who still has there 2nd gen
Newbie - Just Registered
Joined: Feb 2010
Posts: 2
Hello all.
My boyfriend and I got lucky and bought an 85 Nissan Maxima for $1,400. We are the second owners and it has 126,000 miles on it (about 10,000-15,000 of those are from us). It was owned by a housewife, and it was in damn good condition. It needs some work (and I'm dying to convert it to a 5 speed), but it runs damn well for being so cheap and the features on it are amazing!
I've been lurking around looking for any instructions, diagrams and tips on how to fix the little stuff - and how to fix it up. Any advice would be awesome. I noticed a lot of the 2nd gen info is for the 86-88 - any 85 info would be spectacular.
My boyfriend and I got lucky and bought an 85 Nissan Maxima for $1,400. We are the second owners and it has 126,000 miles on it (about 10,000-15,000 of those are from us). It was owned by a housewife, and it was in damn good condition. It needs some work (and I'm dying to convert it to a 5 speed), but it runs damn well for being so cheap and the features on it are amazing!
I've been lurking around looking for any instructions, diagrams and tips on how to fix the little stuff - and how to fix it up. Any advice would be awesome. I noticed a lot of the 2nd gen info is for the 86-88 - any 85 info would be spectacular.
Newbie - Just Registered
Joined: Feb 2010
Posts: 2
Needs:
CV Ball Joint
Suspension (front right leaked all its fluid)
Temperature Head Sensor (According to the CPU)
Fuel Sender Unit
Fuel Injection Replacement
Replace Air Intake System
Wants:
Body Kit
Turbo
5 Speed Conversion
Performance Exhaust (Preferably Quiet)
Wheels and Performance Tires
ANY info on this stuff for the 85 would be sweet.
Also, does anyone have the wiring schematics of the interior fuse box? We'd like to replace all the wiring - we have a couple shorts.
It was taken care of, but not by someone who really knew their car.
CV Ball Joint
Suspension (front right leaked all its fluid)
Temperature Head Sensor (According to the CPU)
Fuel Sender Unit
Fuel Injection Replacement
Replace Air Intake System
Wants:
Body Kit
Turbo
5 Speed Conversion
Performance Exhaust (Preferably Quiet)
Wheels and Performance Tires
ANY info on this stuff for the 85 would be sweet.
Also, does anyone have the wiring schematics of the interior fuse box? We'd like to replace all the wiring - we have a couple shorts.
It was taken care of, but not by someone who really knew their car.
what i do know
Bodykit you can search Ebay but most likely you will have to go custom. dont go fibreglass though because rocks will absolutely destroy it
Turbo, the Z31 300zx used the same VG30E. the turbo model was VG30ET. find a VG30ET engine and get the exhaust manifolds, oil lines, piping, turbo, etc. and youre set
5spd conversion you need the clutch, tranny, etc. from a 5spd car
Performance exhaust you can go custom or theres lots of other brands. ive got a Magnaflow that was just welded on my 3rd gen, it sounds awesome and deep but ive been wanting to get something more JDM and angled
wheels theres lots of options lol
thats about all i know, basically because 2nd gens and some 3rd gens have VG30E
Bodykit you can search Ebay but most likely you will have to go custom. dont go fibreglass though because rocks will absolutely destroy it
Turbo, the Z31 300zx used the same VG30E. the turbo model was VG30ET. find a VG30ET engine and get the exhaust manifolds, oil lines, piping, turbo, etc. and youre set
5spd conversion you need the clutch, tranny, etc. from a 5spd car
Performance exhaust you can go custom or theres lots of other brands. ive got a Magnaflow that was just welded on my 3rd gen, it sounds awesome and deep but ive been wanting to get something more JDM and angled
wheels theres lots of options lol
thats about all i know, basically because 2nd gens and some 3rd gens have VG30E
Senior Member
Joined: May 2004
Posts: 315
From: los Angeles, Ca.
th only differences are the fuse block from 87-88, electronic suspension if equipped , and the connector thats under the dash to hook up a diagnostic tool to it.. but basically the same
Needs:
CV Ball Joint <--repair or replace
Suspension (front right leaked all its fluid) <tried looking for the fluid gonna have to go with aftermarket suspension i.e. kyb, tokico,
Temperature Head Sensor (According to the CPU) its a ***** to shange but i gots a coupple used ones if interested..
Fuel Sender Unit <----under the rear seat fuel pump is attached to it
Fuel Injection Replacement<--- as in the fuel rails/injectors??
Replace Air Intake System < why the whole thing??
i have a lot of 2nd gens in the junkyard near me if you need parts lemme know, we had a shortage for a bit but were back on now..
