I'm not new to the org but I am new to the 5th gen--- So hello!

For a little history lesson... I was the proud owner of an 86 300ZX, a 91 300ZXTT(r.i.p.), and then a 95 Maxima. Well after a long search I was able to locate a nice charcoal grey 02 6spd. My 95 was an automatic that I moderately modified with a Frankencar short ram paired with a K&N and a Warpspeed Y but this will be first 6spd Max! I have been a long time Nissan fan and I am very excited to get this little project underway.

I plan to moderately modify car over a 1-2 yr span starting with exhaust. After looking through numerous threads it looks like headers seem to be a quick power gain. I am considering the Cattman headers and then a cat back system in the weeks to come. After exhaust I will be stiffening up the suspension and maybe some ECU or tune play after that.

Well my question is- Would headers be the logical first step if I am looking to up the power efficiently? If yes what kind of gains can I expect?

Thank you in advance for any advice and I'm glad to step it up to the 5.5 gen 6spd with that beautiful 3.5 VQ

 

You may also wish to consider the NWP thermal spacers and the Vias block plate for the money invested the gain alone from the thermal spacers is very cost effective.

 

+1 on spacers. I have been looking into getting them and we're currently trying to negotiate with aaron from NWP for a possible group deal. Well, we're doing a signup to show our interest lol. From looking at the NWP Phenolic Spacers, the 3.5s get an increase in power and torque all across the power band.

For the most part, it seems that most mods tend to sacrifice a bit of low end for top end power like the block plate for example.

 

here the list in order for you (in my opinion):

1. complete exhaust, from what i see on here cattaman is the way to go
2. nwp spacers and block plate
3. injen intake

in my opinion that is probably the quickest way to gain some high end power that wont let you down

 

Thanks for the head's up- the NWP products look like a fairly inexpensive and effective mod.

 

Home made intake and a cattman 3" that's moderate enough lol

 

Did you really tell him to buy an injunk intake???? Possibly the worste intake/mod made for a 5.5..... erase option 3 plz

 

 

yup injen is crap

lol..some sucker bought an garbage intake, what ya spend 200+

 

Just because it costs more doesn't always means its better

 

Get the brakes off your old Z. BBK FTW.

 

+1... never thought of that lol

 

Sadly the old TT Z is long gone and dead. God rest her soul...

I think I will be looking at doing the Intake Spacers, GAB(with the drill holes- not the LOLcoat hangar), updated Air filter, Headers/Y, then on to catback(seriously debating full 3" system). As far as the Injen Short ram air intake- while I love the sound of the giant conical filters- you really don't see the best gains because it will just suck more hot air from the engine bay(at least this was the case on my 4th gen- I think someone did some dyno text and found that the frankencar mid pipe lost like 2hp compared to the stock snorkel).

Cosmeticly I will start with the clear signals, some window tint and maybe paint the grill a flat black.

Also, i am in the St. Louis area and would love to meet up with some other VQ heads at some point

 

Holy ****! There's going to be about 5 ppl in St. Louis with a 5.5.
This must be a record!
I'm in Manchester.

And yes, short ram is worthless here, imo. Too hot most of the year and it loses too much power down low as far as I'm concerned. I just put one on for the fun of it when I bought a velocity stack thingy and new filter. Now, I'm even slower LOL. I'm gonna have to put the CAI back on.

Whatever you do, get the headers asap to get rid of the cats. Don't even get me started on that haha.

What are you doing with the 95?

 

I'm in Ballwin - Manchester area as well.
Big Bend ftw.

continue on...

 

You're asking about power mods. Here's my advice, in priority sequence:

Phenolic Intake Spacers
Cat-back exhaust
Headers
Short-Ram Intake

The VIAS-delete is an OK upper-end mod, but nothing to write home about. The lightweight crank pulley is an OK lower-end mod, but definitely not worth the expense. And try not to get too wrapped up in debate over SRI vs. CAI. Just get a short-ram configuration with a dry-filter pop-charger.

Here's some advice you weren't asking for, learned in hindsight: suspension and handling mods are more rewarding. Start there first.

 

UDP for 75 for sale right meow. That's worth it.

 

i have a pulley for sale... Cosmo racing... $70 shipped