Maxima 6sp vs. Altima 5sp
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Joined: Oct 2001
Posts: 56
Maxima 6sp vs. Altima 5sp
Well the debate still rages on about which car will be quicker from 0-60mph and in the 1/4 mile and we'll never quite know the truth until two of these cars go head to head against each other in stock trim. However, given the technical spec's I've seen, I'm convinced the 2002 Maxima 6sp is going to kick ***. Of course I'm biased, given that I'll be getting the 6sp soon.
Let's look at the specs. Have a look at the spread sheet of numbers I've copied over from the 2002 Maxima and Altima Spec's sheet I obtained from my local dealer in Brampton, Ontario, Canada.
Quite clearly the Maxima gear ratios should yield better acceleration. Many people have stated that 6th gear is only an overdrive gear and that's the only difference between the two cars. It's clear that the addition of the sixth gear has allowed engineers to space the gear ratios closer together on the Maxima.
Furthermore, there is the issue of an additional 15 hp for the Maxima. Of course I've heard people argue that the Maxima weighs 200 lbs. more. From the literature I've reviewed this is not true. The Maxima is only 46 lbs. heavier. From my motorcycle racing days I was told that approximately 7lbs of extra static weight is equivalent to about 1 hp. That means the Altima would gain about 6.5 hp due to its weight advantage. That still leaves the Maxima with about an 8.5 hp advantage over the Altima thanks to its variable capacity muffler.
Given two equal drivers, I believe the Maxima will be quicker. First the closer ratio tranny should yield better acceleration. Second the approx. 8.5 hp advantage will also yield better times.
Regards,
Rudy
Let's look at the specs. Have a look at the spread sheet of numbers I've copied over from the 2002 Maxima and Altima Spec's sheet I obtained from my local dealer in Brampton, Ontario, Canada.
Quite clearly the Maxima gear ratios should yield better acceleration. Many people have stated that 6th gear is only an overdrive gear and that's the only difference between the two cars. It's clear that the addition of the sixth gear has allowed engineers to space the gear ratios closer together on the Maxima.
Furthermore, there is the issue of an additional 15 hp for the Maxima. Of course I've heard people argue that the Maxima weighs 200 lbs. more. From the literature I've reviewed this is not true. The Maxima is only 46 lbs. heavier. From my motorcycle racing days I was told that approximately 7lbs of extra static weight is equivalent to about 1 hp. That means the Altima would gain about 6.5 hp due to its weight advantage. That still leaves the Maxima with about an 8.5 hp advantage over the Altima thanks to its variable capacity muffler.
Given two equal drivers, I believe the Maxima will be quicker. First the closer ratio tranny should yield better acceleration. Second the approx. 8.5 hp advantage will also yield better times.
Regards,
Rudy
Re: Maxima 6sp vs. Altima 5sp
Originally posted by wolfmanjack210
Well the debate still rages on about which car will be quicker from 0-60mph and in the 1/4 mile and we'll never quite know the truth until two of these cars go head to head against each other in stock trim. However, given the technical spec's I've seen, I'm convinced the 2002 Maxima 6sp is going to kick ***. Of course I'm biased, given that I'll be getting the 6sp soon.
Let's look at the specs. Have a look at the spread sheet of numbers I've copied over from the 2002 Maxima and Altima Spec's sheet I obtained from my local dealer in Brampton, Ontario, Canada.
Quite clearly the Maxima gear ratios should yield better acceleration. Many people have stated that 6th gear is only an overdrive gear and that's the only difference between the two cars. It's clear that the addition of the sixth gear has allowed engineers to space the gear ratios closer together on the Maxima.
Furthermore, there is the issue of an additional 15 hp for the Maxima. Of course I've heard people argue that the Maxima weighs 200 lbs. more. From the literature I've reviewed this is not true. The Maxima is only 46 lbs. heavier. From my motorcycle racing days I was told that approximately 7lbs of extra static weight is equivalent to about 1 hp. That means the Altima would gain about 6.5 hp due to its weight advantage. That still leaves the Maxima with about an 8.5 hp advantage over the Altima thanks to its variable capacity muffler.
Given two equal drivers, I believe the Maxima will be quicker. First the closer ratio tranny should yield better acceleration. Second the approx. 8.5 hp advantage will also yield better times.
Regards,
Rudy
Well the debate still rages on about which car will be quicker from 0-60mph and in the 1/4 mile and we'll never quite know the truth until two of these cars go head to head against each other in stock trim. However, given the technical spec's I've seen, I'm convinced the 2002 Maxima 6sp is going to kick ***. Of course I'm biased, given that I'll be getting the 6sp soon.
Let's look at the specs. Have a look at the spread sheet of numbers I've copied over from the 2002 Maxima and Altima Spec's sheet I obtained from my local dealer in Brampton, Ontario, Canada.
