5th Generation Maxima (2000-2003) Learn more about the 5th Generation Maxima, including the VQ30DE-K and VQ35DE engines.

SAFC/TUNE or COILOVERS.........

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old 03-22-2013, 07:25 PM
  #1  
Senior Member
Thread Starter
 
2kMaxim's Avatar
 
Join Date: Nov 2007
Posts: 539
SAFC/TUNE or COILOVERS.........

Ok...so i fixed my stupid CEL.....Modding continues! Heres the jam.....my next "big mod" is either gonna be SAFC and dyno tune.....or MEGAN coilovers and install. My mech will install all 4 and throw in align for $300.

Please no "you should get these or those more expensive coilovers blablah"....car is old...not gonna happen. Which do you guys think is the better choice???
2kMaxim is offline  
Old 03-22-2013, 07:41 PM
  #2  
Supporting Maxima.org Member
iTrader: (5)
 
nishfish871's Avatar
 
Join Date: Nov 2005
Location: Fort Worth, TX
Posts: 1,081
Coilovers...safc/vafc is good only if you have supporting mods to need it.
nishfish871 is offline  
Old 03-22-2013, 07:44 PM
  #3  
Senior Member
 
T_Behr904's Avatar
 
Join Date: Sep 2010
Location: Jacksonville, FL
Posts: 10,349
Coilovers. I'd rather have a properly tuned chassis with fresh bushings and good brakes first before adding power.
T_Behr904 is offline  
Old 03-22-2013, 07:45 PM
  #4  
Senior Member
 
Brl24's Avatar
 
Join Date: Apr 2011
Location: Ontario, Canada
Posts: 539
+1^^
Brl24 is offline  
Old 03-22-2013, 07:54 PM
  #5  
Member
iTrader: (2)
 
da night ryder's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jan 2010
Location: NY/FL
Posts: 229
Coilovers and if your mechanic is assembling them too, tell him $250.
da night ryder is offline  
Old 03-22-2013, 07:58 PM
  #6  
Get Off My Lawn
iTrader: (59)
 
Chris Gregg's Avatar
 
Join Date: Oct 2000
Location: Johnson City, TN
Posts: 5,631
Coilovers. The ability to ensure the car is stable and comfortable should come first....as it adds to and allows the car to respond better to the power mods.
Chris Gregg is offline  
Old 03-22-2013, 09:10 PM
  #7  
Senior Member
Thread Starter
 
2kMaxim's Avatar
 
Join Date: Nov 2007
Posts: 539
Originally Posted by nishfish871
Coilovers...safc/vafc is good only if you have supporting mods to need it.
I do have supporting mods and a very rich fuel curve.....but since we like realism on the org....id expect maybe 10whp and 6-8 torque from the safc.
2kMaxim is offline  
Old 03-22-2013, 09:35 PM
  #8  
Senior Member
iTrader: (5)
 
Rods03Max619's Avatar
 
Join Date: Oct 2009
Location: Diego,California
Posts: 8,949
Originally Posted by 2kMaxim
Ok...so i fixed my stupid CEL.....Modding continues! Heres the jam.....my next "big mod" is either gonna be SAFC and dyno tune.....or MEGAN coilovers and install. My mech will install all 4 and throw in align for $300.

Please no "you should get these or those more expensive coilovers blablah"....car is old...not gonna happen. Which do you guys think is the better choice???
How much you getting the Megans for? I would do Coilovers like others have said, but your dollar....
Rods03Max619 is offline  
Old 03-22-2013, 10:36 PM
  #9  
Senior Member
iTrader: (2)
 
ranmas2004's Avatar
 
Join Date: Mar 2011
Location: Lehigh Valley, PA
Posts: 1,626
What supporting mods do you have for an SAFC? I would not do it unless you have headers, catback, intake, etc. You'd be surprised how going coilovers can make the car much more fun to drive than adding power. The car will feel more powerful because it will handle MUCH better and be lots more fun to drive. I would go coilovers. You always build a car from the inside out. Make sure car has a good foundation with suspension, brakes and stuff BEFORE adding power. These things will allow you to support the power you are adding.
ranmas2004 is offline  
Old 03-23-2013, 12:46 AM
  #10  
Senior Member
iTrader: (10)
 
clintb3astwood's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jul 2011
Location: Queens New york
Posts: 1,371
Were in the same boat lol, screw it I'm doing both Yolo. Btw $300 is a bit much. Coilover installs often average 100-150 between there and the alignment should be $50-$60. Hell do the coilover install yourself
clintb3astwood is offline  
Old 03-23-2013, 09:50 AM
  #11  
Senior Member
Thread Starter
 
