New member: 2003 Maxima SE
05-08-2013, 06:44 PM
#1
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Thread Starter
Join Date: May 2013
Posts: 294
New member: 2003 Maxima SE
2003 SE
6-speed
Black leather interior - fully loaded
81,xxx miles
I picked this up about a month ago and I've put ~3 miles on it. Between weddings and military obligations, I haven't been home.
I had a friend at a dealer in KC buy it from a dealer in Chicago. It turned out to be really nice, save for some horrendous rust on the rear brakes. I've never seen rotors, pads, calipers, and slider pins all rusted as one. It was crazy. Whoever did the brakes last didn't lube the slider pins so they froze in place almost immediately and had been that way for years. They rusted so bad the pads fell off the backing plate and the plates rusted to the calipers. One 10 lb sledge and some heavy hits later and the rotors finally came loose. I had to replace everything....almost did the calipers as well. I'll see how they fare.
-I also POR'd the rear wheel wells and frame pinch seems.
-Sand Blasted and Powdercoated the wheels.
-Changed oil and filter - Rotella T6 5w-40 Full Synthetic.
-New tires - Continental ExtremeContact DWS in 235/40/18
6-speed
Black leather interior - fully loaded
81,xxx miles
I picked this up about a month ago and I've put ~3 miles on it. Between weddings and military obligations, I haven't been home.
I had a friend at a dealer in KC buy it from a dealer in Chicago. It turned out to be really nice, save for some horrendous rust on the rear brakes. I've never seen rotors, pads, calipers, and slider pins all rusted as one. It was crazy. Whoever did the brakes last didn't lube the slider pins so they froze in place almost immediately and had been that way for years. They rusted so bad the pads fell off the backing plate and the plates rusted to the calipers. One 10 lb sledge and some heavy hits later and the rotors finally came loose. I had to replace everything....almost did the calipers as well. I'll see how they fare.
-I also POR'd the rear wheel wells and frame pinch seems.
-Sand Blasted and Powdercoated the wheels.
-Changed oil and filter - Rotella T6 5w-40 Full Synthetic.
-New tires - Continental ExtremeContact DWS in 235/40/18
Last edited by AWeb80; 05-08-2013 at 07:11 PM.
05-08-2013, 06:55 PM
#2
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Thread Starter
Join Date: May 2013
Posts: 294
I also have a 94 civic that is my work beater
My toy that I just picked up 2 months ago. 2009 Triumph Daytona 675
All stock for now....working on fixing that....
My first car that I've had for 13 years now.
1994 Grand Prix
Too many mods that I think I've forgotten some by now. Basically full suspension....some made by me as the aftermarket for these is next to nil.
Custom exhaust from head to tips.
My toy that I just picked up 2 months ago. 2009 Triumph Daytona 675
All stock for now....working on fixing that....
My first car that I've had for 13 years now.
1994 Grand Prix
Too many mods that I think I've forgotten some by now. Basically full suspension....some made by me as the aftermarket for these is next to nil.
Custom exhaust from head to tips.
Last edited by AWeb80; 05-08-2013 at 06:59 PM.
05-21-2013, 01:15 PM
#8
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Thread Starter
Join Date: May 2013
Posts: 294
I finally got to drive the it for the first time because I've been out of town so much. love it so far. Has a slight pull so I'll have to check tire psi first. Maybe needs alignment.
The rear brakes, while being new, aren't doing a Damn thing. I don't think the pistons are working. Could air in the system do this? Or should I look at getting new calipers?
The rear brakes, while being new, aren't doing a Damn thing. I don't think the pistons are working. Could air in the system do this? Or should I look at getting new calipers?
05-21-2013, 01:32 PM
#9
paint or dip
so i finally got my max back together after an accident awhile back. thing is now it needs to be painted. the body shop was talking 4000. i cant do that right now. i also thought about gettin it dipped a nice matte black until i can get the nice paint job. my car is originally silver but with all the new pieces its half black now. sooo the question is , anybody on here close to delaware that can paint or dip a car let me know and how much
05-21-2013, 02:56 PM
#11
That's a grand PRIX. I had a 97 Grand Am and it was a POS but she lasted me 8 yrs and 195K. That's one nice Prix too might I add 
Last edited by Amerikaner83; 05-21-2013 at 04:07 PM.
