Just bought 03 maxima. Would like pointers
#1
Just bought 03 maxima. Would like pointers
Hey guys, I just purchased a 2003 maxima with the 6spd tranny, its black with the gray leather interior. Fully loaded with heated seats steering wheel, and navigation etc. The car runs awesome and strong as I expected its a big upgrade from my old 3.0 4th gen.. anyway I would like a few pointers, where can I start with this one just to get a little more power yet not have to mess with it alot for now? Thanks
#2
First step - search. There multiple posts just like this and they all have great ideas on what to do. From there you can look at the tonnes of posts dedicated to each of those ideas and decide what is right for you.
#3
first things first... buy yourself a big 5+ qt jug of oil and put in the trunk... keep an eye on your oil level. I know some would say not all 3.5s burn oil, but if I were you I would just insure myself...
Probably the best mod you can do it gut the precats and get yourself a warpspeed y pipe...
Probably the best mod you can do it gut the precats and get yourself a warpspeed y pipe...
#4
#5
You buy the 5qt oil jug and keep a 1qt bottle in the trunk and refill it every 800-1200 miles thats the normal rate of oil burning for these cars.
As for mods, a vias block off plate is nice and maybe a warm air intake
As for mods, a vias block off plate is nice and maybe a warm air intake
#6
#7
When I bought it the oil was at an ok level. Just below the normal level, so I did a whole tune up just to make sure. Car has a little over 129k miles, so ill keep a close look on the oil burn level. Thanks alot guys these are all good ideas. Looking to get started with all this during the week.
#9
And one of these:
http://forums.maxima.org/general-max...tion-sale.html
http://forums.maxima.org/general-max...tion-sale.html
y-pipe for sure (maybe a test pipe depending on local laws)
NWP BOP is nice and cheap/easy.
i always have 2 qts mobil1 in the trunk.
#10
#12
#15
Doesnt look like it burns oil yet, the level was fine when I bought it and it needed an oil change bad. So I think its fine for now. Will keep a close eye though.
Looked into ordering Lowering springs for it. I used Tein on my last maxima and they were good. So I think ill go with those
#20
I made the same purchase(4gen to 5.5 with 6 speed) and I did the following in this order.
Intake Spacers
VIAS delete
STS mod
Intake
Headers
Tires
Catback
Clutch & Flywheel
Suspension
75mm TB
Intake Manifold Port & Polish is next on the list
The cars are night and day- the 3.5 VQ is a monster compared to the 3.0
Intake Spacers
VIAS delete
STS mod
Intake
Headers
Tires
Catback
Clutch & Flywheel
Suspension
75mm TB
Intake Manifold Port & Polish is next on the list
The cars are night and day- the 3.5 VQ is a monster compared to the 3.0
#23
I made the same purchase(4gen to 5.5 with 6 speed) and I did the following in this order.
Intake Spacers
VIAS delete
STS mod
Intake
Headers
Tires
Catback
Clutch & Flywheel
Suspension
75mm TB
Intake Manifold Port & Polish is next on the list
The cars are night and day- the 3.5 VQ is a monster compared to the 3.0
Intake Spacers
VIAS delete
STS mod
Intake
Headers
Tires
Catback
Clutch & Flywheel
Suspension
75mm TB
Intake Manifold Port & Polish is next on the list
The cars are night and day- the 3.5 VQ is a monster compared to the 3.0
Agree 100%. This motor feels almost twice as strong as my vq30
Actually its OEM Navigation. In 03 they offered it as an option. Maybe 02 as well
Last edited by NmexMAX; 04-02-2014 at 02:20 PM.
#26
this. is a must. Precats will kill your engine.
Last edited by 2003MaximaMan; 03-27-2014 at 09:12 AM.
#29
#30
If you want to stay cheap or keep maintenance to yourself, I'd hit up some eibach springs.
Intake is probably the easiest mod you could do to your car. Allows the motor to actually roar like it should.
Timing advance can be either free or cost alot depending on who you go to. It does help out a little bit though. Please only do this if you are going to run Premium fuel.
Probably change the fuel filter. Couldn't hurt.
If the tranny hasn't been flushed out yet, you might wanna flush it out with some new fluid. expensive but feels great afterwards if it seems rough when you shift.
Oh.....Strut bars are cool. get one. Front, Rear, Lower, etc. some guy I remember builds a kit for the lower parts of the chassis. braces everywhere!
recommend not paying extra for ****ty Nissan oil filters if you havent stocked on those.
Bushings might help if you want a smoother more responsive ride. SOmeone here sells A-Arms with the bushings installed already here. I think you have to just send in yours and you get some money back. something like that.
Everyone's got rims here. I still love the Nissan wheels that are on other models like the 350Z track wheels and 6.5 gen SE wheels. G37 wheels are nice but hella heavy and would require some new nuts.
IDK someone else chime in. It's been a while since I've been able to see my baby girl. 2 years stationed overseas aint it sometimes.
#31
This thing wont let me post pics for some reason, but ill keep trying.
Thanks alot for all the suggestions guys, had no idea where to start.
So far ive got an aftermarket intake in there, engine responds much better already, looks like it gave it a big roar when you give it throttle.
Thanks alot for all the suggestions guys, had no idea where to start.
So far ive got an aftermarket intake in there, engine responds much better already, looks like it gave it a big roar when you give it throttle.
#34
http://www.letmegooglethat.com/?q=Ma...+throw+shifter
http://www.letmegooglethat.com/?q=magnaflow+resonator
http://www.letmegooglethat.com/?q=O2+simulator+install
Last edited by Fakie J Farkerton; 03-29-2014 at 04:01 PM.
#40
This thing wont let me post pics for some reason, but ill keep trying.
Thanks alot for all the suggestions guys, had no idea where to start.
So far ive got an aftermarket intake in there, engine responds much better already, looks like it gave it a big roar when you give it throttle.
Thanks alot for all the suggestions guys, had no idea where to start.
So far ive got an aftermarket intake in there, engine responds much better already, looks like it gave it a big roar when you give it throttle.