Just a few random pics of the max and its friends...
Just a few random pics of the max and its friends...
Since I haven't posted pics in here for a while, here are a few I took this week of the maxima and my other vehicles...
My wife, not impressed that I washed the cars, apparently
I hope it doesn't rain
work supervisor
My wife, not impressed that I washed the cars, apparently
I hope it doesn't rain
work supervisor
As to the Mazda. It has been brought to my attention that the Mazda doesn't qualify as "my" car (even though I paid it off and pay the insurance on it) since my wife drives it, lol...
but if you must have a pic of it:
Also the front swaybar is just hanging there by the endlinks and isn't bolted up.
The jeep: http://www.naxja.org/forum/showthread.php?t=955077
As to the Mazda. It has been brought to my attention that the Mazda doesn't qualify as "my" car (even though I paid it off and pay the insurance on it) since my wife drives it, lol...
but if you must have a pic of it:
As to the Mazda. It has been brought to my attention that the Mazda doesn't qualify as "my" car (even though I paid it off and pay the insurance on it) since my wife drives it, lol...
but if you must have a pic of it:
Besides STS Maxima doesn't get many of the "good" mods (LTB, SFCs, BBK) that really make the biggest difference in autocross (IMO)
Recall that I've gone from stock to STS to STX to STU to DSP to EP, so I know what times various mods are worth...
In this area, in 3 years no maxima on street tires has beaten me (one third gen on r-comps, GDMaxSE, beats me consistently). In fact, no maxima on street tires has gotten within a second of me at any event.
At the last event I ran last season, a bone-stock 3i (running on steelies and stock street tires) came within 2/10ths of my time running EP on street tires. At two other events, lightly-modded (springs/struts) 3s's have consistently put up times just a tad slower than mine.
the 3s handles even better and has more power. Since I have both a heavily-modded Maxima AND a stock 3s, I think I'm a little better-prepared to say which one handles better
The MS3 is surely faster, but it's main disadvantage on alot of courses is that the stock tires can't handle all its power on the course. The MS3s on a road course are WAAY faster, but on a tight autocross they don't have much of an edge over the 3s, imo....
Maybe this summer I'll bring both cars to an event and see which one I can drive faster
a stock 3s...yup. Especially on a tighter course. Maybe not a 3i, as they come with lousy tires, soft suspension, and the little 2L engine. But the 3s has a much firmer suspension, great balance, decent stock tires, and the 2.3L...
Besides STS Maxima doesn't get many of the "good" mods (LTB, SFCs, BBK) that really make the biggest difference in autocross (IMO)
Recall that I've gone from stock to STS to STX to STU to DSP to EP, so I know what times various mods are worth...
In this area, in 3 years no maxima on street tires has beaten me (one third gen on r-comps, GDMaxSE, beats me consistently). In fact, no maxima on street tires has gotten within a second of me at any event.
At the last event I ran last season, a bone-stock 3i (running on steelies and stock street tires) came within 2/10ths of my time running EP on street tires. At two other events, lightly-modded (springs/struts) 3s's have consistently put up times just a tad slower than mine.
the 3s handles even better and has more power. Since I have both a heavily-modded Maxima AND a stock 3s, I think I'm a little better-prepared to say which one handles better
The MS3 is surely faster, but it's main disadvantage on alot of courses is that the stock tires can't handle all its power on the course. The MS3s on a road course are WAAY faster, but on a tight autocross they don't have much of an edge over the 3s, imo....
Maybe this summer I'll bring both cars to an event and see which one I can drive faster
Besides STS Maxima doesn't get many of the "good" mods (LTB, SFCs, BBK) that really make the biggest difference in autocross (IMO)
Recall that I've gone from stock to STS to STX to STU to DSP to EP, so I know what times various mods are worth...
In this area, in 3 years no maxima on street tires has beaten me (one third gen on r-comps, GDMaxSE, beats me consistently). In fact, no maxima on street tires has gotten within a second of me at any event.
At the last event I ran last season, a bone-stock 3i (running on steelies and stock street tires) came within 2/10ths of my time running EP on street tires. At two other events, lightly-modded (springs/struts) 3s's have consistently put up times just a tad slower than mine.
the 3s handles even better and has more power. Since I have both a heavily-modded Maxima AND a stock 3s, I think I'm a little better-prepared to say which one handles better
The MS3 is surely faster, but it's main disadvantage on alot of courses is that the stock tires can't handle all its power on the course. The MS3s on a road course are WAAY faster, but on a tight autocross they don't have much of an edge over the 3s, imo....
Maybe this summer I'll bring both cars to an event and see which one I can drive faster
but yeh, i've been struggling the last couple auto-x's due to the lack of those "good" mods. sadly, i only have coilovers and a FTSB going for me for suspension. heard blemco doesn't offer the LTB anymore, never really had too much interest in the SFC, and just never got around getting a BBK, in fact i think most wouldn't even clear the 03 max rims. the two main things right now are the suprastick, cause i'm sick of leaving it in first all the time, and the RSB which should help me a lot IMO as understeer has been the main issue. which also brings me to tires b/c right now the rears are bald as i rotated them and the fronts are wearing out fast due to the camber. was planning on getting either kumho ecsta MX, yokohama s-drive, or the BFgoodrich g-force sport sometime down the road.
i've seen some of the competition in STX class and my god STU. even if i had all those goodies, i think i would still have a tough time...
yeah, swing by a dealer and test drive one if you're bored one day. The handling is very balanced and predictable (and the brake bias is PERFECT, not front-heavy like a Maxima.) The stock GS-A tires are kind of so-so, but the suspension,steering, and brakes are top-notch.
