Thread: Make my car as fast as a Maxima

Hello everyone, I've been reading from here for a while, but haven't posted much.

I have a 99 4dr GTP. I got it a while ago, and it's been sitting in the garage waiting for a transmission rebuild almost the whole time I've had it. It sucks really.

I did a few things to it before the trans started slipping: I put on a junkyard supercharger and changed the s/c oil, blower motor, fixed the water leak into the floorboard, brakes, and more.

It's been so long since I've driven it though, I've really forgot what it feels like. I just remember I liked it because I liked the size, it was kind of powerful and handled good compared to my truck.

Since we are on the Noob question forum, here is my Noob question:

My wife has a 2005 Honda Accord with a 3.0 V6. I don't remember my GTP being as fast or handling as good as her Accord. My friend has a 2005 Maxima, and I know my GTP wasn't as fast as his maxima. So the goal is to be at least as fast as the Accord, and preferably as fast as the Maxima; handling included. Maybe a nose faster than the maxima, for the haters. I've read the thread about safely modding your 3800, and if following the steps in the order they are given in the thread, where would be a good place to stop, considering my goal?

With regard to handling, I hope to change to KYB AGX struts, with either Votglands or Eibach springs, add the GMPP swaybar kit, and maybe upgrade trailing arms. It has a bushing or two under it now that were going bad when I parked it, my plan was to find and replace the bad ones while I pull the struts and other stuff mentioned together, and then replace the rest of the bushings all in one weekend when I do struts etc. (Wouldn't that be nice) Does anyone think that those mods will put the handling on par with the Maxima?

Thanks for the help guys, I've enjoyed the forum.
Dave

what is your budget to beat the maxima

http://www.grandprixforums.net/safel...0-a-67580.html


if you haven't already, read this

all 3 cars should already post almost identical 0-60 and 1/4 mile times....downpipe/headers and pulley drop and you'll be quicker than both....hell, a box tune and you'll probably be quicker than both if you're not willing to drop crazy money on mods....

believe it or not....prior to buying the Prix, the 3 cars I was willing to buy at the time were 03 + Accord, 04+ Max, or the GTP.....GTP was only car I could find within a reasonable driving distance for under 10K and under 100,000 miles....

camopaint0707
Re: Make my car as fast as a Maxima
what is your budget to beat the maxima

I don't guess I really have a set budget, however, that DOES NOT mean money is no object. I'm sort of trying to set a budget by deciding what it will cost, then viola, budget set. When it comes to mods, $1000 or $1200 isn't really that much money and more than likely that will be about all I could squeeze out for mods, not maintenance.


vandezand
Re: Make my car as fast as a Maxima
http://www.grandprixforums.net/safel...0-a-67580.html


if you haven't already, read this

In the original post I said I did read that already. Maybe my question could be better stated this way: Using that thread as a guide, where could I stop and expect to achieve my goals. I was hoping some of the more experienced members would have some insight. All help is much appreciated.

Rodguezsciii,

Thanks for the input. Like I said, it's been a while since I drove the Prix, but I don't remember it being nearly as fast as the Maxima. Just getting there would be good enough for me.

Believe it or not, I also considered Accords and Maxima's before I bought my GTP. I needed a 4 door car that would be big enough to get the kids in the back seat without them having to touch each other, big enough to take a road trip in, and still fun for dad when the wife and kids aren't with me.

Also needed to have cheap parts in stock at Autozone and Advance. Since I've had previous cars torn apart with no money to fix them or the parts on order, I made a list of every car repair I could think of that I had ever done, and searched for those parts on their websites. The Grand Prix had the lowest price parts across the board and had more of them in stock. So, the search was on for a GTP.

Just wish I had bought a different one.

Thanks Ctracer. I hope so man, that would be great. Since my GP went down I kept driving my 98 F150 4X4. That thing sucks so bad, except when you need a truck. Since we got the Honda, I got my wife's old Volvo V70 and it's so worn out I think it's going to fall apart. Cant wait to get the GP back on the road FTW!!

I would throw some cams in with that budget. Or just run nitrous.

Thanks again camo. If I don't have to spend that much money I won't, and may not be able to anyway. I figured it would probably take that though. Also, what cam would you go with, and what kind of gain would that likely get me?

Everyone so far has mentioned headers. It's been a long time ago now but GTPeddie used to have a link in his sig that let you hear what his exhaust sounded like, but the link isn't there anymore. I liked the way his sounded, does anyone know what he has/had?

Everyone also so far has mentioned a tune and a pulley drop. Is it enough to send it in to ZZP or somewhere and have them tune it for you when you buy the pulley or does it need to be done different than that?

Well I plan on going with a VS cam. Also what kind of race are you doing? Specifics help. But honestly a 3.4 pulley, tune, headers, tune up, you should be good.

Then I guess that's the plan then.

I won't be doing any real racing at all. I may take it to the drag strip once to see what I can get with it, but other than that, probably more "speeding" than "racing".

Maybe a little racing. I have a friend that would be pissed if I outran his mustang with two kids in my backseat.

If you do any racing with your kids in the back seat... I will find you and and beat some wisdom into you...

But I assume you weren't being serious about driving like an azzhat with your kids in the car... right?