I've got an 02 6-speed maxima and I would like to start putting in some performance modifications. I'm mainly concerned with power and handling.

I just want to say that I'm not very handy around a car and don't know too much when it comes to say"intalling headers, y-pipe, exhaust, shocks, rear sway bar".

I don't have too much money and I would like to start a little at a time. I currently have the stock 17 inchers riding on Cooper Lifeliner rubber. My max pretty much runs well like the day it was new and I have 45k on it almost.

Any suggestions where I can get work done? Are there any walk in stores out there where I can purchase an Injen intake? (New York Area) or is everything pretty much mail order now? Which modifications give the most power and handling gains ? I'm just looking for a good place to start.

Thanks...........

 

Rule of thumb: Never buy performance products from a walk-in store. Online is the only way to go, since 95% of the time it'll be a lot cheaper.

The first mod you should do is a drop; a suspension mod. Make sure you get new struts to go along with it, too. Maxspeed, H&R and Progress are the 3 springs you should consider getting into. That should be your first step. If you want performance, I don't suggest you get a Y-pipe. But I do suggest you save up and get headers. Even though a y-pipe is very beneficial with performance (gains of up to 15whp), you'll have to get rid of if you decide to get headers -- since the y-pipe with the headers will have to be used, even if it's the same brand. Then again, you could sell the y-pipe, but that's something for you to figure out.

A nice Cattman catback will give you some decent gains, and a nice sound, without the rice. An intake is a decision you have to make. I suggest RAM air intake, which sucks in warmer air, but still gives gains. The biggest reason is to avoid hydrolock (water in the engine). A cold air intake sits low and close to the ground, so if you live in an area that floods easily (and I believe you do, right?) the intake could take in water -- where as there is a lesser chance of it happening with a warm air intake (like an Injen, or Frankencar).

For reference: Place Racing and Catman are the two only true cold air intakes for our Maximas -- every one else is warm air. But just because it's warm air, doesn't mean the gains are minimal. There was a dyno sheet posted here that proved that the warm air intake actually performed right on par with a real cold air intake.

Hehehe, long post, I know. But I hope it helps.

 

Oh and one more thing: Since you're a 6spd, do something to your tranny. A lightweight flywheel will help acceleration, and they're generally cheap. A light weight pulley will have a similar effect as a flywheel, and is also a cheap little mod (usually around $100).

And light weight rims make a huuuuuuge difference in performance. A set of rims that weigh aproximately 15lbs can free up aproximately 15whp that would normally be lost because of the energy it requires the car to spin the heavy stock rims. Very overlooked, and very good mod.

 

Rims I can do....... I was wondering where I should go to find a nice lightweight set of rims for the max. Preferably 17-18 inches,,,, I don't want anything too big. How much do the stock 17 inchers weigh?

All I got is a K&N panel filter in my airbox. I would like to do an intake, I'm just wary about Mass air flow sensors failing. They are a $400-500 sensor right?

 

That's what a stealership will charge you. It's not supposed to be more than $150.

Going to 18'' will negate whatever weight loss is done to the rims (not completely, but a lot of it). A larger rim will take longer to fully spin, thus slower acceleration. Look around on 1010tires and tirerack.com since both list the weight of most of the rims they sell. I suggest Oz Racing.

 

For tranny you can get the new Short Throw Shifter from HP Autoworks.

 

Where's a good place to get good quility wheels online?

 

http://forums.maxima.org/showthread.php?t=29750

Ya should be able to find some links in that thread...

 

It looks ghetto, b ut the best track times are recorded with the GAB. It's a simple K&N dropin, with the snorkel rerouted to below the splash guard. I've been running it with the Budget y-pipe, and the sound is great. Nice and growly.

I really like the budget y-pipe, and the guys there are really nice. It is also real cheap.

as far as bang for the buck mods, budget y-pipe, rear sway bar, K&N drop in, and maybe a Strut tower brace. yeah headers may get you more, but the install is gonna cost big bucks along with the hefty price for headers.

happy modding!

 

I'd get the suspension done first.... aftermarket struts and springs.... then maybe the intake/y-pipe/cat-back thing... or intake/headers/cat-back....

 

One of the most inexpensive and worthwhile mods to the Max is what is known as an "LED swapout". Basically, you take all of the butt-ugly green lights out of the window switches and make them nice and bright blue. All in all, the mod costs around $20 - just make sure you get your LEDs online; they're far cheaper this way. Here is a link to the "How-To"

http://www.alexhsu.com/maxima/ledinstall/

 

I personally would not waste my ime with the catback. I would go straight headers. I don't feel the $500 on a catback is worth the gains. If I were to do it again, suspension then headers. Spend the money up front to get the real gains. By far the headers and Technosquare ECU (to utilize the high end gains by changing rev limiter/air fuel) would equal equal every other mod combined.

 

dude.. go with headers and intake.. catback dont do much anyways..
and for handeling lower it and get a rsb
and you max will be pretty much set and you'll have a good 30hp increase

 

I agree that a cat-back doesn't give much/any gains... but if you're gonna put in headers and all... why not finish the job and put in a nice aftermarket cat-back to completely unrestrict the flow (not that the stock piping and muffler is that restrictive)? But hey, that's just what I'd do...