98 Cali Spec -- worth converting anything?
Thread Starter
Junior Member
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 74
From: East Greenwich, Rhode Island
98 Cali Spec -- worth converting anything?
While researching some electrical problems, I discovered that my 1998 Maxima SE 5-speed, that I bought new from a Rhode Island dealer, is a California car. I was tipped off because the main fusible link is 120 amps instead of 140.
Without having to catalog every difference between the Cali and federal models, can someone suggest what modifications -- if any -- would actually make a difference in everyday driving?
I have read some of the posts explaining that there are differences in the Y-pipes, pre-cats, O2 sensors and stuff like that. What I don't know is which possible modifications would make sense.
Better mileage, lower operating and maintenance cost, and better engine response are all nice, of course. But I never push my car very hard.
What would you suggest?
Without having to catalog every difference between the Cali and federal models, can someone suggest what modifications -- if any -- would actually make a difference in everyday driving?
I have read some of the posts explaining that there are differences in the Y-pipes, pre-cats, O2 sensors and stuff like that. What I don't know is which possible modifications would make sense.
Better mileage, lower operating and maintenance cost, and better engine response are all nice, of course. But I never push my car very hard.
What would you suggest?
Member
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 72
If your not looking to gain hp out of the car I would say just leave it how it is and drive. If im not mistaken (someone can correct me if im wronng) the only difference that thw california maxima has is two pre-cats attached at the y pipe for california emissions law
Last edited by driftmax; Apr 25, 2009 at 03:20 PM.
Wait, I thought all 4th gens had two pre-cats in the y-pipe and that is why aftermarket y-pipes yield such impressive power gains.
You know, I actually am not sure if my car is a Cali or not. For a 1997 what all can I check? I know of the differences in the 99's, but I hear the differences between Fed and Cali are very little for pre-99's.
EDIT: Everything in the search deals with the differences and mainly has a lot of "in my opinion" and "if I recall correctly." No hard facts though. Where did you read about the difference in the fusible link?
Also from what I gather people say the pre-99's are pretty much the same fed or cali. I don't know if I believe that because if they were the same there would be no need to have special models for California.
Also I heard a rumor that cali's have swirl valves in the LIM? Is that true for the 4th gen?
Last edited by modenaf1; Apr 25, 2009 at 04:28 PM.
You know, I actually am not sure if my car is a Cali or not. For a 1997 what all can I check? I know of the differences in the 99's, but I hear the differences between Fed and Cali are very little for pre-99's.
EDIT: Everything in the search deals with the differences and mainly has a lot of "in my opinion" and "if I recall correctly." No hard facts though. Where did you read about the difference in the fusible link?
Also from what I gather people say the pre-99's are pretty much the same fed or cali. I don't know if I believe that because if they were the same there would be no need to have special models for California.
Also I heard a rumor that cali's have swirl valves in the LIM? Is that true for the 4th gen?
EDIT: Everything in the search deals with the differences and mainly has a lot of "in my opinion" and "if I recall correctly." No hard facts though. Where did you read about the difference in the fusible link?
Also from what I gather people say the pre-99's are pretty much the same fed or cali. I don't know if I believe that because if they were the same there would be no need to have special models for California.
Also I heard a rumor that cali's have swirl valves in the LIM? Is that true for the 4th gen?
So how do I tell if my car is Cali or Fed spec?
Raise your hood. Look for a shiny metal identification tag fastened to the passenger side of firewall. The top row is the Vehicle Identification Number, starting with J. The second row is model information. The first five characters are BLHUL. The 12th character is the destination:
N = Canada
V = California
U = US, not California
Raise your hood. Look for a shiny metal identification tag fastened to the passenger side of firewall. The top row is the Vehicle Identification Number, starting with J. The second row is model information. The first five characters are BLHUL. The 12th character is the destination:
N = Canada
V = California
U = US, not California
Pre-99s have their differences between Fed and Cali, but IMO not as much so as the '99s.
Only the '99s had the swirl valves in the LIM (for the 4th gen).
It wouldn't be too hard to compile a factual list of the Cali spec differences from the FSM, would just take some time.
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
jmlee44
4th Generation Maxima (1995-1999)
8
Oct 2, 2022 02:13 PM