Well, after succeeding with the y-pipe and intake, I am now on to struts and springs. My Maxima is really getting a makeover for its one year anniversary (2/1). I went with the H&R/Tokico combination. I am not expecting to have to adjust the struts regularly as the KYB provide and would wait until KYB releases their 5th gen strut anyway as opposed to buying the modified 4th gen strut. In the meantime, I'll be sitting low with the H&R/Tokico setup.

I will be doing the installations myself...I guess I'm going to be purchasing a spring compressor. I bought a new tool chest (SEARS! DAMN RIGHT SEARS!) last weekend, so there is all sorts of new space for a spring compressor.

$600, exactly, for both with shipping from shox.com as of today, in case anybody is interested.

I'm thinking of the Random Tech Cat next, not sure...trying to keep the noise level where it is today, so no cat back in my future and likely no CAI and SC. New wheels and a short shifter may be the only remaining major modifications left for me after this.

 

yeah right, think you can quit just like that

 

Good point. Hey, I'll be honest, as long as it doesn't make noise...I'll do it. The sub-frame connectors are a possibility, 2K2 HIDs are likely, new wheels, the RT Cat, and a short shifter are all on the list. What else? No CAI, SC, or Cat-back.

Custom paint job?

 

Why no SC? How about nitrous?

 

My original concern was with the noise-level. I was, ironically, just on your site listening to the various .mpg files of your car sc'd. I don't necessarily mind the growl during hard acceleration, but, today, my Maxima is a quiet purring V-6 during normal highway driving and I'd like to retain that. I find myself regularly in the car with business colleagues who have a significant bearing on my success and I'd rather not have to yell at them over the growl of my intake/exhaust system. As much as I hate to admit it, image is everything for a great deal of business and although the image I'd carry around would be great with the auto enthusiast segment of the market, they don't bring in a lot of revenue.

I'll get it lowered, and then add the RT Cat (which shouldn't increase noise levels at all, I'd imagine) and then do some thinking. Maybe the SFC's from WS first.

If I had a chance to ride around in your Maxima, I might change my mind.

 

Let me know when you are ready. I could make myself available to help(or at least watch and direct haha)

 

Don't forget to post pics of before and after.

 

Of course...before is already taken care of on my web site. After, well, that will be taken care of...after.

 

Get the CAI! You'll be glad you did. I modified mine (cut off part of the upper CAI tube) to be able to keep the accordion section of the stock intake attached to the throttle. This took care of all clunking or vibrating noise that the lower tube was making - as well as took any possible strain/stress on the throttle body/gaskets. It also muffled the sucking sound quite a bit to where it's not any louder than the rest of the normal engine noise you hear - so it blends in very nicely and quiet. I didn't notice any performance penalty at all either!

 

I agree with KEV! You should go SC! I need another AE supercharged to hang with! Make sure you get some pics of before and after of the springs and shocks. And if you dont go SC then a little shot of NOS doesn't hurt. I plan on getting my Nitrous Express 50shot by next wk. Ill let you know if I go BOOM! ha ha ha

 

Be patient my son. You know what you need to do? You need to work an extra two hp out of your Maxima so you can claim 300hp to the wheels.

 

I didn't want the noise at first either, but somehow I've changed my mind and got the GReddy Evo coming. It's not as loud as I thought. I've heard Kev's car in person and it's actually not that bad. You might like it, and it probably won't hurt the corporate image too much. No y pipe for me though, cause that'll make it extra loud, and i know you already have your y-pipe, so on second thought, cat back may not be the way to go.

 

Actually I had a custom mid pipe made since when I dynoed I had the stock mid pipe with the resonator. Maybe now Im at the Big 300 Anyways Im switching the pulley and dropping in a little 50 shot in case of emergency.

 

UPS...arriving Monday...a whole weekend that could have involved putting on struts and springs wasted while the shipment sits less than 3 hours away in Portland, OR.