RPMS Posted June 28, 2004 Share Posted June 28, 2004 I was stuck in traffic behind a mid-90's Maxima the other day, and I started thinking about what great cars they were. My mom had one, and although it wasn't perfect, it was damned close. As I recall, it was a quiet, solid, and reliable chassis. It was even pretty peppy. 190 hp was nice, but 300 would be better. Has anyone heard about someone putting a twin turbo engine in one? Just curious... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
preith Posted June 28, 2004 Share Posted June 28, 2004 Purely just day dreaming, but I had thoughts of building a Festiva Shogun type of car, but with the Maxima drivetrain and a turbo motor in the back. Basically any small econobox, like the Festiva, would suffice. I would think that the Maxima's drivetrain might not be up to the task, but would be in a much lighter car. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DatsunBoy77 Posted June 29, 2004 Share Posted June 29, 2004 Supercharged maximas are very fun. Problem is they are very torquey (cool word, right?). They have may traction problems. FWD is not the best set up for the supercharged 3.0, definatly would be much better in RWD format. But the maximas are great cars as far as 92+ SE models with 5/6 speeds. I have been looking to get another maxima for sometime now, but instead got a roadster. I kinda wished i waited a little longer and got a max, but i never can fine a 92+ se WITH a 5 speed anywhere in my price range. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wagz Posted June 29, 2004 Share Posted June 29, 2004 I have a '98 Maxima SE with a 5 speed that is almost completely stock. Traction is definately a problem. It has all kinds of torque and it's difficult to keep it planted. I have to really baby it when trying to quickly come off a stoplight, no matter what tires I have on it. However, I have to say that I absolutely love the car! It's quick, handles great and is very comfotable to drive at high speed. It easily eats my 300Z's lunch. The only thing better about my Z31 is it's seats... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RPMS Posted June 29, 2004 Author Share Posted June 29, 2004 Shame on me - Even though my mother drove one for ten years, I didn't know it was front wheel drive! I guess the suspension guys at Nissan really got it right, if the car's FWD nature wasn't immediately apparent! I'd still consider the car as a daily driver though, since it was never intended to be a hot-blooded sports car in the first place. It's power level is probably adequate as-is without the transplant. It was fun to think about, though. Thanks for joining me in the fun! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wagz Posted June 29, 2004 Share Posted June 29, 2004 I've had the same day dream... I believe it was with the '95 model year Nissan switched ends and went to front wheel drive. All '94 and older (boxy body style) were rear wheel drive. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RPMS Posted June 29, 2004 Author Share Posted June 29, 2004 I believe it was with the '95 model year Nissan switched ends and went to front wheel drive. All '94 and older (boxy body style) were rear wheel drive. Close, but no bananna! The Maxima went to FWD in 84, not 94. Only the first generation (the 810) was RWD, according to Nissan. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Savage42 Posted June 29, 2004 Share Posted June 29, 2004 Just clicked over 110k miles on my '97 SE pearl white w/ black leather. It came stock, but quickly got 17x8s w/ Kuhmo Ecsta 712s, springs, rear sway bar, y-pipe (good for 15 rwhp), & Brembo cross-drilled rotors with Porterfields all the way around. It's a damn fun car to have as a driver, nearly 30 mpg hwy, and the only issue was an alternator (warranty), just oil changes. Heck, I even hillcimbed it last year and beat a race prepped 325i with race tires and tons of camber. I only got him by 1/10 second, but on a 2 minute run, I'll take it!! Oh yeah, it's also an automatic, which really pissed the guy off and everyone kept calling my Max "Grandma's car". So, on my last run, I came back with "Grandma THIS!!" I've had RWD withdrawl for over 2 years now, so I'm itchin' to get the Z done!!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wagz Posted June 29, 2004 Share Posted June 29, 2004 Close, but no bananna! The Maxima went to FWD in 84, not 94. Only the first generation (the 810) was RWD, according to Nissan. Doh! You are correct. I was thinking of the even more box-like style previous to about '89. I still would have been wrong. I thought that everything previous to that year still had the L6. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Yardbird Posted June 11, 2005 Share Posted June 11, 2005 Close, but no bananna! The Maxima went to FWD in 84, not 94. Only the first generation (the 810) was RWD, according to Nissan. Actually, you're still only close. It was 85. The last RWD Maxima was the 84. And technically that would be a 910 (square-bodied four door and wagon) as the last 810 was built in 1980. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest MasamuneX Posted June 12, 2005 Share Posted June 12, 2005 Much potential I see in the Maxima yes. http://www.cardomain.com/ride/177457 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mtcookson Posted June 17, 2005 Share Posted June 17, 2005 woohoo! my car got posted. yeah, i own that 1990 turbo Maxima. they're definitely fun when turbocharged. the only downside is that the transmissions suck really, really bad. the engineers at borg warner must have been on dope when making these because they put a input shaft bearing in that would only support about 5800 rpm while the engines can spin up to 6200 rpm in the 89-91 se's. borg warner is my enemy number 1 now and i will always avoid their shitty trannies for as long as i live. i pretty much stopped the Maxima project mostly due to the stupid tranny but also a recall that was either never done or done incorrectly. the fuel filler tube gets crap caught between it and the wheel well and it basically rust out the rear end pretty badly. the driver's side rear seat belt retractor is no longer on the car and there's a nice baseball sized hole between the trunk and the wheel well now. i might try battling nissan to get it fixed but most likely all they're going to want to do is offer me money for the car and i will never get rid of it for what they'd give me considering all that i've done to it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
slownrusty Posted June 18, 2005 Share Posted June 18, 2005 Sport Compact Car had a '89 Maxima featured a while ago where the owner did the full VG30ET 300ZX Turbo engine swap. Apparently it was insane. Yasin Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
VG33TT Posted June 18, 2005 Share Posted June 18, 2005 I turbocharged my 87 nissan maxima. It was super fast but the clutch sliped all the time and it was really hard to keep it stright when excelarating. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mtcookson Posted June 20, 2005 Share Posted June 20, 2005 yeah, mine was pretty fun but it definitely wasn't as fast as it should been. i think tuning, clutch, and a few parts that i hadn't put on yet is keeping it from its full potential. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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