VBX MAXIMA JOURNAL
May 30, 2002
I was reading through the org a few days ago when I
found an interesting post about the value of rear
sway bars for the maxima. It really got me to thinking and
doubting about the benefits of that mod. (I have the Stillen one).
*sigh* this is like the CAI all over again...hehe
I removed the RSB this weekend to see if I notice any difference.
While this may be premature, I can say that after a week of
"commuting" through my favorite corners, I now doubt that
the extra 15lbs that an RSB adds is NOT worth it IF you
have a modified stiff suspension. My eibach springs and
Koni struts (while a lil' painful to the ol' behind sometimes)
really help the car turn great. OK OK there is a little more
roll without the bar, but not significant. In fact, it's helping me
better judge when I'm getting at "the limit"...(maybe I'm just sick
of fixing bent rims? haha)
I thought RSBs were FANTASTIC when I had my stock suspension.
But for now, they're off.
March 31, 2002
Whoa! Where have I been? Well my fellow maxima enthusiasts,
I'm now the proud dad of a little baby boy :)
If any of you have kids, you'll know what that means.
The car and the site has taken a back seat.
Some of you are still emailing, which is cool because
I don't mind helping out my fellow enthusiasts.
So no new exciting mods to report...
Except for the fact that I learned something about my
wheels. I bent one of my rims, so I'm back on my stock
15in. The tires suck, but I my fuel efficiency went up
2 mpg. (My 17 inchers weigh 44 lbs, vs 40 for stock).
It's probably also due to rolling resistance. My 17 in
had 235/45s vice 215...*sigh* so at least the stockers are
helping me "save money" to get new rims...hehe.
APR 16,2001
Finally got a chance to swap out to the SMC shifter. Here's an overlay
to let you see the difference between stock and the SMC.
What you see is not even the shortest setting on the SMC. It can go down another quarter of an inch.
There is NO ambiguity at all. You WILL feel the stiffness and shorter throws. The courtesy shifter you
ask? Its defined in the dictionary as "almost like stock" if not *gulp* taller.
Guess which one is Courtesy's? (Hint pick the longest one in the middle). I think someone
has to check the definition of "short." hehe The top one is stock. I do have one complaint about the
SMC. The angle needs to be bent at a greater angle. If you're arms are short, you'll have a tougher time
shifting to the top gears (ie 1st, 3rd, and 5th). If I set the SMC taller (for some reason) I'd actually
be hitting the forward part of the plastic panel.
Also, the results of the poll are in for the Maxima ages...
Looks like the 18-22 year old guys are the biggest group. Man, I feel younger already!...
APR 4,2001
For the curious, check out the My Max section for the recent dyno run...
APR 2,2001
Well, I still haven't gotten a chance to install the SMC shifter yet.
But I've upgraded the shifter page to reflect the comparisons between the
different shifter kits out there.
I did manage to have some Maxima fun this weekend. I dynoed the car at R& D Dyno in Gardena.
(which is where Sport Compact Car goes). I'll be posting my results shortly...
MAR 22,2001
New poll today :)
(Sorry poll closed April 16, 2001)
MAR 21,2001
Some folks already know I've been critical of Courtesy Nissan-made
products (through direct experience mind you ). But I haven't
yet complained about the customer experience through their parts
department. As further proof of this, Steve Richardson, the parts manager
at Courtesy, handled my problem well. I explained all the problems I was
having with the Courtesy shifter. In response, he has sent me, at no extra
cost, an SMC shifter to replace the Courtesy one, even though the
SMC costs $30-50 more. Another thumbs up to Courtesy service.
I just got it today. All I can say is *wow* - the SMC quality looks
terrific. I'll have a write up on the SMC with pics soon after I get a
chance to install it.
I also closed the tranny poll...thanks to all 59 who participated!
It would seem that among the Max enthusiast crowd, there are more 5 speeds than
I thought. From what I read, as a whole, manuals account for only 20% of
Maxima sales - so my expectations for the manual % were lower than was shown
in the poll.
MAR 19,2001
Nothing new to report...just anxiously awaiting for some dyno time.
The appointment is made for the end of this month!
I wanted to see how the car does before any exhaust mods...
MAR 10,2001
Ok, how to replace a fuel filter. (whoopee!?)
MAR 7,2001
Trying my luck at putting polls on my website, hope this works!
POLL CLOSED...see march 21 for results.
MAR 6,2001
Updated my Gtech notes...thought it needed a few more comments.
And..oops..fixed a problem with the Miscellaneous page.
Coming up next: Changing a fuel filter
FEB 28,2001
Whew, my installation notes on a-pillar gauges is complete...enjoy!
