Ahhhh finally....took a day trip to Jeff @ Maximum Tuning in NY to get my mods installed...i had installed:

-Tokico Illumina Struts
-Tein H.Tech Springs
-Budget Y-Pipe
-Progress RSB
-OBX clone Cat-Back (the $150 Ebay one)
-Stillen Short Throw Shifter

First....Jeff's the man, made the 3+ hour drive through traffic and the pouring a$$ rain worth it, even though his compressor broke before the day even started, he still managed to throw everything on and get me out of there before the REAL rush hour started in NY

Pics...no pics of the car due to the rain (still), have a few pics of the stuff installed, not terribly exciting stuff but still there anyway - will be putting more pics up when I see the sun again... - http://www.cardomain.com/memberpage/575675/2

Impressions....well, I feel like I'm driving a whole different car....the exhaust is LOUD....not sorta loud....but LOUD.....gonna wait a few weeks to see if it calms itself down before I start evaluating whether or not I want to keep it...it's not annoying, doesn't sound 'ricey', it's just plain loud. The gains from the Y-Pipe coupled with my Berk Intake are ...well....WOOHOO!

The drop looks good and even, not too low which is exactly how I wanted it - again, pics come when the sun comes out - I imagine that after it settles it will be even better, the ride with the Illuminas set at 2F/3R is amazing - the addition of the RSB made it fun driving home in the rain, but everything is so much tighter now, it's fantastic. The ride is not harsh at all, when I hit bumps the car feels a lot better than it did stock.

The Stillen STS is not as low as I thought it might be, which sucks (hate the broom handle shifter), but the throws are definitely reduced, it's an upgrade I feel is very worth it, and I can't believe I went this long giving my arm so much of a workout shifting the old one. Still would like it lower, but maybe a new smaller shfit **** would fool me enough to be satisfied (currently have a Momo Shadow, slightly larger than stock)

The only thing that's bothering me is a rattle that seems like it's coming from right behind the center console at WOT - after it stops raining I'll have a better look at it...

Two more weeks until the 19's go on.....and then it's time for vacation...woohoo!

 

congrats!!!
good day for you
-J

 

Where in NY is this guy? I wouldn't mind paying him a visit.

 

http://www.maximumtuning.net/

74 Glen Cove Ave - Glen Cove, NY 11542

 

don't you people go to work/school?
well, congrats on your mods.

 

Congrats!

What a day for you!

 

Man thats a bunch for one day, I am lucky to get one mod per month, my last mod was a seat cover.

 

LoL! Got 26 vacation days left for the year, figured I could play hooky for a day to take a day trip....and again Thursday to see a baseball game, and a half day Friday to wash the car and start poker night early, etc.....

 

How's the shifting with the STS compared to stock?

Try downshifting from 4th/5th into 3rd?

 

Compared to stock, it's like night and day....can't even begin to say enough about it...except I wish it was smaller!! Definitely happy with the Stillen...

Downshifting is perfect...that was the FIRST thing I did when I left the shop, went about a mile and a half back and forth shifting like crazy....everything is smooth - I see what you mean about extra force being required to shift vs. stock, but it does definitely feel more responsive, like it actually WANTS the shifter in that gear rather than just tossing the shifter arbitrarily in the general direction of the gear with the stock shifter.

Made sure to continue testing the shifter based on your note last night all the way home, and had no problems. The only 'thing', which isn't really a thing, is when you move it all the way to the right in neutral, it tends to stay there....not a problem, just something of note.

 

Please take pics of the lowering for us. If you can post links to where you bought the new suspension that would be cool too. Are you currently riding on 17s??

 

please take pics of the drop. Where did you get the springs and shocks and for how much? How do you like the handling? I am interested in the H-techs too!

 

Currently riding on 17's, the stock SE wheels. They'll be for sale as soon as the 19's go on in a few weeks. The H.Tech's and Illuminas were both purchased from Southwest Autoworks during group deals, $185 shipped for the H.Techs and $429 shipped for the Illuminas - contact them for current pricing, they'll beat anyone around, and are great people to deal with!

I'll take pics tomorrow if the weather cooperates, and again in a week or two after the springs have settled....and then again when the shoes go on

 

sounds like a good day. i think i'll have to pay them a visit myself in the future. if you don't mind me asking, how much did the install run you? i'm thinking of going to jeff for springs/struts/RSB, and maybe tint. congrats, looking forward to pics of the drop.

 

Don't mind one bit...the installation ran me a little over $400. His prices are all listed on his website, and if there's something you don't see there, give him a call and see what's what. If you go for springs/struts/rsb, it should cost you in the $200 neighborhood.

 

Awesome...Jeffs' sounds like an awesome resource for Max installs up there. Wish I was closer.

Yeah, they both do that.

 

Nice job! Those are sweet mods, and ones that make some of the biggest differences in the feel of the car. Hope you enjoy your new and improved Maxima!

 

thats a lot of mods for one day
good work

 

If you end up swapping out shift *****, then go for a heavier one. The heavier the ****, ususally the better the feel.

Have fun with your car!

 

Jeff is da man....installed my JIC coilovers including adjusting them in under 1 hour and a half.....woulda taken him less than an hour if he'd stop talkin a bit

 

Great suggestion, thanks Bryan....my current one is leather/carbon fiber wrapped, and pretty hollow....I'm looking at a smaller, round one that's all metal, so maybe that'll help

 

I am getting my H-techs and Illuminas installed tomorrow night

 

glad to see you got everything installed and working chris...sorry about not being around...i got terribly sick this past weekend and i'm still in the process of getting over it...but glad u got everything installed (in one day too) haha..good luck and post pics...you should definitely come to the maxima meet this sunday at Washington Twp Park...check out the regional section for more info or hit me up...later

 

Does your catback hit anything? Mine seems to be bumping things on acceleration from a stop. thanks. It also rubs on the rear bumper.

 

No, it doesn't bump, at least not that I've heard - where does yours hit? It doesn't rub on the rear bumper either, it actually hangs down about an inch or so below the bumper so there's no contact.

 

Thanks Ola told me about the meet, wish I could make it but I'll be at the Phillies game that day....I'll hopefully be able to make the next S.Jersey/Philly meet, hopefully it's soon!