As the "four-door sports car" it could be argued that the "heart" of our Maximas is the 350Z. After all, they have almost always shared the same engine and other aspects. Currently, Nissan is offering a Nismo 350Z, a bit like the M and S versions of BMW's and Audi's, etc. Unlike these, Nissan isn't bringing out a model per se, but offering a number of dealer installed upgrades (e.g. intake, brake pads, sway bar, camshaft, catback, y-pipe, header, wheels, body kit) to either make your 350Z an S-Tune or an R-Tune) and then putting a Nismo and R-Tune or S-Tune stick on them. Here are the specs for each:

http://www.sportcompactcarweb.com/ro...cc_nismo_350z/

That all said, here's my idea: I want to match all of these mods with my '05 Maxima, Nismo parts (where practical and/or acceptable) or others where not and make myself a "Nismo Maxima" complete with badge (see pics on the link).

By my reckoning, Here's what I think that I need to do before I rip off my 3.5 SL bad and replace it with a nice "Nismo" emblem just like the pics in the link:

Nismo Intake - Got it
Nismo brake pads - Are they better than Hawk - F_ No!
Nismo headers - Ouch, when Cattman offers them (planned - see other threads)
Nismo Catback - Cattman Catback instead (no Nismo Catback for Maxima)
Nismo Cams - Sure, why not? They'll fit any VQ35
Nismo Springs Shocks - Progress Springs with KYB Struts (even better)
Nismo Anti-Sway Bars - Only for Altima now, but they fit the Maxima - Sure
Nismo Flywheel/Clutch - Mine's an automatic - you decide
Nismo 18-inch wheel - Made by Ray's - hell yes if you can find them on eBay
BF Goodrich Tires - CHECK! (Those stock Continentals bit)
Nismo Power Steering Cooler - Okay, whater - yawn
Nismo Rear Spoiler - O7 for my 05 - Will do!
Nismo Front Spoiler - Haven't found one yet, but okay...
Nismo Side Sills - Same
Nismo Rear under spoiler - Ditto (Maybe a an Active Tuning Grill instead?)
Total: $48,000 for a new 350Z
Total HP Gain: 18 HP?!?! For Real? (Read the article)

MY PLAN: Do all of the above mods (my way to the right), add an underpulley, a TechnoSquare ECU reprogram, a Y-Pipe (currently being developed by Cattman), take off the 3.5 SL and stick a Nismo badge on my Maxima. What do you think? Will my Maxima suddenly become worth $50,000? No. Will it cost that much. No. Will I be justified in claiming "Nismo R-Tune" status for my Maxima - You tell me!!!

PLEASE before I spend all of this time and effort; Will it be worth it? Will you drool and be envious of my creation? Save me the money if not!!!

 

i see your point and agree... i plan on doing the same to my 05 max but instead of my SL badge, im changing it to GT.

Some people think its dumb, and you will soon see the responses from people and name calling of wannabe or poser.... lol

but the way i figure it, after adding all those mods + maybe some exterior upgrades (front and back bumper, g35 spoiler, lower springs). It is foolish in my opinion to call it a SL. Standard SL's dont come with any sport upgrades. So why not name it a Nismo version? Or in my case, a GT????

Your paying for it and its your car.... so do what ever makes you happy.

 

Thanks, man. Best of luck with YOUR ride! Any "name callers" out there???

 

Mods do not add value to a car.

 

Not to THAT car. Are you perusing in the wrong section of the forum? J/K

 

Save your money $$$ if you want to spend lots of monies on a car, go with another platform. Just my opinion.

 

G35 sedan.......306hp rwd........and on the 6spd 13" brakes all the way around... $32500

 

That's an excellent point! $18K (by Nissan's cost for the Nismo 350Z) is too much for 18 +hp. I think you would get 500 hp out of a EVO for that kind of mula.

