lobewiper

What about discovering the secrets of the most powerful production Nissan version of the 3.5 engine and applying them to the Max? Wouldn't that be the 350Z engine? Seems like the logical answer to safely and reliably increasing horsepower...

DeusExMaxima

iTrader: (1)

I wondered that myself. The new G35 is not gonna get 298 hp. I think Z makes 300 hp in one of the trims. I suspect camshaft changes, maybe some exhaust changes.

Tek-Niq

iTrader: (3)

it would be good to have a nissan tech answer these type of questions, cause we need to start swaping them parts to make those hp numbers....

MONTE 01&97 SE

iTrader: (1)

The new 05 G35 sedan manual and Coupe manual do have 298hp.

mrkanda

iTrader: (3)

Stillen and other companies are making forced induction kits for the RWD 350Z and Infinity G35 Coupe and Sedan. They also make kits for the VQ30DE engines that are in the '95 through '01 Maximas, but the difference is that with the new VQ35DE engines in the '02-'03 and '04-'05 Maxes there is not a lot of space in the engine bay, and as far as I know, Stillen has not yet made a supercharger kit for it. I cartainly hope they will. With the kits for the Z cars and G35's there is even a Nissan approved warranty on it that doesn't void the existing drive train warranty. I think there just isn't enough room yet in the new Maximas' engine bay to fit those kits. You can go custom turbo, of course.

Anyway, if someone has more info or wants to correct what I've said, feel free. I currently have an old, but good (low mileage, loaded...), 1989 Max that has only 160hp, but I'm really looking at the newer Max's, especially for the power and newer safety and comfort options. Ketchal8ter.

-Mrkanda

6thGenMax

iTrader: (6)

350z intake/exhaust manifolds is where the hp difference is with our 6th gen.

JClaw

iTrader: (17)

Speaking of which, how do 2004-2005 maximas dyno stock? Stock 2002-2003 6-speeds usually get 205whp and 220wtq. I heard the 265hp may be underrated.

SSurfer

+1

I'm sure the differents is the same with the G35 as well.

DeusExMaxima

iTrader: (1)

Can the Z intake be made to fit on the MAxima motor? WHat is the difference in intake and exhaust that gives it 35 more hp???

Sonic

The G35c and G35s 6 speeds are both making 298 HP.

SLuxury

Does anybody know if the 350Z and Maxima ECUs have the same stock/model number? I'm guessing that there are different maps in addition to the different intake/exhaust parts. With better breather parts, just modifying the timing and fuel curve can make an extra 35hp.

blakstarz

Are there any mod chips out for the Max? My friend is getting one for his 9-3 Sabb

DeusExMaxima

iTrader: (1)

I heard there is a company that reflashes the ECU for $400 here in SO Cal, in Santa Monica. I do wonder if the Z ECU would be a good swap. I was thinking that this may be where u get 35 ponies easily. I heard that the ECU closes the butterfly just as the motor is reaching redline and overrichens the mixture. Any Nissan techies out there know if this will work?

DougJones

You can't swap ECU's between the Z and the Max. Also, for the person that asked above, due to the configuration of the engine in the RWD Z, neither the intake or exhaust manifolds will work.

This has been discussed heavily on the 5th Gen board (I used to have an '02).

MaximumMike

Since my thread was erased. Does anyone know if there is a plan to upgrade the horsepower in the Max since the G35 has been upgraded? I know I don't post as often as I used to, but my thread could've been merged with this one so that I could get an answer, dang!

NissanFreak2000

I sure hope that they are, because they are falling behind in the horsepower department, especially with the new Toyota Avalon coming out with 270 horsepower. They also need to increse the horsepower, becuase the Altima and SE-R are way to close to the Maxima in horsepower.

DeusExMaxima

iTrader: (1)

I wish someone on here knew the technical differences between the 298 hp G35 and our Maxima wiht 35 hp less.

NismoMax80

iTrader: (6)

i guess no one has every heard of FWD/horsepower limit? so you want more torque steer? any higher and you should have RWD or AWD.

see the situation at hand is that Nissan set the new standard for high HP efficiency witht he 3.5. now everyone else is hoping to get business by competing. I have a Max for all of its features and price range. the HP is a great bonus. like others will find out, some of you will desire 300+ HP, then cry about your gas mileage. this new wave of power crazed consumers is developing stronger engines with a decline in quality everywhere else in the car to stay in the price class.

NJ04MaximaOwner

Isn't that what hood scoops are for?? Maybe this one would work:

msoemax

I thinks the Avalon is now pushing 280 HP from what I saw on motor week on pbs. Too bad it's a car for comfort and not speed like the max. But toyota sure is trying

DeusExMaxima

iTrader: (1)

My guess is that Nissan used a combo of things to gain horsepower from the motor. Im thinking more radical cams, better ECU programming, better flowing exhaust (listen to a stock G35 vs a stock Maxima) better intake. All these combine for 35 horses. Thats my guess.

Atomic_Ed

I bet your right about that. It makes sense and would be easy for their engneers to provide the most effective combo of things for efficiency and cost.

MaximumMike

Well, the way Acura handled the situation was to make an AWD RL with wheel distribution. Couldn't Nissan do the same since they have already made an AWD for the G35? even with that set up the torgue steer would still be there, but atleast you can get the distributin to the wheels balanced enough to dull it down.

If you want to feel torque steer at it's worst. Go test drive an Acura TL. That is the worst feeling I have ever had in a steering whell from a hard take off in my life.