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05-22-2013, 07:04 AM
#16
05-22-2013, 08:37 PM
#18
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Join Date: May 2013
Posts: 294
Thanks for the props on the GP...it is my first car and is still my favorite to drive. Sounds like no other V6 out there and handles awesome. I've been cold contacted numerous times and offered straight cash for it. Everyone is impressed by how clean it is.
05-23-2013, 11:32 AM
#21
05-23-2013, 05:42 PM
#23
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Join Date: May 2013
Posts: 294
Not sure. I have some pics of them pre powdercoat so I'll see if I can pick out any details in the cast info on back.
It's just a lowly 3100. I put down 125whp stock. After I build my own custom exhaust log-style front manifold, cross-over pipe, ported the stock rear manifold, and built a custom 2.5" down pipe I put down 136 whp. Not a bad gain for simple exhaust.
It weighs about 3450 with a full tank of gas. I also have a decent stereo in it. 3 amps (1 for 5.25 comps in doors, 1 for 6x9's in rear deck, 1 for 12" sub).
It weighs about 3450 with a full tank of gas. I also have a decent stereo in it. 3 amps (1 for 5.25 comps in doors, 1 for 6x9's in rear deck, 1 for 12" sub).
05-23-2013, 09:29 PM
#24
05-24-2013, 09:35 AM
#26
so keep us posted!
05-28-2013, 05:23 AM
#28
06-07-2013, 09:02 PM
#30
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Join Date: May 2013
Posts: 294
I knew I had some pics of them post-sandblast before they were powder coated and dug them up.
here they are. They are Moda R6's. Are those good? I do know they seem heavy as **** for a 18' wheel.
"Radius - made in Italy" and "Advanced Automotive Technologies"
here they are. They are Moda R6's. Are those good? I do know they seem heavy as **** for a 18' wheel.
"Radius - made in Italy" and "Advanced Automotive Technologies"
Last edited by AWeb80; 06-07-2013 at 09:05 PM.
06-03-2014, 11:23 PM
#31
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Join Date: May 2013
Posts: 294
Both lowered ~1.5"
front strut bars
rear sway bars
Poly ES control arm bushins
Poly ES Sway bar bushings
Same brand of struts
I don't know why the Maxima doesn't handle as well.
06-03-2014, 11:58 PM
#32
I have done most everything to this that I've done to my GP and the GP would still run circles around the Maxima on an AutoX course. Hard to believe though. The maxima is ~100 lbs lighter too.
Both lowered ~1.5"
front strut bars
rear sway bars
Poly ES control arm bushins
Poly ES Sway bar bushings
Same brand of struts
I don't know why the Maxima doesn't handle as well.
Both lowered ~1.5"
front strut bars
rear sway bars
Poly ES control arm bushins
Poly ES Sway bar bushings
Same brand of struts
I don't know why the Maxima doesn't handle as well.
Also, If you haven't done so already, upgrade your exhaust (y-Pipe, header or what have you) to get rid of the pre-cats. You should do it like NOW to protect your nice investment in that very rare, titanium edition 6MT. There are many forum members here losing their engines due to pre-cat disintegration. It seems to be a 2002-2003 Maxima achilles heel.
The continued long life of your engine may very well depend on this mod.
Another thing that could be affecting your performance is those 18" rims. They do a fantastic job in the looks department, but in performance, not so much. Maybe even worse.
Last edited by NmexMAX; 06-04-2014 at 07:25 AM.
06-04-2014, 05:52 AM
#33
welcome to the forum... just a quick reminder... you got yourself a car from the Chicago area, make sure you check the lower radiator support frame 9 out of 10 times car which lived in the salt belt have whats called rotter or completely missing radiator support frame. Just a friendly hint what to look for before you spend all kind of money on mods and adds...
06-04-2014, 07:24 AM
#34
Right now, I'm very happy with the performance and weight of the 18x8.5" Z33 tracks in 245 40's. Best of both worlds for sure.