 

Nismo Intake - Got my own intake using Stillen intake
Nismo brake pads - I have 300zx 4 piston aluminum calipers with Hawk pads
Nismo headers - Cattman offers them (I will be the test mule)
Nismo Catback - Cattman Catback
Nismo Cams - Sure, why not? They'll fit any VQ35
Nismo Springs Shocks - Progress Springs with KYB ADJUSTABLE shocks (even better)
Nismo Anti-Sway Bars - I have Altima SE-R bar in front (same as NIsmo) and Progress bar in back
Nismo Flywheel/Clutch - WHen my clutch goes out, this goes in!
Nismo 18-inch wheel - I have lightweight bronze A-tech rims
BF Goodrich Tires - I have Yokos, even better!!
Nismo Power Steering Cooler - wtf do u need this for???
Nismo Rear Spoiler - My WRX spoiler looks like a muscular G35 coupe spoiler - also have roof spoiler too
Nismo Front Spoiler - Stillen lip spoiler
Nismo Side Sills - Stillen side skirts
Nismo Rear under spoiler - Stillen rear valence
Nismo shift **** - Mitsubishi Evo MR shift ****
Nismo handbrake handle - DO they make these? I have Evo hand brake handle
Nismo strut brace - Stillen strut brace

I also have the TS ECU reflash; I know Im making more than 18 horsepower and I dont even have cams or headers . . . yet.

Looks like I have it!!!

 

IMHO, it's all for looks, not for go.

I agree, in my opinion save the money because the cost does not produce the gains. Looking at the numbers, stock 350Z $34,180 and the R-Tune 350Z $48,264 a delta of $14K! Compared to the measured output gains of 10whp and 5 ft-lb of torque results in $1400 per hp and $2800 per ft-lb! Another way of looking at it is a 30% increase in cost for a less than 2% increase acceleration times while decreasing your stopping distance by nearly 7%. Or am I missing something else here?

 

No I think you have it. I'm SURE not going to buy a Nismo 350Z. HKS has taken a huge interest in the VQ35 platform and is going to be coming out with 3 different package types: Turbo, Supercharger, and Normally Aspirated. The article is in this months Automobile Magazine. These deliver WAY more HP for the money. I just hope that end up putting out some good mods for the Maxima and not just the 350Z and G35.

My goal is to not do ALL of the Nismo mods, but to do comparable mods with better parts (e.g. Cattman, Progress, Racingline, TEchnosquare) hopefully getting way more horsepower along the way (and spending less too). THEN, I'm going to take the styling cues from the Nismo 35Z (badge and all) to make my OWN Nismo Maxima.

I appreciate everyone's input. Many good points. I'll keep everyone updated with pics where possible. Oh, yes. I'm going to do it - WTF. My wife isn't going to let me by a new car for many years. I'm going to make this one the way I want it and then drive it into the ground (in style)!

 

Yeah, I say save the money. Just get some nice rims and suspension and just stunt.

 

Maybe I'm missing something here, but Nismo 350Z is recognized by Nismo and Nissan as their R&D vehicle; like the S-Tuned or R-Tuned Altima. To built your own is just like regular modding.

 

I think the point is that a "Nismo" Maxima can be built with analogous parts that the "real" Nismo 350Z has.

 

Why would anyone pay that much for such small increase if you can have a blower for your 350Z from still for what 6-8K putting the Z at over 410HP.

Weird

 

I think you ment 19" nismos and yes they are on ebay, CHEAP!!!

Item number: 130082392121

 

nice idea bro. good luck

 

Lol @ Nismo brand headers

You forgot NISMO AFPR.

 

Thats what I say, Spending a couple grand to make the car look better theres nothign wrong with that, spending tens of thousands to get negligible performance benifits (if any) is pissin money away.

 

technically it wouldn't be a "NISMO" Max unless you used all Nismo parts.. not that it makes sense to do that.. just sayin..

 

Also forgot the NISMO t-stat

 

FYI - I do have a Nismo key chain and license plate frame. Do they count?

