I keep reading all these threads about how Nissan messed up and needs to keep the tradition of the maxima and the features that we all love alive. Yet these same people are saying that they want a rwd v8 platform. Just to remind you the maxima has always been a midsized front wheel drive v6 and that is what it should stay as. instead nissan has invaded the max's territory with the altima. The altima should of been designed as a compact car not a midsized and the max should continue to be a midsized luxury sports car like we all love. I can see how a rear wheel drive model would be fun but i think they should stay with a tuned, high out put v6 rather than a v8. AS for the exterior design i dont know what they are thinking. Just like honda they have gone way to futuristic and trendy with there designs. They are trying to hard. Although i like the 5th gen i beleive they did the same thing witht that model as well. I think it should be based more around the 4th gens looks with upgraded changes. It my mind simplicity is beautiful. A car with nice simple flowing lines is what we all need. Not this bloated mamouth that we are gonna end up with. Although most of use are not pleased with the visual aspect of the 6th gen, I am sure once the specs and Performance numbers come out we will be able to look past the monstrosity of the exterior design.

 

This is just to remind you that the first Maxima was rwd with the Z's L-series inline-6. Most of the time, the Maxima has had a very similar engine to the Z as time progressed. The 2nd and 3rd gen Maximas powered by a VG-series V6 is another example. Yes, I know the Maximas only had a SOHC version, but it is still a VG. I'm completely ignoring those VE aberrations.

However, when the 4th gen came on the scene, the Maxima was using an entirely different engine, the VQ. Now that the Z is using the VQ, Nissan can go back to having its two flagship vehicles(in the U.S.) using the same engine. Using this approach, Nissan will be able to have their vehicles more closely linked, and it will present a better image for the company overall.

 

Could the new Maxima possibly be based off the new M45 Infiniti... that's the only way I can see the possibility of a RWD V8... perhaps the timing of the release of the M45 and the soon to be released '04 maxima isn't a coincidence. Plus, with a dumbed down version of the M45 (in the form of the '04 Maxima) .. there would be more of a price gap b/w the Max and the altima...makes some sense

 

naw... deff. needs to look more like the 3rd gen, i think every model after is ugly sorry

 

That's the problem. There won't be a rwd, V8 Maxima. The new platform for the Maxima is fwd like the Altima, and can be converted to awd, like with Murano. With fwd, you have a transversely mounted(east-west) engine. It's not very efficient to have a rwd tranny with transversely mounted engine.

Additionally, the M45 is kind of a gamble for Nissan. The M45's chassis has already been in production for some time as the Cedric in Japan. It wouldn't be smart for Nissan to risk basing their flagship model on an old chassis.

Besides, if Nissan actually did base the Maxima on the M45, people would just complain about it being a boat.

 

Not gonna happen...

 

Why ignore the VE? cause it is soo much like your VQ only with a better top end, jealous?

 

I had a feeling you'd comment on that..

 

Bacardi Silver is good!

 

I'm ignoring the VE because it's so lame that I didn't bother researching it. j/k

 

Then the VQ is even lamer. Try searching and you will learn to respect it ALOT.

 

Umm if I remember right VQ much better than the VE. Also the VQ is such a great motor, that Nissan feels that it deserve to be the replacement for the VG, which is still being used today in the Frontier, Xterra, and Quest. VG has been around since 84, so almost 20 years. The VE was around for how many? That's right, 2 years. The VQ has been around for about 9 years. So I dunno bout you, but how can the VQ be lamer than the VE? Also the VQ got all the awards to back it up. In fact the VQ is so good, nissan decided to use it on the Z. The Z has always had its own motor until the 350Z came out, it happen to get the maxima motor.

Sarin

 

ummm...the VE was used to make the VQ, they stopped production on the VE cause at them time they were trying to make a very cost effective and reliable Maxima for the new gen. That is how they honed down and got the VQ by playing with the VE. They cut back on all the goodies that the VE has, cause it cost soo much to make. The VE is ownage! and I feel Nissan would of kept making them, but they cost too much, so that is why they brought the VQ in the picture. If you drive a VE and then a VQ you can tell the VE just wants to scream and the VQ is alot more subtle.

 

Isn't the VE an iron block, aluminum head like the VG? Or is it all aluminum?

 

Iron Block, Alluminum Head. 10:1 Compression, the TTZ internals go in too. Iron block is better for boost and longevity, it can withstand more heat.

 

Reasons why they did a twin turbo version with the VG30DETT huh? I yet to see a VQ with some sort of factory forced induction....that's also probably why Nissan still has the VG in the Xterra and Frontier supercharged cars.

Sarin

 

I think there is a VQ30DE-T in Japan.

 

The Stagea uses the VQ25DET, rated at 276hp. The Cedric uses the VQ30DET, which has the same power rating. All Nissan did was use some 9:1 pistons. A couple members here have gotten DETs to swap out the pistons.

The reason Nissan likes the VQ so much is probably because of it's versatility. Who would have thought that an engine designed as an NA screamer(VQ30DE makes 410hp in race trim) would be effective with direct injection and forced induction? Additionally, Nissan used the VQ's advanced technology for a whole new family of engines: the QR and QG I4s and the VK V8s. Soon, every Nissan vehicle sold in the US with the exception of the XTerra and Frontier will be using an engine related to the VQ.

