I'm very interested in getting a MEVI in the near future. But my concerns are that i'm an automatic. This means my 1/4 mile run will just improve just a little unless i drive with the OD off for 3/4 of the 1/4 mile. Then, i'm a '98 which means no ECU upgrade for the extra power given when installing the MEVI. My ECU will automatically cut the power, in turn meaning i won't be able to push the car as long as i would like to. What type of benefits will i see with the MEVI with an auto? Will it just be good for the highway or can i make it work for me on the track? All of your input is appreciated.

 

Buy these 3 things without questioning: Protorque torque convertor (search for more info), 205/50-15 tires for the front, MEVI, make an adapter harness to use a 95-96 ecu. That should give you a very fast automagic car.

 

where can i buy the adapter?? im interested!!!!

 

 

http://forums.maxima.org/showthread....hlight=bags533

 

I read the post when the thread was first posted, but it still doesn't answer any of the performance questions i asked. nor did it make mention to having a 98 in were there isn't an ECU upgrade on the market. Thanks for loking though.

 

You consistently confirm that you dont know what the hell you are talking about...

 

How do you....
?

 

so what your saying is your gonna trap out at 130+ MPH??

why only drive with OD off for 3/4 of the 1/4 mile? ( which BTW is 990 feet )

 

I never said that i would trap at 130 MPH. I'm saying that from other threads that once the MEVI does it's thing, once the gears switch, there is a lag in power, other words the rpm's are very low and the pull or the torque is weak as hell once my auto shifts. Now this is from searching and seeing what others have said when they have run with their MEVI functioning and they have an auto such as myself. The OD/off, is just a trick that i would try first only because fourth gear is locked out and i would be able to get the most out of my max and VI during my third gear. By this time i would tink the race would be either over or close to it, raising my trap speed and hopefully my time as well. This is all in theory since i don't have an MEVI, but if i'm wron g let me know. But what about the questions asked earlier in the thread.

 

The gains I've seen on auto MEVI cars seem to be more significant than those on 5spd MEVI cars like mine. My trap speeds went up a consistent 2-2.5 mph on my 5spd by the way.

 

What about the fact that the rev limit on stock ECU's won't allow my 98 to get the most out of the VI. How could I get around that and still get al the punch out of my VI that i should?

 

Just manually shift it as close to redline as possible I guess. I don't know much about drag racing an auto but that's what I would try. No stock ECU allows us to get the most out of the MEVI, regardless of if its 5spd or auto, so we are all in the same boat.

 

Yes, manually shifting works great.

for Dynos and timeslips on an Auto (my 97, before I got the SuperCharger), go here:

www.cyberhub.net/intake

I don't think I'd call a .4 second gain a problem.

 

I am trying to understand what you were saying. Thanks for clearing it up.



Ok, well first off, just like a few others said MANUALLY shift your auto. I am an AUTO with the MEVI BTW. This is going to sound a little nuts, but hear me out.

When you have a Variable Intake, you need to take your car to redline. BUT don't hit the rev limiter. This will take some time and practice in your auto. Cause when you move your shift lever up, it will take a second for the TCU to shift your gear, so bouncing off the rev limiter will slow the 1/4 run.

Also with the intake and y-pipe, on your profile, you still should have power without the MEVI.

And taking your RPM's as far north as possible, you'll be at a higher RPM when you do shift. If done at redline, the 1/2 shift will result in the MEVI staying open. And yes when you shift into 3rd your MEVI will close, but that is when the TQ of your strongest gear will pull the car.

And finally, the lag you speak of is there for some and not others. You will need to TUNE your MEVI by using the RPM switch to find out where the best switch over is. This will help in the NO lag effort.

 

yeah and get a vb mod too

 

Using or not using the OD has not effect in your 1/4 mile time whatsoever. Buy the time you get down to the mark, you should still be in 3rd gear. Just leave the OD off.

 

Uhh... unless I'm mistaken turning overdrive off will only affect you if u r in 4th gear. I dont know auto shift points that well but i would say you can get up to the 80-90 mph range in 3rd. In which case whether u have overdrive on or off makes no difference

 

ive gotten to about 120 in my third gear. remember autos have a different gear ratio than 5-speeds

 

Yep, I'm usually at about 70-80 at the end of 2nd gear.

IanS

 

Please inform me? If I don't know what I'm talking about please tell/show me?

 

The ECU is upgradeable, do you want to spend the money for a piggyback or standalone? I'm sure a Greddy Emanage could raise the rev limiter and alter the timing/fuel maps. As would a TEC 3, Speed pro, Motec, haltek, etc.

 

2 ways. 1st find the make of the harness connector itself and the part number. Next order the correct male-female ends. Then you'd need a wiring diagram of a 95 ECU vs a 98-99 ECU. After the wiring corrections have been made then install 95 ECU or have it reprogrammed to your liking. The 2nd way is to find a parts car and pull the ECU + harness connector. After desoldering the ECU connector you would rewire the pins to match the configuration on the 95 ECU. Once you are successful you can duplicate this project for a fee and sell it to other 98-99 owners. It is basically a DIY project.

 

That is very true, lets not forget that autos are slower so more gains can be had. By going from a cone filter intake to CAI, exhaust, udp, 60mm TB on my 87 max. I gained 3mph and dropped 7 tenths in the 1/4. Pretty much what a stock vs full bolt on VQ auto/5spd would gain.

 

If i decide not to do the ecu upgrade, would lowering the point in which the MEVI engages work. Would the MEVI activating at a lower RPM range lessen the power gains received compared to having it near redline. Say for instance around 4700-5000 rpms compared to 5500 rpms? First of all is this even possible? Thanksa again.

 

Yes you can choose any RPM at which you want the MEVI to open. No you do not want to just set the switchover lower.

Setting the MEVI to open too low will make you lose a significant amount of power. The MEVI ONLY gives gains at high RPMS, opening it earlier will slow your car down. Thats the short answer, if someone feels like giving a long technical answer please do.

 

Since getting the MEVI, I have done 18 Dyno Runs. 10 NA and 8 SC'ed.

In each instance, I found that 5000 RPM was the optimal switchover point. At 4500-4700RPM, you lose power before 5000, at 5500RPM, It never has time to be fully effective to give the most gains.

Trust me, I've tested it. 5000RPM is the way to go, boosted or not.

IanS

 

Thanks for the advice. I'll keep that in mind once i get my MEVI in the very near future.

 

Does anyone know what RPM do the japanese/ME maximas switch over?

 

5000, as well as the VI's on the 2k+ and the VE 5spd.