General Maxima Discussion This a general area for Maxima discussions for all years. For more specific questions, visit one of the generation-specific forums.

How to improve Maxima's steering feel dramatically!

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old 07-10-2001, 09:23 AM
  #1  
JamieInSanDiego
Guest
 
Posts: n/a
(1) Purchase a 1965 Chevrolet Impala sedan. Borrowing one may be $1900 or so cheaper.
(2) Drive Impala for several days.
(3) Get back in the Maxima...notice how firm and responsive steering has suddenly become!

I will say that the Impala is pretty pimpin', though. Gotta love the sound of a 300+ hp 327 V8, dual exhaust, Thrusher mufflers.... and what's not to love about that 2-speed Powerglide tranny!

As soon as my digital camera is returned, I'll put together some side-by-side photos of the Max and the Impala just for grins. (Maxima is much easier to parallel park now as well).

Jamie
 
Old 07-10-2001, 10:00 AM
  #2  
Administrator
iTrader: (10)
 
Sprint's Avatar
 
Join Date: Feb 2001
Posts: 26,949
i was going to post this link but i didn't read your thread at the time.. but since i wasted my time looking for it.. then i am going to post it anyway

http://integra.vtec.net/geeser/megamax/bars.html
Sprint is offline  
Old 07-10-2001, 10:01 AM
  #3  
Administrator
iTrader: (10)
 
Sprint's Avatar
 
Join Date: Feb 2001
Posts: 26,949
oh by the way.. congrats on your new purchase
Sprint is offline  
Old 07-10-2001, 10:04 AM
  #4  
Senior Member
iTrader: (6)
 
ßaller's Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 2000
Posts: 1,187
Originally posted by JamieInSanDiego
(1) Purchase a 1965 Chevrolet Impala sedan. Borrowing one may be $1900 or so cheaper.
(2) Drive Impala for several days.
(3) Get back in the Maxima...notice how firm and responsive steering has suddenly become!

I will say that the Impala is pretty pimpin', though. Gotta love the sound of a 300+ hp 327 V8, dual exhaust, Thrusher mufflers.... and what's not to love about that 2-speed Powerglide tranny!

As soon as my digital camera is returned, I'll put together some side-by-side photos of the Max and the Impala just for grins. (Maxima is much easier to parallel park now as well).

Jamie
I get the same tight feeling in my Maxima when I used to work as a forklift driver. Them rear wheel drive Cats with propane was my specialty. I always accidentally hit the turn signal to either reverse or drive, and sometimes honk at an intersection when in my car, cus of the habit in the forklift.
ßaller is offline  
Old 07-10-2001, 03:29 PM
  #5  
Senior Member
 
bmxsteve's Avatar
 
Join Date: Nov 2000
Posts: 340
Hey Jamie...

How fast are those impalas? A guy wants to race me with his stock '63 SS with a 327 for $100. Do I have a chance? I ran a 15.0 1/4th mile. Are they better than that?
bmxsteve is offline  
Old 07-11-2001, 09:19 AM
  #6  
JamieInSanDiego
Guest
 
Posts: n/a
Re: Hey Jamie...

Originally posted by bmxsteve
How fast are those impalas? A guy wants to race me with his stock '63 SS with a 327 for $100. Do I have a chance? I ran a 15.0 1/4th mile. Are they better than that?
My car is not all that quick, but I know that the '63s are lighter than my car (my car is about 2 tons!) The stock 327 in my car was rated at 300hp, but in those days, the hp rating was calculated, so it may be exaggerated...then again, sometimes mfrs underrated them for insurance purposes.

Nova's and Corvettes also used the 327...think it was rated at 350 in both (different heads, etc.)

In any case, the Muscle car database says 14.9 for a 63' SS with the 409 engine, which is rated at over 100hp more than the 327. I'd say you are probably OK, unless he's extensively modified it (327's have tons of mods available)...transmission mods might help too.

I love the old American cars, but they aren't always as fast as the owners think they are (but they sound like it!)

http://home.fuse.net/sdun/Muscle.htm

1963 Chevrolet Impala SS 409 409hp@6000,420lb@4000
0-60 in 6.3, 1/4 mile 14.9@98mph
 
Old 07-11-2001, 09:26 AM
  #7  
i SeE what you did therE
iTrader: (21)
 
redmaxpa007's Avatar
 
Join Date: Nov 2000
Location: the DAMN south
Posts: 41,704
nice car.. can't wait to see it..
redmaxpa007 is offline  
Old 07-11-2001, 11:37 AM
  #8  
Senior Member
 
Mr. Rose's Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 2000
Posts: 675
Solid Urethane or aluminum rack & pinion mounts, full front and polyurethane suspension parts to replace rubber. Less vertical sidewall. say a 25 on a 8" wide wheel.
That's what I've done on other cars. Oh, and if lowered you might want to flip the steering end-links.
Mr. Rose is offline  
Old 07-11-2001, 11:55 AM
  #9  
Senior Member
iTrader: (2)
 
got rice?'s Avatar
 
Join Date: Sep 2000
Location: Lancaster, PA
Posts: 3,246
or replace the steering rack bushings with urethane or delrin bushings... that'll tighten it up.
got rice? is offline  
Related Topics
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
trasmadean
6th Generation Maxima (2004-2008)
13
02-01-2017 08:20 PM
Finkle
4th Generation Maxima (1995-1999)
13
09-27-2015 09:53 PM
Mrbizness1
6th Generation Maxima (2004-2008)
4
08-18-2015 08:43 PM
Flores94
General Maxima Discussion
1
08-13-2015 01:17 PM



Quick Reply: How to improve Maxima's steering feel dramatically!



All times are GMT -7. The time now is 08:25 PM.