Should I mod this auto? 01 Maxima SE

[FostyTG28]

Hey there IA. Ok, so before I even get into it, I just have to say I am totally new to modding in general. Been wanting to do this, although maybe subconsciously, since I was like 6 years old so I really want to start but I'm admittedly a noob.

That said, I have a 2001 Nissan Maxima SE with an auto transmission. I talked to a friend of mine who has been around the import scene for a few years and he told me that (to my suprise) modding this auto wouldn't be that bad. Now, I have to say now that a transmission swap for this Maxima is out of the question unless I buy another auto in the future. Because of my job, I need the auto transmission. I just wont be able to work with a manual.

So I'm wondering if I should just mod this auto, or save the cash and get a cheap manual to be my project? I would prefer to mod a manual just because, in my head, I think it would just be a more fun project but thats just me, since I havn't modded anything before.

I'm not sure if the whole choice is just personal but I'm hoping some members of IA can help me decide (I am indecisive as fuck).

If you have questions, just ask me. I can usually answer them pretty fast

Sorry if this is a total noob question, and that it is so long

[Theycall_Metue]

what do you mean by modding? what are you looking for?
do you just want some cheap power? as in upgraded intake, exhaust and header or do you want to get deeper into performance? like turbo/nitrous? do you have a power goal?
v6 has bigger torque converters and flex plates etc... they can hold a good amount of power rather than 4 cylinders.

[FostyTG28]

If I'm talking about the Maxima, performance. I wamt it to be a nice sleeper, not much exterior work other than make it look cleaner. I don't haev a power goal exactly, just adding more horsepower. I'm not looking to add any spray, and it wont be a track car or anything either. I did some research the other night and the engine is the DE-K, the variation to the DE so it has a few more horses than the original. Here are a few pictures of it. Car/Under the hood





If it were to be a manual, performance would be the primary focus, no ricey exterior shit. Making it look half decent on the outside would be set off to the side.

[Theycall_Metue]

bolts on route i suppose. intake, headers, exhaust.
headers and exhaust may have to be custom made

[FostyTG28]

Ok thanks for the info So I shouldn't save up the cash and boy a manual to be my project instead? Other peoples opinions are also welcome!

[joshk5145]

I'd say start with bolt ons as stated above. I/H/E. See how long that holds you over. lol some people are content at that point but most get the itch to keep going.

[FostyTG28]

I have the feeling I'll have the itch haha. I have pretty much decided I will get a manual at some point, but I'm not sure if I should start sooner rather than later

[nreggie454]

I'd say leave it as stock as possible if it is an integral part of your job. When people mod a car, they generally drive it harder and put more stress on basically everything, making it less reliable. Auto transmissions on average sedans were not built to take a lot of abuse, and they are not cheap at all to replace. Also, once you get past minor bolt ons, there isn't a ton of stuff you can do to a Maxima without compromising reliability unless you spend waaay too much money for it to be worth it (which would probably include a manual swap at some point).

While it means you would have to put your modding itch on the back burner for a while, I would strongly advise saving up for a manual project car that won't put your job in jeopardy if it breaks.

[FostyTG28]

Ok, I think thats what I'm going to do then. I want to hurry up and get in the game! lol Thanks for all the replies

[Theycall_Metue]

auto to manual swap isnt cheap. its a lot easyer to buy another 5spd maxima. i've swap auto to manual in a 92 accord and it wasnt worth it. even after the conversion was done, its not 100% like a 5spd. parts cost a lone in the 900 range. laber (me) since he was my buddy i only charged 300.
i know everyone hate HONDAS *civic*, but ask your self why? because everyone drives one for a reason! its cheap a Lego!

[FostyTG28]

Haha yea, I'm just going to work my ass off doing anything I can for cash and buy some cheap POS with a stick, so long as it runs. I don't have the skills or the knowledge to be trying to fix major problems and I don't want to bust out a ton of cash just to get the thing running, not to mention any leaks ect. I'll try and bring a family friend who is a mechanic and have him look at it too. I was thinking spending about $1200 MAX on something? Would this be alright, so long as it isn't so messed up that I'll be overwhelmed? I have a friend who picked up a 240sx for $300 on craigslist as his first car. It was a ricey POS, but it still ran, and thats how he got into modding so I'm just keeping an eye out for anything cheap.

[Theycall_Metue]

yes you are correct, do not heavily mod a car that is your only dd. parts goes out, sht happens. if you want to start experiencing the game, start with something simple.
my family has 6 cars total with 4 drivers. my f up, i have others to drive. start with something simple like i stated. 4 cylinders would be the best.
you havnt stated what kind of car(s) yet so just putting it out there. i saw a civic with a blown motor on cragslist for 1000, im sure you can talk him/her down to 800 ish. get a vtec swap for 400 ish.
just my opinion, 240s are over rated, people want too much for them and their parts.

[FostyTG28]

I'm just looking out for anything I can get my grubby hands on haha. I saw saw a 300zx on craigslist the other day for $700 OBO so I could probably talk him down to 5-600. The only problem HE says it has is a blown head gasket which I've looked around and a new head gasket itself isn't that expensive, but paying for labor is what kills you and I'm too afraid I'm going to fuck something up if I try to do a full swap or something like that myself. (I might be able to talk to that fam mechanic, he might do it for free just since hes been good friends with my old man since they were kids) But really, I don't care what car it is, so long as its an import that can be upgraded and shit. Preferably I'd like a Civic or Integra to work on, but the cheapest thing that doesn't totally suck is what I'm aiming for, and don't worry, I've been told I have fairly good taste so it won't be some ricey shit thats ugly as hell haha

[Theycall_Metue]

people will argue with me but 300zx are a hunk of junk, for a v6 it makes shitty power. 240s and 300zx's biggest problems are blowing head gaskets. look again, most of them for sale are because of blown head gaskets. the only reasonable 300zx are the twin turbo ones.
dropping a motor into a civic is easier than opening a jar of pickle. first time around with very little knowledge took me 45 min to pull out and 2 hrs to prep and drop new motor in.
forgot to mention, honda and acura motor are identical. you can plug and play an acura motor into a civic.

[FostyTG28]

Yea. I'm most likely going to just look for a Honda or Acura if I can. It'l just depend on what stuff is selling for on craigslist at the time once I get the money. Feel free to put up any helpful info, and I'll PM you if I ever have a question I need answered? Haha +1 to you sir. Thanks for the help

[Mr.Ek9]

Dont forget euros. A pretty decent mk3 jetta/gti/golf can easily be found in that price range. Also very easy to work on.

[FostyTG28]

Yea, I'll definately keep an eye out for anything that looks decent. I just type in something like "Honda Civic" and go through all of the recent pages looking at them all

[Theycall_Metue]

jetta/gti/ golf are expensive. a few friends own couple of them.
i was quoted a oil filter for a ( forgot year ) gti was like 13 bucks? maybe more.
transmission are worth a leg full of money