were simple back then -- only two models available, no letters to remember. Do you want the Sedan or the Wagon?

wheelbase ---------------- 103.4 in
length ------------------- 183.3 in
width -------------------- 65.2 in
height ------------------- 54.5 in

1984 E.P.A Est. Milage
36 Hwy/23 City -- 5 speed, 3.545 final drive ratio
34 Hwy/23 City -- Auto 4-speed overdrive, 3.700 fdr

Power 4-wheel disc brakes standard on the sedan
Rack-and-pinion power steering
Ind. MacPherson struts with zero scrub radius in the front
Fully ind. semi-trailing arm in the rear

All for under $15K -- What a car!!!!

 

Check out Zcar.com. The early Z engine and the max engine are very similar. From what I have read the biggest difference is the Crank and Rod bearing diameter with the Z being a little bigger. Also the maxima's 2.4l uses an N47 head which produces a lower compression ratio than the 240Z's E31 or E88.

 

do u guys know any more info on swapping the L28 engine to the 810 maxima? like how much is the price range might be and is it a hard to find these engines? thanks

 

I think that for the time and the price these were truly awesome cars. I had an 84 that I bought for $600 and it had 4 wheel independant susp. with rear wheel drive (whoo hoo!! better for modding) 4 wheel disk brakes, and I got that car up to 125 MPH. This was a great car for me and it will always be dear to my heart because of the many high school memories that I had with this car. It was realistically my first car and I thought that it was so cool because it had power options and a sunroof. I also had a 260Z that had the same engine in it (L-Series) I never had any problems with it over two years besides the alternator going out.

 

i just found out the same exact L24E engine was used in the Skyline sold in Japan in 1979-81. cool.