Iron Giant!
#1
Iron Giant!
Yo guys
I've been looking into this page for a while now. You guys are really helpful. In the next six months or so I should be starting my project car. I have an 88 Maxima, auto with 236k miles on it. I decided instead of buying new engine to swap internals, drop comp. ratio, a total rebuild on this old hunk. I will be doing all of this to add a turbo. I want to know your impressions of anyone you know with an Iron block turbo? Can this old engine take the abuse or is it just as much a mystery to you guys? I know most of you are running VQ's but any help or suggestions of things to look out for would be very helpful.
D
I've been looking into this page for a while now. You guys are really helpful. In the next six months or so I should be starting my project car. I have an 88 Maxima, auto with 236k miles on it. I decided instead of buying new engine to swap internals, drop comp. ratio, a total rebuild on this old hunk. I will be doing all of this to add a turbo. I want to know your impressions of anyone you know with an Iron block turbo? Can this old engine take the abuse or is it just as much a mystery to you guys? I know most of you are running VQ's but any help or suggestions of things to look out for would be very helpful.
D
#4
yeah I'll be taking a trany class sometime in the next year. Hopfully a rebuild can hold out till I can send a trany to Level ten. Or just have them send me the parts and I'll install them.
Everyone seems to agree that the VG is very powerful. I just don't get why more people don't take advantage of it and boost them?
Everyone seems to agree that the VG is very powerful. I just don't get why more people don't take advantage of it and boost them?
#6
i think the biggest reason is because the import scene only in the past few years started getting real big but by then the maxima/vg was too old and no one bothered with them.
turboing a maxima isn't actually all that expensive since we have an engine that can be swapped in. i did mine for 1500-2000 dollars (i can never remember the exact cost) and that's a lot less than a turbo kit would cost most of the time.
turboing a maxima isn't actually all that expensive since we have an engine that can be swapped in. i did mine for 1500-2000 dollars (i can never remember the exact cost) and that's a lot less than a turbo kit would cost most of the time.
#7
And the fact that if your serious about modding this car there are few to none out there.
And the endless wave of family,friends,and aftermarket dealers telling us to "buy a new car!"
Even if I could afford a new car(which I probably could) I still like the max. All it would take to make this a fast car is the effort. If no one tries we will never know. And besides I want to put about 5K into the car. For 5K to have a car that can haul, and that's paid for. It seems worth a shot to me.
And the endless wave of family,friends,and aftermarket dealers telling us to "buy a new car!"
Even if I could afford a new car(which I probably could) I still like the max. All it would take to make this a fast car is the effort. If no one tries we will never know. And besides I want to put about 5K into the car. For 5K to have a car that can haul, and that's paid for. It seems worth a shot to me.
#8
woooow... you want to put 5k into a car thats not worth 1/2 that? Thats pretty bold. Another thing about modding a car of that age is maintenece parts. You won't know what else will break on that car unless you have been keeping good care of it. I know you want to have this done, and want to have a fast car, and be unique, but in all honestly, there are much better platforms to spend your 5k on...
#9
i've probably spent what the car is worth or more by now and i think its worth it. i love my maxima. at times there are troubles that make me mad but i have yet to find a car that can have the reliability, performance, and space of the maxima that is fun to drive. sure i can get a sports car that can have the relibility and performance but i can't haul people around in it nor could i put near the amount of items in it.
probably one of the bigger things also the sleeper effect. make one of these cars fast and no one will expect it. i love doing that so much, it very fun.
probably one of the bigger things also the sleeper effect. make one of these cars fast and no one will expect it. i love doing that so much, it very fun.
#10
ilumo did u just tell me to buy a new car?
hahaha... my family will laugh when they here this!
No seriously I've gotten into cars over the last few years. What better way to get into the automotive field,plus I want a sleeper!
You guys don't understand the faces you make when you get owned by a "piece of junk". It' s priceless!
hahaha... my family will laugh when they here this!
No seriously I've gotten into cars over the last few years. What better way to get into the automotive field,plus I want a sleeper!
You guys don't understand the faces you make when you get owned by a "piece of junk". It' s priceless!
