Nismo87SE

I agree with ya. I'm betting the P-funk (Pathfinder) has the same external/internal engine parts as the alty/max does. Also I've noticed the maxima making more torque than the alty does too. Lets not forget both cars have entirely different exhaust systems.

Nismo87SE

I've read every post in this thread and I have some questions. Why does no one want to include the pathfinder in this comparison. After it has the same VQ35DE however it is rated at 240hp @ 6000rpm/265tq @ 3200rpm for the auto and 250hp @ 6000rpm/240tq @ 3200rpm for the 5spd. The next logical course would be to dyno several stock auto and 5spd pathfinders to see how they compare to the max/alty. During the dyno tests the fuel octane should be noted as well. However after looking at the SCC dyno of the 350Z, I'm betting 100 octane would boost the power of the max/alty by 5-9whp.

Someone should goto the dealer and get the part #s for the cylinder heads, intake manifolds, throttle bodies, exhaust manifolds, camshafts, ECU for all the nissan's powered by the VQ35DE. I know that if the max/alty torque curve is the same shape as the pathfinders, then that means that nissan has severly underrated the torque of the engine. However it also means that the power is over-rated too. What if nissan claims 200hp @ 4000rpm for the maxima and 185hp @ 4000rpm for the altima? There is your 15hp right there, it might not be at the engine's peak but its there. Maybe if I had a 2k2 I'd be in more of a mood to complain too .

Flash2k2

NNA has disrespected me, my family and the shaolin temple

ThomBlaze2k2SE

ABS

I believe some changes were made between the pre-2002 Pathfinder VQ engines and the current 3.5 VQ engines in the Maxima/Altima.

Please take a look at the .pdf at this link, check out the section on the Pathfinder VQ and then you will begin to see differences . . . compare it to the ESM for the 2K2/2K3 Maxima.

Alti-Pathfinder Engine Technical PDF

Lawerence

I dont wholly believe nissan about thier crank numbers, but I just want to share some info I have.
Most SpecVs dyno 135-140whp stock.
I've seen a 350z dyno 248whp, and I SCC i think they dynoed 255whp (with 100 octane gas).

I havent seen any maxima dynos,but a 20% drivetrain loss is not abnormal...So if you guys dyno 205-215 I think thats right on target...who knows maybe you are dynoing the same as altimas because they hav 255hp. Just something to think about.

But If you guys are really missing 15 horses, I imagine nissan would do the same thing hyundai did and extend some warrenties

pezking4

Does having a different drivetrain make a difference? FWD vs RWD

mkoebra95

I know for a fact that the typical drivetrain loss in a Mustang is about 12+-1% if the engine is below 350-400hp. I get my information from some engine dyno tests followed by chassis dyno tests. As horsepower increase, the friction inside the drivetrain usually increases as well.

I have no clue about FWD drivetrain loss. There has to be someone with a project car that has the engine out of it SOMEWHERE that would engine dyno the thing.

Larry

I would have been happy with 205-215 fwh. Mine only dynoed 194. Nissan give me the hp I paid for!

mkoebra95

Since octane is the ability of the gas to resist detonation, usually you want to use as low an octane as possible to make the best power. That is the lowest octane without pre-detonation since pinging kills power and head gaskets.

If the compression is set super high (>11:1), the computer control is tuned to the ragged edge, or it has a supersensitive knock sensor, then it will require higher octnne.

I'm not arguing that higher octane doesn't help make more power with the 3.5 though, since you guys have seen actual results.

olincoles

Octane is actually a fuel compound, with eight chain molecules, in the same class as butane and propane. You are describing the octane rating system, albeit poorly explained. To paraphrase and correct what you are trying to say:

Octane is a more complex fuel then gasoline, so it needs more heat to combust. Because it is more complex, the power rating per therm is less then gasoline, but it is a required component to prevent pre-detonation in gasoline engines. In general, you will receive more power from the proper octane/gasoline ratio then a heavy unbalanced octane fuel in a stock gasoline engine.

Rogo02SE

I smell a class action against Nissan NA
It will be hard for them to reprogram the ECU without messing with emissions.
Now will they only fix my 01 Pathfinder CD changer, which broke let's see............... 5th time.

emax02

iTrader: (1)

No, SCC got 244 WHP with 100 0ctane I think. SCC #'s are bogus so don't quote them anyways. Real world people have been getting in the high 220's with there stock 350Z. Also SCC got 218 WHP out of the maxima, that's further proof of SCC having bogus #'s. Real world maxima people get between 198-205 WHP with there stock 6spd maxima's(Same as the altima BTW).

Linh

we altima guys like to think we've got the extra 15 ponies instead of you guys missing them