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Why doesn't the Maxima sound like the z or g35?

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Old Apr 18, 2006 | 06:38 AM
  #1  
spark plugs.'s Avatar
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Hi, I drive a Maxima.
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Why doesn't the Maxima sound like the z or g35?

call me a ricer or whatever...i think Nissan messed up BIG time when they didn't give the maxima the same exhaust tone as the z.
Old Apr 18, 2006 | 06:46 AM
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maxima = large family sedan...

G35/350Z = sport coupes

For us enthusiasts having sporty tones for the maxima is a must, but from marketing point of view of nissan normal family sedan should be powerful, roomy, and quiet.
Old Apr 18, 2006 | 06:52 AM
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spark plugs.'s Avatar
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Hi, I drive a Maxima.
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i've consulted a few nissan techs. they said that, if you remove the resonator and use an altima se-r muffler, you should achieve a similar note. true?
Old Apr 18, 2006 | 07:02 AM
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I'll go along with post number 2.
Old Apr 18, 2006 | 07:20 AM
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Originally Posted by spark plugs.
i've consulted a few nissan techs. they said that, if you remove the resonator and use an altima se-r muffler, you should achieve a similar note. true?
Umm... that might be true, but it sounds a bit iffy. It would definitely be louder, but I don't know how good it would sound.

Some exhausts that sound really nice on a Maxima (like the Cattman exhaust) have resonators, so a simply having a resonator isn't what's keeping your car from sounding like a Z. As for the Altima SE-R muffler thing... I haven't examined one in person, but I'd venture to guess that it's a similar variable capacity muffler to the one that is already on the 2002/2003 Maxima. I don't know this for a fact, but it would make sense, considering Nissan's usual parts bin strategy.

Have you considered upgrading to a full Cattman catback exhaust if you want something that is louder but not annoying? I've heard people compare the sound of the Cattman favorably to the exhaust note of the Z, G, and FX.

I agree with ecsdesignz for the most part. Nissan made the Maxima quiet because it's a family sedan, and they knew that their real-world target market would be looking for luxury, comfort, and low noise. The problem is that Nissan has always marketed the Maxima (until the 6th gen) as a sporty sedan. You probably remember the 5th gen commercials where the Maxima chases the sun, outruns death, and gets mistaken for a UFO. Nissan wanted the world to believe that the Maxima was still a "4 Door Sports Car," but they knew that their real buyers for the Max were going to be more interested in quiet near-luxury and less interested in racing.
Old Apr 18, 2006 | 07:30 AM
  #6  
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becauase its not a Z or a G, if you want the sound, then go buy the damn thing. what, you think maxima is a sports car? its is sporty, but its a freakin grocery getter family sedan!!!
Old Apr 18, 2006 | 07:40 AM
  #7  
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You probably remember the 5th gen commercials where the Maxima chases the sun, outruns death, and gets mistaken for a UFO.


Those commercials is one of the reasons why I brought the Maxima.
Old Apr 18, 2006 | 01:02 PM
  #8  
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Originally Posted by spark plugs.
Why doesn't the Maxima sound like the z or g35? .
Resonance physics.



The SE-R does have a throatier tone than the A33B, but it doesn't sound like the Z33.
Old Apr 18, 2006 | 01:47 PM
  #9  
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It doesn't sound like a Z/G35 because it isn't one.

The exhaust note is carefully calibrated from the factory in terms of exhaust material, metal thickness, length, and chamber design.
Old Apr 18, 2006 | 02:07 PM
  #10  
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Originally Posted by spiromax
I agree with ecsdesignz for the most part. Nissan made the Maxima quiet because it's a family sedan, and they knew that their real-world target market would be looking for luxury, comfort, and low noise. The problem is that Nissan has always marketed the Maxima (until the 6th gen) as a sporty sedan. You probably remember the 5th gen commercials where the Maxima chases the sun, outruns death, and gets mistaken for a UFO. Nissan wanted the world to believe that the Maxima was still a "4 Door Sports Car," but they knew that their real buyers for the Max were going to be more interested in quiet near-luxury and less interested in racing.
On the contrary, haven't you seen the commercials where the guy touches the maxima and it takes him through a super kick as ride and the chick goes not on the first date? Want some coffee?

Accords and Camrys are commericialized as luxory sedans, while the maxima is kinda commericialized like the Mazda 6 a family sedan the sports car dad would like to drive...

I am also looking for ideas on how to change the exhaust to sound like the
Gs, Z, and FX....

IMO when i start my car and accelerate at low speeds i can hear the same tone output from the exhaust, maybe its cuz i have a SE?

IDk but i would love to have this sound ALL the time =P
Old Apr 18, 2006 | 02:46 PM
  #11  
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the stock maxima already have a nice tone to it...very soft tho and mostly can hear it during acceleration and low rpms got this low growl to it. i like it but if it was a bit louder it would be better so i guess removing the resonator will do? but eh i don't think there's really a way the car's going to sound like g35/350 tho.
Old Apr 18, 2006 | 02:51 PM
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I'll say mine sounds better then a 350Z or G

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Well i do have a intake,hotshot header,frankencar catback,udp
Old Apr 18, 2006 | 03:04 PM
  #13  
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Originally Posted by SuperStasiu
Well i do have a intake,hotshot headers,frankencar catback, udp
How in Gods name does a UDP affect sound?
Old Apr 18, 2006 | 03:10 PM
  #14  
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The answer is because the maxima has an unequal length exhaust, whereas the G35/Z do, even the FX45 has one (basically all the RWD VQ35 cars do). Nothing to do with metal thickness, nothing to do with chamber. If you want the tone, get a set of hotshot or cattman headers and a chambered high flow muffler.
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