Trying to piece together mods.
05-10-2013, 05:24 PM
#1
Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: May 2013
Posts: 294
Work Log.
I'm new here and trying to piece together some stuff to do. I'm also getting older and don't like to browse forums for hours on end. I just want the info, where to get the part, etc, so I can be done with it.
I'm still trying to get used to this forum. Seems to not be as clean and organized as others I've been on. Usually there are General, Brakes/suspension, Powertrain, stereo/interior, etc sub forums....here it seems all of that is lumped in to one section. I realize there are more than one generation of car on this forum as well. It just makes it a bit tougher for a new member to navigate and piece stuff together.
Suspension:
Springs
I'm looking for about a 1" drop, nothing crazy. This isn't my DD car but I'll still need it to navigate snow if needed and don't want a too stiff ride. I have my GP for that. It looks like the Eibachs are my best bet, but the price seems to have went up on them at TireRack....
http://www.shiftice.com/spring_strut_decision.html
-Are the MaxSpeed's any good? they are much cheaper but I've never heard of that brand.
Struts
I've always been a fan of KYB as I have them on my GP for 30k hard driven miles and my old Aurora for 20k miles and love them. What seems to be everyone's favorite here?
Sway Bar
Tossing the idea around. I have an ADDCO 474 bar on my GP and love it.
Bushings
My car only has 81k miles so they aren't in bad shape yet. But I am a fan of Poly bushings on cars. I have them on my GP everywhere. My favorite are the LCA bushings. That was the best thing for handling and would like to do them and other bushings as well on my Maxima. Is there a part number list some where of what bushings are good to do and where to get them?
Subframe Collar:
http://forums.maxima.org/5th-generat...ar-thread.html
Is this for handling or a band-aid for worn bushings?
Exhaust:
I'm throwing around the idea of headers...but I can't tell which are better for fitment an longevity...catman or OBX.... I don't care if I cut my cats off, my state doesn't do emissions testing.
Cabin Air Filter:
I can figure that one out. Just need to find a filter
MTX Fluid Change:
Pretty sure I can figure this out as well. I did it on my past and current Honda. I just need to know what brand of fluid/weight people use. Also Synthetic or dyno oil? I've heard some MTX's don't like Synthetic because the synchros don't like it....?
Engine/trans mounts:
Poly ones for those or just remove and do the ghetto poly-fill and let harden mod?
I'll add more later as I think of them. I'm brain storming right now of stuff I will do in the coming months.
Shifter bushings:
I did them on my honda with ES poly and love it. should I stay with the same brand?
http://www.energysuspensionparts.com...sp?prod=7.1115
I'm still trying to get used to this forum. Seems to not be as clean and organized as others I've been on. Usually there are General, Brakes/suspension, Powertrain, stereo/interior, etc sub forums....here it seems all of that is lumped in to one section. I realize there are more than one generation of car on this forum as well. It just makes it a bit tougher for a new member to navigate and piece stuff together.
Suspension:
Springs
I'm looking for about a 1" drop, nothing crazy. This isn't my DD car but I'll still need it to navigate snow if needed and don't want a too stiff ride. I have my GP for that. It looks like the Eibachs are my best bet, but the price seems to have went up on them at TireRack....
http://www.shiftice.com/spring_strut_decision.html
-Are the MaxSpeed's any good? they are much cheaper but I've never heard of that brand.
Struts
I've always been a fan of KYB as I have them on my GP for 30k hard driven miles and my old Aurora for 20k miles and love them. What seems to be everyone's favorite here?
Sway Bar
Tossing the idea around. I have an ADDCO 474 bar on my GP and love it.
Bushings
My car only has 81k miles so they aren't in bad shape yet. But I am a fan of Poly bushings on cars. I have them on my GP everywhere. My favorite are the LCA bushings. That was the best thing for handling and would like to do them and other bushings as well on my Maxima. Is there a part number list some where of what bushings are good to do and where to get them?
Subframe Collar:
http://forums.maxima.org/5th-generat...ar-thread.html
Is this for handling or a band-aid for worn bushings?
Exhaust:
I'm throwing around the idea of headers...but I can't tell which are better for fitment an longevity...catman or OBX.... I don't care if I cut my cats off, my state doesn't do emissions testing.
Cabin Air Filter:
I can figure that one out. Just need to find a filter
MTX Fluid Change:
Pretty sure I can figure this out as well. I did it on my past and current Honda. I just need to know what brand of fluid/weight people use. Also Synthetic or dyno oil? I've heard some MTX's don't like Synthetic because the synchros don't like it....?
Engine/trans mounts:
Poly ones for those or just remove and do the ghetto poly-fill and let harden mod?
