4th Generation Maxima (1995-1999) Visit the 4th Generation forum to ask specific questions or find out more about the 4th Generation Maxima.

What are some good cheap performance upgrades I can do to a 4th gen?

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old 03-15-2015, 01:50 AM
  #1  
Member
Thread Starter
 
JLA117's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jan 2015
Posts: 154
What are some good cheap performance upgrades I can do to a 4th gen?

My 4th gen is completely stock with a supposed rebuilt engine and truly rebuilt transmission, but tranny has about 90k on it. Odometer reads 202,000 miles. I'm not looking for cheap parts but cheap upgrades to boost horsepower. A decent upgrade to make car let's say a mid or low 14 second car. It's automatic, so the best time it has is like 15s. Not looking to do engine swaps or anything. Looking for advice just to see what I'm really looking for. I might and might not do it but I would like to see what I can do incase I want to.
JLA117 is offline  
Old 03-15-2015, 01:53 AM
  #2  
Senior Member
 
CS_AR's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jan 2011
Location: Central AR
Posts: 3,041
Usually a Y-Pipe brings a good bang for the buck.
CS_AR is offline  
Old 03-15-2015, 03:09 AM
  #3  
Senior Member
iTrader: (1)
 
bumpypickle's Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 2013
Location: Chicago,IL
Posts: 518
take a look through the stickies. Pretty much everything you need to know about this car, in regard to maintenance and mods are right there. I read them when I first joined and found quick answers.
bumpypickle is offline  
Old 03-15-2015, 08:58 AM
  #4  
Senior Member
iTrader: (3)
 
CMax03's Avatar
 
Join Date: Oct 2007
Location: Houston, Tx
Posts: 9,538
Larger Throttle Body....NWP spacer kit....Extrude Honed OEM intake manifold & heads....port matched tracts....CAI....Headers....Custom Catback....Hi Flow Cat....Lightweight crank pulley....capacitive Ignition module! Good Luck! The easiest way to get into the low 14's or mid 13's is a VQ35 swap, so read up there's some really innovative guys on this forum and plenty info to read as "stated above in the stickies" so please read, read , read, and get to know your car!

Last edited by CMax03; 03-15-2015 at 09:06 AM.
CMax03 is offline  
Old 03-15-2015, 11:18 AM
  #5  
JvG
Senior Member
 
JvG's Avatar
 
Join Date: Oct 2012
Location: Portland, Oregon
Posts: 2,979
I would start with a good tuneup.
New oxygen sensors. possibly replace the knock sensor. Run premium gas. The transmission might like two drain and fills.

In other words, basic maintenance first. You might be happy with the results.
JvG is offline  
Old 03-15-2015, 11:48 AM
  #6  
Junior Member
 
Roachjuice's Avatar
 
Join Date: Dec 2014
Location: Owasso,OK
Posts: 82
Originally Posted by CMax03
Larger Throttle Body....NWP spacer kit....Extrude Honed OEM intake manifold & heads....port matched tracts....CAI....Headers....Custom Catback....Hi Flow Cat....Lightweight crank pulley....capacitive Ignition module! Good Luck! The easiest way to get into the low 14's or mid 13's is a VQ35 swap, so read up there's some really innovative guys on this forum and plenty info to read as "stated above in the stickies" so please read, read , read, and get to know your car!
Lol.
My opinion. Nitrous.
Or if you want something less drastic people say the Y pipe is best. Everything else is MEH.
Roachjuice is offline  
Old 03-15-2015, 11:58 AM
  #7  
Senior Member
 
JoshG's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2013
Posts: 1,560
Originally Posted by JvG
I would start with a good tuneup.
New oxygen sensors. possibly replace the knock sensor. Run premium gas. The transmission might like two drain and fills.

In other words, basic maintenance first. You might be happy with the results.
Where should all these jobs be done and how much would it cost after labor?
JoshG is offline  
Old 03-15-2015, 12:34 PM
  #8  
JvG
Senior Member
 
JvG's Avatar
 
Join Date: Oct 2012
Location: Portland, Oregon
Posts: 2,979
I read your other posts and questions.
I think that your car needs basic work done on it before you go for additional performance.

Knock sensors upper oxygen sensors and spark plugs are cheap on amazon.com. I bought mine there. You are looking at 150 bucks if you shop carefully. Labor is free if you do it yourself. Lots of instructions on this website. Don't know what labor would cost. I do all my own work.
JvG is offline  
Old 03-15-2015, 01:24 PM
  #9  
Administrator
iTrader: (43)
 
The Wizard's Avatar
 
Join Date: Feb 2002
Location: Southern California
Posts: 16,637
Originally Posted by bumpypickle
take a look through the stickies. Pretty much everything you need to know about this car, in regard to maintenance and mods are right there. I read them when I first joined and found quick answers.
^This
Originally Posted by JvG
I read your other posts and questions.
I think that your car needs basic work done on it before you go for additional performance.
^and this
The Wizard is offline  
Old 03-15-2015, 01:50 PM
  #10  
Senior Member
 
JoshG's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2013
Posts: 1,560
Originally Posted by JvG
I read your other posts and questions.
I think that your car needs basic work done on it before you go for additional performance.

