Okay, I figure, with waiting so long to install my frankencar, i would write a review.

SALES SUPPORT AND SERVICE
-------------------------
I ordered my intake from Steven @ Frankencar performance on January 3rd and received it in February 2nd (few days after crashing my 2002 maxima, WHAT A BURN too!!).. However despite teh agonizing wait for the intake, I spoke with Steve over the phone, letting him know that i wasn't sure if i would buy another maxima again and that i wanted to return the intake. AMazingly, we just say, ship it back and he would refund me the FULL difference. I was a fully satisified customer although i never returned the intake as i got my 2003. Just the fact that Steve offered to take it back, indicates a good company because me crashing my 2002 is not his problem.

PARTS THAT ARRIVED
==================
I received the parts, but the funny thing is that the clamps for the silicon couplers were different styles, I had 2 that were nice and others that were screw type, you can see what i mean in the pics below.

INSTALLATION
============
Without hesitation, I installed my intake the next day after picking up my 2003 Maxima. I installed it within 30minutes, however i had MAJOR problems. The instructions are USELESS because without supporting pictures, its all to vague. Removing the factory airbox was surprisingly easy. However, given the fact i had an APEXi filter, the was no indication on how everythign fits. Then the problems happened. As i was installing it, and bolting up the MAF to the adapter plate, one of the MAF bolts broke. This bolt was the bolt that also supposedly holds the bracket which mounts onto the strut housing VIA a supplied bracket. THAT SUCKED TOTAL @SS as i NOW orderd new bolts. Interestingly the other bolt that sits on the strut housing (existing air box mount) where the other end of this bracket attaches, also broke. The existnig airbox bolts are too long to hold this bracket as the original airbox was thicker than the bracket. What ended up happening as i was tightening was that the bolt broke diagnolyy and i had to get the thing drilled out. So i took it to a local mechanic who drilled it out and finally got my problems solved. The solution was the cut the bolt to a shorter length so that we could tighten it with out breaking the bolt. THe other problem was that the bracket wasnt totally aligned problem and was scraping against teh bronzy bleeder pipe (Seein pics)..

PERFORMANCE AND DRIVE
---------------------
The best part @!!!! I took the car for a boot and i never expected the sound to be so INTOXICATING. At above 4000RPMS the sound amplifies into a NICEI growl.. It fact it almost sounds as sweet as a VW VR6 with an intake. At lower RPMS below 4000, the intake is totally quiet, infact ABSENT in sound, you would never know you had an intake on. Howver when you load up the engine (such as giving it more than part gas in a higher gear ie. 60km/h in 5th gear), it emits a nice growl. Overall it gives the engine a much more deeper tone.

Seat of the pants feeling is that the car is much more responsive. But i can't really tell as of yet because the car is still relatively new. But it feels stronger, i mean if you 3/4 push down the pedal in 2nd gear, the tires break loose.. My 2k2 without any intake never did this.

SATSIFICATION
-------------
I can never ever imagine a maxima without a frankencar intake (or any intake for that matter).. Most of us out there are always looking for that mod that is quiet and dormant when not driving hard, but when driving hard want a nice and loud growl, THis is the ticket boys and girls, this is that mod that meets that spec.

PS ... The only concern i have is possible MAF failures as per EMAX, CHINAONNITROUS, etc who had MAF's blow with APEXi filter. Only time will tell..

Pics are here:
www.pbase.com/minirx7
see the 2003 maxima

ED

 

I think i know why this is happening. Try flipping the bracket around. so that the twist in the bracket is closer to the intake. As I see in the pictures, the twist is what is hitting the bleeder pipe.

 

I am looking into the Fraken or the Place Racing CAI. Leaning towards the Place Racing. Great pics great review. Thanks man!

 

I wanna hear!

 

Its funny you say that Mr. MACALERT...

I tried flpping the bracket and it wont fit backwards at all or clear that bronzy thing ... So i assumed that it was only fitted for one direction..

What is that bronzy thing anyways.. Wat does it bleed..

ED

 

I wanna hear it too!!




















BRB in 5 minutes, going to HEAR it... lol
ED

 

My braket did not fit right, so I had to bend it a little to make it fit right if that helps any.