I was sitting at the Chiropractor's office (due to the accident that made m 2001 GXE go bye-bye reading a few car mags (go doc!!!) when I looked at the new Ford Focus SVT. There was one part that specifically made mention of an oil pressure gauge and amp gauge which replaces to coin drawer on the dash of the regular models. That made me think, how come we don't have that? For a car that is supposedly high performance and many production cars have them that aren't CLOSE to the performance Max's put out, wouldn't we want to know these typical things? That's one think I'd like my Max much better if it had. And yes I know I can get them aftermarket, but I don't like the look...I'd rather them IN the dash matching the other gauges.

Secondly...I'm sure it has been mentioned before, but I'll mention it again. DUAL EXHAUST! Anytime I see a car on the road with a V6 or V8 that has dual exhaust from the factory, I think it looks MUCH nicer. It makes it look like a more "beefy" car...something that SHOWS it has power.

With those two things, I'd love my Maxima much more (looks-wise of course). Anyone else behind me on these or ever think of them?

 

i would like to see a uniform pressure gauge but that doesnt bother me too much. i do like the look of a nice dual exhaust though, especially when there are 2 dohgnuts in the back of a 300zx or even, dare i say, an accord. but to each his own, i like being the underdog enough that it all balances out.



Jonathan Marsh

 

As someone else once said... if the Skyline has one exhaust, so can I.

 

The dual exhaust on most cars is simply for show only. It is just a split B-pipe. A true dual exhaust would have to be split at the headers....Sure, 2 exhausts may look good, but most setups you see are not very functional.

 

I've had an idea for a location for an additional gauge. The flip down ashtray/change holder can be modified to accomodate a gauge. I use this for my mail box key. I would sacrifice this piece by drilling it to accomodate a gauge which looks stock, meaning it matches the other interior components, but will hold a gauge of sorts.

I was thinking either some type of oil pressure, clock, or Nitrous bottle pressure gauge. I was thinking of putting a clock there, like from a 300M. The 300M clock is white-faced, which would match, somewhat, the SE titanium gauges. Of course, if I ever upgraded to Nitrous I may want some type of gauge there, as to not make a gauge look out of place by placing it on the dash somewhere else.

 

Dual exhaust = more weight = less speed.
From what I understand the exhaust on the 2k Max is pretty efficient the way it is. I believe the RX7 and the Supra both had single exhaust...

 

I am inclined to agree with Daniel on the exhaust. I heard that part of the horsepower improvement (with the same fuel economy) over the 4th Generation series is due to a different exhaust system---something to do with better "breathing" and backpressure.

 

Better breathing probably has to do with the equal length exhaust manifolds. With unequal length the exhaust pulses will bounce against each other when they meet in the collector. With equal length the waves have more pipe to travel through before they reach the collector. Another area where the waves interfere with each other is at a Ypipe. I am new to maximas and already have noticed that there are Ypipes available from the aftermarket. I would bet a true dual exhaust would benefit the car. And the weight addition would not be much at all. Correct me if wrong but I have had mustangs and camaros in the past and that is all I know.

 

Lexus IS 300, Celica GT-S have one exhaust too. they have pretty high performance engines too.

 

A true dual exhaust from the headers would certainly benefit the car. But, the split pipe behind the cat that is present on most cars in the class (i.e. the Accord V-6) would only reduce backpressure and f'up the nicely laid out exhaust on the Maxima.

Although...the dual on my 6th gen Accord looks nice. Also, the first comment my best girl made when she saw my car was that it would look good with a dual exhaust.

 

The 2k maxima also comes with a pretty good muffler. It is a variable capacity muffler that opens up both pipes at high rpm for better breathing and keeps one pipe closed when backpressure is needed. It seems to be a good design so an aftermarket exhaust may not be much better than stock.

 

i'd be happy with defrosting/defogging side-view mirrors!! wish i would have thought about that at the dealer!

 

The meridian package has those along with side airbags...