"Traxtar944" (traxtar944)
01/21/2016 at 15:26 • Filed to: None
5
7|
"Traxtar944" (traxtar944)
01/21/2016 at 15:26 • Filed to: None | 5
| 7 |
This car has been my pride and joy for years... I have invested hundreds of hours doing the all the work below, since I’m the type of person who feels that the only way to ensure the work is done right is to do it myself. It totally kills me to sell this car, but I recently relocated to Texas for a career move, and the car is being neglected since I don’t work on it anymore. I couldn’t take it with me so it’s currently being stored in Bartlett, IL. I really never pictured myself selling it, but the distance is proving to be too much of a hardship... I have to let it go and cut my losses. The car has more new parts than used, including the transmission, axles, brake system, intake, exhaust, full suspension, paint, complete interior, audio system, battery, etc... almost all those parts have ~20K miles on it or less. The only major component original to the car is the motor, glass, doors, body, and frame, and even the motor and glass have new gaskets.
The transmission was originally a 4 speed automatic, and I replaced it with a 5 speed manual from an SE model that had the rare limited slip option. All gears were checked to be within tolerance. New axles, CV joints, and wheel bearings have been installed as well. The car is a blast to drive with the new transmission. It’s truly the 4 door sports car it was meant to be. An Exedy stage 1 clutch, aluminum flywheel, polished bell-housing (needs a re-do after some oxidation), new master and slave clutch, and stainless hydraulic lines were all installed less than 10K miles ago. The aluminum flywheel lets the transmission wind up so fast that 1st gear is almost non-existent... amazingly fast off the line. Redline MT-90 gear oil and Castrol hydraulic fluid are used and keep things working smoothly. New thicker axles and ARP extended wheel studs on all 4 corners are used, along with aluminum wheel nuts. Tenzo Type R wheels and Continental ExtremeContact DWS tires are brand new, less than 5K miles. Full size spare included.
The custom brake system consists of stock parts from different high-performance cars. The front brakes are 4 piston 300ZX TT calipers and 2004 Mustang Cobra 13” rotors with a CNC’d steel spacer to get the caliper at the correct distance for full pad bite. The rear brakes are stock maxima calipers with larger diameter 1988 300ZX rotors for a perfectly balanced system. Fully stainless steel wrapped brake lines throughout. Castrol fluid only. This is the ultimate setup for the 3rd gen maxima.
Custom cold-air intake is routed into the front fender and the K&N filter is protected from water intrusion by the wheel well liner. The 2.5” exhaust is fully custom with a high-flo catalytic converter, mangaflow muffler, new flex section, and glass-pak silencer recently installed in 2016. Has a great sound with no leaks. Has some surface rust on the aluminized steel piping, but the welds are all found to be structurally sound and do not leak during inspection when the glass-pak was installed.
Suspension has been totally overhauled, and is easily one of the best features of the car. This thing handles like it’s on rails, with almost zero body roll. The only thing that could be added in a x-frame. BlehmCo heim joints, control arm frame brace, solid sway bars, and strut tower bars on front and back, Tokico and Koni struts, and Eibach springs make the complete package. Every rubber bushing has been upgraded with polyurethane, greased for zero squeaks. I originally had B&G 2” lowering springs on the car but it was too stiff for daily driving (though a much better look). Those springs are included in the sale if you want to sacrifice comfort for aesthetics.
The interior is, again, totally custom. The car was stripped inside and out for paint and body work, and I found a local Nissan dealership with leftover graphite grey leather skins that were a dealer-only option, and installed them over new black carpet for an contrasting look. The headliner and pillars were stripped and covered with black alcantara material. Matching floor mats are included. Every interior light, including the HVAC controls and gauge backlighting has been replaced with LEDs. The main gauges have an electro-luminescent cover added that glows red/blue at night when the headlights are turned on. I’ve also added switched blue LEDs to all 4 foot-wells and inside the vents for a pretty cool effect at night. The Gauge pods lights are also on that same switch. A Momo steering wheel with NRG quick-release for sporty look and added security from theft are included. NRG products are also used for the carbon shift knob, and e-brake handle. A custom black leather shifter boot with graphite french seams finish it off nicely.
Audio system is one of the best I’ve ever heard. The entire car was insulated in Damplifier Pro when the interior was out, and all wires were replaced with 10 gauge RCA’s for amps and speakers. The amps are fused and powered/grounded by 0 gauge wire. Diamond Audio amps with JL audio subs and Cadence competition component speakers sound fantastic. A Pioneer premier touchscreen head-unit with GPS, DVD, HD Radio, and iPod connector is included. Absolutely zero rattles at full volume. The car has been fitted with a CrimeStopper alarm with extra distance (1 mile) and tilt-sensor (no stolen wheels) add-on.
