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

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Old Mar 15, 2015 | 01:50 AM
  #1  
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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.
Old Mar 15, 2015 | 01:53 AM
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Usually a Y-Pipe brings a good bang for the buck.
Old Mar 15, 2015 | 03:09 AM
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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.
Old Mar 15, 2015 | 08:58 AM
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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; Mar 15, 2015 at 09:06 AM.
Old Mar 15, 2015 | 11:18 AM
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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.
Old Mar 15, 2015 | 11:48 AM
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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.
Old Mar 15, 2015 | 11:58 AM
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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?
Old Mar 15, 2015 | 12:34 PM
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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.
Old Mar 15, 2015 | 01:24 PM
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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
Old Mar 15, 2015 | 01:50 PM
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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.
Old Mar 15, 2015 | 07:32 PM
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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.
Old Mar 15, 2015 | 07:39 PM
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$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; Mar 15, 2015 at 07:47 PM.
Old Mar 17, 2015 | 12:22 AM
  #13  
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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?
Old Mar 17, 2015 | 01:31 AM
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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
Old Mar 17, 2015 | 02:31 AM
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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.
Old Mar 17, 2015 | 02:43 AM
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Well, get to it before you ask another basic question, mmmkay?
Old Mar 17, 2015 | 06:25 AM
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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!
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