I have been reading here for a while and it seems that whenever people post positive things about CAIs or exhausts, half the responses say that other than noise there was no change in performance.
I am looking for performance mods (other than forced induction) that actually produce a noticeable change.

I believe the Y pipe is one mod that I have not really seen negative things about. Any others? Pulleys? TB? Headers? injectors? ECU? cams?

Let me know what you think are worthwhile mods and those you think are a bit of a waste of $$. I am looking for the best bolt ons I guess. I am not interested in noise unless it is going to produce some power.

by the way VQ30DE but 3.5s can chime in as well.

 

Look at intakes, headers, exhaust systems as "suppliments". They do work despite what you hear, just don't expect any huge gains from them, thats all. You will be seriously let down , just like others on this board if you think "breather" mods are going to give you any neck snapping performance.

Just think as mods as diffrent pieces to a puzzel, when all combined they form the whole picture. Breather mods when combined with internal mods will get you some serious perfromance gains and that neck snapping performance.

For internals: 4.3 stroker kit , cams, valvesprings, lighter crank shaft, and not a internal mod, but does free up HP, a lighter underdrive pully. If your car is a stick a lighter fly wheel will help on the revs of the car. All these things here will get you serious HP under your hood.

As for the breather mods, you know the routine, I/E/H/y-pipe.


If you don't have the cash flow, look at ways to lighten your car, lighter battery, wheels, etc.


And the bottom line is , how far do you really want to go with modding your Max out and how deep are your pockets? The rest is up to you.....

 

Cash flow isn't the issue but I don't want to spend money on stuff that doesn't work. I've spent almost $1200 on 3 mods for my other vehicle that I thought kind of sucked that is all.

 

hotshot headers would be a good start

 

Well if you have the loot, then i would do a bundle buy, Intake/headers/y-pipe/exhaust system/ underdrive pully and cams. I would throw and ecu in there but no aftermarket support for 3.5 Maxes yet.

With that set up you should be pretty happy with the gains.

 

man honestly all of the internals that have been mentioned would set you back a pretty penny. By getting a turbo you would easily be putting down a greater amount of power than without and would probably be alot cheaper

 

With the money you spend on bolt ons, spend another grand or so and get a supercharger.

 

u have a 2k3 maxima with a 3.0?

 

If money isnt a large factor then consider a turbo system. Though I dont think there are kits out there for VQ35DE Maximas, many performance shops will customize a setup for you.

 

I have a VQ30DE
Ok I will bite. WHat will a turbo system set me back and does it come complete with an intercooler as well? One more thing, this needs to be reliable. I use this car as my daily driver and I don't need it to be in the shop on a weekly basis getting "dialled in" if you know what I am saying.

 

you're kidding, right?
full intake/exhaust/UPD would set you back maybe 1k-$1500.

Turbo for the max, including install, boost controls, etc...run well over 5K to about 10K from what I've read from those who have them. Might as well just buy a car with a bigger engine.

Could also go S/C.....they run under 5K.

 

You have a 3.0 on a 2k3?

 

You have a VQ30 in a 2k3?

If so, you may want to get MEVI, Headers, JWT ECU, Intake, Exhaust, suspension upgrades, new tires

 

Yes! It looks like an infinity I 35. Even the 2004 come with a 3.0 and looks the same. Mine is a 5 speed and has elec. window, door locks but everything else is plain. I don't have ABS (at least I don't think) and I definately DO NOT have any airbags. Mine is called the 30J which is the bottom of the line. THE 30 GV is exacly the same as an infinity i35 with all the leather and luxury stuff but it comes with a VQ30DE as well. My car is rated at 227hp. I bought the car and it was 6 months old and I paid just under $12000 for it with waranty. Not bad. There are literally thousands and thousands of maximas here.
I have pics of it as stock and I will post new pics as soon as I get my 20s on it (hopefully by the end of the month)

 

I know what I have. I have been modding cars for years. I know enough about cars to know what engine I have. It is a different spec to the American Maxima. I am Canadian but I live in the UAE (middle east). If you want me to send you a pic I will just give me your email.

 

Can we get a picture of the Intake manifold?

Infiniti

 

I already deleted that post. Im not questioning that YOU know what you have. I questioned so that WE can see what you have specifically.

mhwilliams@pinevilledsl.net

 

SR20DEN, post that pic when you receive it.

 

That is the plan.

 

4.3 stroker kit? has anyone done this to a max, if so what was gained and how much $$? also, i've heard the rumors of cams for a 3.0 max but have never seen the reality. how much are they and what are the expected gains? thanks in advance.

 

edit: does $tillen make cams for 00-01 max's?

 

I don't think so

 

I have pics of it as stock and I will post new pics as soon as I get my 20s on it



20's I thought you wanted to go fast?

 

for a 3.0 liter max that already has a dual runner intake manifold (MEVI or 5TH gen) the mods to get would be y-pipe, exhaust, cams, (ecu-assuming the connectors and programming are similar)

 

Well I never actually said I wanted to go fast but if I put dubs on I would like to make it as fast or just slightly faster than it is stock. I don't want it to be all show and no go. I want a little of both.
SR20DEN it is dark out but I will send you the pics to post. I will have to put the spot lights on outside to light things up.

 

Man that stuff you mentioned really will not give any significant gains( except y pipe). Plus you can deffinetly get away with a supercharger setup for under 6 g's.

 

For performance on the 3.0 Ypipe or headers (best bang for the buck), followed by intake (cheap), catback (can be expensive and LOUD), and underdrive pulley.

Cams? Do they even exist and are there any proven gains? ECU? Not one company has shown gains on this.

BTW, lightweight wheels would make a BIG difference.

 

For performance on the 3.0 Ypipe or headers (best bang for the buck), followed by intake (cheap), catback (can be expensive and LOUD), and underdrive pulley.

Cams? Do they even exist and are there any proven gains? ECU? Not one company has shown gains on this.

BTW, lightweight wheels would make a BIG difference.

 

I sent pics.
I think I will get the y-pipe for now and keep my stock exhaust. I don't need noise I already have one loud vehicle and just sold another. I am most likely getting 20" wheels but they are lightweight (for 20s).
You see what I am saying about the mods? There doesn't appear to be substantial gains unless one was to go the forced induction route or stroker.
I picked upward of 60 hp with bolt ons on a vehicle once. Having said that I probably could have just bought a SC for the same amount of money and would have gained near 100hp.
By the way Chris I want my maxima to look like yours when it grows up. Nice!!

 

Guys you keep questioning him on what he's got under the hood. If you look at his info other than the year of his car you'll see he's from Dubai in the the United Arab Emirates.

While he could get the 4.3 kit the freight would kill him.

Mack,
Any of the VQ30 items will work on your car. If you get headers you don't need to buy a Y-pipe, it comes with the headers. SR20 should be able to tell you if you can use a MEVI or not. I don't see why not but he'd know for sure. Short of that figure you'd need to drop about the same $1500-2000 for headers, cat-back, intake, UDP and grounding kit. That's before you get into any internals.

If you were to go the NO2 route do you have the ability to get the bottle filled near you?

 

Yeah I run N02 in my Jeep but I want something that is always there and doesn't require me to open and close it all the time. Police here kind of frown on NOS I think. I try not to drive around with the bottle in the Jeep very often. I usually just use it for racing at the strip. I am interested in the turbo. It is very hot and humid here though and I am not sure if this would be a problem.
maximan777 you a pilot?