Hey guys,

I'm new to the list and this is my first post. Look at my sig. to see the other cars I own. I'm usually a turbo guy (the Shelbys and the Shadow are turbocharged), but I decided to get the Max dynoed yesterday because I'm considering turbocharging it.

I was VERY disappointed in the numbers (mainly the hp #'s). How could the factory rating be 222hp at the flywheel, and my wheel numbers drop so low? Usually the factory numbers are a little high, but what's going on? Both my CSX's have more torque and hp than my Max, and I can't allow that to be (it's very cheap to work on those cars and produce big numbers). Here are my numbers;

As measured on DYNOJET'S MODEL 248C DYNAMOMETER

1st run; 93.0 F 29.92-0.63 in.Hg. 110ft CF=1.02 RPM/MPH=65
Max power = 165.0 Max torque = 187.6

2nd run; 93.5 F 29.92-0.63 in.Hg. 110ft CF=1.02 RPM/MPH=65
Max power = 164.0 Max torque = 184.6

3rd run; 92.9 F 29.92-0.63 in.Hg. 110ft CF=1.02 RPM/MPH=65
Max power = 161.1 Max torque = 178.8


Granted it was a hot day (over 100 F) and they had a fan in the front. I need to search through the archives to get some pointers and start building this thing up. I've seen Jim Wolf Technologies and Stillen performance products available, but now I would like to get something that just works. At least get me close to the 200hp range....

-Will

 

It sounds like your VI (variable intake) is busted. Does power continue building after 5000rpm and all the way to redline, or does it start to drop off after that? You should see a little hump in the torque curve right around 5000rpm from the VI switchover. If not, and power and torque start dropping off, then your VI is definitely busted. Post up your sheet if you can.

 

Yeah, I'm looking at the sheet right now, and right at about 4.6 rpms in second gear, torque was 182.6, 180.7 and 175.7. Immediately after that, at 5.0 rpms, it's at 170. At 5.5 rpms, it's at 155, at 6.0 my torque is at 130 and continues downward into oblivion! HP dips down slower and at 6.5 rpms, I'm at 150hp. I have the sheet and I'll take a digital pic of it and post it. And I can definitely tell that the car has less power. I used to run 5.0's no problem, but now, it's hard..... Thanks for your help!

-Will

 

Yup, your VI is definitely stuck in the low-RPM profile. It's not opening up above 5k like it should so that's why it runs out of breathe at the top-end where instead it should really be hauling and building power right up to redline. So you pretty much have a 4th Gen 190HP VQ right now.

Good luck getting Nissan to fix it. From reading threads from past people that have had this issue, it's tough enough just to get Nissan to admit that it is "not normal"

 

Dog-gone-it!!!! I can't post any attachments to the forum. I took a digital pic of the dyno sheet, I'll see if I can PM it too you.

I've never heard of this problem. My car is past the warranty, so I guess I'll have to fork over the money for this fix out of my pocket. I did look under the hood and noticed that there's a hose that's not connected on the right hand side of the spark plug cover...

<Rant mode on> As you can see from my sig, I have numerous Dodges. If anyone has ever heard of the mid 80's turbo Dodges, that's my area of perfection. It takes about $1k to get them running 12-13
s in the quarter, easy. Dodge and reliablility should not be used in the same sentence. I've always heard of the Nissan value/reliablility, so I'm a little disappointed at the fact that they would not acknowledge something is possible a design flaw.<Rant mode off>

-Will

 

Oh, they just don't like doing warranty repairs. They like to say it's not a problem when you're in warranty and then suddenly say that it IS a problem once you're out of warranty and will have to pay cash.

These cars generally are pretty reliable compared to a Honda or a Toyota. This particular issue is pretty rare but not unheard of on the 00-01's. VI getting stuck/jammed is not an unheard of problem on Camry's either. Go to the test site (big red font above) and search in the 5th gen forum for "VIAS" and "broken" or busted or whatever and you'll probably be able to find some of the old threads that discussed it and might even be able to DIY the repairs yourself. Definitely see where that hose might go. That could be it.