Bigbody250

I've had a smorgasbord of vehicles from muscle, turbo imports and turbo diesel trucks. I'm looking for a Daily Driver and have always liked Maximas. I've found some clean 5 speed ones in the 3 grand range and want to know how they respond to bolt ons. Intake, Catback/test pipe and a tune is along the lines of what I'll be doing. Is it even worth it on these? I've heard on the 3.5's you don't really get much from bolt ons, but nothing about the 3.0's.

Thanks in advance!

T_Behr904

You are encouraged to search the forums, but as far as the 00-01 cars there are mods for them. If the car is Fed spec, they respond well to Y-pipes which eliminate both pre-cats. 01 and up are all Cali spec, so this applies to 00 cars. If you have to pass a visual inspection where you live this probably wouldn't work, unless you're crafty and can cut off and weld on a shell of a precat to the pipe to make it look legit.

5aprilc

My 2000 is cali spec. And I've been told that a Y pipe deletes the pre cats on those too.

Bigbody250

Yes, I have searched but have found nothing regarding the gains of power and fuel efficiency on these motors. I found plenty of topics discussing suspension and high flow cats but In Texas as long as I'm not throwing a CEL I don't need a cat. They only plug it into the computer, never had one actually look for one.

I have seen the early 350z's actually loose power with simple bolt ons and want to know if it's worth my time to work on this motor or leave it as is...

MaxxedOutt

iTrader: (1)

I would say go to your nearest local meet and have a chat with the fellas, mebbe they'll even give you a ride, or let you drive a car so you can see for yourself.
Personally, I have a '00, all I have is a CAI and axle-back, and it's worked fine for me, precats are going out, so Y-Pipe is next...

Bigbody250

Sounds like an idea... I just found a super clean 03 Titanium 6 speed with everything I would have done to it for 5500. A little more than I was looking for but seems like the guy took care of it. He says it's not burning oil but from what I've read every VQ35 does, or is that just really common? It has 132k btw...

MaxinO2

iTrader: (1)

That doesn't sound bad, I prefer the extra power that the 02-03's have over the 00-01 and its a 6-spd, you will get great miles on hwy compared to the 00-01.. Mine however burns a little oil but I stay on top of it so I don't damage anything. I have 172,ooo ml.. and runs great. $5500 isn't bad, maybe you could get it for $5000?

BigLou55

iTrader: (6)

not on cali spec, a y-pipe would only delete bank 1 because the bank 1 cat is integral of the stock y-pipe. Bank 2 is separate.

CMax03

iTrader: (3)

Yes, regardless of what you heard.....The VQ30 and VQ35 both respond well to bolt-ons! They respond to stand alone ECU's tuning if you know what you're doing...I would recommend a true CAI (like Place Racing) Ypipe or headers, a Catback and highflow cat or test pipe.....and a JWT ecu as a beginner....These cars are awesome!

01bluemax

my 01 auto responded well to the y-pipe. gets decent mpg to as long as i keep my foot out of it. i get around 22-23 city and 28-30 hwy. i couldn't have asked for a better car.

Bigbody250

Not so sure about standalone tuning, is there a piggyback for these? I've tuned some rather complicated cars using COBB race tuner and access port... Mazdaspeed 3 in particular, load based 3 dimensional tune... Made 302whp and 316wtq on my 09

TunerMaxima3000

iTrader: (4)

Supercharger. Cheap as sin on that car. And it loves it.

/thread.

5aprilc

I was just telling everyone what I was told about the Y pipe, whether the info I received was correct, is beyond me. I only bought the Y pipe because I got the P0420 code, I still haven't installed the pipe yet either, I don't know what I'm waiting for.

MaxxedOutt

iTrader: (1)

I'm on my phone, so I can't see where you're from, but believe it or not, 5500 is a pretty nice deal, especially if it already has some mods/upgrades! We paid 3900 for my kid brothers '02 and it didn't have any mods and wasn't really in that awesome of shape. Like I said, mine's an '00, and I still have a list of stuff for it, but yes, it does respond well to mods. I only have a CAI and Magnaflow axle-back and I love the way it sounds. It's kinda quiet, but really opens up when I step on it. It kinda sounds like a G or a Z, I can't wait to get that Y-pipe!

