Doin' up a 2012 3.5 SR

[BeezLaM1235]

Before you start getting knee deep in this thread, I'll let you know what my intentions off hand. I don't intend to do a mild to wild transformation, I am just going for clean with a wow factor. Pretty much every car/truck I've owned has had modifications in some way. I moved to the Nissan family in 2010 and really like the build quality and the community that goes along with Nissan. Anyway, back to the Altima. I traded in a Versa (poor thing) lol in July 2011, and I've been loving my Altima ever since.....It's now March 10, 30k miles, and a little over a year later and spring is in the East Coast air ...I'm tired of OEM SoOooO, I will be doing the following to start:


**Entire sound system revamp**-Main focus- I'm on the road alot so I enjoy quality sound

Intake- Injen SRI
Y-pipe- Racingline
Exhaust- TBD
Coilovers- D2 -??? TBD...... I would also like to auto-x this puppy...(see 2nd question)
Wheels/Tires- TBD

1.Would a street tune be the best for the basic mods? or will the feed forward loop I was reading about "tune" the vehicle?** only tuners or owners with CVT trans answers will be treated as credible

2.What are the best coilovers for longevity, warranty, and of course, performance? Ride quality is the LEAST important concept to me.

3.What coilovers are you using on your 2010-2012 Altima?

4. What are you doing to your gen 4 Altima?

5. Will you be @ Carlisle performance and style or Carlisle Import Nationals?

Here are a few pics I snapped over the weekend...

[superbad]

Welcome
I'm currently running d2 coils. I like them and the rears are also a true coilover. I had BCs before and had many issues with them. And there customer service sucks.
What's sad is that I live about 30min from Carlisle and only been to that show once and that was about 12 years ago.

[BeezLaM1235]

Welcome
I'm currently running d2 coils. I like them and the rears are also a true coilover. I had BCs before and had many issues with them. And there customer service sucks.
What's sad is that I live about 30min from Carlisle and only been to that show once and that was about 12 years ago.

Thanks for the welcome and the info on BC. I am going to see about a D2 setup tomorrow. All the Carlisle events are put on very well. Personally, the swap meet for Carlisle spring is awesome..... It seems like everyone and their brother is there with an entire shed full of their "useless" stuff.

[superbad]

I know of a new set of d2s on another forum for sale for I think $850. Which is a real good deal.
I'm hoping to get out to Carlisle a few times this year. But I also said that last year. Lol. Just wish I had a car worthy of showing.

[VQpwrdSE-R]

^enter as non judged. That's what most Nico guys do. I always laugh at that show. 70% of those cars need an egg roll to go with all that rice. I remember a bone stock forest green civic a guy painted stock hubcaps black and was in the process of stickerbombing. Then there's the Nico guys. Sure most of our cars are rough around the edges but damn do we know how to drive the s*** out of em. So while everyone is trying to remove every last waterspot and dust particle you can be kicking back enjoying why we mod cars. I will be there guys and I hope I get to see those R34s on your alti. Hey someone told me you live off of 22 near jonestown?

[superbad]

I do live off 22

[VQpwrdSE-R]

I was talking with Grant a mod on NC about modded altimas in the area and he said about you.

[superbad]

Me and grant travel a lot of the same roads and I never seen him. But he says he occasionally sees me. There aren't to many of us modded altis around. Unless you consider the oversized chrome rims modded. Lol

[BeezLaM1235]

70% of those cars need an egg roll to go with all that rice.

Halaiours.

I'm not a ricer, but I am a "get that dust spot/ water spot kinda guy." my goal is always get noticed for originality and things you have to look twice for or at. Like "DAMN THAT'S CRAZY!" or "Did you see that?" lol

Superbad. Thanks for the PMs. I just cant reply yet. I was told coilovers is really not an option for me anymore. But i sincerely appreciate you taking the time to do that.

[BeezLaM1235]

This is how the car sets now with a full tank of gas with the new audio system....does anyone have any experience with ADDING weight to their vehicle? Yes, Its really not anymore weight than a full trunk and people back, but no one rides around with that all the time. (say roughly 375lbs) Yes, I am already counting on the stock parts to fail...

I would like to keep a semi-lowered/slammed look, but if thats not an option, and ride height has to be near OEM for the longevity of components, thats not a problem with me. I'd just like to hear of someone else that has maybe already dealt with something like this. I've thought about air ride. But im out of room in the trunk. Unless I want to loose the back seat, its no an option right now. 4 door car wit two seats? That's okay, I'll pass....lol

[VQpwrdSE-R]

Hmm I'm trying to think of what can help you with your suspension problem. Nobody wants to be running around with a reverse rake like that. Maybe stiffer spring rates on aftermarket. Does racingline offer springs for your 4th gen. You def wouldn't want to do an even 2in around cause you could potentially have the same problem just overall lower. Whenever I see a rear sag I think of those mid 90's 4 runners. After 80,000 miles they were all doing that without cargo.

[VQpwrdSE-R]

No luck Beez. RL has a picture but don't produce any for your car.
http://racinglineperformance.com/shop/p ... ategory=21
I love mine 1.9 front and .5 in rear. Somehow if you had that option for your fourth gen I bet you'd be happier.

[BeezLaM1235]

Hmm I'm trying to think of what can help you with your suspension problem. Nobody wants to be running around with a reverse rake like that. Maybe stiffer spring rates on aftermarket. Does racingline offer springs for your 4th gen. You def wouldn't want to do an even 2in around cause you could potentially have the same problem just overall lower. reaseachedWhenever I see a rear sag I think of those mid 90's 4 runners. After 80,000 miles they were all doing that without cargo.

