Hey. I just bought an 2012 maxima SV. I love the car. Still getting used to the CVT but overall love the car. I am curious as to if there are any mods I can add to boost HP and overall performance. I was told not to do anything over 10hp or it'll fry the CVT. Please give me all advice. I don't know too much about cars but ive been doing alot of reading up

 

Accept the car as is, make sure you replace cvt fluid and filter. Keep regular oil changes with oil filters.
​​​​Keep it peaceful.
Pics and mileage?

 

Just like manhanddeem said, accept it for what it is. It’s a sexy car with good passing power. Nothing more. It is not a 4door sports car. If you want it to be a 4door sports car,that takes a lot of money. Make it look good and drive it slow lol

 

If you wanted a sedan that you can modify and see great significant horsepower gains, you bought the wrong car. Enjoy it for what it is, a sexy grocery getter. You can't feel 10hp increase, so why bother. It takes 25-30hp before you can even feel it in the seat of your pants. IMO, a sexy semi-luxury sedan that is mod-friendly with noticeable gains would be a 2016 Infiniti Q50 red sport.

 

Taeburse: I'm also in the same boat except that I've owned a Maxima before. Just purchased a 2012 SV several days ago. The Mod fever already starting to set in now. I'm not going to do anything with horsepower. I'm looking at aftermarket stuff like sequential headlight assembly etc etc. Something nice, subtle and classy that will turn heads. Nothing silly and gawdy nonsense like I'm trying to re-live my teen years. Current headlights seem a little dull at night. Perhaps a new grill. A few members here have some really nice grills. Car Stereo - I've got Focal K2 Power 165 KRX2 speakers from previous Maxima. We will see. Going to have fun now.

 

You can always swap out that CVT for a 6 speed and take it from there.....gonna run you 10k though so might not be worth it unless you wanna be special or can do it yourself mechanically......some have done it and it makes the car more mod friendly HP wise for sure. Start saving for the future when the cvt goes for that IMO.

 

Absolutely as The Wizard said, and my exact plan. Except I won’t get the redsport unless I find a steal. Regular 50 has the same engine. Only difference is the stock boost between the 2. That can easily be adjusted with a tune. I’ll take my akebonos off the maxima and bolt ***** right up to the 50. The rest is cosmetic.

But yes the max max is a sexy grocery getter.

 

While it is true that the regular Q50 has the same 3.0L engine and can achieve the same hp as the red sport with a JB4 tune (basically the non-red sport is tuned down), there are more than cosmetic differences that play a role in and support modding; such as two water pumps instead of one on the non-red sport, final drive ratios, Electronic controlled Digital Dynamic Suspension, 4 piston calipers to name a few. Other goodies include front sport passenger’s seat with manual thigh extension, optional 60/40 rear splitting seat....

Try and find a Red Sport for a steal of a deal if possible.

 

Oh true forgot about the dual water pumps

 

I've been a MAXIMA owner for 25 years. They used to be a true Four Door Sports Car. Not ANY Longer. If you rod it, it will die. Keep the RPM's under 2500.