just bought 2003 M45

[eric313131]

I just bought a 2003 M45. I love the way it drives on the highway. My only issue with the car is the transmission, seems to take along time to wind up or drop in to the correct gear. But it could also have to do with how I step on the accelerator. Do most of you just mash it to the floor? I haven't figured out the transmission yet. It also seems to be slow off the line sometimes, other times it takes off like a rocket when I barley touch the gas. I just don't think I am use to the response yet. any help? Also I have K&n air filter what else can I do to increase performance? I looked every where for parts nothing seems right. Are there any power pulleys made for M45's. I want a new exhaust system, but I like my car quite like it is? Any suggestion would be greatly appreciated. One last question the jet tuner, how can it tune your engine better than the factory? Thanks.
Modified by eric313131 at 8:52 PM 12/10/2008

[szh]

Welcome to NICO!

I just bought a 2003 M45. I love the way it drives on the highway. My only issue with the car is the transmission, seems to take along time to wind up or drop in to the correct gear.

You may be missing the reprogramming TSB that was done for that year. A friendly (or cheap) dealer can help out with redoing that!

But it could also have to do with how I step on the accelerator. Do most of you just mash it to the floor? I haven't figured out the transmission yet. It also seems to be slow off the line sometimes, other times it takes off like a rocket when I barley touch the gas. I just don't think I am use to the response yet. any help?

Most of the time, I am relatively gentle with the acceleration (kinda don't want to ram the car ahead of me. ). But, on occasion, a WOT is needed ... (a) to remind me why I bought the car and (b) help clean out the carbon buildup that can occur with overly mild use.

Also I have K&n air filter what else can I do to increase performance?

Well, the consensus here is that the benefits of the K&N filter are not really worth the potential problems. Even if you are light with the oiling, it does tend to send micro-particles of oil into the air stream, and this eventually fouls up the MAF.

The "increase" in horse-power is mostly imperceptible ... so, it ain't worth it. You would be better off using the stock air filter and changing it often. Cheap enough to do!

I looked every where for parts nothing seems right. Are there any power pulleys made for M45's. I want a new exhaust system, but I like my car quite like it is? Any suggestion would be greatly appreciated. One last question the jet tuner, how can it tune your engine better than the factory? Thanks.

You will not, unfortunately, find too many after-market parts for the 2003 M45 ... too few of these were made for the US for the after-market guys to find it worth doing the R&D to develop the add-on parts.

Best to try and keep the car running as close to perfection (while still stock) and enjoy the result! It still never fails to put a grin on my face when I push the pedal down ... for the money, it is an exceptional car.

Z

[eric313131]

Thanks for the info. I was driving this morning and it is pretty sweet. This is the second day I have had it. You think I should change the K&N back to factory air filter?

[CakeDaddy]

Props to you on picking the M. Great car; I love mine! The would pass on that K&N filter for the reasons that SZ posted for you earlier. The aftermarket scene for this car is pretty weak, but keep in mind that this car was only produce for 2003 & only 6 months into 2004. That is the reason why aftermarket parts are scarce(sp) at least in the US. As for the acceleration.... I drive mine like an old lady, but when I do get on it I have no complaints on the acceleration. I have 20's on it and it catches out real quick when I need it to.

[eric313131]

I just got on it, on the way home from work. And it moves! I guess when I drove it at the dealer I was being careful, but it gets up when you want it too. Probably not a whole lot of cars here in Odessa, TX that can hang. I see a lot of the new mustangs GT's around. I have always thought Fords to be weak. Do you know what the GT's run like. I'm sure the new ones are pretty quick?

[CakeDaddy]

I just got on it, on the way home from work. And it moves! I guess when I drove it at the dealer I was being careful, but it gets up when you want it too. Probably not a whole lot of cars here in Odessa, TX that can hang. I see a lot of the new mustangs GT's around. I have always thought Fords to be weak. Do you know what the GT's run like. I'm sure the new ones are pretty quick?

yeah .. Bow Down to the new Mustang Gt's... you will get embarrased(sp)

• Locomotion:Y34 ~ 4.5Liter V8 ~340HP~ 333lbs Torque• Construction: Blk'd Out Grill, Side Marks & Tail Lites • Coloration: Black Obsidian• Elevation:Eibachs • Rotation: f 20x8.5 245/35zr ~~ r 20x9.5 265/30zr• Rotation Specs: f 34mm offset ~~ r 40mm offset• Rotation Design: Foose Speedsters on G-Force T/A KDW 2 • Reflection: 5% Tint All Around• Vision: OEM 4300K HIDs w/ H3 Piaa Yellow Fogs • http://www.cardomain.com/ride/2690246

[F1SportsFan]

Welcome to NICO! You'll find lots of great info and helpful people here.

