(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 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

 

oh by the way.. congrats on your new purchase

 

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.

 

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

 

nice car.. can't wait to see it..

 

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.

 

or replace the steering rack bushings with urethane or delrin bushings... that'll tighten it up.