 

that's a bit of a stretch. The 4DSC referred to the 3rd gen maxima, which was around a long time before the 350z. 4th-6th gen maximas hardly qualify as 4DSC as they have become more and more of a full-size luxury sedan rather than a mid-size sports sedan, IMO. When I'm at an autocross, I have no illusions that my maxima is a sports car....with extensive suspension mods, it is a fun-to-drive sedan, at best...

Out of curiosity, what are the "other aspects" that the 6th gen maxima shares with the 350z (apart from the Nissan badging)?

 

Nismo Intake - Injen cold air intake
Nismo brake pads - Drilled/sloted rotors. Hawk brake pads
Nismo headers - I will be getting the HotShot headers next week
Nismo Catback - Greddy SP-2 Cat-back system
Nismo Cams - Sure, why not? They'll fit any VQ35
Nismo Springs Shocks - Nismo Anti-Sway Bars - Stillen rear.
Nismo 18-inch wheel - Diablo Nismo Power Steering Cooler - wtf do u need this for???
Nismo Rear Spoiler - OEM and rear window Nismo Front Spoiler - Stillen lip spoiler
Nismo Side Sills - Stillen side skirts (soon)
Nismo Rear under spoiler - Stillen rear valence (soon)
Nismo shift **** - Custom handle Nismo handbrake handle - CF custom
Nismo strut brace - Stillen strut brace


Just for the hell of it. Zen nitrous 75 shot.

 

Patiently waiting for an answer.

 

IMO if you don't use all nismo parts than its not a nismo maxima. The purpose of calling it a nismo max is to show that all the parts you are running are nismo and if you have something thats not nismo its only because they do not make it. (ex. Tires). Anyway thats the way I see it.

Silver & Black

 

Uh, gee I don't know... Could it be the VQ35 engine? That would kind of be the "heart" that our car shares with the 350Z now, wouldn't it? Ever look under your hood, young lady?

 

I feel like im driving a luxury car with a little sport to boot...im happy with that and its the luxury aspect of the car that sold me...everyone knows I coulda used $30,000 to buy something with less luxury and more sport.

 

If they actually made a Nismo Maxima, yes. However, they have yet to replicate all of the Nismo parts on the Nismo 350Z for the Maxima, which is kind of my point. Get it?

 

FWD VQ35 != RWD VQ35.....still waiting for a valid answer....

 

Yuh huh...

http://www.ultimatez.com/shop/?shop=...17&cart=727702

 

Yeah, I get that. My Maxima also has four doors and the 350Z has two. What's your point? The question was: What besides the Nissan nameplate do the 350Z and Maxima have in common? If the exact same engine is not it, what are you looking for? Oh, they have the same front floor mats?!? They both come in black? What?

 

I just added that to my "Favorite" links

 

hehe that shop is like 20 min away from my house

 

Well..... I wasn't being sarcastic, it was a serious question. You said:

you mentioned the engine AND OTHER ASPECTS. I want to know what these OTHER ASPECTS (besides the aforementioned engine) are. I thought maybe you knew something that I didn't. Apparently not, though..

......

As to the your other comment, n00b.... Under MY hood is a VQ30DE-K, moron. And if I was a "young lady," I would be a young lady who has taken apart, assembled, and installed more Maxima engine/suspension/mechanical parts than you ever will....


still waiting on those "other aspects," Mr. big shot....

 

Don't make me bust out differences on the FWD VQ35/RWD VQ35

 

You have to be a real dush to get on irish44j's bad side...

 

wow....that might have to go into my sig too

 

Are you really that retarded? What did I just say? The VQ35 in the Z is NOT the same as the VQ35 in the maxima....and as irish asked, what are these other similarities between the two? Suspension?

The cars share no similarities and the maxima can't really be classified as a 4DSC. As irish said, that began and ended with the 3rd gen. Just because a car is quick, does NOT mean it's sporty....