Officially the Bluebird SSS thread
 

Well.. Technically it's a Maxima, but who cares about technicalities.

If some of you haven't heard, I sold my 1997 Maxima to a friend. I've had this 2nd Gen Maxima (1985) for almost a year now. It was my dad's but he finally decided to quit on it and just sign over the title to me now that I don't own a car. It still runs, just really rough. I got some 15" Eneki wheels with some good rubber put on it today.

I plan to drop it in the near future but first I need to figure out why it runs so rough. It'll run good for a minute or two but then it'll want to stall sometimes and sputter while driving.

Anyone have any ideas of what is causing it to run like this? It's A VG30e in case anyone wanted to know what engine it has.

You can hear it start to stall around 0.55 sec of the video. It will then continue to idle fine after. :confused:


I took the bumper off just to see what it would look like but I'll probably put it back on. I think with some body work it could look good without it on..

Attachment 39560

IN FOR THE AWESOMENESS....I love pre-4th gen max's

Is the motor cold? Sounds like it's idling high too.

No, I had just taken it for a leisure cruise around the neighborhood. The engine is warmed up to operating temperature during the video. While driving it, it also has a loss of power and struggles to go up small hills. Sometimes stalling during motion.

I plan to do a full tune up to it this week. Plugs, Wires, Distributor cap and rotor, oil change, fuel filter, pcv and possible coil. Depending on funds. I'll have to see if that resolves the issue. I also foresee a timing belt in my near future. :laugh:

I have no idea what maintenance has been done. The car sits most of the time. My father drove it at most maybe 5 times a month.

Good Luck Man....:)

Car runs amazing after it's tune up. I've installed a new intake set up. Still need some new vacuum hoses and cuplers to get it set up correctly.

Should have it registered this week and on the road.

I also ordered a set of KYB GR-2 Struts and Shocks. Should provide a somewhat comfortable ride for what I have planned in the near future.

Got her out of the garage and registered today.

Attachment 38979
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I also got some new struts and shocks.

Attachment 38981



It needs more lowwwwwwww...

Can't wait to see how this project turns out :cool:

So today I was taking her for a spin to get something to eat. I went to stop at a light to make a right hand turn. It started to sputter a little and then after I gave it some gas to turn it just stalled. I pulled over to the shoulder but couldn't get it started.

I know it isn't the Rotor, Distrib cap, wires, plugs or air filter. All of those have been replaced within the last 30miles. I'm thinking either Ignition coil or Fuel related, maybe fuel filter or pump.

It turns over, just won't start. The Engine also shakes a bunch while trying to start. Anyone got any other ideas?

I think I've pretty much narrowed it down to ignition coil. I'll have to wait until later this week to get it fixed.

It wasn't ignition coil or fuel delivery. It ended up being a fried wire from the positive battery terminal. Replaced the wire and it started right up. Good to have her back on the road.

Just a small update.

I removed the Maxima badge. Have a Bluebird badge on the way to replace it.

Attachment 38389

I also removed the side moldings. Still need to clean up some residue

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Car is still having some sputter problems while driving. I think most of it is related to some vacuum leaks. Hopefully I'll get it sorted out by next weekend.

I kinda like it without the bumper

I kinda like it without the bumper

Yeah I have some extra sheet metal laying around. I was going to try and fab up some body panels to hide the bumper mount area.

The winter has made it miserable to work outside. Unfortunately I don't have a heater for the garage. I did however make some progress despite the cold.

I've started working on my custom suspension set up. I have a set of sleeves set up on KYB GR-2's. I still have some custom fab work to get done before they go on the car. Should drop it anywhere from 2-4 inches.

Here are some pictures of the progress..
Attachment 37539
Attachment 37540

I also installed a new intake set up from a 4th gen Maxima. It actually fits quite well despite being designed a decade later.
Attachment 37541

Picked up where I left off last night and got yet another front sleeve ready to go.

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Now just to figure out the rear and it'll be ready to ride low.

hmm, i'm gonna subscribe to this

+1 have a lot on my to do list for this car. Have parts ready. I just don't want to put them on in 5deg weather. As soon as it gets warmer, I should start having some fun. :D

Your sig makes me frown a bit though. Considering the wheels I have picked out for this car are Rota's :(