MaxxedOutt

iTrader: (1)

Crap, editing on my phone is a pain! So, part II, lol!
From what I've read, oil burning is common, but it's also hit and miss with some engines, apparently. Another apparent desirable upgrade is to swap out your stock valve covers for 6th gen valve covers, apparently it helps with the oil leaks from the valve covers. Both 5th and 5.5's have their +'s and -'s, so just go with whatever you like best. I know that I get waaaaayyyy better gas mileage with my VQ30 than I ever did with my Tacoma, which was a 3.4. On a good day, I've gotten 400 miles on 1 gas tank!

5aprilc

400 miles to a tank of gas is very common with the VQ30 motor. I know I get well over that everytime. I also granny shift, but hell with gas prices as high as they are, who can afford to bring it to wide open throttle?

TunerMaxima3000

iTrader: (4)

What the other guys said is correct.

Cali Spec 2000 and 2001+ = 1 precat deleted
Fed Spec = 2 Precats deleted.

Bigbody250

Here is the list of mods on the 03... Good deal?
Maintenance:
1. 350z Clutch
2. NGK Iridium Plugs
3. Rear Valve Cover w/ gasket
4. Every 3k oil change with Mobil 1 synthetic
5. Replaced Radiator with new.
6. Replaced all radiator hoses.
7. New Flywheel
8. KYB Struts all around

Mods:
1. 3.5" Intake w/ JWT Pop Charger
2. Block Off Plate
3. NWP Intake manifold Spacers
4. New Exedy 350z Clutch
5. New Stillen 15lb Flywheel
6. Custom 3" Bolt on Exhaust
7. 3" Test Pipe
8. 3" Vibrant Muffler

MaxxedOutt

iTrader: (1)

Hmmm... well mine's an auto. 400 is my personal best! Right now I'm kinda stumped as to whether I need a new maf, precats, or both. Gettin a y-pipe first, I don't need inspection till next July! I'll gut the precats once I get the y-pipe in.
Sorry, didn't mean to thread-jack!

MaxxedOutt

iTrader: (1)

Is it lowered? What about wheels/tires? I also say offer 5k. Do u know if the exhaust is name brand, or knockoff brand?

Bigbody250

No not lowered, rolling stockers... Vibrant muffler and pretty sure exhaust was custom done at a shop. I feel 5500 is a little high also... Just going to wait him out and keep offering 4800, that's 100 over kbb very good private party.

Bigbody250

Yea as far as gas mileage he says it's getting 300 to the tank in about 70% city driving. I'll be driving more like 80% highway. I have a heavy foot and a snappy left foot/right arm.

NytMuves

I have been getting a consistent 30-31mpg with my 2000 SE 5sp. Is that unusual?

MaxxedOutt

iTrader: (1)

Wow, I don't know, I've read of some guys getting betwenn 25-28 and up to 30. I sure hope I can get that much once I get my y-pipe and new maf!

5aprilc

Nope, not unusual. That's about what I get.

CMax03

iTrader: (3)

Search....and you'll find plenty of info....

MaxxedOutt

iTrader: (1)

Hmmm.... somethin wrong with mine then. Gonna have to start lookin at all the possibilities. Good thing I already have a start point! Besides, mine is automatic and I have lead-foot disease on frequent occasions...

01bluemax

that's the problem right there

irish44j

iTrader: (38)

no, they have no performance possibilities.

Galactica

iTrader: (5)

That's a lot better than what I could ever get. I've seen close to 28, but in my driving, which is about 80% hwy, 20% city, I'm averaging 24 running 76 Premium. I too regularly see over 400 miles to a tank, but it's a solid 16 gallon fill.

MaxxedOutt

iTrader: (1)

Huh? Wutt??? LMAO!!!!

5aprilc

What is this 76 premium that you are running? Also when I go 400+ miles, I'm always putting more than 16 gallons of gas in. I was just saying that 400 miles is easily obtainable.

Galactica

iTrader: (5)

Union 76 stations. The big orange circle sign with 76 in the middle.

MaxxedOutt

iTrader: (1)

BigBody, did you make a decision?

Rods03Max619

iTrader: (5)

To the Op you can check out the Dyno Section also to see what power some cars are putting down and what Mods they have to get a rough Estimate....

5aprilc

We must not have any of those Union 76 stations where I'm from.

T_Behr904

We used to have 76 stations here. The 76 ball lookout tower at Daytona Speedway was an icon for many years before Nascar switched over to Sonoco.

5aprilc

I didn't think you wanted to run anything less than 91 octane in our cars?

TunerMaxima3000

iTrader: (4)

00/01 = 91
02/03 = 87 or higher

5aprilc

That's weird, you would think it would be the other way around.