I haven't asked Chris at Vaden Nissan http://www.vadennissanparts.com/ for quotes on wheels yet as I don't bug him unless I'm ready to buy, and unfortunately I'm not as I've already spent around $2,000 during the last month on mods for my $23,000 car ;-) However, I have seen those 19" wheels on ebay for $1440 for the set. They're normally $500 EACH, so that is a pretty good deal. As I said earlier, I'm still leaning towards the 17" rims and BFG drag radials that will be $1400 total. We'll see. Today I got my Technosquare ECU in. See my full report in the other thread.

 

Yea no offense though I see your trying to build a nismo maxima using non-nismo parts? I mean wouldnt that make it rather a preformance maxima rather then a nismo maxima? Thats what I dont understand, I mean ive had this same idea for a while but like you said there arent any parts for the max

 

Dude, there ARE Nismo parts for the Maxima. Read earlier in the thread where I explicitly list them all out by part# and where you can buy them (or at least my signature where I list the ones I've already installed). I'm only using non-Nismo parts where they're aren't any (yet) or they don't quite make sense. Plus, I'm styling my Nismo Maxima after the Nismo 350Z, get it? Thanks.

 

main NISMO parts compatible with the Max are f/r sway bars, wheels, intake, and cams

 

Here are my first impressions of the Technosquare ECU (in the other thread):

http://forums.maxima.org/showpost.ph...&postcount=612

 

So, this seller on eBay says his camshafts are identical to the Nismo R-Tune camshafts. What do you think?

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eB...m=220090901105

The price is right, but I'm a bit weary. I think I'll wait 'til I can afford the real deal. On the other hand, if someone thinks I can save $800 then I'm all ears. Thanks!

 

Installation of camshafts usually voids factory warranty. That is if you care!

 

Well, I made the damn plunge and bought some Nismo 19s from Pennsylvania for $360 a piece. Now to put some rubber on these. I really wanted these and now I have them. Any deals on tires (245/40/19) that anybody knows about would be appreciated as those sons o beaches are expensive. Will be worth it when they are on my ride. Brian, I am surprised that you didnt get some of these as your ride is burning a hole through your pockets quicker than you can get these mods on...j/k. Can't wait to get them on.

 

Yea but my whole agruement was basically the whole progress stuff and ect but your car, your choice.

 

My wife was just b****ing at me today about all the "Paypal" expenses on this months' bank statement (mostly from eBay, Racingline - TAZ, and Vaden Nissan - My Source for Nismo parts). It didn't help that I had the $300 from Goodyear on there from the spring/strut install also. Fortunately, her tally was about $1800 short of the truth. That said, I would LOVE some of the 19" rims. They rock! My only advice on the tires is to check COSTCO or one of the other discount warehouses. They sold me a set of BF Goodrich g-Force Sports for less than tirerack.com WITH free installation, lifetime balance and rotation, etc.

Where did you find them for $360 each???

 

Not true. Nissan must show that the "defect" was due to the aftermarket parts/install. Usually, the dealer will want to have it be paid for by warranty and doesn't care about your mods. If so, go to a different dealer. MY dealer is trying to sell me a set of R-Tune cams. Do you really think that they would "void" my "factory warranty" if I spent $1600 with them on cams? Isn't the "factory" in Japan, anyway? My dealer also just "loaned" me a $900 ECU out of warranty, so that I could get the TS program installed.

 

That one on ebay...I called the parts manager and he hooked me up. The "cost" for these wheels if anyone cares is $1386. I usually clear it with the wife first as she is the bread winner and I am a doctor too, but Im not hatin...heeeeyyy

 

Well then what do you care what you spend on tires? I'm not jealous - REALLY Seriously, post some pics when you get them installed. I take it you went for the gunmetal ones that were on eBay - I would go for the bright ones, but haven't seen them installed yet.

 

You won't be dissapointed with your purchase, the rims look sick are very, very light (for 19") and are of quality. Besides the are the real NISMO deal.

 

That is true but most stealerships I have dealt with don't want to mess with warranty work on a modded car. I agree, it's not like Nissan will find out but still they don't seem to want to mess with it. (I have a friend in service now, so I have an "in") But every car I have owned has been modded to some point and the second you mention warranty work they look at your car for mods
"oh your drink holder is broken, well you changed your grill so the drink holder is void of warranty!"


And actually the factory is here in the good 'ol US of A!!

 

$423.50 each at Vaden Nissan

Would these with 245/19's even clear the fenders with my car being lowered?

 

Brian:

I’m just saying what Vaden has in writing on their website about installing the r-tune cams, and I thought you were going to Vaden. http://www.vadennissanparts.com/350zengine

 

Read it again, take measurements
http://forums.maxima.org/showpost.ph...&postcount=121

 

Yes they def would. My brother's max (look at my signature) has these exact rims and we are both lowered on progress.

 

IMAGINE, I would start laughing like crazy

 

I saw that. Nismo also says that their parts are for off-road use only. It's kind of like a garage owner putting a sign on the wall that says "Not responsible for theft or damage" which isn't necessarily true either.

I think the BOTTOM line is that dealers either want your business or they don't. If they don't want to fix your cupholder under warranty because you've put on a custom grill then they don't want your business. If they install KYB struts on your car for free because one of the stock ones was broken (true story) then they obviously do want your business. Fortunately, Regal Nissan here in Atlanta (Vaden is in Savannah) is a family owned business and treat their customers right.

 

Finally, took some pics today:

 

front looks sexy, take out the un-needed air duct under the hood, rear, mufflers/nismo sticker are crooked...but other than that

 

 

Dude, you must have worked really hard to take off the 3.5 SE on the trunk....

