Most of the mods i've been doing are either free or very cheap:

AE/Cefiro Clone heads ($5 can of black Krylon Fusion)
Clear bumper lights ($30, very expensive compared to the others)
Indy Fogs ($0.80 of wire, i ended up with way too much)
Painted badges (Same $5 can of black KF)
White circle behind front burger (Garage spray paint)
"MAXIMA" covered clock (Paper + Printer)
JVC HU (Came in car)

So here's my question. Now that I've worn out my cheap/free mod options, what is next? Say I have about $500 to spend, hopefully less. What should I look into?

1) I want 17" Altima 3.5SE rims, but can't afford them until someone buys mine, however, i don't have any back-up rims to drive on for the time being, so i think that option is out, unless i find the rare "even trade" lol i don't know anyone wanting to "downgrade" to 16" 97-99 Max SE's

2) what about cheap performance gains? Popcharger? Test pipe? What are my options?

3) Save the money, and be fine with nearly-OEM VQ Power!!!!

EDIT: 4) or save up for a turbo. !!!

 

y pipe

 

where to buy? what brand, and how much?

 

#3 and then do a 3.5 swap

 

agreed......y-pipes are the best bang for the buck with our Maximas. They say 10-15 wheel hp. You can find them used here on the org for ~$100-150.

 

definitly get a y-pipe...but since you have $500 do an 00vi swap also....i got my UIM for $50..so if you search well you can get a 00vi swap setup for a decent price...y-pipe comes first though

 

how about 91 octane gas?

 

Maybe a full interior/exterior/engine bay detail.

 

hmm.....yep, that one is a must.btw, i see prices going down. Its Greeeaaaaaat !!!!!

 

For $500 dollars I would get a y pipe then a VI. Then call it a day and go boosted later on down the road.

 

Save for turbo gets my vote.

 

I know it's been said that a Y is the biggest bang for the buck. And it might be ($200-$300 for 15-20HP?). But, and I do not mean this to sound cocky, once you feel boost, all of those threads about Y-Pipes, cat-backs, intakes, etc. are a joke. Trust me. $500 of bolt-ons won't give you enough increase in speed/power to return $500 of enjoyment. So, with that said, if you only have $500, I would put it into handling (shocks,springs, rims, tires) where I think you will get $500 of enjoyment - or save for boost.

 

Agreed, although 500.00 isnt much for supsension either.
that would cover springs and struts, not going to be able to touch a nice set of tires or wheels for that much.

 

500.00 may not be enough to do that either.
Depending on how much he can find the manifold for, then the other items needed and if he does the work himself or not. Also, to get the most out of the VI you need to extend the REV limiter.

 

Save for FI.

SC kits seem to be getting cheaper and cheaper and can be had now in the $1200 range....

 

by my wheels for $500, not the ones in my sig

 

a ypipe and then save for the FI... you can get a decent ypipe on the org for ~$100

 

maxima.org sticker FTW

 

got my warpspeed y pipe on their ebay listing for 200$ shipped =) ordered it Sunday and waiting for it .

 

a VI is good but i think you will need more than 500 dollars to get its full potential

 

You speak as if its from experience, how do you even know what a Y pipe even feels like when you dont have one? You didnt even know what one looked like untill recently.
You take what others say and just base your opinions from there and then advise others whithout even really knowing?
Typical newb.

 

My vote goes for saving for serious mods. like:
1)fully adjustable coil over setup
2)engine swap (de-k or 3.5)
3)full exhaust
4)supercharger

 

Coilovers are nice, but who really needs a fully adjustable set unless your a seriuos autoX.
Everyone says 3.5 swap, but most that say this dont even know whats all really involved.
Full exhaust really wont do much but sound nice.
Once you go boost, theres a lot to think about besides just adding a blower. You need to address fuel and etc.
In reality, best bet is just to go slow and take baby steps and learn as you go. Y pipe and a nice suspension with nice wheels and tires would be a really good start. You some added power with better handling and its also asthetically pleasing.

