Wanting to Boost my Maxima

[GriffinW]

So im planning on boosting my Max and im not sure where to start. Im going to buy the parts gradually over time. I need to know the dimensions of parts that would fit, tube sizes etc. any one who has a boosted max if you could let me know what turbo, diameter feed pipe, waste gasket, blow of valve, down pipe and anything else. Im new to forced induction and have a basic understanding of it but if any one who could shine a light on the situation it would be helpful. One of my big questions is where does the turbo mount? and also what is a basic layout. like intake to turbo to intercooler etc.

I do have an automatic so i know im going to need a VB mod and transmission cooler.

thanks guys for any help or suggestions.

[Sentientbydesign]

My personal suggestion is that you buy a supercharger instead of a Turbo. My understanding is that an auto will only magnify the turbo lag.

A stage 3 supercharger from Stillen will give you approx 75hp at the crank. Which takes your max up to 265hp. If you open up the intake, add a y-pipe, and possibly upgrade the fuel pump you might be able to push 280ish. Unfortunately it's not a situation where you can keep adding and make it faster. Some things help others hinder.

Supercharger will put you back about $5k. The other upgrades you could do for under a grand.

Plus our autos eat up some hp because of the larger transmission and the torque converter. If you went to a stick with a turbo, then everything changes.

[ewuzh]

Well Stillen first of all no longer makes a supercharger kit for Maximas. When they did, the stock kit had a retail new price of $3800. Changing the supercharger pulley without any other additional changes to the setup could bring the boost up to 10psi to around 285 whp (5-speed trans). With a few fuel system upgrades and another pulley downsize to 2.87", you're looking at 13psi for around 315whp. Of course with auto, you'll take a larger hit due to more drivetrain loss.

I dyno'd in at 265whp with an 8 psi pulley (7 psi is stock).

If you're seriously considering turboing an N/A car that was never meant to be turbo'd from the factory, I highly suggest you read up on turbo articles and books so that you have a clear idea of what each part of a turbo setup does. You'll need to learn to read a compressor map to figure out what size turbo would be optimal for your power goals. You can buy a prebuilt turbo kit from PFI, or the only other option is to build a custom setup with custom piping.

[DamSedan]

I second that. Turboing an NA car is alot of work and requires alot of research. Especially since not many people do this to a Maxima and especially an automatic. The above was correct when stating that the turbo lag will be greater as well. On a side note I can not believe that people were paying $4k to get a wopping 75 hp at the crank! That is a horrible $ to Hp ratio imo.

None the less, the turbo would mount to a custom exhaust manifold right off the block if you will. You would then need a down pipe to go from the hot side of the turbo to your cat (which I would hope would be upgraded to a highflow version -Magnaflow or whoever) you would want to run about 2.5" diameter exhaust piping at a minimum and it would be good to go from a 3" down pipe to the 2.5 cat back if you will. You will then need some sort of custom intake as well as an intercooer. You can pick up cheap intercooler cores on ebay but you get what you pay for! some where in the piping of the intercooler you will have a flange for you blow off valve ($1-250 depending on which bov you run). Your mass airflow sensor needs to fit in there as well in the intake stream before the turbo compressor inlet. Top all this off with some form of engine mangament to make it work right. I am guessing that there are not alot of options out there for that due to there not being too many people that have done this which means you would have to go to a stand alone ecu! Caching! That is at least a grand right there! Then figure on another 5-800 for someone to tune it all for you. Honestly, if you want to go turbo then trade the car in and get a car that has one on it already! I gaurantee you it will save you money in the long run and alot less headache! Good luck!

[DamSedan]

Oh ya, you will also need larger injectors (RC engineering maybe) and a bigger fuel pump (Walbro 255 will probably work). So in short,

You need:turbo (its a v6 some maybe a T3/4 set upIntake Exhaust manifold (custom probably)Down pipeBOVWastegate if running exteranal gate set up (recomend this for better tuning control)injectorsfuel pumplarger diameter exhaust/high flow catgaugesengine managment systemSomeone to tune it allFront Mount Intercooer (fmic)

That is pretty much the basics as I am sure I probably left something out.

[acidbbg]

I turbo'd a couple of na cars...and as others have said it..it's difficult..and usually winds up costing more money than if u bought pre=fabbed kit.

And from what i heard...turbo+automatic=little/no lag b/c quicker shifts from auto matic transmission.

[A.Tech]

Wow... That is nasty... Does this get at least High 12's for you? I mean if you getting that much WHP you should be able to keep up with STis and Evos but the only issue I can see if the car is FWD and Vs. AWD any tire spinning/slipping I bet could have would make you loose on a drag against those cars. I mean my boys STi is REALLY hard to make it slip out. I have never seen him loose control or slip out and his is pushing about 270WHP with all the upgrades he has done to it...

[A.Tech]

Do

Oh ya, you will also need larger injectors (RC engineering maybe) and a bigger fuel pump (Walbro 255 will probably work). So in short,

You need:turbo (its a v6 some maybe a T3/4 set upIntake Exhaust manifold (custom probably)Down pipeBOVWastegate if running exteranal gate set up (recomend this for better tuning control)injectorsfuel pumplarger diameter exhaust/high flow catgaugesengine managment systemSomeone to tune it allFront Mount Intercooer (fmic)

That is pretty much the basics as I am sure I probably left something out.

don't forget you may need to tap the oil pan and run oil lines for the turbo.

[Darius]

If you are only looking for a moderate increase in hp, then go with nitrous. It is cheap, and turboing a non-turbo car will take a lot of custom fabrication which equals $$$$$.