shopping for accessories (06 Altima) and stuff in the U.S.....advice, ideas.

[Buzzman]

Ok, so I'm going on a 2-3 week road trip into the U.S. at the end of the month with my 06 Altima 2.5SL.With the Canadian dollar at par, there will be no better time to shop for car stuff than now.Some things I'm thinking about getting or at least looking for are: A GPS unit, remote car starter, spoiler, sway bar, strut tower brace, CIA (WIA?).I've already put fog lights in it, and added a front hood protector. Windows have been tinted as well.Can't think of anything else at the moment. Do I go with OEM stuff, or shop around for Stillen, EBay, etc.? Any and all input is welcome.Thanks in advance.

[generic808]

Since you have the 2.5L motor, I'd highly suggest a fuel/air management system. With a F/A system, you will see drastic gains in performance. The 2.5 is a pretty good 4-banger with a lot of hidden potential. This single upgrade will probably do more for performance than the standard intake/exhaust/header combo while costing you a lot less. Of course you would probably want to do the I/E/H combo along with the F/A system for maximum gains.

I'd go with these:

-Stillen fuel/air managment system-Nismo exhaust and CAI (cold air intake)-Stillen strut brace and sway bars-Eibach Pro-Kit springs-Stillen cross-drilled rotors and semi-metallic pads. It wouldn't make sense to make your car faster without making it stop faster, right?

[generic808]

Oh yeah, just to let you know, the Stillen headers are not street/smog legal in the U.S. I don't know how Canada is as far as emissions, but if it's ok to use it there, I would jump on them. You're looking at a 15-20HP gain with this single mod. Add to that the intake, exhaust and fuel/air management system and you'll be easily rockin' 200+ HP.

[Buzzman]

Hey, thanks for the input.I've been cruising the net checking out prices and stuff.For a lot of this stuff, it's more expensive than I thought. Oh well, I'll still go shopping though.Now, for my next question. I was on the Stillen website, and checked out the fuel/air management kit. Price seems reasonable, however, they put a big note with it saying you MUST use premium fuel with this kit.I run regular gas with no problems right now, and really don't want to spend the extra money switching to premium. Is it really that necessary, and if so, then why? Does anyone know?Also, is the Stillen CAI any better/worse or the same as the NISMO stuff?Thanks again.

[SHIFT_COUPE]

Any type of fuel/air management modification is going to suggest that you use premium fuel. It will ensure that you get the best performance out of the product and that you wont be running rich or lean by not using the correct octane gas now that you have modified the stock mapping.

The Stillen intake product is not an cold air intake. Its a short ram. So it is of no comparison to the Nismo. IMO an intake is an intake as long as its quality. They all serve the same purpose. I'd take a look at the Nismo.

[generic808]

Any type of fuel/air management modification is going to suggest that you use premium fuel. It will ensure that you get the best performance out of the product and that you wont be running rich or lean by not using the correct octane gas now that you have modified the stock mapping.

The Stillen intake product is not an cold air intake. Its a short ram. So it is of no comparison to the Nismo. IMO an intake is an intake as long as its quality. They all serve the same purpose. I'd take a look at the Nismo.

Since you have the older model, you have many more options to choose from over the current models. As far as intake goes, NISMO CAI would be a good addition. But you can't go wrong with Stillen, INJEN, K&N or any other quality brand either.