2kMaxim's Avatar
 
Join Date: Nov 2007
Posts: 539
Originally Posted by ranmas2004
What supporting mods do you have for an SAFC? I would not do it unless you have headers, catback, intake, etc. You'd be surprised how going coilovers can make the car much more fun to drive than adding power. The car will feel more powerful because it will handle MUCH better and be lots more fun to drive. I would go coilovers. You always build a car from the inside out. Make sure car has a good foundation with suspension, brakes and stuff BEFORE adding power. These things will allow you to support the power you are adding.
You can see from my sig im already getting 194wtrq from an auto DE-k.....

I have intake, timing advance, test pipe, resonator delete......I havent gone Ypipe strictly because it makes the sound really change from what ive heard....my sound is just about perfect.

Originally Posted by Rods03Max619
How much you getting the Megans for? I would do Coilovers like others have said, but your dollar....
I wanna say its $878 or something on ebay. Free shipping.


Im starting to think coilovers may be overkill. I can get a 4 pack of Tokico Hp's for $450 and some H&R springs for like $220. Then have money left over for a used SAFC....lol

Last edited by NmexMAX; 03-25-2013 at 10:03 AM.
2kMaxim is offline  
Old 03-23-2013, 12:40 PM
  #12  
Senior Member
iTrader: (2)
 
ranmas2004's Avatar
 
Join Date: Mar 2011
Location: Lehigh Valley, PA
Posts: 1,626
When I had my 4th gen I had CAI, Warpspeed y-pipe and stock catback. It changed a little but the loudest thing was the intake when I got on it hard. I have Tein coilovers now but they not installed. But I can tell you that coilovers have WAY better ride and handling than springs and shocks. I have tokico blues and Eibach pro springs on my 5.5 now. On my 4th gen I have KYB GR-2s and Eibach pro springs. But from riding in cars with coilovers.......coilovers destroy any spring shock combo....thats why they cost more.
ranmas2004 is offline  
Old 03-23-2013, 12:52 PM
  #13  
^ Jeff™
iTrader: (11)
 
MrEous's Avatar
 
Join Date: Sep 2002
Location: Garland (DFW), TX
Posts: 3,775
You have an auto de-k...work on suspension and looks instead of performance.

I'll catch a lot of flak for saying that but w/e...
MrEous is offline  
Old 03-23-2013, 05:41 PM
  #14  
Senior Member
iTrader: (5)
 
Rods03Max619's Avatar
 
Join Date: Oct 2009
Location: Diego,California
Posts: 8,949
Originally Posted by ranmas2004
When I had my 4th gen I had CAI, Warpspeed y-pipe and stock catback. It changed a little but the loudest thing was the intake when I got on it hard. I have Tein coilovers now but they not installed. But I can tell you that coilovers have WAY better ride and handling than springs and shocks. I have tokico blues and Eibach pro springs on my 5.5 now. On my 4th gen I have KYB GR-2s and Eibach pro springs. But from riding in cars with coilovers.......coilovers destroy any spring shock combo....thats why they cost more.
Bam, you just found a Buyer for you Struts and Springs maybe....
Rods03Max619 is offline  
Old 03-23-2013, 07:02 PM
  #15  
Newbie - Just Registered
 
nik03max's Avatar
 
Join Date: Feb 2013
Location: MA
Posts: 11
http://1xracing.com/megan_racing/meg.../i-173261.aspx

This is the cheapest I found Megans, never ordered anything from here but if you get them let me know if you like the ride i'm tryin to figure out what coils I want to get.
nik03max is offline  
Old 03-23-2013, 10:19 PM
  #16  
Supporting Maxima.org Member
iTrader: (5)
 
nishfish871's Avatar
 
Join Date: Nov 2005
Location: Fort Worth, TX
Posts: 1,081
Originally Posted by MrEous
You have an auto de-k...work on suspension and looks instead of performance.

