As part of my new stereo installation, sound dampening is a necessity. I've looked into various methods from different manufacturers and decided to try a product called QuietCar (www.quietcoat.com). Its one of the viscous liquid types of soundproofing applications. Only the front doors of my 02 have been covered so far. At first I only coated the passenger side, using it as a reference to contrast the undamped driver side door. When struck in different places with a screwdriver, the passenger side lacked a significant amount of resonance and reverberation compared to the driver side. My initial impression is that QuietCar works.
The real test will come from actually hearing a difference in road noise. I plan to buy a sound pressure level meter to determine whether or not the stuff is worth its cost and extra vehicle weight. I haven't taken an undamped measurement of interior noise yet, but I know a girl with a completely stock 02 who will let me use her vehicle as a benchmark. My only mod is a Frankencar intake, and it generates a negligible amount of extra noise when cruising. I'll post the decibel readings at fixed speeds as the deadener is applied to different areas. The first measurement will be taken when all 4 doors have been coated with an average thickness of about 2mm.
I don't know much about spl meters, but I won't spend more than $60 on one. My readings will likely be off by a small degree. If anyone knows of spl measurements for a 2000-2003 Maxima taken by a professional publication, such as Road and Track, please post them here. Its too bad that our cars make so much road noise. Consumer Reports described the Maxima as "quiet" but I beg to differ. The tire whine on hard concrete roadways is excruciating at 70mph+. Hopefully my solution will work out and my buddy's Honda Accord won't sound so serene anymore.

 

............................why?

 

I'd love to hear how this stuff works, the only complaint I have about my maxima is road/wind noise...when compared to my friends Toyotas. Let us know what readings you get and if its worth it....

 

Beside the wind noise, which helps by putting in a weather stripping INSIDE the ridge of the window seal. I think the main problem is the TIRE, I have RE92 in the rear and Turenza LS-V in the front for comparison, now you can feel the road noise are mostly from the rear now...before the front got change I could not hear wind noise in the front, now I can.

Get a quieter tire would make a noticeble difference IMHO.

 

Install Subs/ Speakers / Amps, Fixed all the road noise and rattle problems in my 94 maxima, doing a great job in my 02 now

 

I don't hear a thing in my GLE, I don't know what Nissan used as sound-deadening material but it's doing its job well. Guess you SEs don't have it. Now, as far as Toyota, my friend's Camry is so noisy you can't hear the radio while on the highway.

 

The only sound deadener in my SE was stuff the looked like carpet underlayment attached to the door trim piece and a thin plastic mat on the inner door panel. Striking surfaces in the door area made a very metallic ring before applying the quietcar. I also have terrible wind noise coming from the front driver side and rear passenger side windows. I need to reduce this as much as possible before I take my measurements, so any tips from you guys on wind noise will be appreciated.

 

http://www.innerbean.com/housecor/wi...ind_noise.html

Very handy site to have bookmarked. I did my back windows and sunroof with his walk throughs.

 

Thanks dude. That site is exactly the kind of thing I've been searching for. I'll apply the wind noise fix soon. I purchased the meter today and will post an initial reading when my door panels are back on.

 

Nissan Uses Strips Of Tar Under The Seats And Carpet, Which Dont Do Anything Except Take Up Weight, The Real Deadener Is The Actual Interior Like The Carpeting And The Seats, I Noticed This When I Removed My Rear Seat And Drove Without It.

 

You're not going to notice any difference at all with the stuff you're applying to your doors. However, your doors will rattle and resonate less, which will make your music sound better.

Tony