 

I know the 3.5 isnt easy (I know whats involved) thats why I said de-k first (it is). I said exhaust because with a supercharger/turbo its a good investment (and i assume if you go boosted you have already addressed the fuel issues). and if you take small baby steps you always end up buying things twice. Its always good to do alot of research before mods and thats where you should slow down. the most important thing is research before spending to make sure your getting what you want. I said fully adjustable because people that dont auto x are always complaining about the ride comfort with non adj. and with spring shock setups and since everyone is different I think the ability to adjust to your liking is a good investment. and it also looks better when selling to have quality mods and not cheap ones. but I guess if you dont mind re-doing things you could try something like a spring shock setup and if you dont like it just save up again and swap it all out for a new one (which lots of people do).

(I feel like your going to improve something improve it to the best of your ability. mickey mouse mods shouldn't be done at all)

 

I've done some searching but what are Indy Fogs?

 

independently wired fogs? (fogs that turn on without the headlights)

 

Aftermarket exhaust is ok with a boosted setup, a 3" is more ideal but not many choose to deal with it due to the increased noise.
The base SC setup really doesnt do much for fuel upgrades or management, that has to be addressed later, and of course the base setup with its boost output is never enough to keep one happy for long.
I agree about taking baby steps and having to buy items twice, however the experience and knowledge gained from both the install and the out come of all the items is more then worth it. Yes, you could just take some ones word in regards to some items, but how will you really ever know for sure and make wise decisions in regards to whats actually right for you if you dont have that experience. More so, how can one advise others based on what others have said and yet have no real experience in what their speaking of?
Even with adjustables, you wont gain that much comfort. Thats just part of being on a lowered suspension. It will NEVER be as comfortable as stock. No matter if your on adjustable strut/shocks or on fully adjustable coilovers.
I will admit that my Teins are much more comfortable then my Sprint/AGX setup was, but not like stock. But im ok with that, Im lowered and thats just a part of it. People Ive talked to who have fully adjustable coilovers have even mentioned to me that they were still a bit stiff and they dont really use the mutliple adjustments.
I see you dont practice what you preach though., Going with a spring/strut setup that isnt adjustable. Why you would even pair GR2s with the S-Techs?
In reality, mods should never really be considered in a final selling price. True they may draw more prospective buyers but you cant expect to get as much out as youve put into it, or even close for that matter. Thats why many simply choose to part out.

 

Go stuff......y pipe and Technosquare ECU

turning stuff.......You cant get a good spring/strut combo for 500.....maybe some blues or GR2s with springs but not AGXs/Illumias ect........

show stuff.....you maybe able to get a wheel and tire combo for 500, but its gonna be smaller wheels and not as good looking. lip kit with paint will be well over 500....You maybe able to do new headlights or something...



If it were me I would go with the y pipe and technosquare ECU.......gain around 20-25 WHP and will have the basic building blocks for adding a VI or boost later on....

 

man i would do the striped taillight mod that i created. $3-$5 for a roll of tape and your ready to go!!!!! http://forums.maxima.org/4th-generat...-2-99-mod.html

 

i appreciate everyone's input. Indy Fogs are my lazy shorthand way of saying independently wired foglights.

I'm actually okay with my suspension. i think maximas sit low enough that to lower them even further is just really to say that you did. usually you can't even tell unless you park next to another one. unless i'm just blind.

i've been wanting the 17" altima 5-spokes that have been getting more and more popular around here, but i keep having shxt come up that needs money allocated (teeth, car payments, etc etc etc...girlfriend...blah blah) and it's hard to keep money lol. if i figure out a way to sell my rims and find a good deal on the alt's i'll most likely jump on it. but i don't really want to (temporarily) drive around on steely's with $10 tires on them lol.

i always carry a full tank of premium. 93 oct to be exact (ftw, yes thank you)

--------------------------

y pipe, best bang? i've heard mixed reviews. alot of guys are disappointed in them.
technosquare? what kinda gains am i looking at?

bottom line, i do NOT want the CEL coming back. HENCE the 93 oct. lol.

will i see a CEL with either of those mods?

-------------

another question. if i were to get about a 10-15 # boost, what other parts am i looking at needing to replace? cams? crank? rods? pistons? or just wait till they fxck something up? i'm kinda nervous ab boosting. is it worth the $$$$$$$$$$$$$$$?