I'll catch a lot of flak for saying that but w/e...
Oh no he didnt!
nishfish871 is offline  
Old 03-23-2013, 11:55 PM
  #17  
Senior Member
Thread Starter
 
2kMaxim's Avatar
 
Join Date: Nov 2007
Posts: 539
Originally Posted by nishfish871
Oh no he didnt!
Yeah yeah. I have pretty respectable numbers and Im not even tuned yet...NOR super loud and obnoxious.

I'll have to think on this for a bit. Its not something im gonna do this month or even the next....a few months out. To me though its quite an investment into my max to put coilovers on a car i paid $6500 for like 3-4 years ago..lol

*edit* Holy poop...i just looked at my bill of sale and I bought it at the end of 07! 5 years Ive had it! What a great car.

Originally Posted by nik03max
http://1xracing.com/megan_racing/meg.../i-173261.aspx

This is the cheapest I found Megans, never ordered anything from here but if you get them let me know if you like the ride i'm tryin to figure out what coils I want to get.
$30 shipping to me. So like $779.00 shipped...that's a really good deal.

Last edited by NmexMAX; 03-25-2013 at 10:04 AM.
2kMaxim is offline  
Old 03-25-2013, 06:23 AM
  #18  
dot dot dot ...
iTrader: (22)
 
NmexMAX's Avatar
 
Join Date: Dec 2000
Location: Santa Fe, NM
Posts: 34,588
Originally Posted by nishfish871
Coilovers...safc/vafc is good only if you have supporting mods to need it.
...
NmexMAX is offline  
Old 03-25-2013, 06:52 AM
  #19  
Senior Member
 
carsnwomen91's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jun 2011
Location: Mississauga, ON, CANADA
Posts: 1,222
strut Nd mild spring and safc but for less than 8 bills you get coilovers... Tough call
carsnwomen91 is offline  
Old 03-25-2013, 07:07 AM
  #20  
Senior Member
iTrader: (6)
 
MoncefA33's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2008
Posts: 1,985
Nut up and do both.
MoncefA33 is offline  
Old 03-25-2013, 07:09 AM
  #21  
dot dot dot ...
iTrader: (22)
 
NmexMAX's Avatar
 
Join Date: Dec 2000
Location: Santa Fe, NM
Posts: 34,588
Originally Posted by MoncefA33
Nut up and do both.
NmexMAX is offline  
Old 03-25-2013, 08:02 AM
  #22  
Senior Member
iTrader: (6)
 
MoncefA33's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2008
Posts: 1,985
When I was in your position I got the tuning stuff first. If you don't do both you'll just need to close your eyes and pick one.
MoncefA33 is offline  
Old 03-25-2013, 08:48 AM
  #23  
Senior Member
Thread Starter
 
2kMaxim's Avatar
 
Join Date: Nov 2007
Posts: 539
Originally Posted by MoncefA33
Nut up and do both.
Originally Posted by NmexMAX
Yeah. Did some thinking on the way to catching some Z's last night. The smart order would be....

Grounding kit right now...cheap

Pay taxes

YPipe

Tires

Coilovers

SAFC/Tune

So this will be my plan for 2013. I will have an entire new exhaust ready for 100k miles.....new motor mounts.....new valve cover gaskets....radiator only a couple years old.....coils only a couple years old......I should be good to go unless my timing chain decides to loosen up
2kMaxim is offline  
Old 03-25-2013, 09:11 AM
  #24  
Senior Member
iTrader: (6)
 
MoncefA33's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2008
Posts: 1,985
Good plan.

I still have stock motor mounts. They have over 175k on them. My engine rocks back and forth so damn much because of the lightweight flywheel and extra torque, that I split my header trying to launch from a light.

Last year when I dyno'd my DEK and the tuner would hit the rev limiter it looked like my engine was going to fly out of the bay LOL.
MoncefA33 is offline  
Old 03-25-2013, 09:29 AM
  #25  
dot dot dot ...
iTrader: (22)
 
NmexMAX's Avatar
 
Join Date: Dec 2000
Location: Santa Fe, NM
Posts: 34,588
And autos + VB mods would be very bad for old azz bad engine mounts.

