ok, this isn't street racing. more like parking lot racing. (please dont delete/close) anyway...sohail (esfooni23) and i were messin around in a parking lot tonite, we dragged from a dead stop and he wooped the livin **** outa me. he's got a '97 SE 5spd w/ NO MODS! i've got a '90 GXE a/t w/ k&n intake, 3A racing exhaust. HEEEEE says that we have the exact same engine w/ the exact same HP = 190, 160 to the wheels. Is this true? I know mine is a VG, and his is a VE - do they have any performance differences? or is it the fact that his is 5 spd and he can get the most out of every gear? help..

 

1997 Nissan Maxima 4 Dr SE Sedan

Drive Type: FWD
Transmission: 5-Speed


Acceleration (0-60): 6.9 sec.
Braking Distance (60-0): 134 ft.
Roadholding Index: 0.79
Base No. of Cylinders: 6
Base Engine Size: 3 liters
Base Engine Type: V6
Horsepower: 190 hp @ 5600 rpm
Torque: 205 ft-lbs. @ 4000 rpm

1990 Nissan Maxima 4 Dr SE Sedan

Drive Type: FWD
Transmission: 5-Speed


Base No. of Cylinders: 6
Base Engine Size: 2.96 liters
Base Engine Type: V6
Horsepower: 160 hp @ 5200 rpm
Torque: 181 ft-lbs. @ 2800 rpm

 

This is not a mystery.

his VQ - 190hp/205tq at the crank; 5speed manual
your VG - 160hp/181tq at the crank (a bit more with your intake and exhaust); 4speed auto

Enough said.

 

fair enough

 

Hes got a lot more tourque witch helps off the line and his engine is 108 lbs lighter... I know that for a fact and you being auto isnt good either

-Matt

 

it's not that a/t isnt' good...its that he's just got more power.

BUT, say it was the exact same 2 cars...
2 '97 SE....one 5spd and one A/T. Unless it's a VERY skilled driver the a/t will be faster b/c there's no shift lag. auto trannys are better than people think.

 

yea if the 5spd farts off the line..but through second and 3rd the 5spd owns...a full second difference in the 1/4 is alot

-Matt

 

that's assuming both cars have the same amount of HP going to the wheels. while both engines would be rated the same, the A/T suffers from more of a drive train loss, there for resulting in more of a loss of power to the wheels. its all about efficiency.

also, all of the 5 auto 4th gen's i've driven have tranny's that lag.