Getting started and have a few Questions
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Posts: n/a
I'm new to the whole modification scene and am looking for some help in deciding on the right and best products to purchase.
I have a '98 Maxima SE Maxima with 103,000 miles. That number is rather high but it is all highway miles. The car had a new automatic transmission installed in June, after the orginal one failed. I'm looking to make some changes throughout the way. I'm not that interested in racing the car. I've got around $4000 to work with. I'm interested in buying the highest quality parts available because I realize you get what you pay for. However, I would be interested in buying top of the line products from wholesale websites. I realize courtesynissan.com sells products at a cheaper price than the stillen.com website. For example, the same exact Aero Kit costs about $1150 at stillen.com but only $799 at courtesynissan.com. If anyone has reputable and well-respected sites that offer similiar discounts I'd like to know of them.
Here are some modifications I'm looking into. Feedback would be greatly thanked.
Intake:
Stillen High Flow Intake seems to be the best one to my limited knowledge. I do live in Connecticut so should I stay away from Cold Air Intakes due to the heavy snow fall during the winter? There is also the Jim Wolf Technology POP-Charger, which gives an additional 4 HP to the car. How many Horsepower does the Stillen give? How many HP does the one Place Racing CAI deliver?
Under Drive Pulley
Stillen offers an UD Pulley for $220. WHat exactly does it do? I've heard it gives you an additional 6-7 HP. That's pretty good for $220. Any downsides to the product?
Rear Sway Bar and Towering Braces
I'm looking heavily into tighting up the suspension. I don't want to lower the car because it seems too many problems come from this due to struts and shocks wearing out too quickly, which can get expensive. I'm more inclined to looking at a Rear Sway Bar and a Frotn Towering Brace.
I'm looking very heavily at Stillen's Front Towering brace and their Rear Sway Bar. How good are they and are they the best on the market? Should get the Rear Towering Brace AND the Rear Sway Bar? I do have 2 J&L 10" subs in the trunk, will they get in the way?
Exhaust System
I'm not too informed about the whole exhuast system upgrades and modifications. I'm probably going to get a Stillen Y-Pipe is that's the best one on the market. How many HP goes it give? I've heard 20-30.
What else can I do to increase HP? How many HP will a Greddy Catback Exhaust System give?
Oil Cooler
Like I said I've had to already replace the transmission so I'd like to make some mods to make sure it lasts. The Stillen Oil Cooler looks like it will be a good idea. It costs $435 but on the modification section on this website the one they installed costed $50.
https://maxima.org/shoptalk/sub_modi...er/index.shtml
Is the Stillen oil coller worth the extra $350+?
Aero Kit
Is there anyway to get a '00 bumper on a '98? I really like the extra side light and look of the new bumper.
Besides the Stillen Aero Kit what else is there? Are there any "ninja" Style front spoliers on the market? how much does it cost to get the Stillen Aero Kit painted?
What else can I do to better my car. I've already figured out what I want to change with the lighting. I'm ordering a woodgrain dash kit soon, as well.
Any ideas, comments, and feedback would be great.
I have a '98 Maxima SE Maxima with 103,000 miles. That number is rather high but it is all highway miles. The car had a new automatic transmission installed in June, after the orginal one failed. I'm looking to make some changes throughout the way. I'm not that interested in racing the car. I've got around $4000 to work with. I'm interested in buying the highest quality parts available because I realize you get what you pay for. However, I would be interested in buying top of the line products from wholesale websites. I realize courtesynissan.com sells products at a cheaper price than the stillen.com website. For example, the same exact Aero Kit costs about $1150 at stillen.com but only $799 at courtesynissan.com. If anyone has reputable and well-respected sites that offer similiar discounts I'd like to know of them.
Here are some modifications I'm looking into. Feedback would be greatly thanked.
Intake:
Stillen High Flow Intake seems to be the best one to my limited knowledge. I do live in Connecticut so should I stay away from Cold Air Intakes due to the heavy snow fall during the winter? There is also the Jim Wolf Technology POP-Charger, which gives an additional 4 HP to the car. How many Horsepower does the Stillen give? How many HP does the one Place Racing CAI deliver?
