03silvermax

Okay, the biggest question of them all, I got my 03 about a year ago and it has 28K on it. Which mod is the best for it of the turbo or supercharger?? Which is best for the engine? I currently have no mods whatsover, and it is a 6-speed!!

Puppetmaster

iTrader: (48)

http://forums.maxima.org/showthread.php?t=388196

03silvermax

thanks, I'll check that thread out

spiromax

Unless you want to do a totally custom job, a supercharger is not an option. There is no kit for the 5th gen Max that we know of on the market yet.

You could also do a custom turbo setup, or wait for the kit that is in development right now. I can't find the thread about it (but I only looked for a minute). It's probably a couple of pages back.

03silvermax

I thought Stillen had a turbo/supercharger avail. for all models?? Is that not true?? When I bought the car last year, I asked about a supercharger and although they didn't say a definite yes, they didn't act like it wasn't available. What do you mean by custom turbo?? I've never bought either so I don't know much about the two

Larrio

iTrader: (10)

i'd recommend you actually read up on the differences and the work involved for both kits before asking which one to buy.

the Boost forum has a plethora of information on these topics

and Stillen only makes the SC for VQ30 equipped maximas, which rules out anything after 2001

monknster

iTrader: (1)

Stillen S/C is only for 2k and 2k1 max (if im not mistaken?).

spiromax

The Stillen supercharger for the 5th gen Maxima is for the 2000 and 2001 models, not the 2002 and 2003 models. The early 5th gen Maximas use the 3.0 liter VQ30DE-K engine, and the later 5th gen models (sometimes referred to as 5.5th gen models) use the 3.5 liter VQ35DE engine. The two engines are very similar, and there are a handful of parts that can be used on both engines with little or no modification. For some reason, Stillen says that their supercharger kit is for the 2000 and 2001 models only, and they also say that it's only for cars with manual transmissions. I've heard a few Org members around here saying that there's no reason why it shouldn't work on a car with an auto tranny. I've never tried it myself. I have no idea what kind of modification you would have to do in order to get the Stillen kit to work with a 5.5th gen Maxima.

When I mentioned a custom turbo setup, I meant that you could put together a turbo setup yourself instead of buying a "kit." Turbocharger and supercharger kits generally come with all or most of the parts that you need to boost your car. Companies put kits together so you can buy everything from one place without worrying about whether or not it's going to work. If you want to turbocharge OR supercharge your car without waiting for a company to put a kit together, you can build your own setup (pick a turbo, get the piping, have a manifold fabricated, upgrade fuel delivery systems if needed, get engine management electronics, etc.). It's not a project for somebody who has never done it before.

Trance Artur

iTrader: (2)

You need to do a lot of research on your car!!

frankd121

iTrader: (1)

I'd personally go with a turbo since they're inherently more efficient than a supercharger (exhaust gas driven as opposed to belt driven).

spiromax

It's true that turbochargers don't have the same sort of parasitic effect as superchargers, but superchargers have their own advantages.

1. No turbo lag (but you can manage turbo lag by picking the right size turbo for your engine and application).

2. It can be easier to pass emissions with a supercharged car (once again, this "problem" is manageable with turbos).

I just wanted to point out that superchargers are a viable alternative to turbochargers. Going with a custom turbo setup is probably easier than going with a custom supercharger setup, though. I think more people around here could help you with a turbo.

If you really want to read TRUE FACTS on turbochargers and superchargers, Mike Kojima's Revenge of the Nerds column in Nissan Performance Magazine recently ran a series of articles that answer everything from the basics through the more advanced stuff. Here's a clip:

"A turbocharger is a device that compresses the intake charge going to your motor. This is the same thing that a supercharger does. Supercharger kits that are on the market right now are not capable of generating the enormous power of Turbocharging but they do for the most part have broad usable powerbands and good throttle response, which makes for excellent streetabilty. What is a better choice for you, a supercharger or a turbo? Well, read on and we will give you more than enough information for you to make a sound and logical decision."

If you want to read the articles, here are the links:
1. Part One - The Turbo Manifesto
2. How a Turbo Works
3. Do Turbos have any Disadvantages?
4. Lag of the Turbo Kind
5. The Saga of Turbo Facts Continues
6. More Turbo Tech
7. Turbos and Backpressure, A Turbos Main Weakness
8. Turbo Tech - Compressor Maps

Enjoy the reading!

Larrio

iTrader: (10)

like i said already.... stillen makes the SC for ALL VQ30 equipped maximas. Meaning 1995-2001 maximas.

because the vq35 in 02+ maximas has a different timing chain due to the VTCs the stillen SC plate is incompatible

spiromax

Here's a shorter, simpler explanation of the difference between superchargers and turbochargers for people who don't want to read Mike Kojima's excellent articles.

http://auto.howstuffworks.com/question122.htm