Maybe if Nissan had spent a little more time with the VE, they could have gotten past the VTC problems. That way, it wouldn't have been a "lame duck" like Freshalloy says.

As for the top end issue, a VI-equipped VQ will probably be better matched to the VE. The VQs were designed to have plenty of top end when it was designed as a racing engine. It's just sad that it had to be detuned so much for mass production.

 

You are wrong sir, have you seen the VQ with VI vs a stock VE? haha, let me find that dyno...the VE still takes it out, even more so down low with the VI swap. Also freshalloy needs to respect and study the VE like you. Nissan started with the VE and with that concept they decided they were going to design a very "COST EFFECTIVE" and reliable excellent motor that they can use for years to come, all this while they were working with this new VE they thought wow, this is awesome and that is the way the thought to take over the market. Only reason they didnt keep the VE is because of how expensive it is to make, so they honed all the costs down and came up with the VQ for the US Maxima. The VE probably cost more to make than the whole 4th gen car *cough*beam*cough*no vlsd*cough*not even heated mirrors and the list goes on...show some respect! if you get a chance to run a VE you will have to show respect.

 

I guess the question is, will the VQ/VE live up to the longetivity of the VG. I've heard of VG going 250,000+ miles, and still run like new, with no ridge forming on the cylinder walls. A guy did a VG30DET swap into an 85 maxima, and he couldn't believe it when he tore the motor apart. My 86 gets a lot of abuse from me, and it still hasn't had any mechanical problems with the motor. Though I've had other problems with other components though, it has never been the motor.

Sarin

 

I will let you know, I could take a picture of mine, but all the SoCal guys know what mine is at...I am currently at 257,000 miles and still hang with VQ's.

 

I'm not even going to dignify that with a response.


Well why hasn't Nissan tried basing more engines off of the VE now? Surely if it was so good, Nissan would have gone back to heavy iron block engines now that they have financial backing from Renault. They obviously didn't, because aluminum block engines were already being used by other competitors, and the iron block VEs were holding nissan back. Nissan probably got into money troubles because they were making those heavy, expensive VEs in the first place.
I will grant you the fact that Nissan has started using CVTC on the VQ35s, however IMHO they might be better off without it because the peak torque figures seem a bit low for a 3.5L. Oh, and Renault probably would have started putting VEs in their cars instead of VQs, huh?

Nissan didn't develop the VQ for the Maxima. It was only detuned. The VQ already existed because it was designed for a touring car series in Germany. The series had been cancelled before it started, so Nissan probably sent it into production to recoup some of the development costs. Again, aluminum engines were the way of the future. No offense, but if the VE was so great, Nissan probably would have used it for that touring series instead of developing a whole new engine.

Oh, and I said a VI-equipped VQ would be better matched against a VE. The VI gives the VQ better top end, which is where the VE has an advantage over it. DUH Nowhere did I say that it would win. I tried to give you some respect, and you can't even see it.

 

Cause you dont have the brain or respect to do your homework.


Why havent they? because alluminum is cheaper and lighter, they dont plan on people boosting the alluminum blocks, damn what were they thinking putting Iron on them Twin Turbo Z's? No top end with CVTC or VTC? funny how the 3rd and 5th gens kill the 4th gens top end eh? and Honda's VTEC has no top end eh? And what do you think the VQ is based off genius? uhhh...the VE...


Alluminum vs Iron Block = 100lbs less but cant handle as much boost...ok, you want 100lbs or a motor that can hold more heat? I would take the 100lbs, cause I could lose it in another places.


Funny that is all it can do is be a better match? maybe if they had the VTC with an "aftermarket" intake they could keep up.

 

Yet Nissan thought it was okay to boost the engine themselves. I guess MardisGrasMax, Turbo97SE and I30krab's Maximas with around 400 crank hp are all just flukes. "Yeah, something's wrong with their dynos!"

There weren't any aluminum engines around to put into the Z32 back in 1990. The VG-series engines had already been around for how many years again? At least six. Nissan didn't launch the VQ until five years later.


With the time I'm taking to talk to you, I'd appreciate it if you would at least read my posts correctly. I said peak torque, not top end. Those are two very different things. Peak torque is the highest amount of torque than an engine produces. "Top end" refers to the upper end of the rpm range.
Here's my problem with the CVTC: The 3L 5th gens are making close to 230lb-ft of torque, iirc. The 3.5L 5th gens are only making 246lb-ft. That's not a very big gain for a whole half-liter increase in displacement, nor in relation to the horsepower gained. Additionally, this ruins the VQ's tradition of being one of the few import engines that actually makes more torque than horsepower. I pray you aren't going to argue that the VTECs have good torque. The current NSX makes 290hp from a 3.2L V6, but barely manages to squeeze out around 220lb-ft of torque. We all know how bad the S2000 is, so I won't even get into that.
How could the VQ possibly be based off of the VE? First off, one is iron block, the other aluminum. The VQ30DE had an oversquare design, meaning that the bore was more than the stroke, which is good for low end torque and revving. The VEs and VGs are undersquare, with a stroke that is bigger than the bore. The VE had VTC, the VQ30DE doesn't. They don't have anything in common except for being 3L V6 engines made by Nissan.
I said that the VE had the advantage over the VQ on the top end. There you go missing the respect again. Read the post first! "Low end torque is for sissies! I wanna be like a Honduh. Rev, rev, rev, rev all day! VE power!"


