Ok, here is what I have been using. Zumble gave me the idea of just doing it WOT vs the manual switch I had been using. Originally we were using a WOT N/O (normally open) switch and then running through a relay to reverse to N/C (normally closed).

Its much simpler this way no relay is required. N/C switches are the opposite of the ones used for a nitrous WOT switch where you make a circuit, here we want to break the circuit on WOT.

All that is required is to run the two wires back from the switch and cut into either wire at the drop resistor and connect to each end.

For normal operation the switch is N/C (normally closed) so that the circuit is complete through the drop resisitor and trans acts as normal. When you hit WOT the circuit opens and effectively disconnects the resistor.

I used a small steel bracket I had and bolted to a manifold bolt just below the PCV valve.

These switches can be obtained at appliance supply stores, they are use in microwaves, dishwashers etc.

The can be purchased in 3 different configurations.

1. A regular N/O (normally open)
2. N/C (normally closed)
3. Combination N/O and N/C (there are 3 connectors vs 2 on the others so it can be used either way.

Mine just happens to be the combination one and I got it because it was given to me by a electric door technician.

 

What is some of the stuff done to your car to run 12.0? What is the trap speed and 60 foot?

Mike

 

We have a timeslip forum too...

http://forums.maxima.org/showthread.php?t=218852

 

Thats a real good 60 foot with a big FWD car and small slicks.

Mike

 

If your interested in the setup pick up the October (I believe) Issue of Modified Magazine. His car got a 6 page spread in that mag covering most of his mods.

Like any fast car, many of the things done to the car to make it fast are pieces that we don't generally share. Most of the time you can't see them at work, they are just there helping you get to your ultimate goal.

Those are the types of things we don't share. Stuff that can help everybody in a general sense get ahead is shared like the drop resistor mod because it's common knowledge, however my dad took it one step farther and made it work better via the switch so it only disconnected the resistor at WOT.

There are many other things that one learns about a car after breaking a few parts and spending a lot of money on going fast, those are the secrets that just don't get told...

 

Well, i've done the drop resistor and had it for about a week, and i'm not going to pretend to know a tenth as much as some of you. But for my car, it doesn't shift that hard, a little quicker, but not fantastically - but more important, it seems like it makes the transmission more efficient. Almost like the transmission can now transfer more of the engine power to the road without being lost in the mechanical inefficiences. I don't know if full line pressure can that, but my car sure is a lot more responsive and peppy and 'light'. The acceleration (between shifts) has the feel of the manual maxima's i've been in. Could this be a possibility to, or am I just imagining things?

 

Since I had already run wiring into the cabin from the resistor, shown here:



I originally mounted a manual switch here:



So instead of re-wiring everything I mounted a normally closed switch under the gas pedal, here:



Here's what the switches look like on their own:



The switches are Radio Shack part number 275-1548 and are $2.99 for a pack of 4.

 

A very overwhelming thread to read in 10 minutes...

Basically, us 5th Gen folks are pretty much undecided on this issue? I've heard that it works, that it doesn't, and that maybe or maybe not will we get an SES light. Hmmm... Sounds iffy. I'm waiting for a VB mod.

Which brings me to my next point. Why in the world would I care what this mod will do to a 4th Gen when I own a 5th Gen? After all, this is a 5th Gen forum, correct? (yes, I'm being sarcastic...no need to yell at me)

Tony

 

I love warranties!

 

I have a 2K1 Auto so I'm going try this right now, I'll let you know in 30 minutes if it work or not..

AA

 

It does work for 5th Gens.

It will set off the SES.

 

I just did a run with the drop resistor unplug, and effectively it shift harder, the daily slipping was un-noticeable, I dont know if it can negatively afect the tranny but my tranny has always slip and the Nissan dealer always denied it, so I'm going to ride that way for a couple of days and see if it trigger an SES light.

Cheers

AA

 

Ok I won't yell. You care because most mods that work on a 4th Gen will also work on a 5th Gen, especially the 2000 and 2001, but also the newer ones as well. 4th Gen folks have learned a lot from 3rd Gen folks and so on. We all try and learn from each other thats what we are here for isn't it?

Jim

 

can anyone tell me whether this might or might not be true? that this can increase the efficiency of the tranny.

 

there is less time in between shifts, so that small amount of time that the engine is working will be transferred to the wheels, otherwise the engagement of the tranny should be the same... it still slips some. its probly in your head

 

I don't know that much either just from my experience in the last couple of years. However, I believe that when the transmission shifts quicker it saves wear and tear on the clutches and in turn heat buildup which is caused by the clutches slipping longer.

There is probably a limit at which it stops helping and can start to cause some damage if the shift is too severe like at part throttle, that why I advocate the WOT switch vs just a manual on/off. At WOT there is enough power being put down to prevent the sudden jolt/bang you get at part throttle. Of course there seems to be a different harshness between Gen's ie 4th & 5th but all in all its still there to some degree.

Thats another reason I like the drop resisitor vs a VB Mod. The VB mod is a compromise between drivability at part throttle and how much it helps at full throttle. With the drop resistor its a maximum at WOT but stock at other throttle positions if you use a WOT switch, in other words the best of both worlds. Of course you could also set the WOT switch to activate at 3/4 throttle or anywhere else if you so desired.

 

Oooh...speaking of VB mod. Can you explain the differences between what the VB mod accomplishes versus the drop resistor? After this thread I'm pretty clear on the drop resistor mod, but how does it compare to the VB mod?

 

Well I am no pro on the VB mod either and of course now there are different degrees of VB mods.

The VB increases the line pressure same as the drop resistor mod but because its on all the time, VB mod suppliers compromise on pressure. Really harsh shifts at part throttle are not going to cut it with folks so they set it up to give a nice crisp shift at part throttle vs the long slow one of most stock transmissions. At WOT the shift is still faster than stock but still not at full line pressure like the drop resistor mod.

Thats why I still think the drop resistor mod is the best of both worlds, I really don't want crisp shifts at part throttle, my only concern is what it does at full throttle and that is accomplished for a virtually free mod.

VB mods are now being done in degrees of harshness for some of those who want it just a bit quicker but the ultimate would be dial-a-stiffness so you could control it to your own liking.

 

so, i heard one slight answer - that the engagaement of the transmission might be the same, regardless. But is it possible that the increase in line pressure can make the transmission more efficient at transferring the power? Not during shifting, i know the difference there, but I swear it seems like it is faster, so I'm thinking that maybe it does do something besides speed up shifts. Sorry to keep bumping this up, but I'm very curious for the real techie people to weigh in.

 

All I know is it feels like me dash is going to break off and slam to the back of the car (taking me with it ) with the resitor unplugged. It does throw an SES, mine is a 2k1 auto.

Ironlord: it makes is efficient to a certain point, you burn less of the clutch packs when shifting, so basically it does prolong that part of the trannies life, from my understanding an increase in line pressure does also increase heat...so driving around all the time with this isnt too smart IMO, you can try it if you can withstand the impact of partial throttle shifting but its your call. I personally like the WOT switch idea, its on only when needed.