Work for a dealship transporting cars. I have driven both 2001 and 2002 Maxima's. So far nothing compares to the VQ35DE, but what make the 5th gen's VQ30DE faster than the one in 4th gens. I noticed that it had much more power from 4.5k untill redline.And sounded smoother than my I30, not raspy. The main difference that I can tell is the intake manifold, it's plastic and looks to be VI. Wouldn't the plastic hold less heat than the our MEVI?What about the heads and cams are they different? And would a 5th gen ECU work with a 4th gens wiring/motor?

Thanks
Jason92SE/96I30

PS the 2001 was a GXE.

 

It does have something to do with the different intake design. When the 5th gen Maxima first came out, dad and I went to the dealer to have a look at it. Dad actually asked the dealer this question, and the guy said its mostly the different intake design. The guy at the dealer actually offered us a kit to buy that would upgrade the intake, which I didn't end up getting. All NZ 5th gen Maxima's use the VQ30DE

 

It strikes me that a 4th Gen with only an aftermarket Y-pipe could hang with a 2000 or 2001 Maxima, with 222 and 227 stock horsepower, respectively, at higher RPMs.

I strongly suspect that my car (5-speed, 53,000 miles) with only a Budget Y-pipe and a K&N panel air filter would be as fast or faster than a stock 2000 or 2001 automatic and possibly a 5-speed as they are heavier.

 

i think the engine is pretty much the same. not sure tho