I guess all those Japanese tuners swapping out the VGs in their Z32s for SR20DETs are idiots then... Nissan must have been pretty stupid for putting a VQ in the JGTC R34 Skylines too. "So what if the drivers said the handling is better? So what if the engine made the same power? They could have lost the weight and improved weight distribution and handling by taking it out of other places. VE power!"

I'd rather lose some top end than sound like an episode of "60 Minutes" is playing under my hood. I don't recall the VI being an aftermarket piece. Who makes it again? Oh yeah, Nissan. If you can't buy a factory part from a dealer, what makes it aftermarket?
"Why dont'cha go to Pep Boys and get yourself a VI. Then I'll still smoke you, VQ boy. VE power!"

Edit:
Oh yeah, what's this "alluminum" stuff? Is that some new metal? You say it's cheaper and lighter than iron, but is it better than aluminum? If so, maybe Nissan should start making alluminum blocks. They'll corner the market for sure!

 

I am not going to keep on with all this typing. It is aftermarket to me, because it does not come stock on the motor, you have to purchase it. We are talking stock vs. stock and with regards to turbo, mardigras, etc...I dont see them pushing anymore, that is their limit, the VE crank has been proven to handle over 500hp on the TTZ. And alluminum was around back then, sir...they are not dumb enough to product a TTZ with alluminum that they are going to warranty. And to close, they started with a SOHC engine in the Max, then made the VE, then decided to put out the VQ cause it was more cost effective than the VE. Geez show some f'ing respect...if you want to trash talk why dont you go find yourself a VE to race, then we he/she shocks the shiet out of you, maybe you will learn to appreciate it. Since it IS what made the Maxima a 4DSC oh wait, the 4th gen isnt labeled as a 4DSC, sorry, what were they thinking with that...

 

who is making 500+ on a VE crank??

 

Twin Turbo Z's, they have the same crank.

 

yes, but their compression is also lower allowing more power to be made. just because they share the same crank doesn't mean the VE can hold more boost than the VQ??

 

You are right, they have a lower compression, but that does mean that the crank can hold it. Whos side are you on?

 

its all well and good the crank might hold 500, but when the HGs blow theres no point! you've got a spotless crank and oil spewing out your heads....

heh...and I'm not talking sides just looking at it from all perspectives. VQ stock block has proved good into the 400's...its all well and good to say the VE can hold this or that, but it hasn't been proven.... thats all I'm saying, I perfer to work on fact and observation rather than assumptions...thats how motors blow

 

Actually....no. Nissan based the Maxima off the Q45...M45 is a "stanger" car. It has no cross-make cousins.

 

All this misinformation / ignorance around here is really sad. '04 Maxima is based off the Altima platform.

 

Uh.. yeah.. The Cedric and Gloria have nothing to do with the M45, just like how the Cefiro had nothing to do with the I30/35 and Maxima, just like how the Cima has nothing to do with the Q45....

 

Seeing as how you own an Infiniti, I hope you realize that every Infiniti sold in the U.S. is sold in Japan as a Nissan!

 

The new max is NOT Q45 based read my post in this link. http://forums.maxima.org/showthread....8&pagenumber=2

 

But that doesn't make it aftermarket to everyone else, does it? Sorry your fingers hurt.

Give them some time, and they'll get higher. Don't forget that Nigel(Turbo97SE) is not only at a higher elevation in Colorado, but is also running the stock 10:1 compression ratio with an exhaust that is bottlenecking his power. At sea level with a good exhaust, he should easily see 400fwhp. With a lower compression ratio and higher boost, who knows how high he could go.
FYI, The JGTC R34 with the VQ was able to make 540hp before the crank failed.


[JerryMaguire]Show me the Maximas with 500hp![/JerryMaguire]


Really? Did alluminum exist back then? Well why didn't Nissan just make the VQ out of that metal istead of wasting time with aluminum? You said alluminum was better than iron, right? Seriously though, what aluminum V6 engine was offered by Nissan back then? I'd really like to know.
I guess Nissan just won't offer a warranty on that new GT-R, huh? FYI, the latest engine news is a VQ33DETT with electronically-assited turbos. The strengthened internals from Cosworth won't help a bit, eh? Who are those nobodies, anyway?


Geez, read my f'ing posts correctly.


Who was it that started the trash talking again? Why would I race someone with a VE? I'm stock, and I don't race. Why would I do research on the VE? It's an engine that is no longer produced, from cars that are no longer produced. I don't own one, and frankly don't care about it. End of story.

 

ok this is done...this is a forum about 6th GEN MAXIMA...not to bicker like little school girls on VE/VQ technology.