4th Generation Maxima (1995-1999) Visit the 4th Generation forum to ask specific questions or find out more about the 4th Generation Maxima.

Cold Engines are SUUPER strong!!?!!!

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old 02-01-2004, 09:03 PM
  #1  
Senior Member
Thread Starter
iTrader: (1)
 
Spaniard's Avatar
 
Join Date: Apr 2003
Location: Santa Clara, CA 95054
Posts: 972
Cold Engines are SUUPER strong!!?!!!

Ive noticed that I can easily break loose in first at 4K rpm when my engine is juuust getting warm- like about after running for 1 min. I dont think its cold tires either...
So after fully warming up the engine it definately does not seem to break loose as easy.. so whats the deal? Do colder engines produce more power? It certainly seems so...
This would impact the way I would do my first drag run... try to keep the engine as cold as possible before tearing it up!!

So has anyone noticed this too? Am I off base here?
Spaniard is offline  
Old 02-01-2004, 09:07 PM
  #2  
Senior Member
 
PoePoe2797's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jul 2003
Posts: 1,003
Running a cold engine hard is really bad
PoePoe2797 is offline  
Old 02-01-2004, 09:09 PM
  #3  
Senior Member
iTrader: (2)
 
gsumax's Avatar
 
Join Date: Dec 2002
Posts: 773
Originally Posted by PoePoe2797
Running a cold engine hard is really bad
very very bad
gsumax is offline  
Old 02-01-2004, 09:18 PM
  #4  
Not DAVEB the parts guy
 
Dave B's Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 2000
Posts: 8,555
For ideal performance, you want the heads/block,exhaust hot and the intake manifold and intake system cold. That's when you'll be the quickest. With temps in the single digits and teens, my car doesn't seem to run especially hard until I've been driving it for 20 minutes+ and the heads have completely warmed. When it's in the 40s-50s is when my car feels the strongest.


Dave
Dave B is offline  
Old 02-01-2004, 09:21 PM
  #5  
Senior Member
 
PoePoe2797's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jul 2003
Posts: 1,003
Yea, what would be nice is if someone had a functional hood scoop to cool the manifold in the sub-freezing temps. Talk about cold manifold at 30+mph
PoePoe2797 is offline  
Old 02-01-2004, 09:22 PM
  #6  
I'm nutty for Nissans
iTrader: (46)
 
JSutter's Avatar
 
Join Date: Feb 2003
Location: Maine
Posts: 10,350
my car spins the tires no matter what in 1st, i mean boil the suckers.
JSutter is offline  
Old 02-01-2004, 09:24 PM
  #7  
Senior Member
Thread Starter
iTrader: (1)
 
Spaniard's Avatar
 
Join Date: Apr 2003
Location: Santa Clara, CA 95054
Posts: 972
So much for running hard on cool engine...
Spaniard is offline  
Old 02-01-2004, 09:26 PM
  #8  
Senior Member
 
maxima98vspec's Avatar
 
Join Date: Nov 2003
Posts: 1,246
yea i notice that also, i can burn out alot better then when warmed up but it is bad for your car. yea a scoop would work but the manifold is warm when running at the warmed up temperature of the motor, because of all the cold air my cr is taking up with the cai and the custom made ram air pipe, but that might be just on my car, maybe some of you other guys can't even touch ur manifold sence its soo hot but not mine.
maxima98vspec is offline  
Old 02-01-2004, 09:32 PM
  #9  
Senior Member
Thread Starter
iTrader: (1)
 
Spaniard's Avatar
 
Join Date: Apr 2003
Location: Santa Clara, CA 95054
Posts: 972
Originally Posted by Maxima10to1
my car spins the tires no matter what in 1st, i mean boil the suckers.
What kinda tires and is that in summer too?
Spaniard is offline  
Old 02-01-2004, 10:02 PM
  #10  
Senior Member
 
maxima98vspec's Avatar
 
Join Date: Nov 2003
Posts: 1,246
well last spring i got new tires and they lasted me throught the summer untill october, and they are bald now, the look like slicks. and i could do a preaty good burn out no matter how hot it is.
maxima98vspec is offline  
Old 02-01-2004, 10:08 PM
  #11  
Supporting Maxima.org Member
iTrader: (8)
 
nismology's Avatar
 
Join Date: Apr 2003
Location: Miami, FL
Posts: 9,116
That's why the intake manifold spacer thingies seem like such a good idea. They allow less heat to be transferred from the heads to the intake manifold so there's less of the heat-soak effect. I know there was a thread about this a lil while back but I can't search. Would a donating member do the honors??
nismology is offline  
Old 02-01-2004, 10:42 PM
  #12  
Senior Member
 
