Hi Daniel,

My name's Chris and I've read a lot of your posts here on Maxima.org. You seem like a really nice guy and I bet I speak for many people here when I say that your posts are always informative and very appreciated.

I'm 22yrs old, I don't have a lot of money, but I do have a steady job, and my rent is cheap. I've been interested in cars and racing most of my life, but I still have a lot to learn.

I recently got a really good deal on a stock '99 Maxima ES
(I live in Canada) 5spd. It's a fabulous car, and one I would like to slowly turn into a racer. (I get good vacation time in the summer, so each summer I would like to do one major upgrade to her, starting cheap and working my way up)

I'm going to keep her very low-profile (no Nike stickers), because Maxima's have a great rep for being overlooked by the police.

Anyway, long story short- I have friends who are quite knowledgeable in the automotive mechanic area, but I need someone who knows specific details about 4gen Maximas, someone who knows their limits. (For example, how may psi of boost can I jam down the manifold without causing damage to the block...I know Maxima's are running fairly high compression 10:1 is it? so I'm sure the boost limit isn't all that high).

Would you be this person? Or do you know someone that can refer too over time for very Maxima-specific questions?

Thanks a lot, and thanks for the time you've put in here at Maxima.org. I'm sure you've prevented a lot of people from making some dumb mistakes hehe

Take care,
Chris.

 

Not to cut Daniel off, but except for his "Always on Cruise Control" and a FSTB, Daniel's car is stock. There are many other people on the board that run NOS, turbos or superchargers that probably would be able to answer specific questions on various mods (not that DBM wouldn't know about them though). You might want to chage the name of the thread.

 

Oh I understand....I didn't mean to ignore everybody else, what I'm looking for is someone who really, really knows Maxima's...I'm looking for an engineer or something who can give me specific details and #'s...if Daniel doesn't know himself, then I'm hoping he knows someone that does.

Cheers,
Chris

 

Medicsonic is right. My interest is diagnosis and repair, but I'm not knowledgeable regarding modifications or racing.

You will be interested to see http://www.tardsite.com/maxima/engine.htm

Racing is an expensive proposition. As an initial step you might want to get involved as a volunteer crew person for an experienced racer. That will provide a low-cost education. You will get to see what works (and what doesn't) while someone else pays the bills.

Good luck!

 

Thanks Dan! That webpage is great, but do you know why that guy doesn't post any 0-60 or 1/4 mile times?

Or why he doesn't have an e-mail address on his page??

Thanks again...I would love to volunteer, but there's just none of that going around in Montreal. The closest thing I can think of is a mom & pop owned drag strip in Aylmer, near my friends place.

Cheers,
Chris

 

Dan, do you have a link to where I can find to keep the cruise on all the time? I also use the cruise a lot! thanks.

-V

 

This modification eliminates the need to use the dashboard Cruise Control switch. The dashboard switch light will be on whenever the ignition is on, indicating that the Cruise Control is "ready". All the other Cruise Control controls work in the usual way.

Instructions for making the Nissan Cruise Control "always ready".

1) Open the hood. Locate Relay Box #1, the black relay box on the passenger's side of the engine compartment. Note the labels on the exterior top of the plastic relay box cover. Identify the position of the ASCD relay. ASCD = Automatic Speed Control Device. That's the Nissan name for Cruise Control.

2) Remove the relay box cover. This can be done with fingers but a screwdriver may help to release the latches at the leading and trailing end.

3) Identify the ASCD relay. It is a type 1M relay and is blue in color. Remove it. A small screwdriver will help to release the latch which holds it in place.

4) Fashion a jumper wire about 1 inch long. Crimp or solder a male spade lug at each end of the jumper.

5) Look at the terminals on the ASCD relay. There are four of them. Identify the load terminals, designated 3 and 5. These numbers are embossed in the plastic housing next to the terminals, but they are difficult to read. A magnifying lens may be helpful. You may also identify them by position. Note that three of the four terminals are parallel to each other. The terminal which is not parallel is number 5. Number 3 is the terminal most distant from number 5.

6) Plug the jumper into the female relay sockets corresponding to terminals
3 and 5.

7) Snap the relay box cover in place.

8) Close the hood.

 

Thanks Dan. Everytime I start the car, whether it be my Max or my Miata, the first thing I do is press the cruise control arm button.

I've always noticed that on older Hondas, it was a toggle switch and not a momentary switch. Toyota does a pretty good job with having the arm switch on the end of the set switch. I wonder why more manufactuers don't put in a toggle switch. It's gotta be cheaper than a switch AND a relay! If it's because of ignorant drivers, that's not a very good excuse! Mercedes doesn't even have an arm switch, it's always on! (btw, Ford needs to learn to put a 'cancel' button on their cruise controls!)

Again, Thanks for the instruction Dan.

-V