How do i get the most HP out of my 2002 Pathfinder
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LukeAnthony
- Posts: 4
- Joined: Sun Sep 21, 2014 4:02 pm
- Car: 2002 Pathfinder
How do i get the most HP out of my 2002 Pathfinder
I have looked into getting a supercharger, but would like to start light with a K&N cold air kit and a exhaust. Then invest in a supercharger kit. I am stuck on my 2002 Pathy and want to bring the most out of what I own rather than financing a new vehicle. Already has new flat Daytona Blue Paint, red and black interior etc. Any and all advice would be appreciated. Goal is to make this NISMO worthy. 
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nickelghandi
- Posts: 205
- Joined: Mon Jan 28, 2013 3:23 pm
- Car: 1999.5 Nissan Pathfinder LE 4X4 (rusted out: sold)
2004 Nissan Pathfinder LE 4X4
1998 Volvo S70 GLT
2001 Ford F150 XLT - Location: Frankfort, KY, U.S.
- Contact:
Re: How do i get the most HP out of my 2002 Pathfinder
First off welcome to the forum! I really like that color and the interior looks good from here lol.
Now as for what you can do as far as HP upgrades:
1. K&N intake kit (probably won't do much unless you have a higher output exhaust to go with it).
2. Rather than get a K&N system, make your own CAI or ram intake from the airbox down using PVC or aluminum piping. It sounds really jakey I know, but it can and does work. I am in the process of doing it now with PVC to test any gains and then I am going to invest in aluminum if I can find a good setup. With my current setup I have removed the factory resonator and replaced it with one length of PVC pipe running straight down behind the fog light vent. You could really shove some air into your car if you ran it just behind the lower front vents and put some sort of medium in front of it to stop too many rocks or bugs from getting in. I will be doing a write-up on that soon to post here with 0-60 times before and after as well as fuel economy gains or losses. If I had easy access to a dyno then I would test that as well to really see what I am gaining, but I think 0-60 times will be enough to see if the car is making more power or not.
3. If it's speed you're after, then removing some weight from the car will definitely help. The spare tire is mighty heavy. The side steps are heavy as well but it looks like you don't have those. If you want to go extreme and don't ever use your 4WD, you could just remove your entire front drive system and replace your ECU with a junked 4X2 Pathfinder ECU.
Keep us up to date with your project and be sure to post some of your mods. There aren't too many of us on here who will judge you for anything you do to your car and those who will are usually mature enough to keep their fingers of the keys. Good luck with your projects!
Now as for what you can do as far as HP upgrades:
1. K&N intake kit (probably won't do much unless you have a higher output exhaust to go with it).
2. Rather than get a K&N system, make your own CAI or ram intake from the airbox down using PVC or aluminum piping. It sounds really jakey I know, but it can and does work. I am in the process of doing it now with PVC to test any gains and then I am going to invest in aluminum if I can find a good setup. With my current setup I have removed the factory resonator and replaced it with one length of PVC pipe running straight down behind the fog light vent. You could really shove some air into your car if you ran it just behind the lower front vents and put some sort of medium in front of it to stop too many rocks or bugs from getting in. I will be doing a write-up on that soon to post here with 0-60 times before and after as well as fuel economy gains or losses. If I had easy access to a dyno then I would test that as well to really see what I am gaining, but I think 0-60 times will be enough to see if the car is making more power or not.
3. If it's speed you're after, then removing some weight from the car will definitely help. The spare tire is mighty heavy. The side steps are heavy as well but it looks like you don't have those. If you want to go extreme and don't ever use your 4WD, you could just remove your entire front drive system and replace your ECU with a junked 4X2 Pathfinder ECU.
Keep us up to date with your project and be sure to post some of your mods. There aren't too many of us on here who will judge you for anything you do to your car and those who will are usually mature enough to keep their fingers of the keys. Good luck with your projects!
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LukeAnthony
- Posts: 4
- Joined: Sun Sep 21, 2014 4:02 pm
- Car: 2002 Pathfinder
Re: How do i get the most HP out of my 2002 Pathfinder
Hey thank you for the detailed response and the warm welcome. I am still piecing it all together, shocks, springs, stripping weight, etc. I am keeping it 4x4, going for the "rally" look and will have graphics on it soon as well. Also considering swapping a newer motor maybe a v8, just doing research for the best route. Any other ideas or samples of another Pathfinder project would be appreciated
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Kompresshun
- Administrator
- Posts: 3633
- Joined: Sun May 10, 2009 7:41 am
- Car: 2020 Nissan Pathfinder SV 4x4, 2017 Ford F150 4x4 SuperCab 3.5L Ecoboost/10AT, 2005 Nissan Pathfinder SE Offroad 5AT
- Location: Louisville, KY
- Contact:
Re: How do i get the most HP out of my 2002 Pathfinder
Honestly I think the best bang for your buck would be a turbo setup. They don't make a direct bolt on supercharger for your generation Pathfinder, so since you would have to already custom fabricate something you might as well go for a turbo.
To start with though, i'd just look at starting light like you mentioned and do some sort of intake and an exhaust system. To see big power gains you'll have to sink some serious cash into it whether you decide to supercharge, turbocharge, or try to swap the engine out.
To start with though, i'd just look at starting light like you mentioned and do some sort of intake and an exhaust system. To see big power gains you'll have to sink some serious cash into it whether you decide to supercharge, turbocharge, or try to swap the engine out.
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nickelghandi
- Posts: 205
- Joined: Mon Jan 28, 2013 3:23 pm
- Car: 1999.5 Nissan Pathfinder LE 4X4 (rusted out: sold)
2004 Nissan Pathfinder LE 4X4
1998 Volvo S70 GLT
2001 Ford F150 XLT - Location: Frankfort, KY, U.S.
- Contact:
Re: How do i get the most HP out of my 2002 Pathfinder
The V8 swap is an interesting idea. You should check out this thread: first-documented-sas-ed-r50-nissan-path ... 87069.html
It is a bit intense and might be significantly more than you are looking to do but it is an idea and a place to start if swapping for a V8 is something you are interested in.
It is a bit intense and might be significantly more than you are looking to do but it is an idea and a place to start if swapping for a V8 is something you are interested in.
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LukeAnthony
- Posts: 4
- Joined: Sun Sep 21, 2014 4:02 pm
- Car: 2002 Pathfinder
Re: How do i get the most HP out of my 2002 Pathfinder
Thanks, checking with local shops and getting quotes, will prob go the cheaper route for now till this motor gives out, 212k miles so cold air, exhaust and headers. Also looking for a good deal on headlights and tailights that are blacked out alteza type. Also a hood. This is what i am going for, at least the closest to what i have in mind.
http://nismostuff.blogspot.com/2010/05/ ... nisie.html
http://nismostuff.blogspot.com/2010/05/ ... nisie.html
Re: How do i get the most HP out of my 2002 Pathfinder
Yeah, you can't throw a sc or a turbo on an engine with that many miles on it. Probably wouldn't make it out of the driveway. Everything's already too loose. Like throwing new heads on an old engine, just kills the crank, rods, and pistons.
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GRNMACHINE
- Posts: 634
- Joined: Fri May 08, 2009 6:30 am
- Car: 1999.5 Pathfinder SE 4x4
Re: How do i get the most HP out of my 2002 Pathfinder
I started with Pop Charger (cone filter by Jim Wolfe), pieced together Spectre intake, removed stock airbox housing/pipes, Magnaflow exhaust. Added a few ponies but nothing stellar. You could start there.