I checked the FAQ's and been looking around for a while, but it seems like the SE models get 98% of the performance mod coverage.

While I can understand the different level of enthusiasm, I feel a little left out.

So what are the best bang-for-the-buck performance improvements for the 3rd gen GXE?

How much do the mods cost, and how much gains? Anybody have before and after dyno's? Do cold air intakes make a big difference? I hear the Y-pipe is a good upgrade...

So lets hear it for the GXE crazies!

 

SEs and GXEs have 99% of the same available mods

as far as the VG v. VE argument....other than the VGs having cams and other things, theres no real difference or lack of mods between any of the 3rd gens

in the long run modding an auto VG with bolt-ons isn't the best decision, you spend money struggling to breaking 15.9s!

and for God's sake....YOU DRIVE AN M3...wtf do you need to mod the Maxima for

 

98% Of VG SE (1989-1991) mods will fit a 1989-1994 GXE

 

good question...

I think I am running out of mods to put on the M3... maybe subconsciously looking for another "project" without even realizing it. Gotta entertain all my options, ya know?

... and I dislike not having the same confidence in the max to pass other cars on short notice. The momentum driving is all good... just wondering if I could add a quick CAI for a 15HP gain, or similar "no-brainer" mods. I don't want to put any major resources into it... but will take any cheap or free options.

I guess as this thought evolves, maybe I should look into trading the max in for a 240SX, e30 325is, or miata for my new daily driver/project car. Actually, my money is probably best spent elsewhere for the next while... nevermind.

But if there are some quick and cheap upgrade opportunities (i.e. what can I do for under $100), I could see doing a thing or two. If I put a pimp stereo into the Max, I'll be keeping it for a while.

 

CAI=15hp is

I would start with a Y-pipe first, best value yet.

 

in the group buy forum, there is a deal to get a Place Racing cold air intake for $130. I think there are a few left for VG's. you should get that and a Y-pipe, those are probably the 2 cheapest ways to get power in a 3rd gen.

btw, nice M3.

 

yea the warpspeed y-pipe is only $160-shipped.....you can advance your timing because it really helps us VG guys out.......

 

Try the new super-flo

 

well since you're looking for a place to spend money you can just give it to me so i can fix my max.

 

You should get the Y Pipe, CAI and UDP to start. Then I would seriously get a torque converter, those four things alone will make that VG come alive. You can also advance the timing for free.

 

You put the SE springs on your car right?

I'm selling these VG mid-pipes. I think they are worth it
http://forums.maxima.org/showthread.php?t=366756

A y-pipe and UDP will probably net you the most gains, followed by the intake.

 

But if it is a daily driver he might just want to leave it factory and enjoy using regular gas, I know I do with how much I drive

 

You put 89 or 87 in your car? dang dude, I live in SoCal where the gas is expensive as crap and drive 125+ miles per day and all that sees the tank is 91 dont be so tight mang...you are only looking at a few bucks difference.

 

From a daily driving standpoint. I dont really care about the power difference

Normally I wouldn't, but I drive more than 40 miles a day and when I can get gas for $1.59 the temptation finally got the better of me. Heck I can drive the Jimmy for about the same price as I can my maxima on premium .

 

Try costco. It might be down to $1.65 or $1.85 or something.

 

$1.59? holy ****? is that Arco? We are still paying $2.00+ here.

 

The best power mod you can do for a 3rd gen GXE is to hand over the title to someone else.


Oh.. I have a 240SX for sale if you're interested...
http://mattblehm.com/240/
1996 chassis, 1997 engine. around 98,000 miles on chassis, 76,000 on engine.

I bought it for a toy and can't afford to keep it.

 

I'll check them out next time. I've have been filling up in Covington because it's so dang cheap there

 

yeap, and dont even try to give me the whole crap gas BS. A friend and I both replaced our filters, drove 2000 miles. He strictly used Shell/Chevron and I strictly used Arco. Cant really compare mileage because of driving style and mods, but both filters were clean. With Davebond, we both ran the KS resistor, he had Shell and I had arco, as soon as we hit 17* timing in his car it pinged like crazy, with mine, I just left it at 20* and no pinging at all. I can go on with my results with the Durango another car but I dont think it's necessary.

 

LMFAO, I had a customer here when I read that in my email and almost spit up my soda...good one.

 

cheap gas cheap gas

 

why did you run the resistor? do you have a bad KS and wanted to make sure the timing didn't get retarded?
whats the risk if you run the KS resistor and always run on shell v power.....

 

I am curious about this advance timing thing.

How much will it hurt my gas mileage?

I get about 25 mpg now... what would it be after advancing the timings? Is this easy to do?

 

Matt, that is a very nice looking 240SX! I like it!


So you guys mention the Y-pipe and CAI... about how much gains will I see on a GXE?

 

shell = texaco = what dave was running

 

advancing the timing means you will need to use a higher octane gas

 

If that is the worst of it (meaning: gas mileage stays the same), then sign me up! :-)

 

I could explain it all, but if you could just read the FSM on it, it would be much easier lol.

 

for some reason the new power i found in advancing timing just makes me drive more aggresively, so i waste more gas that way.. haha..

i'm religious on getting chevron gas, when i'm feeling rich i get 91, when i'm poor(this is almost all the time for the past 3 months) i just get 87, but i've never had any knock or ping on about 15* advance.

my gas milage is crappy, but i've yet to replace the O2, and the last owner(2nd owner) prolly never did a major tune-up, not to mention less common things like O2.

but i've been religious in changing oil, i got a hot oil flush 6 months ago, then changed oil 1000km after, yesterday i changed oil myself to mobil1, man, that older oil was as black as the paint on my car... so far it's did great on the last tank of gas..

 

yeah, I don't want to see any duplication of effort, but if you had a link, that would be great.

I'll double check the FAQ's. I assume this mod is done the same on both the SE and GXE?

Is this an easy DIY? Any estimates on the time or special tools required?

 

It is done differently, the SE does not have a distributor. I have not messed with a VG in a long time, even when I did it was very brief. I am positive it is just about the same as an old domestic, all in the distributor. Bust out the timing light and slightly turn it to where you want.

 

Thanks everybody for the input!

Since my flex-section has been leaking for the last year or so, and I am starting to get some good side-effects from the interior exhaust leak... I might just go with the warpspeed Y-pipe. It's not much more than I would spend in having a new flex section welded in. Since I would be spending $100-150 anyways for the new flex section + welding work, I might as well spend the extra $50 or so and have some HP increases!

SO does this Y-pipe really give that much improvement? Anybody done a before and after dyno? Maybe I will hook up my G-tech pro comp. meter and do some before and after! hah!

 

Update:

Y-pipe is on order!

 

Nice, where did you order it from?

 

look two posts up, dingleberry.

 

Bought it on ebay from warpspeed.

Looking forward to it!

I will definately hook up the g-tech and do a poor man's dyno run :-)

Anybody know the weight of a 3rd gen?

 

real car nuts will want to mod any car they get their hands on.
real car nuts will buy a car even if they don't need one.
I currently have 4 cars and am looking for a 5th

 

Update:

I got my Y-pipe installed and it rocks!

Trying to get my g-tech to work, and its stuck in the "staging" mode... might have to check with their support forum and see if I can find a fix. Once I get that done, I'll do a poor man's dyno (g-tech, 2nd gear pull) and see if I can get a rough dyno of before and after.

The car feels a little stronger, MUCH quieter, and MUCH less exhaust in the cabin. yay!