5th Generation Maxima (2000-2003) Learn more about the 5th Generation Maxima, including the VQ30DE-K and VQ35DE engines.

3.5 Max SE vs. 3.5 Altima SE (both auto).. which is faster?

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old 02-16-2003, 10:32 PM
  #1  
Senior Member
Thread Starter
 
PeterUbers's Avatar
 
Join Date: Dec 2001
Posts: 243
3.5 Max SE vs. 3.5 Altima SE (both auto).. which is faster?

A friend has a black 3.5SE auto and wants to run w/ my 2k3 SE auto ... anyone have any experience that they're willing to share w/o yellin' at me to use the search fxn??
PeterUbers is offline  
Old 02-16-2003, 10:38 PM
  #2  
Senior Member
iTrader: (12)
 
slickrick's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jun 2002
Location: Florida
Posts: 9,228
Re: 3.5 Max SE vs. 3.5 Altima SE (both auto).. which is faster?

Originally posted by PeterUbers
A friend has a black 3.5SE auto and wants to run w/ my 2k3 SE auto ... anyone have any experience that they're willing to share w/o yellin' at me to use the search fxn??
its a drivers race. just get a good launch.
slickrick is offline  
Old 02-16-2003, 10:50 PM
  #3  
Senior Member
 
cwerdna's Avatar
 
Join Date: Nov 2001
Posts: 355
I agree w/slickrick. I think it'll come down to reaction time and launch.

I've drag raced (at at a track) a 2K2 Altima auto V6 w/intake and the Altima got a slightly better 1/4 mile, but I won (reached finish line 1st) cuz of better reaction time.
cwerdna is offline  
Old 02-16-2003, 11:05 PM
  #4  
Senior Member
 
AzNx2k2xSEXima's Avatar
 
Join Date: Mar 2002
Posts: 307
i've lost to my friend....by a headlight though....i only have a stillen intake and 10k more miles....i had a bad start though....and a set of BALD *** tires.....seriously....if you do the penny test w/ lincoln upside down, my tread barely touches his hair....oh...we went to a 100
AzNx2k2xSEXima is offline  
Old 02-17-2003, 03:40 AM
  #5  
Senior Member
iTrader: (10)
 
wild willy's Avatar
 
Join Date: Apr 2002
Posts: 869
You should fear the fastest FWD production car ever tested

I think there are several factors that come into play.

1. Driver
2. Driver
3. That stupid throttle by wire....who's ever car decides not to choke and fall a sleep for a second to 2 will be the winner
wild willy is offline  
Old 02-17-2003, 06:11 AM
  #6  
92 SE-R 02 SE
Guest
 
Posts: n/a
Originally posted by wild *****
You should fear the fastest FWD production car ever tested
I think we all should fear the SRT-4 Neon
 
Old 02-17-2003, 06:17 AM
  #7  
Senior Member
 
Hraesvelg's Avatar
 
Join Date: Dec 2002
Posts: 172
Isn't the Altima lighter? That's what my dealer said...
Hraesvelg is offline  
Old 02-17-2003, 06:35 AM
  #8  
Senior Member
iTrader: (1)
 
Virus's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jun 2002
Posts: 2,602
Totally a drivers race, but as mentioned before, one choke from the throttle by wire and it's over. I've had the Max choke several times, but since I put the UDP and Midpipe on I haven't had the problem. Could just be coincidence. I beat an Altima at the track, but I got a slightly better launch and it was so close only the timeslip dicearned the winner.
Virus is offline  
Old 02-17-2003, 06:55 AM
  #9  
OT n00bs FTMFCSL
iTrader: (1)
 
Quicksilver's Avatar
 
Join Date: Nov 2002
Posts: 4,413
Originally posted by 92 SE-R 02 SE


I think we all should fear the SRT-4 Neon
That's not funny But it sure is going to be true
Quicksilver is offline  
Old 02-17-2003, 07:44 AM
  #10  
Senior Member
iTrader: (12)
 
slickrick's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jun 2002
Location: Florida
Posts: 9,228
Originally posted by Quicksilver


That's not funny But it sure is going to be true
until after 20k miles when the dodge breaks down.
slickrick is offline  
Old 02-17-2003, 08:32 AM
  #11  
Donating Maxima.org Member
 
Jaws's Avatar
 
Join Date: Mar 2002
Posts: 787
Originally posted by Hraesvelg
Isn't the Altima lighter? That's what my dealer said...
Pretty small weight difference (~80 lbs if I remember correctly). Driver's race.
Jaws is offline  
Old 02-17-2003, 08:56 AM
  #12  
Senior Member
 
F23A4's Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 2001
Posts: 2,720
In line with the question I posed on Altimas.net last week, I have yet to see a stock auto 3.5SE run 14s. Whereas, I've seen several auto 2K2 Maximas (inc. myself) run 14s consistently.

