Question for those who have these spacers installed:

- Did you let everything dry after the install and if so, how long did you let the car sit before starting it?

- How long did it take?

 

I like using "1 minute gasket" made by Permatex. It's much easier to apply and has a stronger more rubberized compound that holds up well to boosted applications. But Black RTV works great as well. It can be a little messier though.

The instructions state to let the RTV sit for 1 hour before driving the car. But, you should be fine with only letting it sit for 30 minutes.

The entire installation procedure shouldn't take more than 3 hours. Most mechanics can do it in less than 2 hours if they've had prior VQ35 experience.

You can find the installation instructions in PDF format here on our website:
http://www.nwpengineering.com/Phenol...rs.html#VQ35DE

 

thanks Aaron

Is this the stuff?

http://www.permatex.com/resource_aut...to09062007.htm

Tavarish is most probably going to do the install and Im sure you know hes a VQ genius. Im going to place an order with you this week

 

Yeap, that's the stuff. I love it. So easy to apply! I used it on all my timing covers, intake spacers, and oil pans when buttoning up my VQ35 build.

And tarvarish can do an intake spacer install with his eyes closed I'm sure.

 

It took me about 2.5 hours, but I took my time.

I let mine sit for at least an hour before starting it up. Then, I did the Accelerator Pedal Released Position Learning Procedure and the Throttle Valve Closed Position Learning Procedure.

No codes, no problems, more power.



.

 

Why did you have to go through that dance?

 

Not everyone has to do these procedures when installing the spacers. But sometimes when you remove the TB or make any changes to the airflow, the throttle pedal response can feel a little off or the idle can fluctuate. Doing these procedures usually solve these issues. But if you don't notice any idle or throttle pedal response issues, then there would be no need to do these procedures.

 

Thanks, Aaron.

My schedule is a little off, but I should be (finally) ordering your spacers before month's end.

 

No problem. Thank you. I always try my best to make sure they stay in stock.

 

installed spacers today. My intake (berk + JWT filter) used to whistle sometimes but not very loud. With the spacers it seems that the intake whistle got really loud. Is this normal?

 

yes the throttle body spacer is what makes the whistle sound

 

cool, thanks

I dont know...the car feels different. Not better, not worse. Just different. I feel my powerband shifted a lot and I lost a noticeable amont of power under 3500rpms.

 

What?!

Man, I am literally days away from ordering these spacers, and then I read what might be the only ambivalent post here declaring a loss of power.

I mean, I'm still on board, because there's an overwhelming consensus otherwise. But still, this was crappy timing to read that comment.

 

I wouldnt be worried....you should still get them if you want.

Maybe the initial ~50 or so miles I put on after first installing the spacers is when the car was still trying to adjust to the new mod? I havent driven it more to notice a difference.

I know nothing was messed up during the install as I was there the whole time and the TB was never touched inside. I was just hoping others with spacers could share their experiences after the install? Others say midrange was improved but I find that my top end was improved and not so much midrange.

 

Don't let that discourage you.

I actually noticed an INCREASE in power under 3500rpm.

I am completely happy with mine and I would buy them again any day of the week.

Just the fact that you never have to buy another UIM gasket again makes these worth while.

 

+1 on the low end power increse and a massive gain in the mid/top end, around 3600rpms the tq is just amazing it pulls like a ****

 

That's why I tried to get a similar thread going a few months ago. There were a few bites... all good. But I was kind of hoping for a larger response.

http://forums.maxima.org/5th-generat...p-spacers.html

It's still on my calendar to order them Monday morning. Installation a few weeks later.

tick. tick. tick... still nervous.

Awesome. Big, anticipatory grin.

 

Why didnt I have my max 2 tears ago... I live in Charlotte...

 

OK. I'm in. Payment established... waiting on back-order.

Curse you, back order status!!





Nah... I'm just kidding. It's all good.

 

Thanks for sending me an email about this. With the details you gave me, it seems that they applied too much RTV, which squeezes out in the airflow and also impedes the injector spray pattern. But in order to do this, you have to be pretty careless with the application of RTV and not read the instructions. If you just put a large bead of RTV around each intake spacer, the majority of it will squeeze out in the intake port. The best way to apply the RTV is to put a tiny pea sized amount on the tip of your finger and smear a consistent and thin layer of RTV around the intake port. Then when you stick the spacer onto the manifold, push down as hard as you can in a straight manner and if you see a ton of RTV squeeze out, you'll know you applied too much. You can wipe the excess off or remove it, clean it, and reapply.

Sorry about that. We've been pretty busy this summer with MAXUS and other Maxima meets. Plus, we recently had a sudden increase in sales, which probably has to do with advertising with MAXUS 09.

The spacers are currently in production and we will have them back in stock as soon as possible. But in the meantime, we are still taking orders and they will automatically ship the day we check them into our inventory. If you ever have any questions, please feel free to call or email me. I can sometimes be a little slow in responding to PMs on the org since when I'm out of the office, I am still able to respond to emails on my phone.