I would like to say many Thanks to Matt Pelto!!! Whose tips
proved invaluable during the planning stage of this project.
Thanks Again MATT!!
FEB 25,2001
About a couple of weeks ago I went to the import show at Long Beach.
I've seen this thing in ads, but it was cool to see in person.
AEM has developed an air bypass valve for cold air intakes. It greatly reduces the
risk of flooding in water from the intake. So if you live in a rainy area and
accidentally take your max "swimming" this will save you.
The only drawback I see is that you'll be sucking in unfiltered air to the engine,
but that is certainly waaay better than hydrolocking your engine.
You may also be still vulnerable to large splashes of water because you won't build
up the pressure in time for the bypass valve to actuate,but I'm just thinking
out loud here...that possibility is rather remote since the CAI filter is protected
in the fenderwell. What do you think? Email me at vbxmaxima@yahoo.com.
On another note, those a-pillar gauge pod install notes are still in progress.
It's taking me a lot longer than I thought. Should be done by the end of the week.
FEB 19,2001
What a "Maxed" out weekend! Whew...I need another to recover.
Spent one day to install my gauges (yay! it's done!)
Then spent the other helping Cheston (of Maximadriver.com fame) with installing
his Koni shocks and Sprint Springs.
So a How To Install article on gauges are in the works.
Incidentally, I can now see that my earlier noise problems were not because
of detonation. On a recent run, with 7 psi boost, I saw 80 psi fuel pressure...
so the aux fuel system with Stillen's kit seems to be doing its job.
I also updated the vendors list...to reflect Cattman's better, updated website.
FEB 14,2001
What happened? The car is running great! All I did was remove the shifter
and peeked in the dash over the weekend to look for wires to hook up my gauges.
But that strange high rpm noise which I thought was pinging (but my friends didn't)
has disappeared...Now I'll never truly know what it was, but just hope it doesn't
return.
Nothing like a little luck on valentine's day. Where's that GTech...
FEB 8,2001
TAKE A LOOK AT THIS!
YES, this is or rather WAS my Courtesy Nissan Short Throw Shifter.
I cannot believe the utter, beneath contempt quality that Courtesy has
in this shifter. Sorry, but I'm mad as hell. This thing broke when
I was driving! It's not as if I didn't try to make it work.
A. The shifter ball was oversized, so I shaved a little to make it fit.
B. The bolt was too short, so I bought a longer one that worked.
C. The threads where the knob went needed to be filed.
D. And now the weld broke?
AAAARRRGH! It WILL be a cold day in hell before I buy anything made by
Courtesy.
FEB 5,2001
I finally got around to those LA Auto show pics.
Here's some pics and info on the new Nissan 350ZX.
Worked on the fuel pressure sensor this weekend.
I tapped into a fuel line and tested it...whew..it's working.
But I was using an outside 12V power source.
A little poking around and now I know what I'll tap into.
I'm going to splice into the power going to the cigarrette lighter.
Makes sense...should something happen, (ie short circuit) then
I don't interrupt power to anything important...(plus I don't smoke
so who cares? hehe) I also got word from Summit Racing that my
replacement boost gauge is on the way...yay! Finally, I'll be able
to mount the a-pillar gauge pod.
FEB 2,2001
I brought a friend who is much skilled in auto performance
on a ride. Hmmm...he doesn't thing its pinging at all, but
some other noise. I currently suspect something about my
exhaust, which I will look at this weekend.
I've also been working on a bracket design for my fuel
pressure sensor (for the gauge).
I think I've found the solution...time to build it and try it. I'm also trying
to figure out how to make the electrical connections to the
gauges
(I want to be able to make the lights dim with the
stock panel light dimmer).
JAN 28,2001
Supercharger has been in for a few days now.
Surprise, surprise..Stillen's kit still needs tuning. I'm getting what I
believe is pinging when I pass 5000 RPM. I think I'm not getting enough
fuel pressure, but I can't tell at the moment until I have
fuel pressure gauge installed. As luck would have it, the
autometer boost pressure gauge I got is not calibrated properly,
so I'm waiting on its replacement from Summit Racing to install
both boost and fuel gauges together.
I knew the Stillen kit may have problems - I don't regret it at
all. Once I get these issues resolved - this thing will GO :)
It was quite a rush until I heard the potential ping (dang it).
So...things may be quiet for a little while? Until I figure all
these out. But expect a full review of the s/c and a how-to-install
a-pillar gauges in the future. :)
JAN 21,2001
First, our friend and NOS expert Matt Pelto has updated his notes
on Nitrous Systems. Way to go Matt!
For you 5 speed guys n gals, I've also completed a section on how to change
your manual tranny oil.
Plus...time to let "the cat out of the bag."