Quite clearly the Maxima gear ratios should yield better acceleration. Many people have stated that 6th gear is only an overdrive gear and that's the only difference between the two cars. It's clear that the addition of the sixth gear has allowed engineers to space the gear ratios closer together on the Maxima.
Furthermore, there is the issue of an additional 15 hp for the Maxima. Of course I've heard people argue that the Maxima weighs 200 lbs. more. From the literature I've reviewed this is not true. The Maxima is only 46 lbs. heavier. From my motorcycle racing days I was told that approximately 7lbs of extra static weight is equivalent to about 1 hp. That means the Altima would gain about 6.5 hp due to its weight advantage. That still leaves the Maxima with about an 8.5 hp advantage over the Altima thanks to its variable capacity muffler.
Given two equal drivers, I believe the Maxima will be quicker. First the closer ratio tranny should yield better acceleration. Second the approx. 8.5 hp advantage will also yield better times.
Regards,
Rudy
Re: Maxima 6sp vs. Altima 5sp
Originally posted by wolfmanjack210
Well the debate still rages on about which car will be quicker from 0-60mph and in the 1/4 mile and we'll never quite know the truth until two of these cars go head to head against each other in stock trim. However, given the technical spec's I've seen, I'm convinced the 2002 Maxima 6sp is going to kick ***. Of course I'm biased, given that I'll be getting the 6sp soon.
Let's look at the specs. Have a look at the spread sheet of numbers I've copied over from the 2002 Maxima and Altima Spec's sheet I obtained from my local dealer in Brampton, Ontario, Canada.
Quite clearly the Maxima gear ratios should yield better acceleration. Many people have stated that 6th gear is only an overdrive gear and that's the only difference between the two cars. It's clear that the addition of the sixth gear has allowed engineers to space the gear ratios closer together on the Maxima.
Furthermore, there is the issue of an additional 15 hp for the Maxima. Of course I've heard people argue that the Maxima weighs 200 lbs. more. From the literature I've reviewed this is not true. The Maxima is only 46 lbs. heavier. From my motorcycle racing days I was told that approximately 7lbs of extra static weight is equivalent to about 1 hp. That means the Altima would gain about 6.5 hp due to its weight advantage. That still leaves the Maxima with about an 8.5 hp advantage over the Altima thanks to its variable capacity muffler.
Given two equal drivers, I believe the Maxima will be quicker. First the closer ratio tranny should yield better acceleration. Second the approx. 8.5 hp advantage will also yield better times.
Regards,
Rudy
Well the debate still rages on about which car will be quicker from 0-60mph and in the 1/4 mile and we'll never quite know the truth until two of these cars go head to head against each other in stock trim. However, given the technical spec's I've seen, I'm convinced the 2002 Maxima 6sp is going to kick ***. Of course I'm biased, given that I'll be getting the 6sp soon.
Let's look at the specs. Have a look at the spread sheet of numbers I've copied over from the 2002 Maxima and Altima Spec's sheet I obtained from my local dealer in Brampton, Ontario, Canada.
Quite clearly the Maxima gear ratios should yield better acceleration. Many people have stated that 6th gear is only an overdrive gear and that's the only difference between the two cars. It's clear that the addition of the sixth gear has allowed engineers to space the gear ratios closer together on the Maxima.
Furthermore, there is the issue of an additional 15 hp for the Maxima. Of course I've heard people argue that the Maxima weighs 200 lbs. more. From the literature I've reviewed this is not true. The Maxima is only 46 lbs. heavier. From my motorcycle racing days I was told that approximately 7lbs of extra static weight is equivalent to about 1 hp. That means the Altima would gain about 6.5 hp due to its weight advantage. That still leaves the Maxima with about an 8.5 hp advantage over the Altima thanks to its variable capacity muffler.
Given two equal drivers, I believe the Maxima will be quicker. First the closer ratio tranny should yield better acceleration. Second the approx. 8.5 hp advantage will also yield better times.
Regards,
Rudy
. BTW nice write up Rudy.
Donating Maxima.org Member
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 341
Re: Maxima 6sp vs. Altima 5sp
Originally posted by wolfmanjack210
Furthermore, there is the issue of an additional 15 hp for the Maxima. Of course I've heard people argue that the Maxima weighs 200 lbs. more. From the literature I've reviewed this is not true. The Maxima is only 46 lbs. heavier.
Furthermore, there is the issue of an additional 15 hp for the Maxima. Of course I've heard people argue that the Maxima weighs 200 lbs. more. From the literature I've reviewed this is not true. The Maxima is only 46 lbs. heavier.
I like the www.Nissan.ca numbers even more:
2002 Altima SE 5 speed = 3,191
2002 Maxima SE 6 speed = 3,221
A difference of: 30 lb.
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