Exhaust, Fuel Filter, Air Filter and ECU. Any help or opinions???

[M45JDH]

Hello Everybody! I bought my 2003 M45 last friday and I did some tinkering today and now I've got some questions.Here's what I did today:

Change plugs - NGK PlatinumFlush Radiator - Added Water WeterOil Change - Castrol conventional 5w30 - Fram Extra GuardDiff Fluid Change - Valvoline 80w90Air filter

Now for my questions...

I see the car has 3 resonators. Are the two rear resonators straight through like a regular resonator, or is it, in fact, a chambered muffler? The reason I ask is because I have two magnaflow mufflers that will fit perfectly in thier place. I was going to replace them and in the process get rid of that exhaust valve on the passenger side. Also, if they are a chambered muffler do you think adding the magnaflows would make the car alot louder? I've tried to do some research and what I've heard people say is that they have lost power when adding an exhaust system to the M45's. I was just wondering what people have experienced.

When I went to the autoparts store I got the cheap Purolator air filter because it was between that and a K&N. Now, Im wondering IS the K&N filter worth the extra $30? I've been a repeated K&N user in all my vehicles but what I've read is that people have had issues with the oil from the filter clogging up the MAF. Has anyone noticed any MPG gains with a K&N? Or has anyone had problems with a K&N?

Ok... next question. I bought a new fuel filter and wanted to put it on this weekend but I cant find the current one on the car. Where the heck is it!?

I think this is the final question. At least for right now... lol. The car was owned by a woman in her late 50's and she babied it. I've read that these cars will learn the drivers style and the ECU will adapt to thier driving and change transmission shift points and such. Is this true?? Because, I am DEFINTELY NOT going to drive this car like a grandma. Is there a way to reset the ECU back to factory or will simply disconnecting the battery do the trick?

Thanks for taking the time to read this. Any and all help is greatly appreciated!

Thanks guys!

[philb]

the fuel filter is in the gas tank, mounted on the same aparatus as the fuel pump and fuel level float.

You need to search this site for the link to the Factory Service Manual, and download it. It will answer most simple questions for you. I've learned a lot it.

I have no experience with the K&N.

I've heard both sides of removing the exhaust valve, but I kinda doubt it would help that much, because the engine's flow characteristics change according to the variable intake valves - I'm thinking that when it isn't opened it actually helps the torque curve in lower rpm operation, and doesn't need to open until higher rpm, higher flow operation.

The transmission ECU will learn how you drive it even if you don't disconnect the battery. After a few runs, (I don't know how many) it will learn that the new owner's right foot is heavier than the previous one's.

One other thing you need to do is to check to see if the previous owner changed the transmission fluid. I think the factory recommends every 30K, which they recommend to help them with their warranty coverage...so you should change it too. I had a 92 Q45 that ate transmissions, but I must admit I ran the **** out of it.

Don't see many '03's, and even fewer red ones. I think that's a good color.

Good luck with your car, I love mine. 80,000 miles so far.

philb

[szh]

You need to search this site for the link to the Factory Service Manual, and download it. It will answer most simple questions for you. I've learned a lot it.

Link is in my sig ...

I have no experience with the K&N.

Nissan and Infiniti engines are prone to drivability problems with oiled air filters. This puts micro-droplets of oil into the air stream, which coats the MAF and makes the engine behave badly.

The "gain" in HP from using these filters is simply not perceptible enough to matter really. I'd stick with standard air filters.

P.S. The red color M (Garnet Fire) is fantastic, IMHO!

Z

[M45JDH]

I know most fuel pumps have a "bag like" fuel filter to keep out the larger deposits from going through the pump, but I thought that usually they have an inline filter as well. They sell an inline filter for the car. I bought the filter thinking I would easily locate it underneath the car somewhere, but have no seen anything yet. Im just not sure why they would sell a replacement if there was never any original.

As far as my exhaust question I'm not really concerned with the valve. More just curious to the mid mufflers as to if they really ARE mufflers or straight through like a resonator. If they are straight through I wouldnt need or want to replace them. But if they are chambered I would want to replace them with my magnaflows.

With the car having 52k miles on it and it being 6 years old. Would anyone reccomend getting a trans flush, or would just a change be sufficent until say 75k miles and getting a flush then?

Thanks for the comments on the color. I love it. I had never seen a red one before; mostly silver, white and black. The paint/body is in pretty good condition. Mostly garage kept. Only bad thing is, being an older female driver. She trashed the passenger side rims with curbs. I'd like to get some new wheels but dont want to put anyting aftermarket on there. Oh well we'll see how it all goes.