I'm going for the boost! After watching my pennies for a year now,
I bought Stillen's supercharger kit.
It's being installed at the moment by a pro mechanic because
this install is waay above a simple garage mechanic like me.
In macho like bravado, I'd say "Yeah, I could do that install."
But it would take me much much longer.(And still screw something up...hehe)
JAN 14,2001
My check engine light came on! Darn my Luck!
Well, I've fixed the problem myself (Engine Coolant Temperature Sensor).
So...guess what? Yep, I now have a Check Engine Light section.
With an error code decoder!
JAN 13,2001
Created the Vendor List.
A list of places to buy stuff for your car with reviews on each.
JAN 10,2001
Saw the LA Auto show yesterday evening.
Pics to be posted soon...
If you are interested in going to the LA
Auto Show, email me. I got some discount coupons.
If you work/live nearby, I can give you some.
I'll even snail mail it to you (free), but I don't
know if it'll get to you at this rate. Show ends this
weekend.
JAN 4,2001
Finished my notes on the short throw shifter.
JAN 1,2001
HAPPY NEW YEAR!
Updated My Max data...
Hey, I got a short throw shifter for Christmas! Yay!
It's been installed...install notes are in progress.
DEC 23,2000
HAPPY HOLIDAYS EVERYBODY!!!
Here's to hoping you get a Maxima-related gift! hehe
For fun, I wanted to show you an amusing picture a friend of mine showed me.
Give yourself three guesses and figure out how this Jetta owner "lowers" his ride...
...then click on the pic.
DEC 15,2000
With all the weekly updates, this page started getting full. So I created the
VBX Journal to hold the old stuff. I was also going through my pics and noticed
that I had a few Eibach Maxima pics. So I made an article for it as a source of
reference.
DEC 10,2000
Here's how to change your sparkplugs.
DEC 4,2000
Finished article on replacing the starter.
DEC 1,2000
Ever wonder about trying to measure your
1/4 mile or 0-60mph times?
Here's my take on the gtech!
NOV 30,2000
OK I finished my install notes on the y-pipe.
Can't wait to test it with the G-Tech.
They weren't kidding when they said it is quiet vs the Stillen.
Almost sounds like stock! No "can of bees" at all.
Feels awesome at 3000 RPM +.
NOV 26,2000
Hope you had a Happy Thanksgiving Holiday!
I had lotsa turkey and...oh yeah a Cattman Ypipe installed! woohoo!
Install notes on that are in the works.
I did have some other fun last week.
I got a seat in a $375,000 sports car!
NOV 18,2000
Ever wonder which service/repair MANUAL to get?
NOV 17,2000
NITROUS Section completed!
NOV 11,2000
Y-pipes and RT CAT discussed under Mods: EXHAUST systems
NOV 9,2000
Webpages under construction: EXHAUST systems
NOV 6,2000
Turbo magazine did an article on their project Maxima.
Click to get a summary.
NOV 5,2000
YES! The clutch is installed! Click for details.
G-Tech times posted in MyMax.
OCT 29,2000
My stage 2 ACT clutch has been staring at me for too long.
I'm gonna call the mechanic and get it installed this weekend!
Let's see what a new clutch can do to the 0-60 and 1/4mile times,
courtesy of the G-Tech accelerometer. Hey, there's an idea. I'll post the
times that I've been getting with my current mods.
I want to install the y-pipe, but I want to do that and the short throw
shifter at the same time (though I still have to buy the STS!)
I also want to see if I can get a dyno run in to do a baseline before I do all
the power mods!
OCT 25,2000
The debate summary is complete. So are you a CAI or SI fan? Read and let me know!
OCT 19,2000
Work begun on the CAI vs SI debate summary. Send me your opinions!
OCT 17,2000
The clutch info section is COMPLETE! :) Check it out if you want to see how
a Maxima clutch works. (It's under mods)
OCT 11,2000
The clutch info section received some attention. Today, the focus was
on the pressure plate.
OCT 10,2000
Well, it looks like I won't be able to install that new clutch this month.
I blew my money on a Cattman Stainless Steel Y-pipe, which should be here
before the weekend. If you haven't heard, Cattman is doing a group deal
as we speak. SS Y-pipes are going for $400 (vice $450). If you're
interested, hurry! www.cattman.com The deal ends Friday, Oct. 13.
OCT 5,2000
Picked up an ACT Stage 2 Clutch. Install in a couple of weeks.
A clutch section in Mods is now under construction.
Basically, it will show how a clutch works and general guidelines for choice.
I'm also planning a redesign of this site. Using multiple frames
is getting to be annoying.
SEP 30,2000
Added how to fix a bad throttle position sensor in Maintenance.
Go there
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