That was why I quickly got away from STS (and other ST classes) - STS limits tires to 225-width, which IMO is too narrow for a heavy car like a maxima in autocross, and you couldn't do some nice mods that I did for street driving.
SFC is the single best mod I've ever done to my car. Makes it handle better AND ride better, for a fairly low price! highly suggested!
In a max, I find that 2nd is better anyhow on everything except the very smallest courses. 1st just doesn't allow good throttle control, IMO. In 2nd it's much smoother and the max should have plenty of torque to power you.
At one of the smaller events I ran last year I did 3 runs in 2nd, though it was in the mid-range rpms at best. The last run I did entirely in 1st. Felt like i was really going faster due to the jerky acceleration out of corners.
Then I got the time: 1st gear run was almost a full second slower than any of the 2nd gear runs! More proof that the rule of autocross is "smooth"
RSB is one of the best mods for autocross, because it really allows the tail to rotate better (combined with high rear tire pressures).
MX is a great tire, alot of nationals guys in ST classes run them. Also they're cheap! On a tight budget, I would suggest the Hankook Ventus RS-2 Z212. They are similar/better performing than the MX or Azenis and they are DIRT CHEAP....like $100 for 245-sizes!
STU sucks because almost every car in STU (at least around here) are AWD monsters over 300 hp....mostly STi's....
Take a look at the DSP times in your region. DSP allows you alot more mods but isn't much faster (in total class) than STX....
but yeh, i've been struggling the last couple auto-x's due to the lack of those "good" mods. sadly, i only have coilovers and a FTSB going for me for suspension. heard blemco doesn't offer the LTB anymore, never really had too much interest in the SFC, and just never got around getting a BBK, in fact i think most wouldn't even clear the 03 max rims.
SFC is the single best mod I've ever done to my car. Makes it handle better AND ride better, for a fairly low price! highly suggested!
At one of the smaller events I ran last year I did 3 runs in 2nd, though it was in the mid-range rpms at best. The last run I did entirely in 1st. Felt like i was really going faster due to the jerky acceleration out of corners.
Then I got the time: 1st gear run was almost a full second slower than any of the 2nd gear runs! More proof that the rule of autocross is "smooth"
Take a look at the DSP times in your region. DSP allows you alot more mods but isn't much faster (in total class) than STX....
yeah, swing by a dealer and test drive one if you're bored one day. The handling is very balanced and predictable (and the brake bias is PERFECT, not front-heavy like a Maxima.) The stock GS-A tires are kind of so-so, but the suspension,steering, and brakes are top-notch.
That was why I quickly got away from STS (and other ST classes) - STS limits tires to 225-width, which IMO is too narrow for a heavy car like a maxima in autocross, and you couldn't do some nice mods that I did for street driving.
SFC is the single best mod I've ever done to my car. Makes it handle better AND ride better, for a fairly low price! highly suggested!
SFC is the single best mod I've ever done to my car. Makes it handle better AND ride better, for a fairly low price! highly suggested!
I can’t agree w/ you more on 225’s being too narrow. Tires just squeal every time I turn hard into a turn, just can’t get enough traction. Just for money’s sake and this seasons championship, I’m going to remain in STS class and finish it for this year. For next year, I’m definitely going to look into light & better offsets to suite wider tires.
Forgive me but aren’t the SFC weld ons?
In a max, I find that 2nd is better anyhow on everything except the very smallest courses. 1st just doesn't allow good throttle control, IMO. In 2nd it's much smoother and the max should have plenty of torque to power you.
At one of the smaller events I ran last year I did 3 runs in 2nd, though it was in the mid-range rpms at best. The last run I did entirely in 1st. Felt like i was really going faster due to the jerky acceleration out of corners.
Then I got the time: 1st gear run was almost a full second slower than anyof the 2nd gear runs! More proof that the rule of autocross is "smooth"
At one of the smaller events I ran last year I did 3 runs in 2nd, though it was in the mid-range rpms at best. The last run I did entirely in 1st. Felt like i was really going faster due to the jerky acceleration out of corners.
Then I got the time: 1st gear run was almost a full second slower than anyof the 2nd gear runs! More proof that the rule of autocross is "smooth"
RSB is one of the best mods for autocross, because it really allows the tail to rotate better (combined with high rear tire pressures).
b/c i just kept understeering into them. wish i had IRS as well 
MX is a great tire, alot of nationals guys in ST classes run them. Also they're cheap! On a tight budget, I would suggest the Hankook Ventus RS-2 Z212. They are similar/better performing than the MX or Azenis and they are DIRT CHEAP....like $100 for 245-sizes!
STU sucks because almost every car in STU (at least around here) are AWD monsters over 300 hp....mostly STi's....
Take a look at the DSP times in your region. DSP allows you alot more mods but isn't much faster (in total class) than STX....
Take a look at the DSP times in your region. DSP allows you alot more mods but isn't much faster (in total class) than STX....
Last edited by G4nismo; May 24, 2008 at 10:13 PM.
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