Exterior has been fully stripped, dents filled, primed, wet-sanded, and painted with a Mercedes Designo Mystic White with 2 base coats of white and 3 coats of clear. Truth be told, I have not even buffed this car yet after the paint. It looks amazing as-is, and I can’t imagine what a good buff would do. The truck reflector was deleted replaced with a sheet-metal fill panel in the paint process and really transforms the rear end into something totally unrecognizable. An ultra-rare Stillen fiberglass spoiler and commonly-used lip kit really make the car something else. I grafted on BMW side mirrors with turn indicators for a modern look.
The car was my daily driver all through college and beyond, until I purchased my current daily driver 4 years ago. At that point, the car was covered and stored, and has been sitting relatively untouched ever since, save for being periodically started and ran for 30 minutes every few months. Car fires up instantly, so no issues there. All the belts are new (including timing belt). Coolant hoses are good, but if you want to replace them for your own piece of mind, totally understandable. 5 Big boxes of miscellaneous replacement parts that I’ve either upgraded or need to install (headlight parts and replacement body parts) are included in the sale. I have hundreds of pictures from the paint process, audio install, interior replacement, etc are available.
Digital receipts are available for almost every nut/bolt/washer purchased since 2006. I also have the factory service manual for repair help. This car is for someone familiar with Nissans (and cars in general) and isn’t afraid of putting in some minor work to get a car that NOBODY else will be driving or even recognize. Please don’t hesitate to ask any questions. I can obviously talk about this car for hours and hours. I also offer phone assistance with any issues to the new buyer as piece of mind. I was an active member of maxima.org for many years and very active in the 3rd gen community until I purchased my replacement daily driver 4 years ago. I’d like to see the car move on to a good home.
WHAT MAKES THIS A PROJECT CAR:
Mileage is unknown. When I replaced the transmission and gauges I couldn’t match the odometer. It currently reads ~30K miles and the car had ~100K when the work was done. As said, almost EVERY part on this car has been replaced in the last 4 years I drove it, save for the engine which has a new timing belt. If you took off the valve covers, which I did recently, you’d have no idea the engine has over 100K miles on it. There is a bit of blow-by when at full throttle in 1st gear. I use synthetic Mobile 1 only and change it every 5K miles religiously. The VG30E engine has been known to go well over 300K+ miles without issue.
Radiator hoses are hard, but still flexible. Replacement is recommended. There is also some rust under the car on the floor-pans and one jacking point. The fuel and brake lines need to be replaced due to corrosion.
Stock Headlights are currently installed. I have an ongoing HID projector headlight project I never finished involving mating the back half of a BMW M3 light housing with the front glass of the Maxima. The Xenon HID ballasts are wired and all parts are included with lots of replacements (like the CFL angel eye rings, bulbs, etc). The only thing left is to figure out how to mate the glass to the housing (I think a 3D printer would be best, to make an intermediary part that perfectly blends the two). I’ve already done the hard part of trimming out the metal to fit the larger light housing. I’d say the job is 75% done since all the parts are there except that intermediary mating piece I mentioned.
The front bumper and Stillen lip are unpainted... The car hit an ice chunk in the road a few years back and it cracked original bumper and lip. I’ve rough-installed replacements (easily removed for paint), but never finished the paint work. Remember, the final color is Mercedes Designo Mystic White with two base coats of white.
The LED that illuminates the odometer has a bad connection and flickers at times. A quick solder job would fix it right up. One of the pillar gauge lights needs to be re-soldered as well.
The trim paint I used on the center-console pieces has started bubbling, probably from off-gassing of the plastic. I have a full set of stock interior pieces ready to properly paint or install as-is.
The passenger side A-pillar and center console arm-rest have faded over the years, but replacement fabric will be included in the sale. Alternatively, you could try to spray it with fabric dye and see how it turns out. A very easy job, regardless. The original door card fabric was replaced with graphite vinyl to match the seats, but started to pull away at the edges. Re-application of contact cement or 3M Super 77 spray would fix it without issue. I wanted to add black piping around the door inserts to finish the job nicely, but that’s just me.
Front passenger side speaker crossover had some rust from some water intrusion at the window. That water intrusion was addressed, but the crossover should be replaced or cleaned up. Not a big job, just under the list of things I had to do but now can’t.
The black paint around the side mirror trim has started cracking where I used body filler. Can be easily repaired at home with minimal knowledge of body work.
There is a tiny rust spot on the driver’s side rear wheel well near the bottom of the door that’s starting to bubble. I’d recommend addressing it before it goes through the paint. I also recommend giving the car a coat of under-body protectant to prolong the car’s life if it stays in Chicago winters.