Under Drive Pulley
Stillen offers an UD Pulley for $220. WHat exactly does it do? I've heard it gives you an additional 6-7 HP. That's pretty good for $220. Any downsides to the product?
Rear Sway Bar and Towering Braces
I'm looking heavily into tighting up the suspension. I don't want to lower the car because it seems too many problems come from this due to struts and shocks wearing out too quickly, which can get expensive. I'm more inclined to looking at a Rear Sway Bar and a Frotn Towering Brace.
I'm looking very heavily at Stillen's Front Towering brace and their Rear Sway Bar. How good are they and are they the best on the market? Should get the Rear Towering Brace AND the Rear Sway Bar? I do have 2 J&L 10" subs in the trunk, will they get in the way?
Exhaust System
I'm not too informed about the whole exhuast system upgrades and modifications. I'm probably going to get a Stillen Y-Pipe is that's the best one on the market. How many HP goes it give? I've heard 20-30.
What else can I do to increase HP? How many HP will a Greddy Catback Exhaust System give?
Oil Cooler
Like I said I've had to already replace the transmission so I'd like to make some mods to make sure it lasts. The Stillen Oil Cooler looks like it will be a good idea. It costs $435 but on the modification section on this website the one they installed costed $50.
I bought the Hayden model 404 from Pep Boys for $49.99 plus tax. There were other smaller models, but I figured I would get the largest one practical. The 404 is considered "Heavy Duty" and is 7.5 inches tall by 15.5 inches wide, by 0.75 inches thick. It is supposed to lower your transmission fluid temperature by 70 degrees Farenheit.
Is the Stillen oil coller worth the extra $350+?
Aero Kit
Is there anyway to get a '00 bumper on a '98? I really like the extra side light and look of the new bumper.
Besides the Stillen Aero Kit what else is there? Are there any "ninja" Style front spoliers on the market? how much does it cost to get the Stillen Aero Kit painted?
What else can I do to better my car. I've already figured out what I want to change with the lighting. I'm ordering a woodgrain dash kit soon, as well.
Any ideas, comments, and feedback would be great.
Senior Member
Joined: Nov 2000
Posts: 360
THESE ARE MY OPINIONS
Forget the oil cooler--big time waste of money
If you get a cone filter, get Jim Wolf and drill a hole in the end for your sensor(same as stillen and lots cheaper)
Your car is automatic, so avoid the cone and go for the a cold air setup. I had Wolf and went to CAI and my car responds much better to the cai. I believe 5spds respond better to cone setups. just my .02. There is NO chance of ingesting water into the system unless you drive in water up to your lug nuts.
Get a Y-pipe next. Y-pipe with intake combo nets about a 15-20 hp gain together.
Rumor is stillen will sell you the pulley for 159. I would personally not buy anything from that greedy, gutless company. They do not stand behing anything they sell. buy the pulley last.
Catback makes a few extra hp up top but looses a few ft-lb torque down low.
After y-pipe get a Mobiltek VB upgrade. You'll be glad you did. It will save that new trans and greatly improve performance.
CAI, Y-pipe, VB upgrade, will make it much faster. I have these on my own car.
Unfortunately stillen's strut bar and sway bars are teh best designs, but I still chose not to give them my money. Mine are generic brands, but they still greatly improved my handling just the same.
Forget the oil cooler--big time waste of money
If you get a cone filter, get Jim Wolf and drill a hole in the end for your sensor(same as stillen and lots cheaper)
Your car is automatic, so avoid the cone and go for the a cold air setup. I had Wolf and went to CAI and my car responds much better to the cai. I believe 5spds respond better to cone setups. just my .02. There is NO chance of ingesting water into the system unless you drive in water up to your lug nuts.
Get a Y-pipe next. Y-pipe with intake combo nets about a 15-20 hp gain together.
Rumor is stillen will sell you the pulley for 159. I would personally not buy anything from that greedy, gutless company. They do not stand behing anything they sell. buy the pulley last.
Catback makes a few extra hp up top but looses a few ft-lb torque down low.
