1998 5spd Maxima build
10-16-2018, 11:13 AM
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1998 5spd Maxima build
Hey guys I’m new to this forum but I could use some advice. I have a 1998 Maxima SE 5 speed and my goal is to get 500 hp to the wheels. I want a single turbo set up and I want it to be reliable. So far the car has an injen cold air intake, OBX headers, magnaflow exhaust, stage 3 clutch/flywheel, and 18in ruff racing wheels. I’ve brought the car to my local performance shop in Connecticut, and they are telling me a full engine build is going to cost me $12,000! $6,000 for machining the engine and $6,000 for labor. That price would not include The turbo or any of it’s supporting components. Is that a reasonable price? I’m not mechanically inclined so I have to be careful here not to get taken advantage of. That’s why I’ve come to this forum, in hopes that you guys could help steer me in the right direction. Any advice that anyone has would be greatly appreciated. Thanks
10-16-2018, 11:26 AM
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10-16-2018, 03:38 PM
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Crud, that is alot of money, Is it a rust free car, paint/body in good condition, and so for? If not, I can see this leading to a $20k build... Let alone the engine build will be $12k. If you have the funds to do so and are willing to take the risk, by no means do it. 5 speeds are awesome in 4th gen's and quite rare to come by these days...I'd love to see someone do that again.
Why are you willing to build this car to 500hp? Is all the performance mods you have not enough? I'd rather see that money go towards maintaining the car to keep it on the road for years to come, fix body damages if it has some, make it look nice, That is much cheaper and do-able depending on its condition of course. But that's my opinion, You do you!
Why are you willing to build this car to 500hp? Is all the performance mods you have not enough? I'd rather see that money go towards maintaining the car to keep it on the road for years to come, fix body damages if it has some, make it look nice, That is much cheaper and do-able depending on its condition of course. But that's my opinion, You do you!
Last edited by JoshG; 10-16-2018 at 03:43 PM.
10-16-2018, 04:06 PM
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The previous owner was an older gentleman who kept the car garaged and didn’t drive it during the winter. It’s 100% rust free and has no exterior damage besides from a few paint scratches that are barley noticeable. I want to get it to 500 hp because I’ve always loved the idea of a fully built JDM car; it’s something I’ve always wanted. the mods I have now are nice not enough. I want to really transform the car into a beast
10-16-2018, 06:34 PM
#6
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Given enough time and money, many things are possible.
Still, as the owner of a maxima which I have owned for 12 years and 120k miles, why on earth would you spend that kind of money on this kind of car?
Consider what an insurace company would pay you should someone collide with your pride and joy.
For that kind of money, why not get a Nissan 300zx and build that instead?
Still, as the owner of a maxima which I have owned for 12 years and 120k miles, why on earth would you spend that kind of money on this kind of car?
Consider what an insurace company would pay you should someone collide with your pride and joy.
For that kind of money, why not get a Nissan 300zx and build that instead?
10-16-2018, 08:51 PM
#7
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Buy a 2010 BMW M5 with a six speed transmission and make sure the engine recall problems have all been addressed so the engine is reliable. Maybe add a few mods to it to make the engine bulletproof. Same money and way more luxury with amazing performance. And 12 years newer for 12 years more parts availability..
Do a little research. It's a sleeper and slayer all in one. Oh, and quite comfortable too.
Do a little research. It's a sleeper and slayer all in one. Oh, and quite comfortable too.
10-17-2018, 02:35 PM
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I'd agree with a 300zx. They're beautiful cars and they're JDM as well. Honestly, if I were you I'd keep the Maxima as a fun daily car while it looks nice on the outside and all and build a 300zx with that money if you want fun JDM performance. You'd have two great cars! Don't buy A BMW.. They're too expensive to maintain and parts are ridiculous..
I'm with J V G too.. I love my 4th gen maxima mainly for the body lines and how it feels to drive it. But putting $12k into building an engine these days, I don't know... There's so much more I could do with that money. Within the 6 years I've owned this car, I've probably spent less than that over the course of 6 years, making it $1k-2k a year max to keep the maxima running good and looking nice. That is not a whole lot of money if you spread it out through the years.
I'm with J V G too.. I love my 4th gen maxima mainly for the body lines and how it feels to drive it. But putting $12k into building an engine these days, I don't know... There's so much more I could do with that money. Within the 6 years I've owned this car, I've probably spent less than that over the course of 6 years, making it $1k-2k a year max to keep the maxima running good and looking nice. That is not a whole lot of money if you spread it out through the years.
Last edited by JoshG; 10-17-2018 at 02:41 PM.
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