JJmax's Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 2003
Posts: 100
yeah, i kinda notice it too, when i pull out of my drive way in the mourning, and it's still cold, it seems to just cut loose. i know it's bad for the engine, and i go easy on it, but i have to merge onto the highway after about 2 min, and usually there are some big trucks i have to beat.
JJmax is offline  
Old 02-01-2004, 11:37 PM
  #13  
Supporting Maxima.org Member
 
mrnock's Avatar
 
Join Date: Sep 2003
Posts: 786
its easier to spin out because your tires are cold



do a quick burnout then see what happens
mrnock is offline  
Old 02-01-2004, 11:51 PM
  #14  
Sports Button FTW
iTrader: (22)
 
meccanoble's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jan 2002
Location: NJ
Posts: 9,294
even when warm, if i floor my car in first i can break tirse and mine are very new, i'm saying if i'm doing a very low roll, like before stalling and just mash the gas, tires are slipping
meccanoble is offline  
Old 02-02-2004, 12:04 AM
  #15  
Senior Member
Thread Starter
iTrader: (1)
 
Spaniard's Avatar
 
Join Date: Apr 2003
Location: Santa Clara, CA 95054
Posts: 972
Originally Posted by meccanoble
even when warm, if i floor my car in first i can break tirse and mine are very new, i'm saying if i'm doing a very low roll, like before stalling and just mash the gas, tires are slipping
Ok, all you who break loose easily- IM JEALOUS!!



I mean WTF I got all these mods and I can only break loose when my engine is cold? That bites! People with Automatics are breaking loose anytime they want?

Ok, I gotta rationalize it thusly to save myself alot of grief.

I got some super sticky @ss tires.
I dont get to feel the POWAH of driving in very cold weather.
I need a aftermarket clutch and flywheel.
My ECU is coming tomorrow

No wonder it is difficult to rip em loose most of the time. Sheez.

There- I feel a little better now. Just a little.
Spaniard is offline  
Old 02-02-2004, 06:11 AM
  #16  
Senior Member
 
PoePoe2797's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jul 2003
Posts: 1,003
I can break loose in 2nd just by punching it....and thats after the car completly warms up after a 20 minute drive with relativly new tires. And no its not the ice around here .....But burning out is a waste of tires and its not to healthy for you driveterrain/clutch
PoePoe2797 is offline  
Old 02-02-2004, 06:20 AM
  #17  
Supporting Maxima.org Member
iTrader: (30)
 
MrGone's Avatar
 
Join Date: Apr 2002
Location: 127.0.0.1
Posts: 40,646
motors are meant to be destroyed. who cares if you run it hard when its cold, its just a motor.
MrGone is offline  
Old 02-02-2004, 06:38 AM
  #18  
brotherhood of tq
iTrader: (6)
 
liqidvenom's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jul 2003
Posts: 8,855
i can chirp my tires anywhere in first and im sure i could do it in second if im high enough in the rpm's when i punch it.
liqidvenom is offline  
Old 02-02-2004, 07:09 AM
  #19  
Senior Member
 
WillMax95's Avatar
 
Join Date: Nov 2003
Posts: 951
4 words:
I hate the cold
WillMax95 is offline  
Old 02-02-2004, 07:30 AM
  #20  
§è~® f®ÈÄk
iTrader: (56)
 
nismos14's Avatar
 
Join Date: Feb 2003
Location: NJ
Posts: 17,511
i can spin'em easy in first but i'm a 5 spd
nismos14 is offline  
Old 02-02-2004, 08:38 AM
  #21  
Not DAVEB the parts guy
 
Dave B's Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 2000
Posts: 8,555
My 1990 106hp CRX Si could roast the tires in 1st from a roll and get some insane spin and torque steer going into 2nd, more so than my Maxima which is nearly 2 second quicker and 11mph faster in the 1/4 mile. It's not because you have some super fast ride. The reasons you can roast your tires so hard from 1st gear is because:

-The VQ is a traverse-mounted V6 which torques in it's engine mounts a lot. If you punch it, the driveline and engine torque are such that the bump in acceleration makes it far easier to break the tires loose.

-Cold weather = bad traction regardless of tire. Cold climates = dirty, salty, sandy streets which mean crappy traction. Large rims with low profile tires = crappy traction. All-season midgrad performance tires = crappy traction. On my W-rated 235/45R17s and a 70+ degree day, I get no spin punching it in 1st. With my stock H-rated 215/60R15s, I roast them. But at the track I can hook hard with the 215/60R15s. It's all about the surface, conditions, etc. On my 17s in the winter, 1st gear is pretty useless and even hitting it from 2nd can result in some spin if I hit an uneven surface or a little road scum (sand, salt, dampness).