#11
Originally Posted by mtcookson
i've probably spent what the car is worth or more by now and i think its worth it. i love my maxima. at times there are troubles that make me mad but i have yet to find a car that can have the reliability, performance, and space of the maxima that is fun to drive. sure i can get a sports car that can have the relibility and performance but i can't haul people around in it nor could i put near the amount of items in it.
probably one of the bigger things also the sleeper effect. make one of these cars fast and no one will expect it. i love doing that so much, it very fun.
probably one of the bigger things also the sleeper effect. make one of these cars fast and no one will expect it. i love doing that so much, it very fun.
sure you can get a sports car/sedan to haul people around in... M3s, AMG Cseries, EVO, WRX, pony cars, GTPs. They all have back seats to fit people and all are very capable and easy to go FAST. As for reliability, as long as you as the owner take care of your car, and do preventive maintainence on it, you should be FINE. be PROactive, not REactive
#12
Originally Posted by Drjmaxx88
ilumo did u just tell me to buy a new car?
hahaha... my family will laugh when they here this!
No seriously I've gotten into cars over the last few years. What better way to get into the automotive field,plus I want a sleeper!
You guys don't understand the faces you make when you get owned by a "piece of junk". It' s priceless!
hahaha... my family will laugh when they here this!
No seriously I've gotten into cars over the last few years. What better way to get into the automotive field,plus I want a sleeper!
You guys don't understand the faces you make when you get owned by a "piece of junk". It' s priceless!
5k, if you are wading through uncharted territories, which you are, is going to go by real fast with all the custom fabrication you'll have to do, and redo, and redo... unless you are perfect, and nail everything down on the first try.
but getting owned by a piece of junk... Ive never had that happen before, but if it DID... i would be like but then I would give a but I would be thinking, in my ricer state of mind, atleast my car is "nicer"
#13
Thats cool
Hey I'll tell you what when I get everything going. I'll let you ride in the old heap. When you feel the kick of the car and you get that huge grin, you'll forget all about what the car looks like.
I just think that it's funny that people on a maxima enthusiest forum would suggest I sell my car. That's hillarious! But Im not mad, I know what my car can do. I just havent seen anybody go as far as I would.
Hey I'll tell you what when I get everything going. I'll let you ride in the old heap. When you feel the kick of the car and you get that huge grin, you'll forget all about what the car looks like.
I just think that it's funny that people on a maxima enthusiest forum would suggest I sell my car. That's hillarious! But Im not mad, I know what my car can do. I just havent seen anybody go as far as I would.
#15
I've had a few insane ones. There was:
RB26DETT/maxima
VG30DETT/maxima
The RWD max
They were cool but not realistic
So for the realistic I decided stage one will be:
300zx injectors
Custom CAI
Custom headers
2.25 Exhaust sys.
Level ten trany build up AUTO
NOS 50-75 shot if the engine can handle it.
Turbo(turbonetics if I can get it)
Distributorless ignition(probably MSD)
RB26DETT/maxima
VG30DETT/maxima
The RWD max
They were cool but not realistic
So for the realistic I decided stage one will be:
300zx injectors
Custom CAI
Custom headers
2.25 Exhaust sys.
Level ten trany build up AUTO
NOS 50-75 shot if the engine can handle it.
Turbo(turbonetics if I can get it)
Distributorless ignition(probably MSD)
#18
yeah I know, most of the higher level EMSs use coil pack setups, but according to his list it doesn't look like his desired power will be exceeding anything a distributor system can't handle
and 2.25" exhaust....not really
and 2.25" exhaust....not really
#19
I have 2.25 from the cat back already. I will probably have to get custom headers N E ways, so they can make a downpipe and intermidiate pipe too.
The direct ignition is for turbo app. When you turbo, your ignition system can be a PITA. It helps if you can retard or advance at the drop of a hat. Besides the distributor on this car tick me off.
Whats a good way to check if you engine can handle the pressure of turbocharging?
I know Comp. test but anything else.
I was thinking of switching to synth oil and seeing how many leaks I get.
The direct ignition is for turbo app. When you turbo, your ignition system can be a PITA. It helps if you can retard or advance at the drop of a hat. Besides the distributor on this car tick me off.
Whats a good way to check if you engine can handle the pressure of turbocharging?
I know Comp. test but anything else.
I was thinking of switching to synth oil and seeing how many leaks I get.
#20
Originally Posted by Drjmaxx88
The direct ignition is for turbo app. When you turbo, your ignition system can be a PITA. It helps if you cant retard or advance at the drop of a hat. Besides the distributor on this car tick me off.
#21
Of course a DIS system will cost a good $1500 or so. Honda turbo seem to accept their ign systems fine. Alot of Z31 turbo guys see over 400hp with thier dist based systems.
You should really read up more on turbo systems and research was it realistics
You should really read up more on turbo systems and research was it realistics
#22
WOW
Sounds like I brought up some traumatic memories. Sorry, but the old school max's have a distributor that personally I hate. I see you hate the DIS. hey just out of curiosity which one do you have. Stock aftermarket what?
