Ok, I dont yet have a SC, but I figure that by around the fall, like October or November, I'll have enough money saved up to buy the Stillen super charger kit and as well have enought to get someone to install it. But the thing is, I have an auto, and I was wondering if adding a SC to my car would be ok without doing something to the tranny. I read in Sport Compact Car that too much torque from your engine is going to put too much strain on the tranny, resulting in stripped gears. Not planning to race with it, well, maybe sometimes, but mainly just want more power. I was wondering, would a transmission oil cooler help out? Also, anyone know about how much the labor would cost to get the SC installed? But the kit comes with everything, right? So dont need to buy any extra accessories and stuff, right? Hmm, I know not planning to get it anytime soon, but I was wondering if anyone could recommend a shop in Northern California, somewhere in the Bay Area would be best. Thanks.

 

The VQ30DE engine produces 190 hp in stock form. The RE4F04A automatic transmission is designed to handle 190 hp in normal conditions. Full throttle shifts such as occur in a race will wear the transmission friction materials rapidly. Full throttle shifts with the higher powered supercharged engine make things even worse. The ATF cooler will help, but the plain truth is your transmission is not going to live a normal lifespan. When you budget the supercharger project, keep an extra $1400 in your pocket for the tranny replacement.

 

Do you feel the same way about a manual transmission? I know the 5spd is definatly able to handle the power better, but how much better? Thanks a lot.

About the SC, it comes with every thing but a couple little things like lock tight,silicone sealant and one other little thingy. As for SC install price, I installed mine myself but I hear the install usually costs about $500-800.

 

Thanks for the info Daniel Martin. I was wondering, how difficult is it to install the super charger? I'm not what you would call an auto machanic, but I know a few things about cars. Any special tools that you would need? Well, anyways, about the tranny problem with adding a SC, would driving about 90% of the time under 3k RPM have an ill effect on the tranny? I'm just kind of like a weekend racer, or ever other weekend, the rest of the time spent on driving is commuting to school and work. So, taking this situation, about how long would my tranny last? I have 24,500 miles on the car, its a 98 gxe. Probably have about 32,000 by end of the year. Umm, is there anyway to retrofit the tranny to make it stronger to handle the additional power? Any help will be much appreciated.

 

hey

if your looking for a good place to do your mods we can do them for you. ask around some Bay Area Maxima members for their opinions and experinces with us. We do good work and we guarantee it....cheap too! hehehe....Located in South SF area

 

This job can be done by the advanced home mechanic. It takes a lot of labor and has its frustrating moments. If your auto repair experience includes at least one cluch job and one valve job, then you might tackle the S/C installation. Otherwise you could...
- do the job with a more experienced partner
... or ...
- let a professional handle it for you

For a first-person account read this thread:
http://forums.maxima.org/showthread....arger+AND+snow
posted by Emax95 and titled Installing a SC is a royal pain in the but!!

 

I don't have a reliable crystal ball, and hesitate to make this kind of prediction. Maybe one year, maybe less.

1) An Automatic Transmission Fluid Cooler will help the transmission last longer in any kind of severe service
- racing
- towing
- driving in mountainous terrain
- driving in extremely hot climates

2) There are several transmission valve body modifications which claim to increase durability by causing faster shifts. A search of past postings will turn up information about Trans-Go, Don's VB mod, and Level 10. These mods do not require removing the transmission from the car. However, they do not replace the friction materials with superior quality parts. Those stock clutch plates are going to wear out sooner or later. With a major performance mod like a S/C, it is likely to be sooner.

 

How much better? I don't know how to answer that. I have no information on which to give a quantified answer such as "7% better" or "9.3% better".

In both transmissions there are friction materials which wear out in normal driving and wear even faster in a racing situation. The enhanced power of a supercharged engine just makes the wear more rapid.

An automatic transmission has multiple clutch disks. Replacing them requires removing the transmission from the vehicle and disassembling it. It is a major overhaul.