Dave
Dave B is offline  
Old 02-03-2004, 11:57 AM
  #22  
Senior Member
Thread Starter
iTrader: (1)
 
Spaniard's Avatar
 
Join Date: Apr 2003
Location: Santa Clara, CA 95054
Posts: 972
Originally Posted by Dave B
My 1990 106hp CRX Si could roast the tires in 1st from a roll and get some insane spin and torque steer going into 2nd, more so than my Maxima which is nearly 2 second quicker and 11mph faster in the 1/4 mile. It's not because you have some super fast ride. The reasons you can roast your tires so hard from 1st gear is because:

-The VQ is a traverse-mounted V6 which torques in it's engine mounts a lot. If you punch it, the driveline and engine torque are such that the bump in acceleration makes it far easier to break the tires loose.

-Cold weather = bad traction regardless of tire. Cold climates = dirty, salty, sandy streets which mean crappy traction. Large rims with low profile tires = crappy traction. All-season midgrad performance tires = crappy traction. On my W-rated 235/45R17s and a 70+ degree day, I get no spin punching it in 1st. With my stock H-rated 215/60R15s, I roast them. But at the track I can hook hard with the 215/60R15s. It's all about the surface, conditions, etc. On my 17s in the winter, 1st gear is pretty useless and even hitting it from 2nd can result in some spin if I hit an uneven surface or a little road scum (sand, salt, dampness).



Dave


Thems my thoughts too. But I was thinking cold weather specific to air temp=charge density= > HP not so much to tire and road surface characteristics. Tnx Dave for addn'l insight
Spaniard is offline  
Old 02-03-2004, 12:28 PM
  #23  
2060lbs and falling...
iTrader: (10)
 
Broaner's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jan 2003
Location: Madison, WI
Posts: 5,160
Great idea on the running ***** to the walls right away. Oil doesn't completely circulate until about 30 seconds and doesn't get nice and warm until 4-5 minutes especially if its below freezing and especially if your running stock weight oil.
Broaner is offline  
Old 02-03-2004, 01:51 PM
  #24  
Senior Member
Thread Starter
iTrader: (1)
 
Spaniard's Avatar
 
Join Date: Apr 2003
Location: Santa Clara, CA 95054
Posts: 972
Originally Posted by broaner22
Great idea on the running ***** to the walls right away. Oil doesn't completely circulate until about 30 seconds and doesn't get nice and warm until 4-5 minutes especially if its below freezing and especially if your running stock weight oil.
In my defense:
5-50 castrol syntec full synthetic
X1r engine additive (www.x1r.com)
California weather (e.g. 60 degrees)
My engine temp gague gets to the middle/ "normal" usually within 1.5 minutes of idle.

I think im going to try a 1/4 mile run when the engine temp gague is marginally lower than "normal" operating position. I bet theres reasonable gain w/o much risk- esp with the engine fluids im using. Is this super foolish?
Spaniard is offline  
Old 02-03-2004, 02:33 PM
  #25  
2060lbs and falling...
iTrader: (10)
 
Broaner's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jan 2003
Location: Madison, WI
Posts: 5,160
Well, the lighter oil helps with not hurting at startup but doesn't that mean that it gets thin when you get nice and hot. That X-1R stuff looks pretty good.
Broaner is offline  
Old 02-03-2004, 02:37 PM
  #26  
I'm nutty for Nissans
iTrader: (46)
 
JSutter's Avatar
 
Join Date: Feb 2003
Location: Maine
Posts: 10,350
Originally Posted by Spaniard
What kinda tires and is that in summer too?

I dunno about the summer since I have not had this car for a week, but I'm running 225/50/16 Goodyear Eagle LS. Second gear spins around 40 mph. In my old auto I could never spin the tires (215/60/15 Yokahamas). Then I changed the KS and now its pretty easy to spin, not always off the line but around 10 mph is good.
JSutter is offline  
Old 02-03-2004, 03:23 PM
  #27  
Senior Member
Thread Starter
iTrader: (1)
 
Spaniard's Avatar
 
Join Date: Apr 2003
Location: Santa Clara, CA 95054
Posts: 972
Originally Posted by broaner22
Well, the lighter oil helps with not hurting at startup but doesn't that mean that it gets thin when you get nice and hot. That X-1R stuff looks pretty good.
I heard from an informed source that it (X1R) works. He said a friend fried an engine in a race- fused everything on it solid- except where there was that additive to the lube. He didnt go into detail and I was a real noob (even more than now) to engines... So I take it he meant the crankshaft would still move but everything else was fused. Not that I could name anything else on an engine that moves
Spaniard is offline  
Related Topics
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
derekinthez
7th Generation Classifieds (2009-2015)
2
11-13-2022 04:00 PM
seesole
7th Generation Maxima (2009-2015)
15
09-14-2015 12:38 PM
tardrex
3rd Generation Maxima (1989-1994)
1
09-11-2015 07:35 PM
ballerchris510
5th Generation Maxima (2000-2003)
6
09-11-2015 05:29 PM



Quick Reply: Cold Engines are SUUPER strong!!?!!!



All times are GMT -7. The time now is 10:40 AM.