Altima Hybrid and Aftermarket Stuff

[cp_foley]

I'm new to this group and I just got a new Altima Hybrid and love 99% of the car.

I'm just not sure about the tires/rims. Before the Altima, I had a car with 18" rims and relatively low-profile tires. Does anyone know of any restrictions to aftermarket tires/rims due to the car's design? I mean, I don't want to mess up anything to do with the regenerative braking or whatever.

Also, I read in the manual that changing the headlights should be done by the dealer. Has anyone tried it themselves to put in the "white" headlights instead of the "yellow-looking" stock ones?

I appreciate it! Thanks.

[GripperDon]

I Have a Hybrid also, I can't believe ther would be any reason not to swap out the headlight, I am going to do it ASAP. As far as wheel sizes go It your overall diameter is the same OK if it's larger Your will be telling the "ECPU" that your are going slower than you are and I think it will have an effect on system performance. It might be for the better or worse But can't believe it would screw anything up. As the service department and post an email to nissan. They may make some noises about the warranty if you do so keep the stock stuff around.

[scrutmonkey]

I just switched out the headlight bulbs with HOENs xenon match plus ones.

The thing I didn't like was the Hybrids didn't have the option for the HIDs.

The headlight size is H11 and I bought them here: http://www.lskoncepts.com/stor...6.php

You should also buy the upgrade connectors as well since the Hoens have a higher wattage requirement. I believe mine are 80W vs the stock 55W requirement.

Used them last night, I was following someone. My friend said they were pretty good and didn't blind him like most HID setups would do in a "reflector" based housing.

Install took a little more time since it required me to remove the front tires, remove the snaps holding the wheelwell lining then getting my hands in there to snip and recrimp the new connectors . 2 tests with the bulbs and some electrical tape wrapped the connector crimps. It is a very tight space in there.

The lighting on the Hoen XMPs were basically white light. I'm not sure what the kelvin rating was but you can read about them here http://www.hoen-usa.com/whitebox.htm



I pulled that from a sight. The other hoen titanium and xenonmatch are at 4300 and 4600. The xenonmatch plus would probably be a little higher on the scale, but probably not as high as 5000k.

Some other things I've done so far, LED replacement in the rear except the backups. I haven't found an LED bulb to replace that one so it can be as bright as the filament buld. I've replaced the interior bulbs with LEDs, and still in process of running fogs. Man, getting those damn wires through the Hybrid firewall was a PITA.

EDIT:

The Fujita intake for the 2.5L SR-2825 will fit in the space of the Hybrid, but there isn't mounting bracket for it.

Had to Fabricate a Bracket. There are 2 spots to place the vibration mount, use the top screw, the bottom screw point will allow the filter to tap the Toyota hybrid tray when it shakes downward.



EDIT: New bracket placement. I had to twist the bracket a little and placed the vibration mount on the stock filter box screw-in mount.

i also added another hole in the bracket with another bolt to keep the Fujita bracket from rotating along the single bolt on the new bracket. More stable now, and the intake has clearance everywhere.




Modified by scrutmonkey at 10:54 PM 4/29/2008

[cbolitho]

Great post scrutmonkey, I am surprised that with the hybrid engine there is space for an intake.

Do you notice any noteable difference in performance/mileage/sound? I have owned other cars with intake and it seems the only difference was the air sound it makes, not much with performance.

Also what do you think about the Stillen exhaust for the hybrid? I don't know if the hybrid exhaust is any different than the regular Altima's.

[Eclektic Man]

I also want to know if anyone out there has put aftermarket wheels and tires on their Hybrid. What size did you put on and did you notice a difference with the drive quality and braking, any pics would be great.

[cbolitho]

Eclektic, I don't think anyone on here has done too much on a hybrid. We are going to have to be the pioneers.

I won't be doing wheels/tires for a bit, gotta save for that.

I'll be doing my HID conversion this weekend.

[victore1123]

Has anyone attempted to search for a spring and or coilover kit for the hybrid? I was thinking of going with the eibachs, but not sure if I should get the 2.5 or 3.5 kit considering the added weight of the hybrid system. Maybe go with the 3.5 springs in the rear, and 2.5 springs in the front...?

[cbolitho]

I was just reading a post similar to this in another forum and it seems like you should go with the 3.5 kit. Again I personally haven't done this and the guy in the other post hadn't either. Keep us updated about what you find out, I would like to put those on mine as well.

[Rolling Estonian]

Has anyone attempted to search for a spring and or coilover kit for the hybrid? I was thinking of going with the eibachs, but not sure if I should get the 2.5 or 3.5 kit considering the added weight of the hybrid system. Maybe go with the 3.5 springs in the rear, and 2.5 springs in the front...?

That's interesting... you're thinking the 3.5 rear springs would be better because of the extra wright of the batteries in the trunk (? I'm going out on a limb, are there extra batteries in the trunk?). If that's the case I think you missed something, the 2.5 and 3.5 are the same in the rear (about the same static force pushing down on that rear suspension).

of coarse the difference is in hard acceleration, 3.5's might need stiffer springs due to that.

I'm not a suspension expert, I know very little actually. Just throwing my 2 cents(sense) in.

oh also not sure how heavy that electric motor of yours is, but it might justify getting the 3.5 springs all around.

[Rolling Estonian]

I'm curious to see who is going to have the first Turbo Hybrid Altima. as long as you don't get the revs to high, turbos can reduce you fuel consumption.

Forget killing priuses you'll be killing anything you want.

[cbolitho]

That would be sick but I doubt there is enough room in the engine bay for a turbo. I'd do it if somebody made one that fit.

[banshee08]

cbolitho,

keep us updated on the HID. I am very interested in the upgrade adn fog lights also. Just wondering if you will be doing the upgrade yourself?

