Hi! Now that some of you out there have installed the thermal spacers (NWP Engineering) for a while, what has your experience been with them?

1. Power
2. Noise or Sounds
3. Any Issues
4. Warranty

I am thinking of installing it in my 2005 SE and would like to see some feed back on the subject before I dive in head first. Any responses would be welcome and appreciated.

Thanks,

 

i dont have them, but all experiences that i've heard have been positive.. good power increase.. i heard you can even touch your IM after a long drive...

not that you would buy spacers just to be able to touch your IM, but you know.. lol.. just an observation

 

Nice ride WYCHE89! The hyper silver mags of that year MAX are still one of the nicest mags our there IMHO.

 

i bought mine 2 months ago and i still havent installed them. no money to do it. but i have heard it gives you a little low end power.

 

I think they increase your gas mileage...just a gut feeling from using them since they came out.

 

Install is rather simple if you were to check out my sticky on how to remove the UIM.
http://www.6thgenmaxima.org/forums/viewtopic.php?t=5179

If one has a CAI, then adding the spacers adds a nice little hiss in a certain range. It reduces temperatures by 40 degrees which is a definite plus. Keeping the motor cooler will also give it more consistent power. A peppier motor is also funner...

 

Only positive for me. A bit of whistling but I am planning to move the TB spacer a bit. I suspect its not centered well. I cannot comment about power. I ported both UIM/LIM, blocked the EGR by 50% and used the TB coolant bypass when I installed my spacer. Lots of power @ upper end.

Be sure your tech does not use too much of the Permatex gasket maker. Too much will ooze into the runners/ports and create a small restriction.

I kept the rear UIM backet on. Because the UIM sits a bit higher, the instructions say to discard the bracket. I simply cut the upper 'ear' of each upper hole with a dremmel to give the two upper bolt holes a 'U' shape.

 

I've enjoyed mine for the 2 weeks theyv'e been on. I can feel a better pull 3500+ for sure. The whistle is easy to hear with my Berk short ram intake in, and I like it. Definitly a good mod for the price.

 

I got the berk w/ nwp's as well. The car has much more pep in the low end but decreases over time due to the ecu compensating. A TS on the ecu would be nice to really get the biggest bang for the buck out of the nwp's. I did get 19 to 20 mpg on highway prior to the berk/nwp install. Now I get 28 mpg with a light foot. key: light foot

 

Why does the power increase, decrease over time? Is the stock Ecu that much of a babysitter?

 

Stock ecu is always trying to maintain stock parameters. I do see a performance enhancement but more when I first had the sensors aligned. Just like Chernmax and a couple of other orger's have suggested we should get a piggyback system and a dyno tune to get the most out of our mods.

I would have to say, so far, the NWP's have been my favorite mod. A great product, and man, the customer service Aaron provides, like no other.

 

That's funny you say that, I was just driving with my girl today and was saying i thought, MAYBE, the car seemed a little slower. IDK if it's my imagination but I can tell the max needs a tune. At low end it's a little sluggish when downshifting in auto mode. Anyways I know were both getting headers when they hit the market, soon fingers crossed, so I'm gonna wait it out. I wonder what others are thinking for the best tuning options when headers get installed...........???? Please CHIME IN!!!!!

 

I'm not sure that you will see a bit benefit adding headers in H/P after the spacer.

Just my 2 cents.

 

Does the ECU reprogram help the power loss problem? -> key in ignition in acc mode (engine still off) pumping the gas pedal 5 times after waiting 2/3 seconds and then waiting 6/7 seconds and flooring the gas pedal till the SES light starts to blink then taking the key out and then starting the car.

I think this helps, as the ECU is required to reprogram itself. You usually have to redo this every 200 - 300 kms (120 - 200 miles) once every two weeks.

Anyone care to comment on this?

 

I paid to have my sensors aligned. The relearning procedure reads like it's some type of sheet music and your car is the instrument. If I can't play rock band I doubt I could do the procedure correctly. Let's just say I paid for a little confidence that my car will run correctly. When I go in for my tranny flush I plan on paying for an intake cleaning and realignment.

I think anything we do to these cars we'll need a piggyback to see the optimal benefit. There's plenty of threads on this site debating it. I've gotten a headache going thru all of them!

 

Sorry, why do you say that?

 

Aaron could probably answer that better than I could.

 

Alright, Ill'e get his thoughts.

 

Good Lord

 

LMAO

 

Well i know it's been a while since someone has posted, but I installed mine this past weekend. I lost all my settings (avg MPG, avg MPH, power seat settings, etc) because I disconnected the Negative battery. No worries there, I knew it was going to happen. Installed it on the 08 SE with a Racingline Performance FSTB. I had to take it off to get to everything, but once back on, you'll have about 1/4" clearance. Now onto the good stuff. I also installed the VIAS plate. I won't be able to tell any gains for MPG until my TDY to Texas next month. I had a friend come over to help and it went pretty smooth for the most part. Hardest thing was ensuring that everything was disconnected. I have noticed some gains around the 3500-4000 range. I did have some idling problems, but you'll only notice this if your A/C is off. It will drop to below 700. I feel this was an excellent buy. Aaron, good product for sure. I didn't take pics, sorry guys, but it's on with less than 12,000 miles on a car less than 10 months old.

 

If you disconnected the harness on your throttle body, then you have to get your idle reset, which is why you are having issues with that.

 

how long did it take you to do all that. i have an 08 too but cant find the time to install mine. its been like 3 months now.

 

It's about 100 bucks at the dealership. After that, WOW! What a difference in the power! Nice low end enhancement.

 

I have a whistling with mine, it's worse with the AC running. Mostly I can hear it at start up and idle. I'm going to talk to my tech and see what can be done. Maybe my install was off or something. It's getting a little annoying to me. I mean the car looks good, I like it to sound good too.

 

Finally got mine installed today. A bit of whistling under load. Pretty quiet otherwise. I don't really notice it unless the radio is off and I'm on smooth pavement. It really is a nice upgrade. Well designed kit. A bit of gains in the mid/top end. Well worth the $$'s.

CM