I'll add more later as I think of them. I'm brain storming right now of stuff I will do in the coming months.
Shifter bushings:
I did them on my honda with ES poly and love it. should I stay with the same brand?
http://www.energysuspensionparts.com...sp?prod=7.1115
Last edited by AWeb80; 03-15-2014 at 09:43 PM.
05-10-2013, 05:37 PM
#2
Senior Member
Join Date: Sep 2012
Location: Vancouver, Canada
Posts: 315
Eibachs are a solid choice. Drop is not that much in the rear and the fronts are an average drop. Probably the best choice or H&R (rear drops more)
Kyb's are a good replacement shock. I dont which model you are looking at? Probably AGR or AGX.
You also might want to look at coilovers. For the price of springs and shocks you are almost at the price of coilover with full adjustability. Ride Height dampening etc....
Bushings if you go poly you know what you are getting into...
Exhaust - headers OBX or catman are both solid. Catman usually gets a better review...
MT Fluid as long as its GL-4 you are doing ok. If you run redline sythetic you have to warm your tranny up before you start mashing gears.
As you probably know there are tons of pages of good reviews and links on this forum (like others you have probably been on) take the time to check them out and make your decision based upon what you find... I know most people want there answers right away, but you probably care about your car and want it to turn into what you picture. If you just start throwing parts at it without finding out the pros and cons you might end up with a car that isnt what you picture.
Yes most people run the ES bushings, and should be done!!! There is a great write up on them.
Kyb's are a good replacement shock. I dont which model you are looking at? Probably AGR or AGX.
You also might want to look at coilovers. For the price of springs and shocks you are almost at the price of coilover with full adjustability. Ride Height dampening etc....
Bushings if you go poly you know what you are getting into...
Exhaust - headers OBX or catman are both solid. Catman usually gets a better review...
MT Fluid as long as its GL-4 you are doing ok. If you run redline sythetic you have to warm your tranny up before you start mashing gears.
As you probably know there are tons of pages of good reviews and links on this forum (like others you have probably been on) take the time to check them out and make your decision based upon what you find... I know most people want there answers right away, but you probably care about your car and want it to turn into what you picture. If you just start throwing parts at it without finding out the pros and cons you might end up with a car that isnt what you picture.
Shifter bushings:
I did them on my honda with ES poly and love it. should I stay with the same brand?
http://www.energysuspensionparts.com...sp?prod=7.1115
I did them on my honda with ES poly and love it. should I stay with the same brand?
http://www.energysuspensionparts.com...sp?prod=7.1115
Yes most people run the ES bushings, and should be done!!! There is a great write up on them.
Last edited by NmexMAX; 05-14-2013 at 07:05 AM.
05-10-2013, 05:42 PM
#3
Well, it's not the usual "what mods should I do" post. Good luck with everything. ES comes highly recommended on this forum from what I've seen. Do some searching on here for max speeds or post up in djfreestyle's suspension thread. I agree this forum is a tad harder to navigate than others but you will get used to it. Welcome btw!
05-10-2013, 05:48 PM
#4
Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: May 2013
Posts: 294
Fuel Filter:
I plan on doing this as well. I'm OCD about general maintenance stuff.
The idle air control on my Honda failed a few weeks ago but I literally haven't had time to replace it. It now idles all over the place and it's all I can do to not have a tourrettes guy break down while driving it.
BTW, what is this little video thing I have to watch and enter in a code before every post? I'm on lots of forums and never seen one.
I'm beginning to despise Mr. Clean.
I plan on doing this as well. I'm OCD about general maintenance stuff.
The idle air control on my Honda failed a few weeks ago but I literally haven't had time to replace it. It now idles all over the place and it's all I can do to not have a tourrettes guy break down while driving it.
BTW, what is this little video thing I have to watch and enter in a code before every post? I'm on lots of forums and never seen one.
I'm beginning to despise Mr. Clean.
Last edited by NmexMAX; 05-14-2013 at 07:05 AM.
05-20-2013, 12:24 PM
#6
Eibachs are NOT a solid choice unless you're implying 'solid' = rough, bumpy, and likely to break.
H&R are the springs you want. They pair with GR-2's nicely. You'll want Moog strut mounts and replacement OEM dustboots if you're doing the job.
Bushings - the bushings themselves are fairly inexpensive. But the labor can range from very easy to very difficult.
Sway bars are great but IMO they cause too much understeer when you're lowered. Gives the car the feeling the back end is going to slide out. They're much more beneficial when you're on stock suspension.
Subframe collars - fantastic. Just buy them.
Motor mounts - Same thing. Buy proper mounts.