I know you think I have no Idea what I'm talking about(your pretty close),I know that my electrical sys isn't designed for or up to what I'd need it to be.
But hey we could just agree to disagree. I'm curious what setup would you suggest?
Peace
Sounds like I brought up some traumatic memories. Sorry, but the old school max's have a distributor that personally I hate. I see you hate the DIS. hey just out of curiosity which one do you have. Stock aftermarket what?
I know you think I have no Idea what I'm talking about(your pretty close),I know that my electrical sys isn't designed for or up to what I'd need it to be.
But hey we could just agree to disagree. I'm curious what setup would you suggest?
Peace
#24
For everything in the pic. About $110(shipped). You will still need a maf adaptor and filter. Maf adaptor will cost you about $25 I guess. I don't know where to get one for the 2nd gen. Filter: QUALITY k&n can cost as low as $35.
Originally Posted by Drjmaxx88
jeff not you too?
Hey man, how much for the CAI you made for cardana?
Hey man, how much for the CAI you made for cardana?
#25
stock distributor setup is fine...the VG30 ignition setup is well efficient into the 500hp mark as provn on many Z31s. I've installed a Emanage EMS onto a 1999 Maixma(direct coil ign) and there have to be minor modifications made in order to make it work with the ignition. I don't hate DIS, I just realize from experience when it UNECESSARY to make pointless upgrades, when distributor systems have proved tried and true at horspower ratings well over what you plan to make. also take a look at the various problems that result with many coil driven vehicles when timing retard devices are added.
and if you do some research...you can look at all of the VG-T converted 3rd gen (and one 2nd gen)Maximas on here and realize that NONE have used anything but the stock ignition and had no problems what so ever. and I never said you don't know what you were talking about, but then again you haven't proved that the stock distributor system isn't efficient nor given any decent info to prove otherwise.
stock distributor system and an MSD BTM to incorporate boost dependent retard is all thats need...unless you're makgin HUGE power all this conversion BS is a waste. been there done that
and if you do some research...you can look at all of the VG-T converted 3rd gen (and one 2nd gen)Maximas on here and realize that NONE have used anything but the stock ignition and had no problems what so ever. and I never said you don't know what you were talking about, but then again you haven't proved that the stock distributor system isn't efficient nor given any decent info to prove otherwise.
stock distributor system and an MSD BTM to incorporate boost dependent retard is all thats need...unless you're makgin HUGE power all this conversion BS is a waste. been there done that
Originally Posted by Drjmaxx88
WOW
Sounds like I brought up some traumatic memories. Sorry, but the old school max's have a distributor that personally I hate. I see you hate the DIS. hey just out of curiosity which one do you have. Stock aftermarket what?
I know you think I have no Idea what I'm talking about(your pretty close),I know that my electrical sys isn't designed for or up to what I'd need it to be.
But hey we could just agree to disagree. I'm curious what setup would you suggest?
Peace
Sounds like I brought up some traumatic memories. Sorry, but the old school max's have a distributor that personally I hate. I see you hate the DIS. hey just out of curiosity which one do you have. Stock aftermarket what?
I know you think I have no Idea what I'm talking about(your pretty close),I know that my electrical sys isn't designed for or up to what I'd need it to be.
But hey we could just agree to disagree. I'm curious what setup would you suggest?
Peace
#26
Cool
Not looking to start ISHT just wanted to hear some honest opinions. The DIS may suck because my engine wasn't designed with that in mind. I know that most Z31 aren't running them. But the Idea is to forgo some of the lag that a turbo will make. Something to help the low end in the powerband. That's all. I'm not looking to replace parts just for the hell of it. I don't have the money to waste. But since my distributor is 16 years old I was toying with the Idea.
Thanx for the input.
If you want to yell at me some more I say go for it, you guys seem pretty cool!
Not looking to start ISHT just wanted to hear some honest opinions. The DIS may suck because my engine wasn't designed with that in mind. I know that most Z31 aren't running them. But the Idea is to forgo some of the lag that a turbo will make. Something to help the low end in the powerband. That's all. I'm not looking to replace parts just for the hell of it. I don't have the money to waste. But since my distributor is 16 years old I was toying with the Idea.
Thanx for the input.
If you want to yell at me some more I say go for it, you guys seem pretty cool!
#27
its all good man...I think all of the "vets" on here value ALL reasonable opinions, thoughts and suggestions and sometimes we might come across a little mean or whatever, but don't mind it. its just based off the experiences I've had and seen over the years. good luck with your project
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
AC439
3rd Generation Maxima (1989-1994)
1
07-08-2001 11:25 AM