Wants:
Body Kit <---had one here its trached though (fiberglass)
Turbo <----z31
5 Speed Conversion < have here
Performance Exhaust (Preferably Quiet) <go custom, i have a 2.5 inch with a nismo muffler
Wheels and Performance Tires <--- your choice
ANY info on this stuff for the 85 would be sweet.
Also, does anyone have the wiring schematics of the interior fuse box? We'd like to replace all the wiring - we have a couple shorts.<--- i can help but your gonna need to tell me where the shorts are, youll prolly be better off replacing the harness.
CV Ball Joint <--repair or replace
Suspension (front right leaked all its fluid) <tried looking for the fluid gonna have to go with aftermarket suspension i.e. kyb, tokico,
Temperature Head Sensor (According to the CPU) its a ***** to shange but i gots a coupple used ones if interested..
Fuel Sender Unit <----under the rear seat fuel pump is attached to it
Fuel Injection Replacement<--- as in the fuel rails/injectors??
Replace Air Intake System < why the whole thing??
i have a lot of 2nd gens in the junkyard near me if you need parts lemme know, we had a shortage for a bit but were back on now..
Wants:
Body Kit <---had one here its trached though (fiberglass)
Turbo <----z31
5 Speed Conversion < have here
Performance Exhaust (Preferably Quiet) <go custom, i have a 2.5 inch with a nismo muffler
Wheels and Performance Tires <--- your choice
ANY info on this stuff for the 85 would be sweet.
Also, does anyone have the wiring schematics of the interior fuse box? We'd like to replace all the wiring - we have a couple shorts.<--- i can help but your gonna need to tell me where the shorts are, youll prolly be better off replacing the harness.
Last edited by Big_E-Dog; Jun 28, 2010 at 12:26 PM.
Member
Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 176
From: TAMPA/GREENSBORO
Hello all.
My boyfriend and I got lucky and bought an 85 Nissan Maxima for $1,400. We are the second owners and it has 126,000 miles on it (about 10,000-15,000 of those are from us). It was owned by a housewife, and it was in damn good condition. It needs some work (and I'm dying to convert it to a 5 speed), but it runs damn well for being so cheap and the features on it are amazing!
I've been lurking around looking for any instructions, diagrams and tips on how to fix the little stuff - and how to fix it up. Any advice would be awesome. I noticed a lot of the 2nd gen info is for the 86-88 - any 85 info would be spectacular.
My boyfriend and I got lucky and bought an 85 Nissan Maxima for $1,400. We are the second owners and it has 126,000 miles on it (about 10,000-15,000 of those are from us). It was owned by a housewife, and it was in damn good condition. It needs some work (and I'm dying to convert it to a 5 speed), but it runs damn well for being so cheap and the features on it are amazing!
I've been lurking around looking for any instructions, diagrams and tips on how to fix the little stuff - and how to fix it up. Any advice would be awesome. I noticed a lot of the 2nd gen info is for the 86-88 - any 85 info would be spectacular.
yep, do the timing belt. VG30E are interference engines so if the timing belt breaks, youre looking at best case a major rebuild and worst case drop in a new engine.
its not too hard to do if you know how to remove the engine and everything. while you have the engine out it its worth it to replace the thermostat, water pump and tensioner as well. im getting my 3rd gens done on Monday. one garage quoted me at $1200 to do it with labor and parts, but a guy on here found me a private garage where you bring the parts and he does it all, so its about $250 for parts and $500 for labor so $750
mine was done at 333,000km in 2004 last, and im at 421,000km in 2010 now so mine should be good for another 12k technically but with the age factored in and stuff better safe than sorry.
its not too hard to do if you know how to remove the engine and everything. while you have the engine out it its worth it to replace the thermostat, water pump and tensioner as well. im getting my 3rd gens done on Monday. one garage quoted me at $1200 to do it with labor and parts, but a guy on here found me a private garage where you bring the parts and he does it all, so its about $250 for parts and $500 for labor so $750
mine was done at 333,000km in 2004 last, and im at 421,000km in 2010 now so mine should be good for another 12k technically but with the age factored in and stuff better safe than sorry.
Last edited by chrome91; Jul 1, 2010 at 10:29 PM.
Newbie - Just Registered
Joined: Nov 2009
Posts: 1
From: Raleigh NC
Hey,
New member here.
Recently bought a 87 Maxima from the original owner. She was 62 when she bought it, now 85 and decided to stop driving.
I've always loved this gen Maxima, never thought I'd own one.
It has only 85K miles on it, fantastic condition, she took great care of it and kept most of the paper work of all thats been done to it through the years.
I'd post a pic but don't know how to post one here...
New member here.
Recently bought a 87 Maxima from the original owner. She was 62 when she bought it, now 85 and decided to stop driving.
I've always loved this gen Maxima, never thought I'd own one.