Lol. Exactly. I havent reasearched just springs and shocks though. Great idea man.

[VQpwrdSE-R]

Coils would be nice and I'm sure Superbad chimed in about that. Eibach pro kit drops 1 and 1.5. I'm not sure how handling is effected but know some 3rd gen guys install fronts only. That would ensure no sag and even things out. You shouldn't need struts since yours probably have less than 50,000 miles on them.
http://www.advancespeedshop.com/eibach- ... -7501.html

[BeezLaM1235]

Thanks for checking racingline. I just sent back an Eibach kit. -_-

I thought it would throw off the while handing geometry if i just changed the fronts.....now that i know some 3rd Gens have done it......hmmmm

[BeezLaM1235]

Just laying down the update.....3.18.13

I am having custom coil springs in the front and rear.

Front: stock spring rate/2" ride height drop

Rear: stock+680lbs./1.5" ride height drop

http://www.springworks.com/

Springworks out of Santa Rosa, California are making the springs. It looks like they specialize in custom springs on cars,trucks,rigs and RV's!

I've let them know I am interested in upgrading my shocks for the rear.I still haven't done enough research,& I still haven't got enough input to decide on a company/manufacturer

The springs are 3-5 weeks out. Which is perfectly fine with me, it falls right in the timeline of when I wanted to have my car completely "done". But for now.......

Has anyone heard of coil spacers/coil isolators/spring bushings<redneck..lol..... I would like to use these to relieve some of the stress in the rear. This is just a 5 week solution while I wait on the springs. I don't know the size. Anyone?

http://www.summitracing.com/parts/mrg-1287

[BeezLaM1235]

Coils would be nice...

Thanks for the idea man. I've been around to shops in my area and it seems like by Monday they forget all about me.

[BeezLaM1235]

A few days later, more added options........ date 3.23.13

I got my Borla Catback exhaust, Injen intake, and Racline Y-pipe installed today by Elite Importz in Ft. Meade, Maryland. I recommend them for anything that you need done to your car. Be it performance or repair, they can handle it. It's hard to find people in business these days that actually care about what they do, rather than just make a profit. I have very high expectations when I let someone else work on my car. They treated it like it was their own. A++ worksmanship and customer service!!

Anyway, I snapped some exhaust and y-pipe pics. I didn't take any of the of the intake but I will tomorrow. As far as the exhaust goes, I havent even put 150 miles on yet, but the tone/note of the exhaust is getting deeper . I wanted deep....deep,deep,20,000 leagues deep of a tone... ... I think it might work out

OEM Y-pipe


Raceline Y-pipe....great looking welds, bends, and overall fitment**!!A++ to RACELINE


Unboxing Borla Cat-back


From the rear--- the only pic I took today

[VQpwrdSE-R]

Glad to see you went with racingline! That was my first mod on mine. I'm surprised you didn't do the install yourself. It's not hard, just grab some PB blaster to unseize the exhaust bolts. Then again it was probably easier being that your car is 1-2 yrs old. Post up a video of the borla catback. I'm thinking if going with the borla xs mufflers.

[VQpwrdSE-R]

BTW that stock y looks even more restrictive then mine.

[BeezLaM1235]

Wow, I see Its been a while since I've posted..... I've been so busy around the house and work I seem to have to track of time ............. So, I am still waiting on my springs, but the local car show started this weekend, so I decided to throw my wheels on and go hang out for a bit. The sound is finished for now, now its onto cosmetics and engine internals, I am really interested in the transmission cooler. Im dragging around an extra 400 lbs everywhere I go. It's has to be heating up the CVT somewhat.....Past the limit? I doubt it. I'm more concerned about longevity. Anyway, here she is..............

[Importroller]

Judging from what you have done already, i think you would be wasting money on a tune. I think for you, the bully dog might be the only thing tuner wise to spend money one. Doing a real tune with all that excess weight from the wheels and the stereo would be a waste. I personally think the BD is a waste of money as well, but if you really want something that makes you feel like the car has a little more pep, then go with that. the stereo should kill your transmission but it also depends on your driving habits. That transmission cannot handle excess heat.

[BeezLaM1235]

Judging from what you have done already, i think you would be wasting money on a tune. I think for you, the bully dog might be the only thing tuner wise to spend money one. Doing a real tune with all that excess weight from the wheels and the stereo would be a waste. I personally think the BD is a waste of money as well, but if you really want something that makes you feel like the car has a little more pep, then go with that. the stereo should kill your transmission but it also depends on your driving habits. That transmission cannot handle excess heat.

Good to know man! That's what I been seeing as well.... the transmission overheating after persistent aggression. Whether its performance, or in my case, weight. I've received my springs and it's an unbelieveable difference. There is no where near the " drag" feel on the transmission. The car feels very balanced. For example, when I pull away from a green light, the car doesn't shift to the rear like it did with the stock coils. With the stock coils in the rear, It felt like it was lifting the front end up......Yes, it's more weight, but I figure its no more than having 3 people in the back seat with a trunk full of cargo. I think I've read about a more efficient transmission coolers being ran on turbo'd altima applications. I would really be interested in adding some type off cooler if I can!

[Importroller]

Even with a cooler, the cvt will give out. It's just a poorly designed transmission. I'm so glad i bought a manual

[seldomseen]

The box in the trunk is way to massive patna! It's about time you get a clean/stealth/light weight custom stereo fitted into your trunk. 2-4 15's with about 10k watts RMS should suffice!!