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Discussion Title: Effective Daily Driver and Racer?
| AtomicGamer |
2005-06-29 23:05:00 |
Re: Effective Daily Driver and Racer?
Do you think that the other cars that I listed would fare better on the straights than the Miata?
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| BP2K2Max |
2005-06-29 23:36:00 |
Re: Re: Effective Daily Driver and Racer?
Quote:
Originally Posted by AtomicGamer
Okay, I'll be sure to look into them again. How much money do you think it would cost to get a Maxima to run low 14's for the 1/4 mile? Any specific years that you recommend?
Thanks!
a 4th generation Maxima(1995-1999) falls right into the price range you're shooting for and is the lightest maxima weighing in around 2900 lbs for a 5 speed base model. it makes 190 hp 205 lbs of tq, and they move well but they tend to fall off in power after 5000 rpm due to their intake system.
the 5th generation(2000-2001) make 32 more hp than the 4th gens and have cam phasing and a variable intake manifold providing significant power gains in the upper rpm ranges(similar to a honda's Vtec) where the 4th gens fall off, however they weigh 300 lbs more, so the horsepower advantage isn't as big a factor as it would seem. Also, the variable intake system from the 5th generation can be added to the 4th gen to provide the same power gains while keeping the benefits of less body weight.
the 5.5 generation(02-03) make 255 hp have the detuned version of the 3.5L engine from the 350Z, it makes use of the same variable intake system to gove good power all around and can run in the mid 14's stock, so low 14's would be easy to achieve but they're probably up out of your price range, unless you wanna use the $5K for a down payment.
i'd say a 4th gen is probably your best bet, and you could get it into mid 14's for less than a grand if you shop around. an intake, cat-back and dowpipe would get you about 20-25whp and probably get you well into the 14's, and if you added the variable intake system i wouldn't be surprised if it touched 13's well driven.
__________________ BP's Rides;
- 2K2 Maxima 6 Speed-Mods: Advanced Timing, H&R Springs, Tokico Illumina Adjustable Struts, Konig Theory 19" Rim's.
- 2005 Kawasaki Ninja ZX6R-636cc's
   
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| AtomicGamer |
2005-06-29 23:52:00 |
Re: Effective Daily Driver and Racer?
Awesome, thanks. I think I may be getting the Maxima now as it seems like it has a lot of potential. Also, since I'm mostly going to be racing from light to light the top end power isn't very important. Any other info on the 4th generation Maxima would be greatly appreciated. One more thing, what kind of gas do you run through your Maxima's? Premium? Thanks!
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| BP2K2Max |
2005-06-30 00:51:00 |
Re: Re: Effective Daily Driver and Racer?
Quote:
Originally Posted by AtomicGamer
Awesome, thanks. I think I may be getting the Maxima now as it seems like it has a lot of potential. Also, since I'm mostly going to be racing from light to light the top end power isn't very important. Any other info on the 4th generation Maxima would be greatly appreciated. One more thing, what kind of gas do you run through your Maxima's? Premium? Thanks!
i run 93, 91's recommended, that and regualr changes with synthetic oil kept my last max running strong at 170,000 miles.
it's good that you are interested in a maxima, but make sure you test drive one or two before you commit and see how it suits you. i loved mine, but it may not be the car for you. what's important is that the car makes you happy. definitely check out some of the other car's you are interested in. before i got into my 95 maxima, i test drove a 94 prelude and a 95 3000GT SL. both were pretty nice, the prelude would have definitely been my next choice.
__________________ BP's Rides;
- 2K2 Maxima 6 Speed-Mods: Advanced Timing, H&R Springs, Tokico Illumina Adjustable Struts, Konig Theory 19" Rim's.
- 2005 Kawasaki Ninja ZX6R-636cc's
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| k3smostwanted |
2005-06-30 02:51:00 |
Re: Re: Effective Daily Driver and Racer?
Quote:
Originally Posted by BP2K2Max
Motor Trend, Road Test, June 1994
"Our tester, a five-speed SE version of this fourth generation of Maxima, produced a blazing 6.6-second 0-60-mph time, and a 15.2-second, 92.4-mph quarter-mile run. Ask us,
and we'll tell you how the Maxima SE will whip the Integra GS-R, and Taurus SHO;
the new Maxima also shows no mercy on its Nissan stablemates: It'll stomp the normally aspirated 300ZX, and drivers of automatic-transmissioned 300ZX Turbos best not be snoozing when the light goes green. just some thing's to think about.
This demure-looking family car is the quickest Japanese sedan available in the States."
whoa, i just read this...
im sorry to inform everyone, but the 15.2 second 1/4 mile isnt going to come close to the "automatic-transmissioned 300ZX Turbos". a 300zx automatic N/A, yes it would make a damn good race. a 5-speed n/a should have no problem walking it...
let me just clarify that nissan designed the automatic 300zxTT to be just as fast as the 5-speed. the auto TT has a totally different set of turbos to allow them to work better with the automatic transmission. the gearing of course was also changed to make a run at the 5-speed. and if you know anything about turbocharged cars, automatic's allow you to hold boost while shifting because you do not have to let off the gas. this gives you yet another leg-up on the 5-speed. if a 5-speed TT shifts perfect it will run dead even with an automatic, but i repeat...they must not make the slightest mistake.
i dont know how MotorTrend could think they could get away with comparing the high 13-low 14 second 300zxTT to the low 15 second maxima, in 1/4 mile times.
anyways, sorry to interrupt...carry on.