Thanks

Chan

[cbolitho]

Yeah, I was planning on doing this this past weekend but it is seriously like 105 degrees, also I think I am going to send my bulbs back and go with the 5000K instead of the 6000K, I want more of the OE HID look not so much the aftermarket ricer blue look. I e-mailed the guy I bought them from so hopefully he can make the switch for me.

[cbolitho]

Well, I spoke with a tech at Eibach today and I have some bad news for you all. Neither 2.5 or 3.5 kit will work for the hybrid, apparently the hybrid is much heavier and has an entirely different load pattern on the springs. He also mentioned that they are not even in development for a set that would conform to the weight of the hybrid.

Sorry guys, looks like were gonna have to go old school on this one and cut the springs...sombody get a saw.

[victore1123]

I've seen at least two pics of a lowered NAH while looking for wheels online, I'm just not sure how they did it. I seriously doubt they cut their springs . When I talked to Stillen, the guy asked me to contact my local Nissan dealer to find out if the part # for the hybrid springs matched either the 2.5 or 3.5. Although all three models have different part #'s (as expected), I don't doubt (neither did the Stillen rep) that the eibach springs from either the 2.5 or 3.5 would fit. My main concern was ride height/stance and having a firm not sloppy ride. The Stillen rep mentioned that the 2.5 ProKit would probably drop the Hybrid more than it would a standard 2.5 Altima, which is fine by me so long as the front isn't higher than the rear...

[victore1123]

As a quick update...I had the Eibach springs for the 2.5 installed yesterday on my Hybrid. The front looks good, but the rear sits lower than the front (which was my concern). Although the car feels much more surefooted and handles quite a bit better while maintaining a comfortable ride, I'm going to reinstall the oe springs in the rear and see how it looks and feels.

[banshee08]

Victore123,

Can you snap a few photos of car on the Pro kit. I like to see how much lower is the rear. I really want to get springs to tighten up the handling also.

Thanks,

Chan

[victore1123]

dang, I just swapped the old springs back on the rear this morning (looks much better). I wanted to have enough clearance for some 19x8.5 wheels that I'm gonna have put on this weekend, and I don't think they would have cleared with the eibach springs in the rear. The rear wheels were tucked quite a bit. If you want a visual of what it looked like, have 3 of your heaviest friends sit in the back seat, fill your tank, and a put decent load in the trunk. With that said, I think it would have been okay if the front sat lower to match the rear and I were keeping the stock wheels or maybe going with only 17" or 18"'s.

I'l take some pics of the current setup (stock rear/eibach front) and try and post them. I mainly wanted to get rid of the front wheel gap, which the eibach springs did just like they do with a non-hybrid 4th gen 2.5. Now the stance is much more even.

-Victor E.

[victore1123]

Here are a couple of pics of the new setup...Eibachs up front and new wheels...

[implicits14]

what size tires are you running ???

[victore1123]

The tires are 245/40/19...The rim is 19x8.5 with +35 offset.

[implicits14]

any rubbing???i have the same rims havent bought tires because i was between 245-40-19 and 245/35/19 i prefer the 40 but didnt know if they rubbed since i have eibach springs on

[victore1123]

You should be fine with the 40. I would like another .5" to an 1" drop in the rear and a .5" drop up front...I don't have a problem with rubbing with the current setup.

[scrutmonkey]

Great post scrutmonkey, I am surprised that with the hybrid engine there is space for an intake.

Do you notice any noteable difference in performance/mileage/sound? I have owned other cars with intake and it seems the only difference was the air sound it makes, not much with performance.

Also what do you think about the Stillen exhaust for the hybrid? I don't know if the hybrid exhaust is any different than the regular Altima's.

When I swapped it, there is an immediate sound change when the ening kicks on. Damn thing gets very loud when you get on it. Nice low grumble.

Acceleration has incresed a little, as did throttle when the gas motor kicks in. I had the SES light come on a few times due to the cpu needing to adjust to mass amount of air flowing in. No light in a month or 2 now.

I don't plan on exhaust, the SRI was just so I can have a washable less restrictive filter. It was a fun mod.

For you guys with the spring ideas, i read somewhere our hybrid run the 3.5 suspension...SE If I remember correctly. Due to the added weight of the motor and bsatery pack, Nissan needed to use the V6 suspension instead of the 2.5 suspension.

Other mods:

Stillen RSBRacingline Endlinks: Front and Rearhoen xenon match plusLED upgrades for tails & interiorOEM foglight assemly addition35% tint all aroundBAT GTR overlays on the headlights

Turning and cornering is slightly improved with the Endlinks and RSB, probably would be better with a spring/shock swap later.

[victore1123]

How has the intake effected your gas mileage? I've been looking for an axle-back exhaust, something like what Stillen makes for the coupe, without much luck...

[scrutmonkey]

HAHA, normally, it has not affected the gas mileage...except the first few weeks. because it was really, i mean REALLY fun to just, "GET ON IT" and hear that 2.5 rumble wuith the electric motor.I average about 35mpg with 12k now. The motor should be broken in. So I usually watch my acceleration adn changed some driving habits to push 36 on occassion.

[fame925]

NICE.. id like to hear the "low rumble" i love that sound didnt think it was possible on the hybrid...you should load a video on youtube so we can all see/hear it...nice mod scrutmonkey

[scrutmonkey]

hahaha, yah, maybe I will....it turns heads when it's quiet, then loud...then back to quiet in parking lots.

[victore1123]

good to know.... i was thinking of going with a Stillen intake

[victore1123]

Just installed the Stillen RSB. The grippier/lighter wheels, eibach springs, and the rsb truly take the hybrid to a whole new level of performance. I couldn't be more impressed with the outcome...