Peace.
F23A4 is offline  
Old 02-17-2003, 09:21 AM
  #13  
Supporting Maxima.org Member
iTrader: (3)
 
03BlkSETE's Avatar
 
Join Date: Sep 2002
Location: Central Jersey
Posts: 1,414
Originally posted by AzNx2k2xSEXima
i've lost to my friend....by a headlight though....i only have a stillen intake and 10k more miles....i had a bad start though....and a set of BALD *** tires.....seriously....if you do the penny test w/ lincoln upside down, my tread barely touches his hair....oh...we went to a 100
Bald tires would be better in a race in dry road conditions. There is more tire making contact with the road. Slicks have no tread.
03BlkSETE is offline  
Old 02-17-2003, 10:54 AM
  #14  
Senior Member
 
Linh's Avatar
 
Join Date: Nov 2002
Posts: 143
I have yet to see a stock auto 3.5SE run 14s
are you kidding?
Linh is offline  
Old 02-17-2003, 11:13 AM
  #15  
Senior Member
 
pjonkheer's Avatar
 
Join Date: Apr 2002
Posts: 177
Originally posted by Hraesvelg
Isn't the Altima lighter? That's what my dealer said...
The Altima is a mere 50lbs lighter. In any case, a non issue... This race comes down to two different factors...

1.) Driver
2.) Tires

Let's face it. Both cars are dead even. The extra 15 horses on the Max will only be noticed above 80mph...
pjonkheer is offline  
Old 02-17-2003, 11:47 AM
  #16  
Senior Member
iTrader: (10)
 
wild willy's Avatar
 
Join Date: Apr 2002
Posts: 869
Originally posted by Linh
are you kidding?
He may not have seen it..but, I sure hope he has read it somewhere...Like every car mag
wild willy is offline  
Old 02-17-2003, 11:47 AM
  #17  
Senior Member
 
F23A4's Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 2001
Posts: 2,720
Originally posted by Linh
are you kidding?
not!
F23A4 is offline  
Old 02-17-2003, 12:16 PM
  #18  
Senior Member
 
xfirepwr1's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2002
Posts: 612
Re: 3.5 Max SE vs. 3.5 Altima SE (both auto).. which is faster?

Originally posted by PeterUbers
A friend has a black 3.5SE auto and wants to run w/ my 2k3 SE auto ... anyone have any experience that they're willing to share w/o yellin' at me to use the search fxn??
Make sure u manually shift at 6500 RPMs and you should be fine. Brake torque your car at about 2000RPMs and makes sure u dont spin the tires too much. It makes a lot of difference between keeping it in D and manually shifting, and Im speaking from experience.
xfirepwr1 is offline  
Old 02-17-2003, 12:33 PM
  #19  
Senior Member
iTrader: (12)
 
slickrick's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jun 2002
Location: Florida
Posts: 9,228
Re: Re: 3.5 Max SE vs. 3.5 Altima SE (both auto).. which is faster?

Originally posted by xfirepwr1

Make sure u manually shift at 6500 RPMs and you should be fine. Brake torque your car at about 2000RPMs and makes sure u dont spin the tires too much. It makes a lot of difference between keeping it in D and manually shifting, and Im speaking from experience.
how much difference? i just usually keep it in 3rd.
slickrick is offline  
Old 02-17-2003, 12:37 PM
  #20  
Senior Member
 
Hraesvelg's Avatar
 
Join Date: Dec 2002
Posts: 172
Re: Re: 3.5 Max SE vs. 3.5 Altima SE (both auto).. which is faster?

Originally posted by xfirepwr1

Make sure u manually shift at 6500 RPMs and you should be fine. Brake torque your car at about 2000RPMs and makes sure u dont spin the tires too much. It makes a lot of difference between keeping it in D and manually shifting, and Im speaking from experience.
What is "brake torque" ?
-Jeffrey
Hraesvelg is offline  
Old 02-17-2003, 12:41 PM
  #21  
OT n00bs FTMFCSL
iTrader: (1)
 
Quicksilver's Avatar
 
Join Date: Nov 2002
Posts: 4,413
Re: Re: Re: 3.5 Max SE vs. 3.5 Altima SE (both auto).. which is faster?

