Maximus1000

Okay, I need some suggestions here, but have drawn up what I want to do with my car now. They are arranges in phases for your convenience. One thing, all parts must be of the upmost highest quality and performance.

Phase One: Handling
-Stillen FTSB
-Stillen adjustable rear sway bar
-Eibach Pro Springs to lower the car about 1.5"
-KYB AGX 5 way adjustable front and rear shocks
-BFGoodrich 235/45/Z17 ultra high performance tires

Phase Two: Appearance
-custom leather interior from leatherseats.com
-upgraded stereo system (Infinity perfect components in front and full range in rear powered through Infinity 4 channel amp)

Phase Three: Power
-Frankencar intake
-Stillen headers/Y-pipe combo (called Stillen and these will be availble in about 60 days and promise at least 25whp coupled together
******now this is where it gets speculative********
-350Z cams, pistons, ECU swap

I look forward to everyones opinion on my upgrade plan.

emax02

iTrader: (1)

Sounds pretty good but Stillen told you 60 days on the headers? They told me 30 days about 10 days ago.

Maximus1000

Well, he said 'within' 60 days, so that may be conservative. What suspension set up do you have?

emax02

iTrader: (1)

KYB AGX & H&R's

Maximus1000

Thats what I'm looking at although some have steered me in the direction of Eibach Pro Springs. Not too sure what he diffence is between the Eibachs and H&R's. I'm pretty set on the KYB AGX.

It almost looks like I'm trying to copy your car since I'm looking at the Khumo 712s as well.

emax02

iTrader: (1)

I had eibach's on my old 95 max and they just made the ride real harsh, with AGX's you do not need harsh springs. The ride with H&R's and AGX's is not brutal, it's pretty smooth and the handiling is top notch. BTW what color is your max?

Maximus1000

I may do the H&R's then. My Maxima is black on black. I wanted merlot, but the merlots that the dealer had were all loaded up and near $30K.

VVDA

Why don't you get some Mclntosh stuff instead of Infinity; they sound much much better and very clean. Also, you should look into some Phoenix Gold amps, they are less expensive and very high quality.

PrinzII

iTrader: (2)

Like you, I am getting ready to upgrade the stereo system. Here's the rundown on mine:

Eclipse 4441 HU (already own)
Eclipse CH 5061 CD Changer
Eclipse 37601 Line Balancer
Audio Control EQS Equalizer
JL Audio 300/4
JL Audio 500/1
JL Audio Evolution XR-653-CS
JL Audio Evolution XR-650-CX
JL Audio 12W3 Subs

As far as performance is concerned:

Stillen Headers/Y Pipe
Addco RSB
Warpspeed Stage II Subframe Connectors

Cosmetic Changes:

Chrome 18" OZ Racing Antares Rims on Michelin Pilot Sport Tires
Anniversary Edition Door Sills

Stock tires are going on Bridgestone Blizzaks

kevc5

What is your projected cost for each phase??

20 MAXIMA 02

are Toyo Proxies better than the Khumo 712s?

soundmike

iTrader: (24)

I'd say:
(Handling - rough price estimates)
$175 + $215 + $200 + $500 + $600 = $1690

(Appearance - Infinity speakers based on what i paid for mine)
$650 + $60 (605cs) + $30 (652i) + $350 = $1090

(Power)
$140 (frankencar)

Maximus1000

I dont want to say that price is not an object, but I want only the highest quality parts. For example, I know you can get cheaper struts, springs, etc, but since I've recently gotten hooked on autocrossing I want the best performing parts out there. Same for the stereo upgrade, since I decided not to get the Bose option I have some money to upgrade the stock system to better than Bose level. The only requirement I have is the retention of the stock head unit and no trunk consuming subwoofers. So.......
Handling........around $2000.00 not including high performance tires
Stereo..........around $1500.00 not including installation costs
Power...........not set price limit

y2kse

iTrader: (1)

I notice you didn't mention that you were planning to purchase new 7.5"-wide rims to go along with your 235/45R17 tires, Maximus1000. If you're going to install those tires on your OEM 7"-wide rims, make sure your life insurance policy is paid up. And say goodbye to your tire warranty if a tire fails and your auto insurance coverage if an accident ensues.

For additional information, check out the following thread:

http://forums.maxima.org/showthread.php?threadid=107909

MAX2000JP

BS.....You can go to 235 tires on 7" rims its just not recommended. They fit and numerous people have done it without problems. Like I said before Nealoc187 uses this combo and road races at Gingerman with no problems at all. As for the tire warranty I can see that not holding up, but its complete BS that your insurance coverage is gonna be voided.

y2kse

iTrader: (1)

Never underestimate the power of denial!

