So I'm new to all this. I've always loved cars and have wanted to restore and customize something but never had a car worth putting any money or time into, until now, I think.

So last week I bought a 96 max with 158000 on it for $1400. The body's totally solid with only a few minor dings on it and the interior is pristine. The paints a bit of a mess mainly because the clear coat has peeled off but actually looks pretty good from a few yards away. But most importantly the engine runs great. I've always liked maximas but have never driven one, I was surprised how well the engine pulls and have fallen in love with it. I think I got a good deal and want to start learning about it and putting some work into it and I'm really excited about it.

My only concern is the transmission. Unfortunately, it's an auto, and it just doesn't feel right. It doesn't really slip from a stop, maybe a little, but cruising at lower and mid speeds it feels like it loses power and it shifts all the time to keep on the power, od seems to be the main problem. I don't think it's going to be an issue for a little while but I'm pretty sure at some point it will need to be replaced or rebuilt, and from what I've seen it looks like replacing it will be the route I take.

So any insight for a noob on this? I've been reading around on here and it seems like the tranny from the i30 is the one to get seeing how it's a LSD and all. So my questions are: Does it have to be modded in any way? This is far beyond my abilities so I'll have to have the local import shop do it so will it bolt right in? Does it have to be a 96 specifically or can it be 95-99 like a fourth gen max? Is this true in general too that the i30 and max are interchangeable, such as interior and mechanics? Basically, is this a good idea or am I totally off track? Like I said I've looked around on here but I'm not sure if I understand what I'm reading all the time, yet, so I figured I'd just come right out and ask. Any suggestions and help is greatly appreciated, thanks.

 

I leave my OD off. The extra gear shift bothers me so unless I am on the highway and dont want to be running at 3k RPM's for an extended period of time I leave it off. THe fact of the matter is an A/T sucks for putting power down quick. Just try to time when the gears shift and find out just how much you have to depress the gas for the gears to drop. SImply getting used to it will alleviate a lot of the issues you have. Leaving the OD off helps a lot as well lol

 

The 95-99 Maxima and 96-99 i30 are both A32 chassis. Almost 100% of the parts are interchangeable. If you have all the parts required for a 5speed swap it will literally bolt right on minus some cutting and drilling for clutch peddle and lines.

Honestly the auto doesn't bother me that much in my i30. Sure it doesn't get it and go like my 5speed Maxima but that's also why I kinda like it. It's more of the cruiser for when I feel lazy, or driving in heavy traffic.

If you always leave the O/D off you're fuel economy will go down. Essentially by keeping the O/D off you are cutting the 4th gear out of your tranny. This would be fine for heavy traffic stop/go city traffic but at highway speeds you'll start to notice your MPG drop.

 

Well according to pmohr, the auto trannys are easier to rebuild than the manual. If you want to give it an attempt, there is a thread on here showing how to break down the tranny and conduct repairs.