Knock sensors upper oxygen sensors and spark plugs are cheap on amazon.com. I bought mine there. You are looking at 150 bucks if you shop carefully. Labor is free if you do it yourself. Lots of instructions on this website. Don't know what labor would cost. I do all my own work.
What type of 02 sensors do you use? and are the knock sensors OEM or Aftermarket? Spark plugs i know are NGK copper.
JoshG is offline  
Old 03-15-2015, 07:32 PM
  #11  
JvG
Senior Member
 
JvG's Avatar
 
Join Date: Oct 2012
Location: Portland, Oregon
Posts: 2,979
My knock sensor cost 25 bucks after market. Works fine. Oxygen sensor Bosch 42 bucks or so. You need two. Spark plugs NGK platinum. Lasts twice as long as copper.

Do a search. The information is all here. Please do your own research.
JvG is offline  
Old 03-15-2015, 07:39 PM
  #12  
Senior Member
iTrader: (1)
 
asand1's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jun 2009
Location: Reedsport, OR
Posts: 3,948
$5 eBay knock sensor. O2 sensors Denso, $50 shipped each, rockauto.com.

CAI is a waste of time unless swapping cams and port/polish with compression bump and big valves. Not worth the $$ IMO. If you really want to drive harder on small $ do 6th gen front brakes, ypipe, and maintenance.

Sent from my XT1060 using Maxima

Last edited by asand1; 03-15-2015 at 07:47 PM.
asand1 is offline  
Old 03-17-2015, 12:22 AM
  #13  
Member
Thread Starter
 
JLA117's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jan 2015
Posts: 154
I got new knock sensor also. Got it at oreily I couldn't wait when I should've. How much am I looking for, for a Y pipe setting? How is the horsepower increase or performance?
JLA117 is offline  
Old 03-17-2015, 01:31 AM
  #14  
Administrator
iTrader: (43)
 
The Wizard's Avatar
 
Join Date: Feb 2002
Location: Southern California
Posts: 16,637
Originally Posted by JLA117
I got new knock sensor also. Got it at oreily I couldn't wait when I should've. How much am I looking for, for a Y pipe setting? How is the horsepower increase or performance?
If you'd bother to read the stickies, as suggested already, you wouldn't be asking these follow up questions...

See posts #11 and #12

https://maxima.org/forums/4th-genera...hread-yet.html
The Wizard is offline  
Old 03-17-2015, 02:31 AM
  #15  
Member
Thread Starter
 
JLA117's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jan 2015
Posts: 154
Originally Posted by The Wizard
If you'd bother to read the stickies, as suggested already, you wouldn't be asking these follow up questions...

See posts #11 and #12

https://maxima.org/forums/4th-genera...hread-yet.html
I'll get to it, I was out and about. Just popped in and looked.
JLA117 is offline  
Old 03-17-2015, 02:43 AM
  #16  
Administrator
iTrader: (43)
 
The Wizard's Avatar
 
Join Date: Feb 2002
Location: Southern California
Posts: 16,637
Well, get to it before you ask another basic question, mmmkay?
The Wizard is offline  
Old 03-17-2015, 06:25 AM
  #17  
Senior Member
iTrader: (3)
 
CMax03's Avatar
 
Join Date: Oct 2007
Location: Houston, Tx
Posts: 9,538
Originally Posted by Roachjuice
Lol.
My opinion. Nitrous.
Or if you want something less drastic people say the Y pipe is best. Everything else is MEH.
Yeah but if his maintenance is lacking that Motor acid (Nitrous) ain't nothing but trouble....Yes you're right biggest bang for the buck but I would concentrate on the breathing first!
CMax03 is offline  
Related Topics
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
maxprivate
Forced Induction
21
07-08-2017 09:48 AM
Dasmith
4th Generation Maxima (1995-1999)
12
08-25-2015 10:15 PM
MaximaDrvr
7th Generation Maxima (2009-2015)
16
08-19-2015 08:20 PM
MaxStock
5th Generation Maxima (2000-2003)
7
08-12-2015 08:33 AM
MikesChevelle
5th Generation Maxima (2000-2003)
4
08-06-2015 11:36 AM



Quick Reply: What are some good cheap performance upgrades I can do to a 4th gen?



All times are GMT -7. The time now is 04:54 PM.