So it's up to you, Maximus1000. You can either take MAX2000JP's advice and hope he's right or you can take the advice of EVERY TIRE MANUFACTURER IN THE WORLD and refuse to mount 235/45R17 tires on 7"-wide rims. The choice is yours.

PS: Just for laughs and giggles, contact your insurance company and tell them you're considering putting tires on your car that the tire manufacturer says are too wide for your rims. Ask them if they'd cover you in the event that one of the tires fails and you cause an auto accident as a result. Then we'll find out very quickly who's BSing who.

MAX2000JP

BS...They will cover you. If you wanna be a smart ***, why dont you call up your states enviromental agency and tell them you removed catalytic converters from your vehicle or call up your insurance agency and tell them that you changed the suspension dynamics of your vehicle. Hell why dont you call them and tell them that you RACE your car. You are WAY too paranoid. Provide documentation of a blowout or tire failure caused by 235s on 7" rims and I will shut up.

y2kse

iTrader: (1)

I don't happen to have a list of all the tires that have failed because they were mounted on out-of-spec rims. But I'll tell you what. If you can find ONE SINGLE TIRE MANUFACTURER who says that it's all right to mount 235/45R17 tires on 7"-wide rims, I'll shut up.

And while you're at it, argue with this:

http://www.dunloptire.com/tiretech/?...tire_width.txt

I refer you specifically to the discussion under RIM WIDTH in the above-referenced article from Dunlop.

BTW, you speak with some authority on what insurance companies will and will not cover, MAX2000JP. Precisely what are your credentials for doing so?

Maximus1000

Whoah guys. I'm not gonna buy new wheels (want the ultimate sleeper look) so I guess I'll just stick with 225/50/17. I only considered a larger size because the stock size doesn't offer too many options.

y2kse

iTrader: (1)

No way, Maximus1000. I've got a live one here.

Congratulations on making the correct decision. When it comes to safety, discretion is the better part of valor.

MAX2000JP

I have read that before and its good information. I just dont see any documented evidence that using wider tires caused a tire failure. If you go to a 225/45 17 tire you have issues with tire load with passegers, which COULD also lead to a blowout. Nissan didnt give us very many choices for decent tires in 225/50, therefore thats why I have been researching 235/45 Dunlop Sp5000s.

y2kse

iTrader: (1)

Thanks for acknowedging the veracity of the Dunlop article, MAX2000JP. The reason you don't see documented evidence is because it's contained in insurance files . . . files that are not generally made public. I'm sure if you researched it, you'd find the examples you're looking for.

I also agree that 225/45R17 tires are problematic due to reduced load ratings.

As I see it, we've got one of two choices. We can either stay with the OEM tire size of 225/50R17 or we can get wider wheels. But mounting tires that are too wide for our OEM rims is foolishness. And I, for one, won't play that game. My life and financial well-being are worth more to me than that.

MyownNismo

iTrader: (13)

I am trying to decide which to get first lowering springs or cattman y-pipe.

MAX2000JP

---Springs

If you have the money, buy the KYB AGX shocks also. Your stock ones will last for a while, but the ride might be harsh for ya.

mattattax

Could someone give a guess as to what that does for the autos? Thanks

Maximus1000

I imagine it will give identical gains. Only the less efficient automatic drivetrain will cut into those gains. If the manual makes lets say 25whp, I'd say the auto would make 18-20whp. Either way I think they are going to be a hot seller and a must have.

mattattax

Cool, thanks--50 days is just in time for my B-day, hmmmm

MyownNismo

iTrader: (13)

I am saving cash for coilovers (JIC coilovers not available yet)

freeze2k2

I was looking at the centerline wheels lately and decided against them due to the fact that they are 7.5 wide. Ive got 235 35 19 tires and will only put them on a 8" wide rim. Ive measure the outside to outside bead and its just under 8 inches. Keep in mind that the 35 series 19 has NO give in the sidewall as a 17 inch 50 series would. Using a 7.5 on my tires would work, but its a performance tire and i would not be utilizing the performance aspect of them.

y2kse

iTrader: (1)

Great input, freeze2k2. In looking at the specs for several makes of tires, it appears that 8" is the minimum acceptable rim width for size 235/35R19. So you are correct in stating that they should not be mounted on 7.5"-wide rims.