 

Yeah, it was a B-I-T-C-H-!!! I used a hair dryer, a plastic pry tool, and some elbow grease, but as the photo reveals: I think that I scuffed the paint a bit AND did put it on a bit crooked (despite my best efforts). I'm going to remove it (shouldn't be as hard as the original), buff the trunk out a bit and either put it back on or spend another $15 and put a new one on. I also have an "R-Tune" decal to put under it, but am waiting 'til I put the R-Tune camshafts in, so that it's WORTHY of an R-Tune emblem!

Thanks, man. I've been working hard on the Nismo Maxima!

-Brian

P.S. It was actually a 3.5 SL, which is also why I worked so hard to get it off, ha ha!

 

Brian:

Did you use masking tape to line up your Nismo decal the first time or just eye ball it? Are you still getting the Nismo rims?

Other than that, looks good!

 

when you remove the nismo badge, polish and wax the scuffed area. I use Maguire's 3 step process when I removed my badges. It looked good as new when I was finished.

Also, i noticed that its the camera that makes the badges look slanted. With my badge, the GT looks to be in an angle. But in person, it looks straight.

So the camera play tricks on your eyes!

 

Whoa, this thread is too funny.
So if it says Nismo, its going on the car??
Also, out of curiousity, do you intend to use the drag radials for everyday driving?

 

Yes, some of it WAS camera lens distortion, but it just "AMPLIFIED" the SLIGHT crookedness that definitely exists with my Nismo badge. While admittedly I'm not detail oriented, I am a perfectionist and will do what it takes to look good, including buffing BEFORE I put the badge back on.

I would have probably put the masking tape on crooked too, ha ha! That said, I plan to peel PART of the tape FIRST (so that I can adjust) and eyeball it a bit better BEFORE I commit to the badge's final position!

Yes, rims are definitely next as the stock rims are about the only thing (other than the wood with my carbon fiber) that gives away the FACT that my Maxima was ONCE an SL. I'm still debating between the 18" and 19" Nismo rims. The 19's definitely look better, but the 18's WILL give better performance AND will cost much less (with 18" tires). It MAY come down to budget, but we'll see...

FUNNY, HOW? Like FUNNY, HA HA? WHAT, is my Maxima a CLOWN car manufactured for YOUR OWN enjoyment? Just kidding. Actually, my intent has been stated many times in this thread, but it boils down to THIS: IF Nissan made a Nismo Maxima, like BMW makes M models, like Audi makes S and RS models, etc. I want my car to be what Nissan would make. I use Nismo parts where available for BOTH performance AND styling and other parts where they don't. The CLOSEST thing that Nissan comes to is the R-Tune and S-Tune packages for the 350Z where I've taken both my styling cues AND a few parts.

As for the BF-Goodrich Drage radials, I'm still thinking about it. While it almost NEVER snows in Atlanta, GA it DOES rain a lot in the Spring. I actually REALLY like the BF-G Sports that I have on now (great balance between comfort, safety, and performance) and MAY change my mind and stick with the Sports. The STi comes stock with some Bridgestone equivalents (drag-type radials) and I'm researching those too. Again, we'll see.. Fortunately (unfortunately), it may be a couple of months before I have the CA$H to replace my rims and BRAND NEW tires - may wait 'til I need new tires (3-5 months) BEFORE I make my FINAL decision.

Thanks for the feedback EVERYONE. PEACE!!!

 

You cant really compare a FWD Maxima to an AWD STI. Big difference in the handling department, where super stickies would really benefit.
BFG makes killer tires though, i just wouldnt rock the drag radials for everyday use. You will be buying tires again really soon. Have you looked into the BFG KDW2s?
These are the tires Im using and they are some of the best tires Ive ever had. They grip really well and have lasted me quite a while. My next set of tires will be these again.
As far as the Nismo thing goes, to each there own. Personally I would do some performance upgrades before sporting Nismo badges everywhere.
The Nismo emblems just draw so much attention, and makes you notice all the plain jane OEM parts vs. performance parts. Not trying to bash you, its your car to do with as you please. Im just saying that I see so many cars that have the Nismo emblems and decals all over them and really arent modded.

 

^^^ what he said, +1

Hmmm, these tires are getting a lot of attention on the board, deservedly so!

 

So what "performance parts" do you feel my Maxima is lacking and should have BEFORE sporting Nismo badges? I'm all ears!

By the way, I ruled out KDW2's a long time ago. Low profile, overly expsense junk for teenagers - Sorry, just MY opinion.

 

wow...


Dont forget the "Nismo" battery strap...

 

Stillen makes a nice battery tie down for $50 (or so). All aluminum too, so I'm sure it's worth 15hp. Thanks for the tip though

Honestly, I expected a bunch of flaming responses re: my strong stand on the KDW2's. Before they DO arrive (and I'm sure they will) let me just say that while I think they ARE SWEET looking tires (perhaps the SWEETest looking tires), I've actually done a fair amount or research on them and have determined that some of the other BF-Goodrich tires offer WAY more bang for the buck, especially on the smaller sizes. Of course, I PROMISE that I will EAT these words when I end up buying some (perhaps).

 

better brakes, at least up front You're gonna want to be able to stop that heavy beast!

 

I'm all about handling! I want to stick the power that already comes with the VQ35DE to the ground, and then do performance mods

 

er...brake upgrades ARE performance mods. Don't be a "dush"

 

just as I looked at your sig too!!!

 

Agreed. Next on the list! Well, maybe after I buy a NEO to get my engine light turned off for good! Seriously, I'm on the road right now and don't have access to all my info, but I'm looking into buying the refurbished 300ZX calipers, brackets, and lines that dude (name???) sells on the web, perhaps with some slotted Ebay rotors for the front and rear.

I've been driving the Max a lot this week and realize that THE BEAST is as beasty as ever and need to get the brake upgrade BEFORE I buy anymore Nismo crap ;-)