Grounding kit, meh, use that $$ for something else, or put it towards whichever you decide on going with.
NmexMAX is offline  
Old 03-25-2013, 09:56 AM
  #26  
Senior Member
Thread Starter
 
2kMaxim's Avatar
 
Join Date: Nov 2007
Posts: 539
Originally Posted by NmexMAX
And autos + VB mods would be very bad for old azz bad engine mounts.

Grounding kit, meh, use that $$ for something else, or put it towards whichever you decide on going with.
But I want pretty snakes in my engine bay. And.....er....it supposedly shifts smoother or something Shhhhhhh

Originally Posted by MoncefA33
Good plan.

I still have stock motor mounts. They have over 175k on them. My engine rocks back and forth so damn much because of the lightweight flywheel and extra torque, that I split my header trying to launch from a light.

Last year when I dyno'd my DEK and the tuner would hit the rev limiter it looked like my engine was going to fly out of the bay LOL.
I dont know if you've done em before on another car but I hadn't I was bloooown away by the difference. New Car.

Last edited by NmexMAX; 03-25-2013 at 09:58 AM.
2kMaxim is offline  
Old 03-25-2013, 10:19 AM
  #27  
Senior Member
iTrader: (4)
 
TunerMaxima3000's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jul 2006
Location: Ontario, Canada
Posts: 5,548
Originally Posted by ranmas2004
What supporting mods do you have for an SAFC? I would not do it unless you have headers, catback, intake, etc. You'd be surprised how going coilovers can make the car much more fun to drive than adding power. The car will feel more powerful because it will handle MUCH better and be lots more fun to drive. I would go coilovers. You always build a car from the inside out. Make sure car has a good foundation with suspension, brakes and stuff BEFORE adding power. These things will allow you to support the power you are adding.
Well said!

The best thing you will ever do for a 5th gen maxima is Coilovers and a BBK (6th gen bbk is cheap/easy).
Those are the two most massive changes you will get out of this car for the money.

Performance should come after the above 2 items IMO.

Originally Posted by MrEous
You have an auto de-k...work on suspension and looks instead of performance.

I'll catch a lot of flak for saying that but w/e...

I hope not. Anyone giving you slak for that knows natta thang about how ugly a base model 2000/2001 is, or how crappy they ride/handle, etc!!




Anyways I really like your list dude. Stick to that. Grounding kit is a wise investment, don't expect to feel a SINGLE difference, but it will help you later in Preventative maintenance, these cars like to varnish the stock grounds over time if you don't get them cleaned regularly. And they do ****ED up things with varnished grounds!!!!

Last edited by TunerMaxima3000; 03-25-2013 at 10:23 AM.
TunerMaxima3000 is offline  
Old 03-25-2013, 08:24 PM
  #28  
Senior Member
Thread Starter
 
2kMaxim's Avatar
 
Join Date: Nov 2007
Posts: 539
Originally Posted by TunerMaxima3000
Well said!

The best thing you will ever do for a 5th gen maxima is Coilovers and a BBK (6th gen bbk is cheap/easy).
Those are the two most massive changes you will get out of this car for the money.

Performance should come after the above 2 items IMO.




I hope not. Anyone giving you slak for that knows natta thang about how ugly a base model 2000/2001 is, or how crappy they ride/handle, etc!!




Anyways I really like your list dude. Stick to that. Grounding kit is a wise investment, don't expect to feel a SINGLE difference, but it will help you later in Preventative maintenance, these cars like to varnish the stock grounds over time if you don't get them cleaned regularly. And they do ****ED up things with varnished grounds!!!!
I assume BBK is big brake kit? And if so...a little late on that. Did new stock rotors and Pads recently..lol. Would you guys suggest that when I address my rear brakes, I should upgrade to 6th gen calipers and brakes? Sounds pricey.