Check out my 'definitive suspension thread.' PM me if you have any questions. And if you're local to NY/NJ/CT/DE - even better, I can do the install for you.
H&R are the springs you want. They pair with GR-2's nicely. You'll want Moog strut mounts and replacement OEM dustboots if you're doing the job.
Bushings - the bushings themselves are fairly inexpensive. But the labor can range from very easy to very difficult.
Sway bars are great but IMO they cause too much understeer when you're lowered. Gives the car the feeling the back end is going to slide out. They're much more beneficial when you're on stock suspension.
Subframe collars - fantastic. Just buy them.
Motor mounts - Same thing. Buy proper mounts.
Check out my 'definitive suspension thread.' PM me if you have any questions. And if you're local to NY/NJ/CT/DE - even better, I can do the install for you.
05-20-2013, 01:35 PM
#7
Fixed that for ya!
05-21-2013, 07:00 AM
#9
On your 5th gen, the fuel filter is part of the fuel pump in the gas tank. Supposedly Nissan re-located it because it requires less or no service at all
With the earlier 4th gen Maximas the fuel filter was its own item in the engine bay, and therefore relatively easy to service regularly.
With the earlier 4th gen Maximas the fuel filter was its own item in the engine bay, and therefore relatively easy to service regularly.
05-21-2013, 05:11 PM
#12
Senior Member
Join Date: Sep 2012
Location: Vancouver, Canada
Posts: 315
How are Eibachs not a solid choice??? I have run them on many cars before with no problems... Ok not specifically on a maxima, but on my 240sx, G35, and MR2 SC and I liked them... They clunk a bit sometimes... but I thought overall they performed well. Have to have a good shock too
05-22-2013, 08:20 PM
#15
Must be an SE.
AWeb80, are your speedo and rpm gages white faced? If so, then you definitely have an SE.
Come to think of it, I don't think there is such thing as a Maxima GXE 6-speed
I know the 4th gens had GXE 5-speeds though.
05-23-2013, 11:59 PM
#25
Member
Join Date: Feb 2012
Location: Murfreesboro TN
Posts: 261
Answers from experience and some from the hours of research you spoke of. 
Springs- I have the H&R's and really enjoy them. they gave a moderate 1.5'' drop and it still rides similar to the SE springs, just with a little less body roll.
Struts- I plan on doing the GR-2's as per DJfreestyles advice. Want coilovers, but I'm on a budget.
Swaybar- I had a nismo rear sway bar on my sentra specV and LOVED IT! It can achieve a balance to a front heavy FWD car and allow it to rotate better on hard corners or feel neutral on sweepers.
Bushing- I just bought 2 new Dorman LCA's from amazon for less than $100. Moog tierod ends and endlinks for less than $75 from amazon also. But poly's would tighten the squish out of the maxima....definately has it.
Subframe Collar- I WILL be doing this soon. I have the slight give and sometime a small thud in the front subframe when hitting off level/uneven pavement at slow speeds. I really look forward to some of the reported tightness and response that is added to the vehicle.
Exhaust- I am still on a stock exhaust. But I did gut the precats and place a test pipe in place of the main cat. Little to no $$ in cost. I now have a nice V6 rolling blurble sound that gives it some nice tone. As far as catbacks go, I would like to get a BRM exhaust.
http://s266.photobucket.com/user/Ivo...8fc76.mp4.html
Cabin air filter- STP brand CAF1803P (paper) for $24.99 or CAF1803C (carbon) for $29.99 at autozone. Or Nissan OEM B7200-00005 carbon filter for $45.62 at www.courtesyparts.com.
MTX fluid- Never used it. But on my 2002 Sentra SpecV 6spd I tried Redline with decent results over stock. The thing that really improved shifting and feel was Pennzoil synchromesh synthetic. Stuff did wonders for my 1-2 crunch that developed.
Engine/trans mounts- I plan on doing the Poly fill on the passenger and trans mounts, still undecided on the front/rear mounts. Considering the manual transmission engine mounts that some people have swapped to.
Shifter bushings- no experience here other than friends doing it. Said they loved it!
Springs- I have the H&R's and really enjoy them. they gave a moderate 1.5'' drop and it still rides similar to the SE springs, just with a little less body roll.
Struts- I plan on doing the GR-2's as per DJfreestyles advice. Want coilovers, but I'm on a budget.
Swaybar- I had a nismo rear sway bar on my sentra specV and LOVED IT! It can achieve a balance to a front heavy FWD car and allow it to rotate better on hard corners or feel neutral on sweepers.
Bushing- I just bought 2 new Dorman LCA's from amazon for less than $100. Moog tierod ends and endlinks for less than $75 from amazon also. But poly's would tighten the squish out of the maxima....definately has it.