You mentioned getting a different exhaust. I changed out mine and it really made me enjoy the car more. What kind of sport sedan is it if you can't even hear the engine, right? Here is a link to my thread: zer...video

I basically took inspiration from what member nmgoodthing did to his car. Here's his thread: zerothread?id=313879

Again, welcome to the forums!

[eric313131]

How loud are those mufflers inside the car? The sound great on the video. Thanks

[Double E]

I second the removal of the K&N. You might also consider a plug change. I did mine at 60K and they looked like they needed it (I'm no expert though)

Want pics?

About the K&N, if I understand that model correctly, it is cone type that eliminates the stock intake. Keep in mind that the stock intake is feeding air from the very front of the hood and receives superior airflow to the filter. I'll take fast air ofer that which is disorganized in the engine compartment any day...

One other thing....you might consider opening up the flow of the exhaust by wiring open the butterfly valve at the exhaust pipe just before the muffler (actually, I forget...is it before or after?) There's a litte better growl at low rpm. My butt-dyno tells me it was probably no to little gain but it is a cheap mod...

Keep the highest octane in it you can find and run a bottle of BG44K in it every oil change or so.

Consider turning off TCS each time you want to romp on it....but be careful!

[eric313131]

Yeah send some pics when you get a chance. Thanks for info what is BG44K? And what kind of plugs did you use? That was the first thing I thought of. But the plugs look expensive. Don't want to do it if was done at 50K? I don't want to pull them to find out. Should I ask at the shop? I have worked on a lot of cars, but I have owned a STS and this M. I don't know where to begin on either.

[saeedakobiakov]

keep the k&n.Replace it every month with brand new one do not reoil it.You 'll be all set.good place for OEM parts http://www.everythinginfinitiusa.com

[eric313131]

When I click that link it doesn't work? Is it right? Thanks

[saeedakobiakov]

sorry i probably made mistake somewhere.look around forum home page, you ll find it.

http://www.everythinginfiniti.com

[szh]

What is BG44K?

A professional-grade fuel injector cleaner that helps with carbon buildup removal too. Use once an oil change (please do a search for info on it).

And what kind of plugs did you use?

Definitely stick with the OEM brand and type (although you can vary between the hot and cold variety if you think it makes a difference) - often available on eBay if the prices at http://www.everythinginfiniti.com still seems high.

Nissan and Infiniti engines are notorious for eating other brands (in particular, avoid Bosch plugs, no matter how good they are rated at other sites). Ones that break off inside the engine can cause damage.

Z

[eric313131]

thanks for the information

[eric313131]

I went to that website. It is great, but there are three different spark plugs too choose from, do you know which one is right? plfr4a-11, plfr5a-11,plfr6a-11? I don't know the difference,but I will try to find out.

[eric313131]

I don't know about embarrssed? He will be driving that crappy old Ford.

[szh]

I went to that website. It is great, but there are three different spark plugs too choose from, do you know which one is right? plfr4a-11, plfr5a-11,plfr6a-11? I don't know the difference,but I will try to find out.

The standard one is the plfr5a-11 as I recall, but will go look ...

Z

[szh]

Yup ... the PLFR5A-11 is the standard one, the 4A is the "Hot" type and the "6A" is the "Cold" type. See page EM-29 in the Service Manual (link is in my sig).

According to the Service Manual:

The hot type spark plug is suitable when fouling occurs with the standard type spark plug under conditions such as:- Frequent engine starts- Low ambient temperatures

The cold type spark plug is suitable when spark knock occurs with the standard type spark plug under conditions such as:- Extended highway driving- Frequent high engine revolution

Make NGKStandard type PLFR5A-11Hot type PLFR4A-11Cold type PLFR6A-11

Z

[eric313131]

Thanks for the info. The owners manual is missing. I don't have one.

[szh]

Thanks for the info.

You are very welcome!

The owners manual is missing. I don't have one.

You can download the Owner's Manual in PDF format from http://www.infiniti-techinfo.com (do a little looking there for it).

The Service Manuals in PDF format are at NICO (link is in my sig on the first post I made in this thread). They are going to be updated soon ... some of the files are corrupted.

Z

[sleepy45]

on the mustang gt thread yeah, i got slightly spanked the other day...however the guy had mods and he seemed astonished as to why the heck he didnt blow my doors off, i kept at his quarter panel the whole time. If we could get the gears and a few more ponies from the engine i think the cars could be 13's no problem.....I was a little dissapointed to find out the y34's serve as taxi's in japan, but what a damn taxi, too bad they didn't offer the 4.5 in japan for it.

[eric313131]

That is great to hear. I use to race the older mustangs up to 2001, with my 98 cadillac STS. 300 hp Most of the time I would destroy them. I just thought they probably didn't change much. It would be nice to have some different gears. There are so many GT's here it would be nice to beat them. But with the lack of after markets. I was thinking of the jet chip $499. They want me to send my computer board in they do the mods and send it back. any thoughts?