A 5-speed transmission has only one clutch. Replacing it requires removing the transmission from the vehicle, but it is not opened. The clutch is a separate assembly, located between the engine and transmission.

Heavy-duty replacement clutch parts are available for both 5-speed and automatics.

The bottom line is this: abusive driving practices shorten the service life of friction materials. It will cost you less to replace those worn parts on a 5-speed than in an automatic.

 

Totally agree about needing to upgrade to a stronger clutch. If I really step on the gas on my SC car it will either peal out to about 45mph or the clutch will slip,it depends if there is tractin really. Anyways I just got my Centerforce Stage III Clutch and Alloy flywheel in the mail today. Now I just have to deal with the installation.

 

Thanks for all the info guys! Much appreciated it! Hmm, now I'm kind of wishy-washy about the whole idea about getting a SC. Didnt realized that there would be so many factors to consider. As you can see, I'm not going to be having the kind of money to keep fixing or strengthing the transmission to accomidate the SC.

Hey emax95, I just noticed that your I30t is a 5-speed, I didnt know that they came in manual transmission. Always thought that they only had it in auto. Did you swap out your tranny for a 5-speed one or something? Oh, this isnt really on the same topic, but, emax95 or Daniel Martin, how practical would it be to change my auto tranny into a manual? Would it be really worth the transition? I figure, change to a 5-speed, and then later on down the line, I could maybe get that SC. I'm also figuring that it'll be alot cheaper to swap tranny them putting in a super charger. Be helpful to get your inputs. Thanks. Would it be something that would work well? I have a friend that swapped his auto tranny delsol with a 5-speed, and seems like it works pretty well. Any idea on cost? Parts? Labor? Thanks.

 

I purchased my I30T with the 5spd,they only made about 500 I30T's with a 5spd per year in the world. The 2K+ I30's are only auto magic now. About swapping your tranny? I think it's a bad idea unless you have done a lot of custom work to your car that is unreplacable, I personaly would sell my car and buy a max with a 5spd, it's the most practical thing to do. But if you refuse to trade your max in for a 5spd max the swap will cost you approx. $3K, almost as much as a SC really. If you get a 5spd max it will be almost as quick as a stock but Super Charged Auto max.

 

Possible? Yes. Practical? No.

Price it out. You will faint when you find out how expensive this is.
Don't imagine this is just a trans-for-trans swap. You will need a
flywheel, clutch, throwout bearing, clutch pedal, clutch
hydraulics, shifter, etc. etc.

If you are absolutely in love with the idea of converting to 5-speed, look
for a wrecked car (an organ donor) that you can buy for low money. That
way you get everything you need in one package.

The best course of action is to find a clean 5-speed, buy it, and sell your present car.
Who knows, you might even find a guy who is willing to trade because he just got married,
his wife can't drive a stick, etc. etc.

 

Daniel
I know next to nothing about replacing a clutch. For a mildly modded Max, which clutch would you recommend?
Centerforce Stage II or something else?
Also, since the trany needs to be dropped, would this be a good time to add a short throw shifter?

 

If it was my car I would buy a name-brand aftermarket replacement. You might make a different choice. My purchase decision would be influenced by ...
- dissatisfaction with the factory clutch (occasional chatter and moan)
- no need for a performance clutch because I drive moderately

However, I may never have the occasion to choose. I have never worn out a clutch, even driving some cars 150K+ miles.

You may use the Search Engine on this site (click on the word SEARCH near the top of this page). You will find lots of owner experience with performance clutches.

You may install a short throw shifter at any time. There isn't much advantage to combining this installation with a clutch replacement.

Before spending on a STS consider the low-cost alternative of cutting your stock shifter rod to shorten it by an inch or two. This could be good or bad for any given driver, depending on the preferred seat location and the length of his arms.

 

emax95, do you live in RI? If so, I wouldn't mind checking out your setup.