After y-pipe get a Mobiltek VB upgrade. You'll be glad you did. It will save that new trans and greatly improve performance.
CAI, Y-pipe, VB upgrade, will make it much faster. I have these on my own car.
Unfortunately stillen's strut bar and sway bars are teh best designs, but I still chose not to give them my money. Mine are generic brands, but they still greatly improved my handling just the same.
Supporting Maxima.org Member
Joined: Oct 2000
Posts: 9,159
Just a couple of things to add. Stillen's products are not the end all of all products.
Stillen's strut bars for example work the same as "no frills" strut bars. If you're into functionality, get a "no frills" strut bar. Same goes for the RSB. While Stillen's RSB is adjustable and the Addco RSB is not, if you are one to just slap things on and forget about them, get the Addco RSB. The rear strut bar does essentially nothing on the Maxima. Not even worth getting, unless you are itching for a mod.
Y-pipe. Several companies offer y-pipes for the Maxima. Warpspeed, Cattman and Stillen all make y-pipes.
Once you get the VB mod, however, you will need a tranny cooler. Any tranny cooler will do.
Stillen's strut bars for example work the same as "no frills" strut bars. If you're into functionality, get a "no frills" strut bar. Same goes for the RSB. While Stillen's RSB is adjustable and the Addco RSB is not, if you are one to just slap things on and forget about them, get the Addco RSB. The rear strut bar does essentially nothing on the Maxima. Not even worth getting, unless you are itching for a mod.
Y-pipe. Several companies offer y-pipes for the Maxima. Warpspeed, Cattman and Stillen all make y-pipes.
Once you get the VB mod, however, you will need a tranny cooler. Any tranny cooler will do.
go to custommaxima.com they have a group deal goin on stillen kits for $680 right now... always a good deal there...
check out eatricezone.com, phuong has good deals and good service...
and stillen? f*** stillen... they have the worst service imaginable... i've sent them emails showing interest in buying like $2000 of crap and they dont even fckn reply... dumbshiets...
check out eatricezone.com, phuong has good deals and good service...
and stillen? f*** stillen... they have the worst service imaginable... i've sent them emails showing interest in buying like $2000 of crap and they dont even fckn reply... dumbshiets...
Guest
Posts: n/a
I found that site today. It's a funny thing, the guy lives 10 miles away, at very most! I'm so pumped about that. Thanks for the site, though.
I'm probably going to go with the Stillen Aero Kit, Addco Rear Sway Bar, Place Racing CAI, Stillen Front Towering Brace and Random Technology Catalytic Converter to start.
Once that's all done I'll get the MobileTek Racing Valvebody Upgrade and a Oil Cooler.
The last step will be Stillen Underdrive Pulley, clear corner lights, black interior lights, tire lights, and other cosmetic things.
I'm probably going to go with the Stillen Aero Kit, Addco Rear Sway Bar, Place Racing CAI, Stillen Front Towering Brace and Random Technology Catalytic Converter to start.
Once that's all done I'll get the MobileTek Racing Valvebody Upgrade and a Oil Cooler.
The last step will be Stillen Underdrive Pulley, clear corner lights, black interior lights, tire lights, and other cosmetic things.
Originally posted by jimkelly
I found that site today. It's a funny thing, the guy lives 10 miles away, at very most! I'm so pumped about that. Thanks for the site, though.
I'm probably going to go with the Stillen Aero Kit, Addco Rear Sway Bar, Place Racing CAI, Stillen Front Towering Brace and Random Technology Catalytic Converter to start.
Once that's all done I'll get the MobileTek Racing Valvebody Upgrade and a Oil Cooler.
The last step will be Stillen Underdrive Pulley, clear corner lights, black interior lights, tire lights, and other cosmetic things.
I found that site today. It's a funny thing, the guy lives 10 miles away, at very most! I'm so pumped about that. Thanks for the site, though.
I'm probably going to go with the Stillen Aero Kit, Addco Rear Sway Bar, Place Racing CAI, Stillen Front Towering Brace and Random Technology Catalytic Converter to start.
Once that's all done I'll get the MobileTek Racing Valvebody Upgrade and a Oil Cooler.
