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5/7/2005
Changing the spark plugs on a 2002-2003 Maxima is not for the
average do-it-yourself-er because it requires removal of the intake manifold
upper and lower collectors and the ignition coils, but with a little patience
and care it can be done. This
guide shows how to do it with the simplest of tools.
9/12/2003
Here is a simple how-to on changing your
In-Cabin Micro Filter
on any 5th-Generation Maxima.
6/7/2003
I have a new email address! For those wishing to contact
me, my address is now gregp@greghome.com.
8/14/2002
Installed an Injen Cold-Air
Intake. This is an excellent design that does not require any cutting
or drilling. Check out the install pics.
7/30/2002
Maxima Transverse Link
Recall Pics.
7/24/2002
Check out these mirror bras
for the 5th-Generation Maxima!
7/11/2002
Added a few more pictures of the Pathfinder
undercarriage, and the ingenious maintenance-minded oil-filter design.
6/23/2002
I was so impressed with the VQ35DE engine, I bought another
one, this time in a 2002 Nissan Pathfinder
SE. This is such a terrific, smooth motor in the Maxima, and it is
just as good in the Pathfinder.
6/09/2002
Maxima
Meet in Jersey City, NJ.
5/16/2002
I had the car re-dynoed today to examine the gains made from
installation of the UDP. The results
are interesting, to say the least!
4/05/2002
Today I had the car dynoed by Unorthodox
Racing in Deer Park, NY. The reason for performing the dyno runs was to get
baseline wheel horsepower and torque figures for the VQ35 engine in the Maxima,
in order to judge realized gains from any future performance
modifications. The car
had 1360 miles on the odometer at the time of the dyno, and had no engine,
intake, exhaust or other performance modifications
whatsoever. Click this link to see a writeup on TODAY'S
DYNO RUN.
After the dyno runs where completed, the car was test-fitted
for an underdrive pulley. It was Unorthodox's desire to see if the underdrive pulley
designed for the VQ30 engine would also fit on the VQ35. Click this link to see a short writeup on the
UDP FOR THE 2002 MAXIMA, and the
interesting results of this prototype/investigation..
4/03/2002
Added the Stillen FSTB. After all of the hype about
the new Stillen 3-point FSTB, it turns out the design was no good because the
firewall is not strong enough to support the side-loads, so we are back with the
original (and much better) design, which I installed on the car.
3/29/2002
After about 1100 miles, I changed out the factory
transmission fluid and replaced it with Red Line
MT-90. This stuff works
miracles on the transmission, and allows the shifter to engage much more
smoothly, for crisper and faster shifts. The 6-speed tranny in the 2002
is slightly different in layout and oil capacity from the 1995-2001 5-speed
transmission.
3/15/2002
Installation pics of Stillen
Rear Sway Bar (RSB) on 2002 Maxima. I couldn't let a good suspension
mod go to waste, so I put the RSB from my '99 Maxima on the new car.
2/16/2002
After a 3-month plus wait, my 2002
Maxima SE 6-speed finally arrived! It came off the truck on 2/13 and
was ready for pickup today. The car is very smooth and powerful with the
3.5-liter V6 mated to the 6-speed. There are many gadgets and features -
the manual for the navigation system alone is as big as the one for the
entire rest of the car!
10/27/2001
Check out the 2002 Maxima SE.
10/25/2001
I am slowly returning the car to "semi-stock"
status as far as the performance and handling modifications are
concerned. The distinct possibility exists that you may be seeing a 2002
SE grace these pages soon.
6/3/2001
HUGE turnout for the Liberty
State Park Meet on June 3. Last count was 110 Maximas, maybe more.
5/28/2001
I installed a set of Goodridge Stainless
Steel Brake Lines. Not a difficult job, but it takes about 4.5 hours
to do. Say goodbye to mushy brake pedal feel!
5/11/2001
Stillen
B-Pipe Install Pics and opinions.
4/18/2001
Check out the 2002
Nissan Altima at the New York Auto Show!!! WOW.
4/18/2001
Due to major problems with my prior Web Hosting Service, the site has been
moved to DELLHOST.COM. It's a little more expensive than The Jungling
Company, but I think you get what you pay for. After a few years'
experience with the prior company, I finally got so fed up with their
horrible service and support that I just gave up. 10 days of my site
being down was the last straw. So, if you're thinking of hiring a
company to host your web site, stay away from fly-by-night operations
like The Jungling Company!!
2/12/2001
Updated Y-Pipe
section to comment on some of Stillen's new developments.
1/14/2001
Updated comments on Unorthodox
Racing UDP. Rumors, misinformation and myths dispelled once and
for all!!!
1/4/2001
Thanks to Bruce (y2kse) on the Maxima Forum for supplying the Instruction Sheets for the 5th-Generation
Maxima Stillen High-Flow Intake.
12/03/2000
Added pictures from the 12/3/2000
NorthEast Maxima Meet at the Toys R Us on Flatbush Avenue, Brooklyn NY.
11/17/2000
I added an initial cut at a Nissan Parts List
that I have been putting together for quite some time. It basically is an
organized list of all the Nissan OEM parts I have used on the Maxima so
far. Hope others find it helpful.
10/26/2000
Added article which appeared in December 2000 Issue of Sport
Compact Car on the 2000 Eibach STe Maxima with
JWT turbocharger.
10/14/2000
Added section to dispel some myths about the infamous MAF
Sensor Mod.
10/13/2000
Updated Stillen
High-Flow Intake how-to with more pictures. I have been meaning to
update some of the older (pre-digital camera) sections of the site as time
permits. I took the filter off to clean it and figured it was a good
opportunity to take the rest of the intake apart to photograph it for y'all.
10/01/2000
Moved the Maxima Coupe concept car to the
Musings section.
9/23/2000
The
ingenuity of Maxima owners everywhere never ceases to amaze me. Here
is Brian Vogelsinger's homemade FSTB for his 1997
Maxima SE.
9/19/2000
I
went to KOOKS Custom Headers in Bay Shore L.I. and had my Courtesy B-Pipe
modified to remove the restriction which has annoyed me since the day the
pipe was installed. They did a great job. Check out the
install pictures for my modified
Courtesy B-Pipe.
9/18/2000
I
have updated some of the poorer quality photos on the site with better
quality digital images. For a short while when I started this web site
I did not have a decent digital camera. Exactly which pages were
updated is too numerous to name, but hunt around - I'm sure you will find
them. They are mostly under the "Modifications" area.
9/10/2000
Due to overwhelming requests via email, I have posted the name and phone
number of the car audio dealer where I bought the CD
Changer.
9/6/2000
Due
to comments received via email, I corrected and re-scanned all of the
Stillen instruction sheets for the FSTB,
RSB
and High-Flow
intake. The files are larger, but are now crystal clear and will
print out nicely. I also added the section on drive
belt tensioning and tightening from the shop manual. Thanks for
all of the suggestions!
9/4/2000
I redesigned the navigation system slightly, grouping all mods together
and placing them under their own navigation level. I also added a new
section with illustrations and procedures from the factory
service manual.
8/22/2000