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| kman10587 |
2005-06-30 03:41:00 |
Re: Effective Daily Driver and Racer?
Quote:
let me just clarify that nissan designed the automatic 300zxTT to be just as fast as the 5-speed. the auto TT has a totally different set of turbos to allow them to work better with the automatic transmission. the gearing of course was also changed to make a run at the 5-speed. and if you know anything about turbocharged cars, automatic's allow you to hold boost while shifting because you do not have to let off the gas. this gives you yet another leg-up on the 5-speed. if a 5-speed TT shifts perfect it will run dead even with an automatic, but i repeat...they must not make the slightest mistake.
It's still got one less gear to work with, so its either going to have worse acceleration, a lower top speed, or worse fuel economy. Stick with manual if you can live with it day to day.
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My Camry...someday.
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| mason_RsX |
2005-06-30 11:48:00 |
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ummm about the guys original post Id go with a Gs-r first because its very reliable, a good daily driver, easy easy tranny to learn on, and very modifiable....id take over the Z24 just because I've heard that econ GM manuals are absolutely awful...oh wait, I've driven a Saturn Vue manual, they are awful....
On the other topic, im really not sure how you can set-up the turbos differently to make the auto the same, or why Nissan would go through that effort...but I trust K3smostwanted's info...id like to know how good the 300zx TT 5-speed is...because the Legacy's clutch is soooooo heavy, the throws are sooo long, and the gear ratios are very close so I have to shift often...I have driving the legacy in traffic!! is the 300ZX the same???
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| k3smostwanted |
2005-06-30 12:12:00 |
Re: Effective Daily Driver and Racer?
Quote:
Originally Posted by mason_RsX
On the other topic, im really not sure how you can set-up the turbos differently to make the auto the same, or why Nissan would go through that effort...but I trust K3smostwanted's info...id like to know how good the 300zx TT 5-speed is...because the Legacy's clutch is soooooo heavy, the throws are sooo long, and the gear ratios are very close so I have to shift often...I have driving the legacy in traffic!! is the 300ZX the same???
well, the 5-speed TT has pretty long 2nd and 3rd gears but 1st gear is relaticely short. throws are not long at all for a stock car. stock gearing at stock rev limiter, limits the 300zxTT to ~185mph so the gears are not short at all.
the automatic TT turbos have a smaller A/R ratio which combats the drivetrain loss with an automatic transmission so the turbos spool sooner or at the same time as the 5-speed. it also does alot of other things but basically it just enables the automatic to form the same turbo output numbers and speeds as the 5-speed.
also, about the clutch being heavy...yes it would be a damn heavy clutch but nissan fixed this by engineering a "clutch booster" system. works exactly like the brake booster except for your clutch. it uses vacuum from the intake charge to help you push down the clutch without straining your leg muscles. this feature isnt offered on the N/A but with the much heavier TT drivetrain components, it is a must for daily driving. Quote:
Originally Posted by kman10587
It's still got one less gear to work with, so its either going to have worse acceleration, a lower top speed, or worse fuel economy. Stick with manual if you can live with it day to day.
actually 5th gear in the 5-speed is virtually the same as OD in the automatic 300zxTT. so...they have virtually the same amount of gears...
4-speed with OD or a 5-speed...it is just as quick, gets the same gas mileage, but it does slack on top end. i remember reading that it average ~180mph without the limiter. ~5mph loss, i dont think its that significant to even be considered. this probably has more to do with the drivetrain loss of the automatic rather than gearing.
but yes i agree, buy a 5-speed if you want a street car. if you have any intentions of building a big performance track car of any kind, go with the automatic because with the new SAW kit for the 300zxTT, it can shift alot faster than a person can even think to switch gears. remember that people are slow....atleast compared to computers.
__________________
Twin Turbo/5-speed Swap in the making and a few upgrades along the way!!!
Please visit My Car Doman Page to see more pics and sign my guestbook.
ZedEx Crew Member #4Last edited by k3smostwanted on 06-30-2005 at 01:53 PM.
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| youngvr4 |
2005-06-30 17:21:00 |
Re: Effective Daily Driver and Racer?
well i can tell you, i drove a auto 300zxtt and also a stick, and i couldnt tell the difference in speed myself. they both felt equivalent in speed. my buddy was out to buy one, so we test drove a few.
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| kman10587 |
2005-07-01 02:49:00 |
Re: Effective Daily Driver and Racer?
Okay, I won't question your knowledge of the 300ZX. But still, I'm just more of a manual kind of guy. Even if it's slower and more difficult, I like to do it myself
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My Camry...someday.
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| k3smostwanted |
2005-07-01 04:16:00 |
Re: Re: Effective Daily Driver and Racer?
Quote:
Originally Posted by kman10587
Okay, I won't question your knowledge of the 300ZX. But still, I'm just more of a manual kind of guy. Even if it's slower and more difficult, I like to do it myself
im the same way..thats why i have gone to the trouble of swapping a manual transmission, while doing the TT swap, in my 300zx instead of sticking with the automatic. i want a fun nearly untouchable street car. so for a street car, i think a manual transmission is the only way to go.
but the automatic 300zxTT is just as fast and the automatic is VERY strong. there is a guy running a SAW kit and light upgrading, bolted to a VH45DETT pushing over 1000hp over in the "Past Z Car Forum".
__________________
Twin Turbo/5-speed Swap in the making and a few upgrades along the way!!!
Please visit My Car Doman Page to see more pics and sign my guestbook.
ZedEx Crew Member #4
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