Can't search, so:

I'm going to be getting a 4th gen SE very soon. I'm extremely excited because I've been lurking around this board for over a year, ever since I became obsessed with the Maxima's beautiful looks.

Here are two questions that I've been thinking about:

For the standard mods--Y-pipe install, exhaust work, popcharger or CAI install, etc.--how extensive a set of tools do I need and what will it set me back? What tools or sets specifically are needed for the Max? I don't have the luxury of knowing anyone who works in a garage, and that brings me to the second question: I live in an apartment complex, and I'm thiking, where am I going to mod my car? There's a nice big parking lot nearby that's usually empty, but damn, it sucks not living in single-family-home suburbia with my own garage.

Is there anyone else in the same boat who can give me some advice? Is doing underbody mods in a parking lot with a few jacks even feasible, or is that ridiculous? (I don't have any experience working on cars yet... ) What other options would I have?

Thanks a heap.

 

Well first off congrads on the purchase. Ok, you would want to pick up a manual. Chiltons or Haynes..they are like $15 and are plenty worth the money. You don't even want to know where I have worked on my car. Tools can get pretty pricey..maybe the question is what tools do yo ualready have? For an intake (frankencar) I think all I used was 8mm, 10mm socket wrenches, and a flathead screwdriver. Anyways basic tools ..socket set, screwdriver set. Y-pipe calls for a few more specific tools...what I would recomend is just having it put on...$40-60. Saves you time, blood, patience..especially if your not that handy with tools and mechanics yet.

 

just buy yourself a nice big jack with stands. you dont need anything fancy, just basic tools to do all those mods.

 

Also, try to buy a tool set (metric) preferably the craftsman set from Sears (lifetime warranty on most tools). Trying to buy tools individually is much more expensive than buying a set. I also use the parking lot near my apartment. It just sucks when the weather is bad and you need to do some work like changing struts.......

 

It's all good. I do most of my work right on my driveway. No one really cares.

 

Thanks for the responses, guys.

About jacks: do you have any recommendations for what type and what brand of jack to buy?

And a total n00b question: do I need 2 jacks, one for each side, or 4, or 1 or what? Haha, I'm quick learner, I promise!

 

you need 1 jack, and 2 or 4 jackstands, depending on whether u wanna jack up the whole car or just the front or back

 

Go to sears! You can walk out of there with a 3 ton jack and 3 ton stands for about fifty bucks right now. Lifetime warranty and well made... look no further.

 

i have a 2 1/4 ton jack and it does the job
another 4 maxima's in my area use the same jack.

but 3 ton is definitely better...

you will need a torque wrench, ratchet and drive socket set, screwdriver set....that should be enough for most of the bolt ons.