Subframe Collar- I WILL be doing this soon. I have the slight give and sometime a small thud in the front subframe when hitting off level/uneven pavement at slow speeds. I really look forward to some of the reported tightness and response that is added to the vehicle.
Exhaust- I am still on a stock exhaust. But I did gut the precats and place a test pipe in place of the main cat. Little to no $$ in cost. I now have a nice V6 rolling blurble sound that gives it some nice tone. As far as catbacks go, I would like to get a BRM exhaust.
http://s266.photobucket.com/user/Ivo...8fc76.mp4.html
Cabin air filter- STP brand CAF1803P (paper) for $24.99 or CAF1803C (carbon) for $29.99 at autozone. Or Nissan OEM B7200-00005 carbon filter for $45.62 at www.courtesyparts.com.
MTX fluid- Never used it. But on my 2002 Sentra SpecV 6spd I tried Redline with decent results over stock. The thing that really improved shifting and feel was Pennzoil synchromesh synthetic. Stuff did wonders for my 1-2 crunch that developed.
Engine/trans mounts- I plan on doing the Poly fill on the passenger and trans mounts, still undecided on the front/rear mounts. Considering the manual transmission engine mounts that some people have swapped to.
Shifter bushings- no experience here other than friends doing it. Said they loved it!
Last edited by Finchum; 05-24-2013 at 12:17 AM.
05-24-2013, 06:43 AM
#26
Senior Member
Join Date: Dec 2008
Location: NYC
Posts: 1,799
Air Cabin Filter: Get these. I have them as well as a bunch of other guys on the board and they rock. Carbon filters at a great price and when I buy them, I get them from this seller: http://www.ebay.com/itm/CABIN-AIR-FILTER-2-PC-SET-Maxima-I30-I35-2000-2003-/190557325142?pt=Motors_Car_Truck_Parts_Accessories&fits=Model%3AMaxima&hash=item2c5e1a0756&vxp=mtr
06-04-2013, 09:42 PM
#33
Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: May 2013
Posts: 294
to clarify, in order to 'build up' a spring assembly, I need the spring, strut, and to
p mount right? Is there a spring isolator on the bottom between the spring and strut and what top mount should I get? KYB?
here is the front mount
http://www.rockauto.com/catalog/more...877&cc=1431954
Do I need the coil spring seat? or reuse the stock one?
http://www.rockauto.com/catalog/more...277&cc=1431954
front upper spring insulator
http://www.rockauto.com/catalog/more...307&cc=1431954
front lower spring insulator
http://www.rockauto.com/catalog/more...307&cc=1431954
I'd like to just build up each assembly before hand and just swap them in when I'm ready....if possible. BUT, if there are stock parts that I can/should reuse and don't have to replace, then I'm not spending money on them. I'll just take the longer time and tear apart the stock assembly and build up the new one as I go.
p mount right? Is there a spring isolator on the bottom between the spring and strut and what top mount should I get? KYB?
here is the front mount
http://www.rockauto.com/catalog/more...877&cc=1431954
Do I need the coil spring seat? or reuse the stock one?
http://www.rockauto.com/catalog/more...277&cc=1431954
front upper spring insulator
http://www.rockauto.com/catalog/more...307&cc=1431954
front lower spring insulator
http://www.rockauto.com/catalog/more...307&cc=1431954
I'd like to just build up each assembly before hand and just swap them in when I'm ready....if possible. BUT, if there are stock parts that I can/should reuse and don't have to replace, then I'm not spending money on them. I'll just take the longer time and tear apart the stock assembly and build up the new one as I go.
Last edited by AWeb80; 06-04-2013 at 09:50 PM.
06-04-2013, 10:38 PM
#34
Member
Join Date: Feb 2012
Location: Murfreesboro TN
Posts: 261
It started off simple enough...but now your in deep enough to qualify for the definitive 5th gen suspension thread!
https://maxima.org/showthread.php?p=8802119#post8802119
https://maxima.org/showthread.php?p=8802119#post8802119
06-14-2013, 09:51 PM
#38
Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: May 2013
Posts: 294
Well, SOB!!!!
I had no idea they changed the rear caliper design in Jan, 03. My car was built in Nov 02. I need new rear calipers and I ordered the wrong ones. Mine have a parking brake mount on them, the ones I ordered (Jan 03 and newer) don't. Now to wait for rockauto to ship me new ones.... Fk.
I had no idea they changed the rear caliper design in Jan, 03. My car was built in Nov 02. I need new rear calipers and I ordered the wrong ones. Mine have a parking brake mount on them, the ones I ordered (Jan 03 and newer) don't. Now to wait for rockauto to ship me new ones.... Fk.
