I drove the 2k2 6 speed and the new altima 3.5 Those are so fast. I don't feel like any amount of mods I can do can catch up to that new engine. I only have a y-pipe right now. I plan on a cai and b-pipe with 2k muffler. I wonder if boost will make us faster than those cars. I wonder what those 3.5 will feel like when they finally boost. It seems like our only advantage is weight.

 

slap a turbo, exhaust, and ypipe on and your on your way past

 

nitrous

 

Well, I just happen to go at it with a altima 3.5(don't know if it was stick) Tuesday on the GCP west from exit 23 to the jackie robinson split. As soon as the merge lane opened up(I was behind him than) it seemed like we both had the same idea to start racing. Either he didn't know how to drive or those things aren't as fast as they thought. I'm betting that he wasn't as good as a driver as me cause when we started dipping through traffic I easily caught up and passed him but once the straight away came he would catch up and pass but he could never get further than a car length away. I've been manually shifting my stock autodragic when I'm in these heated battles so I guess that's what kept me in the fight. Something tells me if I was modded up instead of bone stock he would have been toast. Anyways, my point is this: I beleive a well modded 4th Gen should not have a problem with the 3.5 altima(stock) or 2k2 max(stock) because the weight of those cars will offset the difference in power between the 4th and 5th Gens. If any of those 2k2's are modded though just prepare to have your a$$ handed to you unless the driver really REALLY sucks. Just my .02. Tell me what you guys think.

 

check my sig..

 

As soon as someone finds a way to throw the 3.5VQ and 6spd tranny into a 4th gen, then we can have the best of both worlds.

 

Off topic but how the hell do you keep your headlights looking so nice? Are they brand new or do you have a really good cleaning secret?
Thanks,
Paul

 

Super fine grit sand paper, polishing compound, and scratch remover

 

Yeah, that'd be nice. If or when the motor dies, I hope there will be a relatively cheap way to drop the motor in. My sister's Accord fits the H22a Prelude motor in with a direct swap...instant 70HP gain for $3,300 with LSD.

As for the Maxima, my 97 is pretty darn fast for no boost and relatively cheap mods. I think with the intake, Variable Intake Manifold, Y-pipe, B-pipe, muffler, UDP, flywheel, lighter wheels, and a set of 2 piece rotors...you should be about 210HP to the ground and faster than the 2K2. I have all that minus the Variable intake manifold and flywheel, and I think my car hauls.

 

But still a 2k2 with the same mods will be faster....

 

The mods aren't available for the 2k2, and it already has the MEVI (called VIAS here in the US).

Well......not yet.

Give them a year or two, and we're all dust.

 

But of course...

I don't think it's worth the effort to try and keep up...just be happy with what you have. I've spent a good $3K on all my parts and they were either used or on clearance. I was thinking about entering my car in one of those import shows and call it "The Car that No One Wanted."

Every aftermarket part was bought used, brand new but from someone who didn't want it, or on clearance at Stillen. Great way to save money.

 

the only thing holding back those 3.5 VQpowered cars is the fact that they weigh a couple hundred pounds heavier negating the horsepower gains. i think i can keep up or beat a stock or lightly modified 2k2. but one day they will walk away from us in a race.

 

LOL. Buss95, I love your sig.
The only way to beat a 2k2 max is with the new 350Z. hehehe

 

Honestly I'd get a 2k2 Altima before I'd get a 2k2 Max .. the new Altima's are almost as fast, if not equal, and less expensive. Plus they're made in America ..

Also I'm not too into the styling of the 2k2. I think 4th gens are much more attractive.

 

I always look for a car made in Japan. That's why I went with my 97 Maxima over the 5-speed V6 Camry. It's not a national pride issue at all, but I think the work ethic and morale is much higher in Japan. A while ago, Americans were boycotting imports and wanting to support only domestic manufactuers. Times have changed and America has capitalized largely to the "Global Economy." If you buy a Ford, your parts were made all around the world, likewise any other manufactuer.

 

Yeah, I agree with Kevin. I have never really been a fan of American made cars. If you search on the BBS there's a thread regarding a question in the quality of the newer model, American-build, Japanese makes. Some are satisfied with the quality, others have noticed the typical "cheap American interior" feel. But I do feel American build quality is getting up there, but for some reason, I'd prefer Japanese still. Just the quality, feel, and fitment of every piece is great.

 

First off, a person in Japan isn't going to install a car part any differently than a person from the States. It's all about the engineering of that part. The person putting the part on is simply doing just that.

As for the 4th gens being signficantly slower than the 3.5VQ, well that depends. A well driven and modified 4th gen 5 speed shouldn't fear the 3.5VQ all that much. From what I've seen posted in the Timeslips forum, the 3.5VQs (stock/modified) are very comparable with most of the 5 speed 4th gens (mid to high 14s). There are even 4th gen autos running 3.5VQ times. The thing that intrigues me is that nearly all these 4th gens aren't equipped with variable intake manifolds. All I have to say is just wait because things could get really interesting. IMO, the 3.5VQ isn't going to benefit from the much anticpated y-pipe. If you've seen the design of the 3.5VQ, you'll see where I'm coming from.

If I buy a 3.5VQ, it will be a G35 or possibly the Altima. The 5th gen Maxima does nothing for me. Now that I've seen pics of the new Mazda 6 (626 replacement coming in January) I'm seriously considering the incredibly beautiful 5-door hatch version (220hp/205tq, 3200lbs). I wish Nissan could design something so Eurpoean looking.


Dave

 

FWD VQ35 cars will be 0wn3d by VI equipped NA 4th gens.

BTW I vote for the G35... it is worlds ahead of the altima. Assuming you can afford it.

The new Mazda 6 is an awesome looking car. Saw a bunch of them at the Detroit Auto Show. Very cool looking.

 

2k2

 

Heh...I love this thread title. "New generation of car makes old generation obsolete??" What a novel concept

This is quite wide-open ended if you ask me. If you really simply want the power of a 3.5 VQ, buy a car with the engine in it. If you seek the enjoyment of working on/modding your car (to me, working on it would be just as enjoyable if not moreso than the small gains in performance by each part), and would rather pay 50-75% less than a 2K2 Maxima sticker price, then be happy with your fourth-gen, regardless of how it stacks up to 3.5 VQs. etc, etc...but I wouldn't feel empty or saddened if I was you, if you couldn't beat a 2K2 Max in a race with your slightly-modded 4th gen. Unless winning races is what's most important to you in a car. You probably just wanted to start a discussion though, so forgive my analytical nature.


I agree on both points. The Mazda 6 looks like a well-spirited car with some style to go with it. The G35 coupe looks like the modern answer to everything I want in a car - it's too bad the sticker is out of my range.

 

ALL I HAVE TO SAY IS...
look at my sig

 

I just saw the news and they said that the dealership by my house has a sport package for the 3.5 Altima with springs, Jim Wolf intake, and an exahaust system and it rated at 270hp

 

hey man, why my joint stills says Newbie. I been here long enough for an upgrade

 

I have both 02 and 97. and agree with you, the 4th gen, especially the 97-99 SE's look alot better. I think they will remain the best looking stock Maximas for a while. In auto form the the 02 Altimas produce 6.6-7.3 in auto and 4th gen autos from 7.3-7.6 stock according to the mags.If you get a jump you might have a lead for a sec or to. In manual form Altima 6.3 or so 4th gen 6.6 or so, so its close.