driver824

So, the time has come to step it up a notch. im starting to realize lights, radio, and various cosmetic mods, dont mean $hit. so its time to go to the big time.. i was contemplating a 5 spd conversion on my 80,000 98 pebble beige se max. and well i was out driving about with casey(maximagtr420) and his 96 s/c 5 spd and well althoguh hes got the best of both worlds, im now very uncertain about weather to get the 5 sp or the s/c. so i'm askin all of you. people who have a s/c please respond and for those with a 5sp respond. im not saying i cant get both..but which would u do..

thanks

blake

ch13f

I'd say do the supercharger first, then when your auto blows to pieces, do the 5spd conversion.

ABK

yeah sc and get VB mod on your auto so it lasts longer. If you won't beat on it, it should survive for some time

maximagtr420

Yea blake see like i said last night, SC all the way bro, than maybe you can run with the big dogs.

Stephen Max

iTrader: (59)

I was exactly in your shoes about two years ago. When I found out a supercharger makes an auto Maxima about as fast as a NA 5 speed Maxima, I did the tranny conversion first.

Brudaddy

iTrader: (2)

Yeah, if you were wanting to keep your auto good, I would say just don't sc it. But if you have to choose one or the other and you want as much performance as possible...I would have to agree. Just sc that thing, and they start saving for 5spd conversion. When your auto goes out...(and it will)...go with the new 5spd.

DoGGy

puttin a sc in an auto max gives u the same performance as a stick n/a max. do the 5spd conversion first then add the sc

Stephen Max

iTrader: (59)

Another reason I did the tranny conversion first is that 5 speeds are more fun to drive, and that's all the time, not just when accelerating. Boosting is fun, too, but you don't boost all the time. Unless you want to do an engine swap along with the transmission.

1FSTMAX

iTrader: (29)

I say 5spd first, then super charger. I was able to beat a SC Auto maxima with 10 PSI of boost, with my 5spd and a 55 shot form a 60 MPH roll.

WillMax95

no point in performance mods without a stick...which is why i don't put much in my car in the way of performance.

driver824

damn im still unsure.. 5sp would be all the time, and well the s/c would be only on excell. i think i should just go for the 5 sp first, then the mevi along with a s/c.. now thats the best idea yet.. go big but first got to play big..and auto, yes nice and calm, but not goin to work with a s/c.. casey i may be not running with the big dogs but in time ill be running at the head of the pack..

95MaxSE

Forgive my ignorance please. Two questions:

How much is the supercharger? Hard or easy to install?

What can I expect in term of performance if installed on a 5-speed 95 Maxima.

Thanks guys.

JeffesonM

iTrader: (5)

5-speed first

Stephen Max

iTrader: (59)

About $3500 new. About $2000-2400 used. Along with the SC you MUST get an EGT gauge and a 100 psi electric fuel pressure gauge in order to monitor engine conditions. A boost gauge is neat, but not as important. Install the gauges first, then the SC kit. If you install the kit first you will be tempted to drive it before installing the gauges and you might not know if you're running dangerously lean until white smoke comes out your tailpipe and your engine dies. Then it's too late.

I found the SC kit to be a pretty straightforward install. It was a little tricky mounting the blower and mounting plate onto the engine the first time, but nothing a moderately competent shade tree mechanic couldn't do.

The stock 3.6" pulley produces 6-7 psi of boost, depending on whether you get the older V1 blower or the V2 blower. That's good for about 70-80 hp. You might as well install a 3.33" or 3.25" pulley right off the bat, which will give you another 20 hp or so.

Before you do the SC install, spend time lurking in the Boosted forum and research as much as you can. You'll learn a lot that will help you out later.

Taken2DaMax

iTrader: (5)

I would have to say a 5spd conversion just b/c you have that option to downshift. It is really fun to drive a 5spd. Just try. Grabing the stick and downshifting from 5th to 3rd and flooring it feels like you have boost. It kinda knocks you in your seat.

vsamoylov

can't wait until I will have a stick in my max but go with a stick.

95MaxSE

Thanks Stephen for the detailed answers.

sk24iam

Go with the 5 speed first. More fun to drive. Less problems and more reliable. You can always save up for one. Just get a 5 speed and the mevi and some light rims and you'll be faster.

Shift_my vq

I say you get the five speed first. It's so much more fun to drive. And if you going fi save a little extra and get the turbo kit from customaxima. My friend put it on his 97 se 5 spd and that car is a rocket. It straight fly's. I'm almost sure that's where he got it. Ill ask him though. Good luck man.

dss42

iTrader: (1)

take my advise I did a 5 speed swap. Buy a boosted 5 speed maxima from someone for $10grand and sell yours. someone bought a supercharged 5 speed maxima here on the .org for $6500 why spend so much on upgrading your current car when you can buy someone elses?

Dont forget you will need a performance clutch, flywheel and many more things because things will start to brake

good luck

driver824

guaging interest on a 98 se.. well see about that idea, but i just cant part with my baby. its a hard thing to do. . plus id have so much work to do again to catch up. y pipe, system, tints, little mods, its just to much. will see.. thanks for ur replies guys keep them coming..

blake

Blackwind

iTrader: (9)

amen to that!

driver824

to the top

AsthmaMax11

iTrader: (3)

I used to have an auto and sold it for my 5-speed. My 5-speed is very quick compared to my auto(both modded), the auto would be left in the dust easily. I have been in a SC Max before and it was insanely fast compared to my car.

The 5-speed swap will probably be cheaper and more reliable in the long run.
However, from what I have heard and personally experienced a boosted Max will beat just about any NA Max from a roll. And unless you go to the track alot or race from streetlights (which kills your tranny anyways...) I would say boost now and get the 5-speed later.

Vyrus

iTrader: (4)

Here's somebody I trust... he's owned an auto and a 5spd, been in a S/C auto, and he can tell you from first hand experience.

Most modified N/A 5spds run what - 14.5? 14.6?
Most S/C autos run what? 13.8? I am, of course, assuming you have a smaller pulley, which most S/C owners have.
I'm not even going to guess what turbo auto owners are running.

There is quite a big gap in performance, just look at the hp figures. That 5-10% drivetain loss is far, far more than compensated for.

More fun? I think a boosted auto. Seriously looking for good timeslips? I'd say convert to 5spd.

-Cyrus

Cumalot

iTrader: (8)

Go with the 5spd swap first, trust me on this. I been there, done that. Guys who know me here know what I'm talking about.

Nismo

iTrader: (18)

5sp first. Not only for performance reasons but it makes it alot more fun to drive daily.

NISMOMAXMAN

Ok, I'm sorry that this question has been asked over and over again, but how much is the swap from auto to 5spd (rouhly estimated price)??? Plus what mods can you transfer from your auto to your new 5spd? (y-pipes, UDP, intake, etc.)

skeelo34

iTrader: (4)

Swap to 5spd first. If you don't, you'll blow your auto in a few weeks and will have to do the swap anyway. If you do the swap yourself and get parts from the junkyard and get an act clutch...its doable for 1500.....assuming you do the labor yourself. either way, swap first, unless you want to deal with a blown auto. best thing to do = sell car and buy a 5spd.