06-06-2014, 11:10 PM
#35
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Join Date: May 2013
Posts: 294
I know the rims are hurting, they are a tad heavy, but I'm not switching now. I only have ~5k miles on the rims/tires. I spent a little over $1k on tires and refinishing the wheels.
As far as taking care of the pre-cats. Is there a good way to cut them out?....bypass SES lights? I've looked at headers but they look like a nightmare to put in. this forum is really big and I don't know where to start.
As far as taking care of the pre-cats. Is there a good way to cut them out?....bypass SES lights? I've looked at headers but they look like a nightmare to put in. this forum is really big and I don't know where to start.
Last edited by AWeb80; 06-06-2014 at 11:16 PM.
06-07-2014, 01:52 AM
#36
I know the rims are hurting, they are a tad heavy, but I'm not switching now. I only have ~5k miles on the rims/tires. I spent a little over $1k on tires and refinishing the wheels.
As far as taking care of the pre-cats. Is there a good way to cut them out?....bypass SES lights? I've looked at headers but they look like a nightmare to put in. this forum is really big and I don't know where to start.
As far as taking care of the pre-cats. Is there a good way to cut them out?....bypass SES lights? I've looked at headers but they look like a nightmare to put in. this forum is really big and I don't know where to start.
Download your FSM here;
http://boredmder.com/FSMs/Nissan/Maxima/
Also, these 3 threads should get you started on the y-pipe knowledgebase;
http://forums.maxima.org/5th-generat...00-2003-a.html
http://forums.maxima.org/5th-generat...ut-thread.html
http://forums.maxima.org/5th-generat...tifoulers.html
To find more info, use the search looking the 5th gen section. Keywords to use: y-pipe, pre-cats, O2 sim, antifoulers.
06-09-2014, 10:58 PM
#37
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Thread Starter
Join Date: May 2013
Posts: 294
Also, If you haven't done so already, upgrade your exhaust (y-Pipe, header or what have you) to get rid of the pre-cats. You should do it like NOW to protect your nice investment in that very rare, titanium edition 6MT. There are many forum members here losing their engines due to pre-cat disintegration. It seems to be a 2002-2003 Maxima achilles heel.
The continued long life of your engine may very well depend on this mod.
The continued long life of your engine may very well depend on this mod.
Thanks for the input. I just bought a house so I'm busy remodeling it. When I get moved in, I'll put the Maxima in my dads shop, on jack stands, and figure something out. If I can't find OBX's.....I'll make my own Y-pipe. I made my own manifold and cross over pipe for my GP. The Max isn't my DD so I'll probably only put a few hundred miles on it by this late summer/fall before I can tear in to it, as long as my honda keeps running and getting 39 MPG. But I'll figure something out.
Not the prettiest. But I did gain 11WHP over a stock. That's saying something. 10k miles and 5 years later and there are not leaks and they still function great.
PS. I'm a much better welder now, too.
Last edited by AWeb80; 06-09-2014 at 11:02 PM.
06-10-2014, 11:06 PM
#39
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Join Date: May 2013
Posts: 294
Detailed the Maxima this past Saturday.
Dish soap wash
Didn't need claybar as I did that last fall and it was still extremely smooth
M105 (front bumper and hood and a few heavy scratches on the doors)
M205
M21 sealant
Damn I love the way this color shines. So glassy looking. I'll be doing my dads red 08 GMC Duramax on Saturday for his fathers day present.
Sadly, the sun didn't come out until much later after these pics were taken but I'm happy. For ~$230 in start up costs in a DA, pads, and product....I'm happy.
Dish soap wash
Didn't need claybar as I did that last fall and it was still extremely smooth
M105 (front bumper and hood and a few heavy scratches on the doors)
M205
M21 sealant
Damn I love the way this color shines. So glassy looking. I'll be doing my dads red 08 GMC Duramax on Saturday for his fathers day present.
Sadly, the sun didn't come out until much later after these pics were taken but I'm happy. For ~$230 in start up costs in a DA, pads, and product....I'm happy.