 

A little update.

Had the spacers for about 6 months now.

Still perfect.

 

Aaron, I received your spacers today. They're going to be installed next Monday. Psyched!

BTW, thanks for the t-shirt. Love it!

 

No problem. Thank you for your business. Please let me know if there is anything else I can do.

 

Aaron - The spacers have been one for a few days now. I'm very content with their effect on the way the car runs. And there are a few post-install observations here:

http://forums.maxima.org/5th-generat...p-spacers.html

I've got a question now that there's maybe 100 miles on the car since the installation.

For the first 40 miles or so, differences in HP and torque were subtle, although certainly noticeable. But after that, I really started to appreciate the gains all over the place, in a variety of gears, at various speeds with different levels of acceleration. (My favorite being 4th gear... gobs of power there now!)

So my question: am I just being more attuned to the car, or is the ECU adjusting to new parameters?

 

ECU adjusts to your driving and the change in AFR. When I do a spacer install for the local guys I reset the ECU so it is noticeable right away

 

Wow. So I'm not imagining things! As far as this goes, at least. I swear things have only got better since Day One, but was self-conscious I was maybe fooling myself.

Thanks, Knight!

Man, this spacer mod was so-o-o worth it!

 

If you like Aaron's spacers, you will love his Engine Torque Link...

 

Oh yeah. I've been paying attention to that since he introduced it here. It's getting really good comments.

His torque link is definitely on the list for Spring 2010.

I'm not so sure about the VIAS block plate, on the other hand. Still taking my time researching that one.

 

In my experience with my wideband, whenever I make an adjustment or install some type of breathing mod (cone filter, exhaust work, etc), the ECU does not make any changes to my AFR after the modification is complete. But I'm sure it's possible.

And thank you for the positive review in that thread you linked!

 

I assume you are saying the AFR does not change with breathing mods; although this is in fact the ECU's adjustment. With a change in air flow, the fueling is adjusted to maintain proper AFR (lambda of 1, ~14.6 AFR for an idealized gasoline, for closed loop operation).

 

Open loop operation however has short and long term fuel trims, which take into affect a target that can vary with modifications. Hence, as the increased engine efficeincy alters the air flow, the ECU adjusts these trims to suit. More importantly though, is the ignition timing values that the additional air flow can benefit from

 

Wow, you guys have a far deeper understanding of mechanics than I do.

All I know is the car runs better today than it did when I had the spacers installed two days ago.

 

You are generally correct, but not all ECUs adjust open loop fueling based upon LTFT. Also, not all MAF based cars must use fuel trims to adjust for increased air flow as this is done automatically as the load is primarily defined by air flow. Unfortunately I haven't explored teh Maxima enough to understand how it is tuned and adjusts.

Regardless, it seems the spacers are a quality modification.

 

Whenever you alter air flow by changing to a different type of cone filter or by improving exhaust flow, the AFR will usually change. I am talking about the ECUs ability to maintain that AFR once the modification is complete. So, if your AFR changes after installing an exhaust cutout, the ECU shouldn't keep altering the WOT AFR after that. But, the NWP Engineering Thermal Intake Spacers do not noticeably change the AFR. They will slightly lengthen the intake runners and provide a 40 degree temperature decrease in the intake manifold.

 

I assume you are talking about AFR at WOT (open loop) which indicates the Maxima ECU is not sophisticated enough to alter open loop fueling. Regardless, the ECU will adjust part load (closed loop) fueling to maintain stoichiometric AFR (~13.5-15 for gasolines). Some vehicles can adjust both open and closed loop fueling; FFVs have the most complex adjustment schemes.

If the ECU cannot adjust open loop tuning, then you are correct and any increase in air flow will increase the WOT AFR.

Good to know, but I am surprised the AFR didn't increase based upon gains shown from the dynos. As stated before, it seems like a great product.

 

I don't see why the open loop a/f will change. The ECU will see more air via MAF voltage and add more fuel accordingly.

 

Weird, because lengthening runners = improved low-end. I am pretty sure I'm the only one who dyno'd back to back with and without spacers and the shift in the curves was exactly as I suspected, dropped on the right side as equally as it went up on the left side, I still have the runs somewhere just don't think I ever posted them. As many know, I am a huge fan of the spacers and would HIGHLY recommend them, however I would still like to see an option with a thin spacer for between the Lwr & Upr.....

 

Many vehicles don't use fuel trim feedback to modify base fuel delivery tables, or increase fuel delivery even if more air is measured. Based on Aaron's posts, it seems the Maxima's ecu falls into this category. As such, the fuel trims (or calibration method) will keep constant closed loop AFR, but will not accommodate air flow increases at/near WOT. The AFR changes are likely not significant as calibrations generally run rich at/near WOT to cool and protect the catalyst(s).

 

^ If that were true a/f tuning via an S/VAFC wouldn't be possible.

 

Which signals do the S/VAFC modify?