 

y pipe id say like 15 hp. man for 15 lbs of boost id say build the internals or something might come flying out the block and upgrade the brakes. 10 lbs of boost i think u could get away with just doing fuel upgrades like pump, filter, injectors, rail, and good tuning. and maxs sit low already????? wtf!!!! lol!! compared to what a humvee? everybody calls our cars 4x4s for a reason! lol

 

i suppose you're right. thinking back to my 240sx it felt like i was getting into a power wheels hahaha

makes a maxima feel like a u-haul

 

so a turbo costs way more than just a turbo. what's the cost add up to on the pump, filter, injectors, rail, and tuning? about 3 to 4...maybe 5...hundred? i don't really know a whole lot about engines, i definitely need a Boostd for Dummies book or something lol


EDIT: i am prepared for the whole "Why do you want to mod if you don't know anything about engines noob?"

short answer...i like to learn. stfu lol

 

I think you should invest in a haynes. and then save some money for when you need repairs, especially if you are saying money is hard to come by.

also by your current 'mods' I cant believe people are suggesting boost. Yes its great and it beats all bolt ons (or so ive heard flava ), but seriously you have to start small and then do it when you know what you are doing.

You also seem like you care more about show than go so I would vote for a lip kit for you.

 

3-500? ROFLMAO! A turbo alone costs atleast 500. Theres also the custom piping which is ALOT, the intercooler, BOV, oil lines...im not gonna list it all but a turbo setup can easily cost up to $2-3K.

 

^^^^ well thats why we are here to learn. i had a boosted honda bought my friend did all the work... i just handed tools over and "hold it here, not there dumbass hold this!" while he put it together. but it does take alot to boost your car the right way. i think wizard would be the the man to talk to about boosting details, or ptatohd... id like to say $3000 for all necessary parts.

edit: i think he was talking about things other than the turbo kit that would be that much.

 

It's a well known fact. You're making yourself look foolish attacking someone for posting what has already been posted here several times. Regardless of whether he knows what a y pipe looks like or not.

Don't be a typical keyboard commando, Flav.

 

lol man if it only did cost that much, everyone in this thread that posted would be boosted

 

First of all on what planet is a 3" exhaust not considered a full exhaust? secondly dont talk to me like you know me and my experience because you read my sig and think somehow that sums up my life experience. I probably have more experience with cars and various mods than you do. Ive worked on ferraris, porsche, bently, rolls, bmw, and all other cars under the sun made between 1934 and today have you? (diddnt think so) I also have done extensive custom boyd cottington type stuff on various frankenstein cars (like chevy body dodge engine ford rear everything fabricated in house). I only did the suspension because i bought the car really cheap with a totally blown suspension because the previous owner put ebay springs on stock struts and I needed it to be safer for daily drivin without blowing the bank( I got my whole set up for less than 400$. I bought the tein kyb set up I have over others because I have much experience with both tein and kyb and they are quality manufacturers. I also unlike many other people know how to drive with a serious drop its an art and if you cant do it you shouldnt go lower. a rougher ride comes with a stiffer suspension and a low car, there is no way around it every porsche and ferrari drives very rough over rough roads. and if I had money to burn to make things perfect I would have gone coilover which allow me to re-iterate i have MUCH EXPERIENCE WITH. and where did I say it would be anything like stock ride? In my opinion it is always better than stock. and of course your not going to get what you put in out upon sale of the car, but it looks alot better if you have high grade mods than cheap ones. with quality mods you may get more than book with cheap mods you will almost always get less than book. and I dont really care what the mickey mouse sc kit comes with IF YOU DONT DEAL WITH FUEL MANAGEMENT YOUR ONLY HALF DONE and that is with any boosted application period. but again let me re-iterate how ignorant it is to judge people based on nearly no info.

p.s. the title of the thread is opinions needed so why dont you allow anyone else's opinion stand and speak for itself. this isnt even your thread but yet you seem to wanna police it like you have a right to.

 

I can have a full exhaust in 2",2.5",3", or any inch. Size has nothing to do with having a 'full exhaust'.