It has only 85K miles on it, fantastic condition, she took great care of it and kept most of the paper work of all thats been done to it through the years.
I'd post a pic but don't know how to post one here...
Member
Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 176
From: TAMPA/GREENSBORO
Hey,
New member here.
Recently bought a 87 Maxima from the original owner. She was 62 when she bought it, now 85 and decided to stop driving.
I've always loved this gen Maxima, never thought I'd own one.
It has only 85K miles on it, fantastic condition, she took great care of it and kept most of the paper work of all thats been done to it through the years.
I'd post a pic but don't know how to post one here...
New member here.
Recently bought a 87 Maxima from the original owner. She was 62 when she bought it, now 85 and decided to stop driving.
I've always loved this gen Maxima, never thought I'd own one.
It has only 85K miles on it, fantastic condition, she took great care of it and kept most of the paper work of all thats been done to it through the years.
I'd post a pic but don't know how to post one here...
welcome! and in the words of Chrome91...yep, do the timing belt. VG30E are interference engines so if the timing belt breaks, youre looking at best case a major rebuild and worst case drop in a new engine.
its not too hard to do if you know how to remove the engine and everything. while you have the engine out it its worth it to replace the thermostat, water pump and tensioner as well. im getting my 3rd gens done on Monday. one garage quoted me at $1200 to do it with labor and parts, but a guy on here found me a private garage where you bring the parts and he does it all, so its about $250 for parts and $500 for labor so $750
mine was done at 333,000km in 2004 last, and im at 421,000km in 2010 now so mine should be good for another 12k technically but with the age factored in and stuff better safe than sorry.
Junior Member
Joined: Jul 2010
Posts: 16
From: El Paso Texas
hi yall
hay yall im new here and i was just handed down a 85 max shes in rough shap but im tryin to getther lookin and runnin good shes got almost 200,000 milles on her 
i havent had her for long and ive been a chevy person all my life but shes goin on me fast
i havent had her for long and ive been a chevy person all my life but shes goin on me fast
Junior Member
Joined: Jul 2010
Posts: 16
From: El Paso Texas
http://forums.maxima.org/album.php?albumid=3083 here she is
Newbie - Just Registered
Joined: Jul 2010
Posts: 4
My new 87 maxima.
So I just bought the car, and I have a few questions.
First, there's a whining sound when I'm accelerating, I think it might be a water pump but I can't be sure. And second, the little switch that has S N F on it. If it is to change the toughness of the suspension, why would it not be working and how can I fix it? And lastly, what are some inexpensive things I can do to improve the engine and how it runs?
Member
Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 176
From: TAMPA/GREENSBORO
So I just bought the car, and I have a few questions.
First, there's a whining sound when I'm accelerating, I think it might be a water pump but I can't be sure. And second, the little switch that has S N F on it. If it is to change the toughness of the suspension, why would it not be working and how can I fix it? And lastly, what are some inexpensive things I can do to improve the engine and how it runs?
NICE MAXIMA!!! but listen to me! CHANGE YOUR TIMING BELT! OR YOUR ENGINE DIES! {every 60k or 7 years} that Maxima has an "interference engine"
Member
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 116
Check with the previous owner to see if there is documentation that it was done and that you are in compliance.If not,do it right away.Also,check to see if the injector recall was done on that motor.Those motors are problem free if you do regular service on them.And don't go around beating on it like a rental,it's a 24 year old car.
yep do the timing belt, if it snaps you'll at best need a engine rebuild and at worst you'll need a whole new engine
the S N F should be Soft Neutral and Firm for the suspension IIRC
the S N F should be Soft Neutral and Firm for the suspension IIRC
Member
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 116
So I just bought the car, and I have a few questions.
First, there's a whining sound when I'm accelerating, I think it might be a water pump but I can't be sure. And second, the little switch that has S N F on it. If it is to change the toughness of the suspension, why would it not be working and how can I fix it? And lastly, what are some inexpensive things I can do to improve the engine and how it runs?
[QUOTE=orko;7665487]
just for the body or the whole thing??
body....
16 dlls fog lamps
35 dlls rear pontiac spoiler
35 dlls side skirts
20 dlls ventshades
26 dlls hood scoop
20 dlls naca duct
20 dlls hood pins
15 dlls sunroof shade
?? dlls custom carbon fiber grill
200 dlls headlamps (custom)
200 dlls WRD mesh rims (got hella lucky at the junkyard)
just for the body or the whole thing??
body....
16 dlls fog lamps
35 dlls rear pontiac spoiler
35 dlls side skirts
20 dlls ventshades
26 dlls hood scoop
20 dlls naca duct
20 dlls hood pins
15 dlls sunroof shade
?? dlls custom carbon fiber grill
200 dlls headlamps (custom)
200 dlls WRD mesh rims (got hella lucky at the junkyard)