Slowest out of the Gens since the 5th?


And why is it that the more that Nissan increases the HP/TQ the heavier the car has gotten? One would think that with the significant power increase that we'd start seeing stock times of 13.5 or lower based on the power increases and knowing that stock 3.5s were already running in the low 14s plus given the 35HP jump should've put us somewhere into the 13.7 territory.

One other thing; why is it if Nissan continues to call the Maxima the 4DSC then why not place the exact same engine in the Maxima or simply add 2 more doors onto the Z?

Sorry about all the questions but this board needs to wake up!!

 

FWIW, I think you have it backwards. The HP/TQ increase is to accommodate the fact that the car is heavier. We all know that the VQ engine is capable of more power than what is under the hood of the Maxima. Let's not loose sight of the fact that the Maxima is a sporty, near-luxury sedan with emphasis on the near-luxury rather than the sporty aspect. For a true sports sedan, look to the G.The 4DSC moniker is something Nissan resurrected to try and rejuvenate the Maxima somewhat. At the end of the day, the G is the true 4DSC. Nevertheless, I love my Maxima and could have easily gotten a well equipped G37 in its place but the G just did not fit me. I even took a nice long road trip in one to be sure because I was truly on the fence trying to decide between the two.

 

Somebody here (that I won't name) must have been asleep back around 2001-2002 when Nissan announced the manual version of the 3.5 Altima would become the 'affordable 4DSC' for Nissan, and the Maxima would gradually be taken upscale to become a near-luxury, but still sporty Nissan flagship. With a hiccup or two along the way, that is exactly what has transpired.

The 7th generation Maxima is not intended as a race car, and its primary mission is not as a 4DSC. Its primary mission is to be a near-luxury flagship with solid sporty characteristics. As an 'add-on', Nissan stuck a little 4DSC emblem in one back window. But we all know the 7th gen Maxima is not intended to be a true 4DCS; with the Premium package, it is borderline to qualifying as a true luxury car, although still very sporty.

But then Boone said things better than I can say them. He spoke the truth.

 

Boone and Light hit some good points, the extra power is pretty much to compensate for the pounds that the car has gained since 02 when the 3.5 was added and the upscaling started (it was pretty much quicker than everything else in its segment then, now quicker than some). Since 02 the car has pretty much ran similiar times with all three trannies (auto, 6spd and CVT) give a take hundreth of second or 2, with the 5.5 gen beeing the quickest prior to the 09 due to its lighter weight. I have the article from somewhere where Nissan said from the 02 model onwards that the car would be me more upscale and "softer" and that the Alti would moreso fit the bill of 4DSC, now go figure as of the 10 model year it even loses the beloved 6spd manual.

From what I read the Max will not get the 3.7 as it is something with the engine bay that it will simply not fit, what they should do is add the HR verision of the 3.5 to the Max.

 

The problem with adding the HR is the gas mileage that comes with it. I think it would cause more problems with losing people from poor mpg then gain people with the better performing version of the same engine. Adding it as an option would be ridiculous as well being that would be crazy money to add that into the production line which in turn would raise the price of the Maxima.

Edit: Don't get me wrong. By no means am I bashing your idea of the HR in the Max. I would love to have that beast in there. It's just realistically it will probably never happen unfortunately.

 

It probably won't, but Nissan historically with the Max and Z (exception 4th and 6th gen) adding some power or uprated engine mid cycle. With the new deal on fuel economy/effeciency it probably wont happen although . The Hr's in alot of cases do just as well as the DE and Rev Up in fuel economy according to the guys over at my350z. My 370 gets just as good economy as my Max and wifes G35 and I don't drive it conservatively alot as with the Max and G.

 

The answer is still the same. Computer torque management and WOT restrictor that the aftermarket guys either can't crack or fear the results. (breaking the CVT)

Bullydog talked big and actually has a fix for V8 Nissans but no one will touch the Maxima as yet. This car has an effective final drive ratio of 5.17 in the lowest gear which would light up the tires until about 40 mph but for the torque management. Top end is also restricted by the WOT restriction. We can only get full power from about 30- 87 mph in a LEGAL 1/4 mile run. Just guessing that the car can do 13.6-7 at about 101 if unrestricted.

