So far here's what we have:
Warpspeed y-pipe
Warpspeed exhaust
Magnaflow 3.5" SS muffler
Injen intake
Nismo grounding kit
Apexi S-AFC
K&N air filter
CustomMaxima test pipe
I have about a grand I can take outta my budget for performance. The MEVI doesn't appeal to me since the power you get is in the very high RPMs (which I rarely hit) and that you may actually lose a lil torque down low. The underdrive pulley seems to have mixed reviews so I'm still kinda debating about that...
PS- I'm dynoing in a few days...any hopes of 200 whp ya think?

 

By performance do you just mean power or would handling count too? I'd say some struts/springs are next. Theres a GD going for illumina's now. If not then get an upgraded ECU (you'll have to get one from a '96 to get upgraded though).

 

We're looking for horsepower- low end power is my preferance.
The lowering springs seem like they'd be imperative, I can't stand a 4x4 look on my Max.
'96 ECU throws a permanent check engine light...performance wise, how much better ya think that is compared to using the Apexi SAFC?

 

Apexi SAFC is great for the tuning, but one thing it can't do is raise your rev limiter. Then again, you want low end power, so you probably wouldn't care about that. There reaslly isn't much out there to help the bottom end power. Other than CAI, most of the aftermarket for us is for mid and high rpms. You could try port and polishing the heads. But gains from this on an NA motor aren't really worth the $ and time (unless you go FI). And I don't THINK you'd notice a difference on the bottom end (people that have p&p their cylinder heads correct me if I'm wrong).

At the point where you are (engine mod wise) I doubt you'd get any significant gains out of anything you could do to help the bottom end in specific. If I were you, I'd just get rid of the 4x4 already like Terran said (I can't stand mine). Good luck

 

Get a 3.5 bottom end w/ 6spd tranny and swap it yourself.

 

I wasn't really sure what the s-afc was. I take it that it allows you change the A/F ratio's and the timing? Evidently some of the earlier '97s can use certain '96 ECUs without a code.

Check out the GD though...very good price on illumina's. We probably already have enough to get it going, but more people never hurts in case some bail out. I'm going to be calling monday as I've sort of unofficially taken over the GD.

 

I don't usually say this but.... if you are really looking for low end power or power anywhere. It would give you power where ever you wanted it.

Then you would really be able to .

 

You could keep saving and get one kick-a$$ turbo/supercharger... That would give you 200 hp EASY!

 

ECU.. your gonna get a good 15HP throughout the entire powerband...

And who really cares if the CEL is going to be on, just put a piece of electrical tape over it. It worked for me. It hasnt come on ever since.

 

with the new obdII emission checks, the CEK wont fly.

 

you are definetly not gonna get 200WHP with those mods. u should get header, ECU, UDP, and nitrous.

if u are 5speed, upgrade ur clutch and flywheel, short shifter.

 

Get the header/y-pipe combo and sell your warpspeed y...or you could get a new clutch and flywheel

 

i would get an ecu upgrade

 

Would an ECU upgrade be that beneficial though considering he's got the SAFC?

~THT

 

Not as beneficial as it would be because he's probably already adjusted his A/F a bit with the SAFC, but it will provide some benefit because it will advance the timing as well. Given that he's already got AFC and doesn't want mevi, I say go for the nitrous. Though, with ECU and MEVI you would have a much faster car than you have right now, that's guaranteed, so it's something to consider. The reason you don't go to high rpms right now is because there isn't a whole lot of power there... but when you are making 200hp all the way to 7200rpm with MEVI and ECU, trust me, you would be in the high RPMs a whole lot more

 

185 whp would be my guess. are you installing a SAFC II or regular SAFC? i dynoed 176 whp with the mods in my sig. from what i have seen on here it maybe difficult to get 200whp with MEVI or VI.. where is wilbarham? i am in ma also i would like to check out your SAFC once you get it running. As for the underdrive pulley it will make power it is simple physics, it has to. it is difficult to say weather or not it improves the 1/4 mile times but you will be making more power through out the who power ban. i ordered one and it should be here this week i will have it installed and post my impressions. good luck and keep us posted

 

Headers? IMO, not worth much in gain but your pretty much at the end of your rope for normal bolt-ons. I'm in the same standing as you on the MEVI. I don't want to lose the down low and that is what makes city diriving fun.

 

Wilbraham, MA is right next to Springfield. It would be a pleasure to meet another Maxima enthusiast around here