Exterior:
Mercedes Designo Mystic White paint ($10K paint job)
Trunk reflector delete
Ultra-rare Stillen fiberglass spoiler
Stillen lip kit
Custom BMW side mirrors (stock painted mirrors included)
Tenzo Type R wheels with brand new tires (less than 5K miles)
Reverse Sensors wired
HID xenon headlights (need to be finished)
1 of 10 Fiber Images carbon fiber hood available for additional $1K
Interior
Custom Graphite Leather Seats and Door Inserts
Black carpet
Custom graphite floor mats
Alcantara headliner, arm rest, and pillars
LED lighting replacement throughout
Custom reverse-glow gauges
Carbon Fiber gauge surround
Oil pressure, voltage, and Water Temp gauges in A-Pillar pod
Momo steering wheel
NRG quick release wheel hub
NRG leather e-brake
NRG weighted carbon shift knob
Short throw shifter
NRG aluminum pedals
Blue LED ambient console lighting
Switched LED lighting in foot wells and in vents
Metallic trim paint
Audio:
Diamond Audio amplifiers for speakers
Diamond Audio sub amp
JL audio 10W3 subwoofers
Cadence CVL-6K front crossover speakers
Cadence Pro rear 3-way 6x9 speakers
Damplifier pro on roof, doors, floor, and trunk
Audiophile grade wiring throughout
Pioneer Premier touch-screen head unit
0 Ga sub power/ground wiring and 10 Ga speaker wire throughout
Suspension:
Tokico Front shocks
Koni adjustable adjustable rear shocks
Eibach 1” lowering springs
B&G 2” lowering springs included
Front/Rear sway bars
Front/Rear strut tower bars
Heim Joints for parallel links
Polyurethane bushings all around (control arms, sway bars, etc)
Brakes:
Stainless Steel lines
300ZX 4 piston Front Calipers
Mustang Cobra 13” front rotors
300ZX rear rotors
Intake/Exhaust:
Magnaflow Muffler
Custom 2.5” exhaust
Custom y-pipe with replacement flex section included
Polished aluminum intake manifold (needs re-polish)
Fully cold-air intake with K&N Filter
Port-Match Intake manifold
Engine/Transmission:
Manual transmission swapped for 5 Speed Limited Slip Transmission from VE engine... ULTRA RARE conversion!!!!
Polished Aluminum Transmission (needs re-polish)
Redline MT-90 Gear Oil
Thicker drive axles (30mm I believe...can’t remember)
Exedy Stage 1 clutch
Aluminum flywheel
Unorthodox Lightweight Underdrive Crank Pulley
Timing Belt and accessory belts replaced less than 10K miles ago
Stainless steel braided fuel lines
Aeromotive Fuel Pressure Regulator
New battery
Magnecor Spark Plug Wires
Ground points re-wired with 4 gauge wire
Crimestopper alarm with LCD Key fob and tilt sensor add-on
Needs:
Front Bumper/lip needs paint (Currently in primer after replacement. Originals cracked from hitting an ice chunk)
Accelerator pedal bracket needs new spot-weld to attach to firewall
Trim paint started bubbling, stock interior pieces available for repaint
Power door locks aren’t working, think a module needs to be replaced
Some minor rust near rear wheel well... can be fixed
Rust on the under-body and jack points needs to be addressed
New Fuel/Brake lines
New radiator hose
Trunk interior needs to be finished... currently bare MDF and no liner (liners included with sale to bring back to stock if desired
Rear speaker deck needs finishing
Minor trim pieces need to be installed (included with sale)
Gauge lighting has an LED that flickers sometimes
1 Pod gauge LED is out
Other minor things to make the car 100% perfect.
TylerJ
> Traxtar944
01/21/2016 at 15:42 |
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Not a single thing fixed from 9 months ago?
RallyWrench
> Traxtar944
01/21/2016 at 16:06 |
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Sorry you have to sell it, but nice to see a 4DSC given some love.
Short-throw Granny Shifter is 2 #blessed 2b stressed
> Traxtar944
01/21/2016 at 16:12 |
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Looks great with the bodykit and tints. Way better than my ‘92 beige heap that I have sitting out front of my house. Ours is a auto, non-se. It drove pretty well with 15 years of wear and bone stock when I used to daily it, I can’t imagine how much nicer yours must feel.
ktfright | Kinja Neighborhood Black Guy
> Traxtar944
01/21/2016 at 17:38 |
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Oh man, I like this!
Supreme Chancellor and Glorious Leader SaveTheIntegras
> Traxtar944
01/21/2016 at 18:04 |
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Oh my god I wish I had the money in hand to buy that
Iheartmy365kHonda - Car enthusiasts do like FWD
> Traxtar944
01/21/2016 at 21:45 |
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Oh. My. Glob I want this car!! Too bad I’m broke! =(
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Traxtar944
> TylerJ
01/25/2016 at 18:00 |
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Recently fixed the exhaust, new battery, and fuel pump that were giving issues. Also the headlights were out as part of the BMW E36 projector conversion. I’ve since put the stock headlights back in so the car can be driven legally while the project is finished.