I have a chance to acquire a Max Diesel. Anyone know pros and cons. It's a 5 speed.

 

Pro: It's a Maxima, it's 5-speed

Cons: It's a diesel, it's old as dirt

 

i never knew there was such a beast.

 

My uncle had one, slower then a civic DX

 

80-83 only. Poor seller in US market.

 

good gas mileage, and the whole diesel torque thing...but its majorly old, and diesel isnt that common. around here (nor cal) there are many places without local diesel...so i dont know how about u. also from what everyone else is saying...slow

 

Were those RWD?

 

yes

 

Same as early Maxima. Yes.

 

They sure were! The only bodystyle Maxi where you could get a straight 6, a 5-speed and RWD. The gas engine was the 2.4L L24...fuel injected version of the 240Z engine (only 120 hp though) and quite robust. Fully independent suspension (though semi-trailing arm in the rear) and 4 wheel disc brakes standard on the sedans. I drove an '83 that was for sale about a year and a half ago (gas engine, 5 speed)--and almost bought it. It really wasn't as obsolete as one would think provided you stirred your own gears.

 

yeah in a race, the 4th gen would put about 10 cars on it before it hit 60! You should get that and swap out that old engine witha vq series motor! Drag car here we come!

 

Do drifts, bwahahah. Cool car though.....

 

I don't know about a VQ but there is an article in the Aug. '83 issue of Car and Driver where they slipped in a 280ZX turbo engine, transmission, ECU and harness and some other minor bits and ended up with a 0-60 time of 7.2 seconds and the quarter in 15.2 sec @ 92 mph--mighty fast for those days and respectable still today. It was built for Paul Newman and had plus one tires/wheels (195/60/15s on 7x15 wheels), Recaro seats with custom upholstery using OEM fabric and buttons to match, some kind of weird looking aluminum shifter, and Koni rear shocks among other things.

 

Hell, there's room in there to slip in an RB motor, just think what will happen with that! :P

 

Yeah, there ya go, a 1st gen, with an RB26DETT...I can see it now...

 

Of course most people aren't going to like diesel, since the shortage of them in the U.S. (which is complete bull****), gas is what most people like or want. I say keep the diesel motor in the car and keep the car the way that it is. Just my opinion.

 

wasnt the original question about buying a stock diesel maxima?...not about modding it out like crazy, and all our own opions

 

Could always put in a SBC...

Scott

 

Very true...how about a fuelie 406 small block...in a lightweight 1st gen...that would rock!

 

Works for me...

There's no replacement for displacement!

Scott <---- Who needs to get busy and send you some parts!

 

I have a gas 1981 Max and love it. She goes great and has every option a guy could want. She even talks! A beautiful voice, I might add! If you don't mind the diesel motor, then buy it, if you like it. Parts are easy to find and you will cruise in a rare car these days. It's no chick magnet, but I love it.

 

how big of a block could fit in there anyway?

 

It could probably easily fit a small block. The engine bay dimensions are similar to that of a 240/260/280 z/zx. Though shorter. I would imagine though if you did such you would also have to upgrade the suspension like you would a Z with that type of conversion. Oh yeah, there is guy down the street from my house that has a 240z with a small block chevy motor in it. Very nice.

S

 

Oh, yeah, the SBC is heavy. Almost 500 pounds. A 215 Buick aka 3.5L Rover could be a nice swap. If you can find one reasonably. This is a very popular conversion into the MG B. The aluminum small 8 weighs less than the iron 4 it replaces. It can also be bored and stroked out to 5.0L (saw a TR8 at a show last weekend that the owner did it).
What is this thread about again? I forgot.

 

 

Wow! An 81 maxma w/ 75K. That is a real rare find, most seem to be double that. Can you tell me what kind of gas miage you get w/ the gas engine? And, yes I am thinking of puting a small V8 in my ZX and now you all got me thinking about the Maxima.

 

Or how about a V6 Turbo from a Buick Grand National?

What was this thread about???

It was about people having fun with their Max!

Scott

 

Unless its a V8 small block, if you want a v6 turbo...just you a nissan one...

S

 

i know u can put an LS1 in an old rx7 (and there by do wheelies) so why not give the old maxima a kickin reputation?

 

I've been pulling down 26 mpg on a very regular basis with like no maintenance until recently. It had 105K when I bought it and I just whent over 122K, I put miles on like crazy.