Monotaur

As MaximumMike mentioned, I also think that Nissan is really considering adding AWD or something maybe for a 25th AE Maxima. I mean, think about the current Nissan lineup... I know that there are quite a few things that separate the Altima from the Maxima, but with the new Altima SE-R, there isn't a lot of difference in power between that and the Max. With all of the higher power cars (350Z, G35, etc) getting a speed boost I really think that the Max is next (this would also further distinguish it from the Altima). This would also help to separate it (again) from the competition (Acura TL, maybe the new Avalon, etc). And, as others have mentioned before, I'm not sure that a FWD platform would be the best for that.... and what a great opportunity for introducing an AWD platform the AE would be.

xorbitman

iTrader: (1)

Here are a few secrets: Recently Maximas like the 05 have been dynoed and they are 280 at the engine! That's right. Nissan is tight lipped about this slip up because they had a pact with other Japanese mfgs to limit the horsepower in the cars to 265 inorder to avoid a: "me too" / "do you one better" raise the stakes Horse power battle. That pact is now over and we are going to be the beneficiaries! There are 3 inexpensive things you can do to upgrade your horsepower to match the 350z.
1. CAI, AEM and BERK do definately produce more HP at the engine.
2. Changing the rear y pipe since the original is slightly crimed.
3. Free flow cat.
Optional

SSR engineering is finishing development on a Centrifugal Super charger. This is different than a Roots type as it is small, very easy to install, very lightweight: Carbon fiber impeler fan. and requires no special setup and comes with all required parts. Takes about one hour to install and can be easily dialed in to produce anywhere from 40 to 100 additional HP! The ideal is not to exceep 340 - 360 HP. The tranny might not like it above those horses and the torque steer would be difficult to manage. On the other hand we are talking about a highway cruiser not a street racer. Plant your foot down at 45 to 55 mph or 70 -85 kph and watch most cars dissapear in your rear-view. Don't forget about all that aluminum on the car. Max's are the same weight as the new Mustang Coupe GT! If you up the horsepower on the Max you will out accelerate a Mustang whilst on the highway! The Supercharger costs about $3000. About $4000 will get you a very very fast car. The trannies are made of titanium. The tiptronic on the Max is programmed the same as in the Porsche and Audi's. Differently then on Acuras. Overdrive in every gear above 2 and at low speeds the gearing does not shift to higher gears or neutral, rather staying low to allow for better cornering and handling.

4. ECU upgrade....although even though it's cheaper I prefer the Supercharger. It's actually safer!

Go ahead now and see if you can find many cars that weigh the same as a Max and are able to get 360 hp's! The bigger HP SUV's and even the new Chrysler 300 Hemi are much heavier vehicules than the Max.

Just be careful when passing, always change lanes first than stomp on the pedal or you will find yourself glued to the car in front.

lobewiper

[QUOTE=xorbitman] Takes about one hour to install and can be easily dialed in to produce anywhere from 40 to 100 additional HP! Go ahead now and see if you can find many cars that weigh the same as a Max and are able to get 360 hp.

I will be very surprised if power is increased by more than 50 hp. Will look forward to seeing the dyno results.

DougJones

Do you know where we can see the dynos? If not, where did you get this info?

kingfans

how about G-Box Performance Module? I heard it will gain 8-12 HP and cost about $ 60. has anyone installed in their altima or maxima. let me know how it goes.t hanks

DeusExMaxima

iTrader: (1)

I think 350 hp at the flywheel is very realistic for the SSR Supercharger. At about $10 or so fper hp, thats VERY reasonable, although $3,ooo is not chump change. Im saving my pennies.

Dave B

1) The 03/04 G35 sedan's 260hp/260tq rating is strictly a paper rating. That motor is actually making ~270-275hp/270tq. It's kind of the same power rating system Nissan did with the 240hp 02+ Altima and the 255hp 5.5 gen Maxima. Same motors, same dynoed power, different paper rating.

2) The 05 G35 sedan auto is now rated at 280hp/270tq thanks to exhaust cam timing (minimal power increase) and Nissan simply rating the motor where it should have been.

3) The 05 G35 6MT coupe/sedan are now rated at 298hp because of exhaust cam timing, cams, and ECU tuning plus an increase in the rev limiter from 6600rpms to 7000rpms. The trade off is this motor lost 10 ft/lbs of torque in the process. It's now only rated 260tq instead of the 270tq the auto is rated at. Basically this motor gained 18hp from 5800-7000rpms for a trade off in low to midrange power. Because of this, I doubt this car will be much faster than the 280hp/270tq motor it replaced. These cars also gained 40lbs in the update. Where this added mass came from is beyond me.

4) The major difference in the 3.5VQ in the G/Z vs the 6th Max is the intake manifold design. The G/Z uses a fixed plain manifold that can achieve up to 105% volumetric efficency which is amazing. This setup allows the motor to achieve peak power at 6100-6200rpms while delivering a very stout power curve at all rpms. The 6th Max uses a variable intake manifold with a butterfly valve system and tuned runner system to change intake resonance with peak power occuring around 5800rpms. Years ago a guy by the handle of Emax tried to swap this manifold on to his 5.5gen and it didn't work. The manifold was too tall and didn't clear the hood by 1.5". The orientation of the manifold was also completely wrong for a FWD setup. He gave up on this set up as did the rest of the 5.5 gen community.