The last step will be Stillen Underdrive Pulley, clear corner lights, black interior lights, tire lights, and other cosmetic things.
Donating Maxima.org Member
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 2,931
Originally posted by jimkelly
Once that's all done I'll get the MobileTek Racing Valvebody Upgrade and a Oil Cooler.
Once that's all done I'll get the MobileTek Racing Valvebody Upgrade and a Oil Cooler.
You don't need an oil cooler. If you want to help the transmission, then you need a transmission cooler.
Senior Member
Joined: Jul 2001
Posts: 424
Originally posted by jimkelly
I found that site today. It's a funny thing, the guy lives 10 miles away, at very most! I'm so pumped about that. Thanks for the site, though.
I'm probably going to go with the Stillen Aero Kit, Addco Rear Sway Bar, Place Racing CAI, Stillen Front Towering Brace and Random Technology Catalytic Converter to start.
Once that's all done I'll get the MobileTek Racing Valvebody Upgrade and a Oil Cooler.
The last step will be Stillen Underdrive Pulley, clear corner lights, black interior lights, tire lights, and other cosmetic things.
I found that site today. It's a funny thing, the guy lives 10 miles away, at very most! I'm so pumped about that. Thanks for the site, though.
I'm probably going to go with the Stillen Aero Kit, Addco Rear Sway Bar, Place Racing CAI, Stillen Front Towering Brace and Random Technology Catalytic Converter to start.
Once that's all done I'll get the MobileTek Racing Valvebody Upgrade and a Oil Cooler.
The last step will be Stillen Underdrive Pulley, clear corner lights, black interior lights, tire lights, and other cosmetic things.
Joined: Dec 2000
Posts: 6,451
From: Near Archer High School, Ga
OKAY A LITTLE INPUT
INTRAX SPRINGS FOR 189.99 + 5.00 SHIPPING AND HANDLING
AND TWO FRONT KONI ADJUSTABLES FOR 229.00 FROM SUMMIT RACING. AND ATTEMPT TO GET WHEELS FROM THE TIRE RACK OR DISCOUNT TIRE DIRECT. I GOT RIPPED OFF FROM DYNAMIC WHEELS AND TIRES IN CALIFORNIA CAREFUL WITH HIDDEN CHARGES LIKE CASH ON DELIVERY. DO NOT BUY FROM THEM DYNAMIC WHEELS AND TIRES I AM TELLING YOU 4315 MAINE AVE.
AND TWO FRONT KONI ADJUSTABLES FOR 229.00 FROM SUMMIT RACING. AND ATTEMPT TO GET WHEELS FROM THE TIRE RACK OR DISCOUNT TIRE DIRECT. I GOT RIPPED OFF FROM DYNAMIC WHEELS AND TIRES IN CALIFORNIA CAREFUL WITH HIDDEN CHARGES LIKE CASH ON DELIVERY. DO NOT BUY FROM THEM DYNAMIC WHEELS AND TIRES I AM TELLING YOU 4315 MAINE AVE.
A y-pipe is a great mod, just don't get a Warpspeed, unless you like low quality and bad customer service.
They seem real nice till you actually need something fixed. They make lots of nice promises like "We'll send you out a replacement next week" and over two months later and tons of emails I'm still trying to get it fixed. I've finally given up and I'm going to buy a Cattman Y-pipe.
They seem real nice till you actually need something fixed. They make lots of nice promises like "We'll send you out a replacement next week" and over two months later and tons of emails I'm still trying to get it fixed. I've finally given up and I'm going to buy a Cattman Y-pipe.
A y-pipe is a great mod, just don't get a Warpspeed, unless you like low quality and bad customer service.
They seem real nice till you actually need something fixed. They make lots of nice promises like "We'll send you out a replacement next week" and over two months later and tons of emails I'm still trying to get it fixed. I've finally given up and I'm going to buy a Cattman Y-pipe.
They seem real nice till you actually need something fixed. They make lots of nice promises like "We'll send you out a replacement next week" and over two months later and tons of emails I'm still trying to get it fixed. I've finally given up and I'm going to buy a Cattman Y-pipe.
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