Originally posted by Hraesvelg


What is "brake torque" ?
-Jeffrey
Keep the brake on (using your cars torque converter)while spooling the engine up to your desired RPM. That way when you launch all the available power is transfered to you wheel/wheels. Check out the how things work web site and see how a torque converter works. Helps you understand a bit better.
Quicksilver is offline  
Old 02-17-2003, 12:42 PM
  #22  
Senior Member
 
xfirepwr1's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2002
Posts: 612
Big difference. When u keep your can in D it shifts at 6200 RPMs and whey u Manually shift u can pull it all the way to Red line, just make sure u shift at abouty 6300 because its takes a fraction of a second for the computer to change the gear and it will shift right at 6500. Mess around with it.
Break torque is when u hold the brake and gas pedals at the same time. U rev your engine to 2000-2500, and then when u release the brake pedal the car pulls harder, maker sure u dont press the gas pedal all the way, juust half because u will spin your tires and loose for sure. Try it few times at a stop light and get the feeling of it.
xfirepwr1 is offline  
Old 02-17-2003, 08:00 PM
  #23  
VQ Wizard
iTrader: (7)
 
SR20DEN's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2002
Location: Charlotte, NC
Posts: 6,663
Originally posted by pjonkheer


The Altima is a mere 50lbs lighter. In any case, a non issue... This race comes down to two different factors...

1.) Driver
2.) Tires

Let's face it. Both cars are dead even. The extra 15 horses on the Max will only be noticed above 80mph...
The weights are identical. Nissan advertised the Maxima as having a one pound weight advantage over the Altima. However the weight will differ slightly depending on the configurations of the cars.
As for the 15hp.... there is no extra 15hp. This has been proven in the real world about a hundred times over.
Therefore we're left with... same hp, same weight and slight suspension differences between them (speaking of stock to stock comparo). Nine times out of Ten it will boil down to the launch which is about the only thing that requires any sort of skill in an auto for drag racing.
Also I assume you mean 'quicker' when you said 'faster' and are speaking of a run of the mill drag race and not all out top speed. In which case I am inclined to believe the Maxima would have a slight advantage. Anyone got any total cd and surface area numbers?
SR20DEN is offline  
Old 02-18-2003, 11:11 AM
  #24  
Senior Member
 
CHAZMAX's Avatar
 
Join Date: Dec 2001
Posts: 239
Re: 3.5 Max SE vs. 3.5 Altima SE (both auto).. which is faster?

Originally posted by PeterUbers
A friend has a black 3.5SE auto and wants to run w/ my 2k3 SE auto ... anyone have any experience that they're willing to share w/o yellin' at me to use the search fxn??
One of my first races (in my auto 2k2) was w/ auto 3.5SE. It was very close, but I came from about 1 - 1 1/2 car lengths behind and beat him by about another car length. Granted we were at about 110mph from a rolling start. And my girlfriend was in the car. He had no passengers.

Bottom line:
Just as it's been said before... They're real close. It comes down to the driver and maybe tires, etc. But I do believe the Max is (slightly) the faster of the two.

Knowing that... get a good launch down, and you'll get em'!
CHAZMAX is offline  
Old 02-18-2003, 03:11 PM
  #25  
Senior Member
 
F23A4's Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 2001
Posts: 2,720
Originally posted by wild *****


He may not have seen it..but, I sure hope he has read it somewhere...Like every car mag
Kinda like Car and Driver
http://www.caranddriver.com/xp/Caran...issan%20altima
1/4: 15.6 @ 91 mph

keep in mind, you brought up the magazine thing.

...
F23A4 is offline  
Old 02-18-2003, 03:26 PM
  #26  
Senior Member
iTrader: (10)
 
wild willy's Avatar
 
Join Date: Apr 2002
Posts: 869
Originally posted by F23A4


Kinda like Car and Driver
http://www.caranddriver.com/xp/Caran...issan%20altima
1/4: 15.6 @ 91 mph

keep in mind, you brought up the magazine thing.

...
LoL..Wow..those are great numbers They had Hulk Hogan in the trunk with his girlfriend...they left that out of the article...
wild willy is offline  
Old 02-18-2003, 03:59 PM
  #27  
Senior Member
iTrader: (1)
 
MONTE 01&97 SE's Avatar
 
Join Date: Mar 2001
Location: Manhattan Beach, Ca / Dallas, Tx
Posts: 3,751
I think the Max has the edge slightly, I have ran across a few of them and had about 1/2 car length on them each time. I am even got a bad launch once and ended up ahead by 70mph.
MONTE 01&97 SE is offline  
Related Topics
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
matts95max
General Maxima Discussion
13
09-09-2023 01:52 AM
MaxLife17
New Member Introductions
5
09-08-2015 02:36 PM
jfl330
7th Generation Maxima (2009-2015)
4
09-04-2015 01:44 PM
DrVee
8th Generation Maxima (2016-)
7
09-04-2015 12:18 PM
coasterswim
8th Generation Maxima (2016-)
0
09-02-2015 07:43 AM



Quick Reply: 3.5 Max SE vs. 3.5 Altima SE (both auto).. which is faster?



All times are GMT -7. The time now is 01:17 AM.