My plan for the Maxima was to make a few modifications, without making any drastic changes to the car. I did not want it to look heavily modified. I wanted it to look close to stock, but with just enough changes to make it stand out from all the regular Maximas on the road.
Performance
K&N panel filter
Warpspeed Stainless Steel Y-pipe also known as a header/front pipe.
Handling
H&R Performance Springs
KYB/AGX Adjustable Struts/Shocks
Progress Rear Anti Sway Bar
Stillen Front Strut Tower Brace
Konig Flight 17x8 Rims
Kumho ECSTA ASX 235/45/17 Tires
PowerSlot Slotted Rotors
Hawk HPS Brake Pads
Ben's rear shock mounts (from Maxima.org), give the car approximately 1" of suspension travel back.
Cosmetic
Front Diamond Cut Clear Corner Lenses
Tinted Windows 50%(front), 13%(rear)
Audio
Head Unit: Eclipse CD7000
Amplifier (Components): Arc Audio 4150-XXK
Amplifier (Subwoofer): Arc Audio 2100-XXK
Front Speakers: Rainbow Audio CS 265.25 Germanium
Subwoofer: Arc Audio ARC Series 12D2
DVD Player: Power Acoustik PADVD-360
TV Tuners: Alpine TUE-T011A
Monitors: Alpine TME-M006SA
Wiring: Knukonceptz, Monster Cable & StreetWires
Vibration Control: Dynamat
The H&R Springs lowered the car 1.4" in the front and 1.3" in the rear. H&R springs are the most comfortable lowering springs made for the Maxima, but they are definately performance springs. I think that these springs give the car the proper drop, the way that I think it should have come from the factory. The car does not looked slammed with these springs, something that I wanted to avoid. The KYB/AGX Struts are great for handling, but leave much to be desired in the way of comfort. On the freeway or nice streets they are great, but on anything else you feel the imperfections on the road quite a bit.
After installing Ben's Rear Shock Mounts, the back of the car takes the uneven surfaces on the road a little more gracefully. Another benefit is that the annoying little bounce from the back that the car had after it was lowered is pretty much gone. I highly recommend this mod if you have a lowered Maxima. You can get some from Ben at www.Maxima.org, he goes by the screen name mzmtg on the org.
The
PowerSlot Rotors and
Hawk Brake Pads on the front, give the car noticeable stopping power over the OEM setup. I have not encountered any brake fade thus far for my style of driving, as I had before with the OEM brakes and rotors. The Hawk Brake pads dust quite a bit more than the OEM pads, but the added stopping power is a trade off I am happy to make. Besides, I wash my car pretty frequently, so it is not a problem for me.
From a little trip to the mountains