An online calculator says
1/4 mile time: 13.8
Trap Speed: 101
Weight of vehicle
with driver (pounds): 3700

Horsepower @ flywheel = 290.11 HP


So, we are restricted for now... although maybe not all that much.

 

You're spot on regarding the ET/Speed potential of this car and I didn't even use a calculator and estimated the same results.

There shouldn't be a WOT Restrictor or any fear of destroying the CVT as Nissan has already raised the Warranty to 100K miles, this tells you that this tranny is capable of handling more.

 

Monte hit it in post #6. With the updated CAFE ruling you're going to see better economy across the board. By 2020, the overall average for fuel economy for all consumer vehicles across a manu's line is going to be 35mpg. 2011, it's supposed to be at 27.5 I think it said.

To get to this average, you will see Nissan/Infinity release a whole lot more options for hybrid and/or pure electric vehicles.

I'm not a mechanic nor an engine specialist. I don't know how much more economy (MPG) they can squeeze from the engines we have today. I can, on the other hand, see how companies like Toyota are handling it. Nearly every consumer model vehicle has a hybrid model to help balance out the MPG rating for the CAFE requirements.

To me that says the "end is near" of the really fast, really big engined vehicles we grew up with. Enjoy what you have. I suspect in the coming decades, you won't be discussing removing WOT limiters, but more in the lines of "this capacitor and LiON battery package gives me better 1/4 times on my electric juice-mobile".

 

This topic has been beaten to death on this forum. We have all been disappointed with the Maxima since the introduction of the G35 in 03. Infinti got the better chasis, better engine, better exhaust, better suspension, etc. etc.

No ones ever happy with their car...u got max owners trying to make their cars sound and handle like the G, G owners trying to mod their car to handle like the 335, 335 owners modding their cars to handle like the M3, M3 owners...u get the point

 

If you've modded your Maxima for power and handling, you can't help but grudgingly recognize some truth in that statement.

However, I disagree with the premise that, "No one's ever happy with their car." Some of us love our cars, and simply enjoy the hobby of improving them. If I weren't happy with my 7 year old Maxima, I wouldn't drive it. It's that simple.

"If you can't be with the one you love..." -- Stephen Stills

 

Not everybody is unhappy. I am not only VERY happy with my Maxima; I actually LOVE my Maxima. There is very little I would change with this baby. And I really appreciate my Nissan dealer. I had so-so service with Datsun/Nissan dealers from the 1970s until 1996, when my dealer opened his doors four miles from my home. He has been fair with me for over 13 years. All his employees know me, and they always try to do right by me.

Since there is an Infinity dealer nearby, I usually check out their inventory. I always feel a little cramped in the G35, have never been a big fan of its styling (it was OK, but now getting rather long in the teeth), and never seemed to jibe with the folks at my Infiniti dealer, who always wanted more money for a G35 equipped like the Maximas I was driving (loaded).

I am getting raves and admiring looks with my 7th gen Maxima, while my neighbor with his G35 and my son with his TL Type 'S' admit nobody ever says anything about their cars.

It is an understatement to say I am happy with my Maxima; I absolutely LOVE to drive down the road in my baby. It truly pampers me, yet can fly like the wind or turn on a dime when I need that. My life is much more fun because of my 7th gen Maxima.

 

I'm sure there is a way we can keep our engines power and increase fuel economy. Like maybe making the max somewhat a hybrid. Or even have a program that simply turns off the engine while the car is at a red light or a stand still. you know running a car off of electricity is the best and fastest because its stored energy.

 

Honda already has the CRV that does the same thing.

I wasn't trying to imply that I was unhappy with my car ever, I luv the way this car drives/handles/impresses those who see it and all else but it is kinda like someone said here earlier that we always want more.

I think those of us that are into modding would eventually be satisfied if we can find something to remove that naughty low end restrictor that keeps us from lighting up the tires.

As far as all the commentary about the direction the Maxima has gone I already knew all of that stuff before so there was no need to repeat it here, I've been owning Maximas since 2000 and I'm well aware of Nissan's intent for this car and for the Altima (being owning them since their inception in 93).

For all of those who continue misspelling Infiniti with a "Y" just look to your left and you'll do it the right way the next time.