P.S I know fronts are the most important but its kinda too late.
2kMaxim is offline  
Old 03-25-2013, 09:56 PM
  #29  
Senior Member
iTrader: (4)
 
TunerMaxima3000's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jul 2006
Location: Ontario, Canada
Posts: 5,548
Just do fronts. Under 300 if you shop around. Or close to it. Lots of info on the swap here on the org
TunerMaxima3000 is offline  
Old 03-25-2013, 10:15 PM
  #30  
Senior Member
iTrader: (3)
 
ShocknAwe's Avatar
 
Join Date: Dec 2011
Location: Atlanta, Ga
Posts: 3,292
brakes and suspension first. Your car will be more fun if you can actually use the power instead of understeering off the road
ShocknAwe is offline  
Old 03-26-2013, 06:27 AM
  #31  
dot dot dot ...
iTrader: (22)
 
NmexMAX's Avatar
 
Join Date: Dec 2000
Location: Santa Fe, NM
Posts: 34,588
When will people start making their own decisions.
NmexMAX is offline  
Old 03-26-2013, 08:07 AM
  #32  
Get Off My Lawn
iTrader: (59)
 
Chris Gregg's Avatar
 
Join Date: Oct 2000
Location: Johnson City, TN
Posts: 5,631
When you start telling them to.
Chris Gregg is offline  
Old 03-26-2013, 08:24 AM
  #33  
dot dot dot ...
iTrader: (22)
 
NmexMAX's Avatar
 
Join Date: Dec 2000
Location: Santa Fe, NM
Posts: 34,588
Originally Posted by Chris Gregg
When you start telling them to.
Even then ... I wouldn't count on it ...
NmexMAX is offline  
Old 03-26-2013, 08:43 AM
  #34  
Supporting Maxima.org Member
iTrader: (5)
 
nishfish871's Avatar
 
Join Date: Nov 2005
Location: Fort Worth, TX
Posts: 1,081
But I want to go fast only!
nishfish871 is offline  
Old 03-26-2013, 08:51 AM
  #35  
dot dot dot ...
iTrader: (22)
 
NmexMAX's Avatar
 
Join Date: Dec 2000
Location: Santa Fe, NM
Posts: 34,588
Originally Posted by nishfish871
But I want to go fast only!
Buy a Nova.
NmexMAX is offline  
Old 03-26-2013, 08:52 AM
  #36  
Supporting Maxima.org Member
iTrader: (3)
 
dwapenyi's Avatar
 
Join Date: Sep 2000
Posts: 6,016
Suspension 1st. Why? because when you do the suspension you can push your engine harder, and you will enjoy it.

If you do the engine first, your suspension is old and stock, and you won't want to push the motor harder because the suspension just isnt able to deal with it.
dwapenyi is offline  
Old 03-26-2013, 09:10 AM
  #37  
Senior Member
Thread Starter
 
2kMaxim's Avatar
 
Join Date: Nov 2007
Posts: 539
Originally Posted by NmexMAX
When will people start making their own decisions.
I did. Thus why I already have new front brakes on my car.
2kMaxim is offline  
Old 03-26-2013, 09:22 AM
  #38  
dot dot dot ...
iTrader: (22)
 
NmexMAX's Avatar
 
Join Date: Dec 2000
Location: Santa Fe, NM
Posts: 34,588
But this thread is about coilovers or a SAFC.
NmexMAX is offline  
Old 03-26-2013, 09:42 AM
  #39  
Senior Member
Thread Starter
 
2kMaxim's Avatar
 
Join Date: Nov 2007
Posts: 539
Originally Posted by NmexMAX
But this thread is about coilovers or a SAFC.
Opinions

Obviously I bought this car myself without the org.....did a somewhat unconventional exhaust setup sofar......on my own.....disregarded the flaming of the DE-k, on my own and continued to mod. I just like to get the opinions of everyone...thats what makes the forums worthwhile. I like to see what different people are passionate about and use all that info with my own opinion and act.....
2kMaxim is offline  
Old 03-26-2013, 09:59 AM
  #40  
Senior Member
iTrader: (4)
 
TunerMaxima3000's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jul 2006
Location: Ontario, Canada
Posts: 5,548
Well put, 2kMaxim.
TunerMaxima3000 is offline  



All times are GMT -7. The time now is 03:30 AM.