Cefiro Club

[defcon1]

defcon....we r glad to have u here really...i enjoy every parts u have written n the one that caught my eye its the suspension mod!!

i am using hotbits adjustables. the ride its comfort (compare to my koni & kg/mm combo) but i still think it lack of something...whenever i go thru rough roads, all kind of noise produce under the carriage...probably all the bushes r goner or do u think its something else? fyi, im using 18" rims with 225/45 tyres. probably the low profile tyres contribute to these noises?

i have the front strut bar installed. so far it did have some improvement. but im not too keen on the rear n side bars....

i have been looking foward to mod the Y-pipe since i got to know about it in maxima.org but the lack of knowledge in local exhaust shop about our VQ series engine really turn me off...i know the exhaust system its very important. count me in mate!!!

i think we need a TT....calling all feilos...TT next month...
Date: 11th of Jube 2006...
Place: Safiz Rest, Sri Hartamas (beside Souled Out Cafe)
Time: 2.00pm onwards
Att:
1) ongteckweng
2) dreamtent...hehe
3)
4)
5)

i am really keen on the suspension mods

Hey...good to be here... :)

Now noises under the Cefiro...that used to be a constant problem.

a) The bushings that give way often are the ones on the lower arms. Fortunately for us, those are replaceable individually without having to change the entire lower arm. Most of the noise I encountered were attributed to these.

b) The bushings in the rear are not replaceable with stock parts. But then again, they are bloody tough. I got my mech to grease them with high pressure grease and they quietened down a lot.

c) Finally, every time you send your car in for service get the mech to re-torque your undercarriage nuts and bolts.

d) For better handling, try camber bolts. And set them to about 1 degree negative camber. you will be surprised how firm the car will feel. However, the clearance between the knuckle and the shocks in our car is very small. If you cannot achieve 1 degree then 0.5 degrees left and right will do.

I will write to Whiteline tonight to see if they have options for the A32. I hope Bob Tait is still there as it has been some time since I have spoken to them. Let's see what they recommend.

Low profile tyres contribute to vibration. Since there is less rubber and air between you and the road, there is less of a damping effect. Hence, you encounter more noise.

As to the Y-Pipe...the design is simple. Basically only 2 mandrels, a straight pipe and 2 O2 sensor mounting points. Use back the original pipe diameter of 2.5", so you can scrounge back your flanges from the old Y-pipe. Not difficult at all...and an exhaust man with good welding skills can be guided to produce the correct shape. Once a single piece is made, others can be copied. I usually advocate using just mild steel pipes and not S/S. At that point of the exhaust, it will take years for the steel to rust and steel produces a lower pitched sound than S/S. Anybody now a good exhaust shop (welding skills) who has mandrels and whose prices can be negotiated with a group purchase? I will be happy to guide the welder... :)

I have images of the Y-Pipe in question but don't know how to upload the images... :(

Then we can all have an exhaust shop T/T session to fit our Y pipes...

About T/T on the 11th, I might have to go down to Sg that weekend. Any chance of this weekend? Beginning of the month, freer for me in my pressure cooker job... :sad_smile:

 

[billyArbie]

topui11 can shw some pic? do u guyz have rim pic? wanna find 1 for my rb... wit 195/r16/55 and 205/r16/55 ?

 

[Lawcc]

Hey...good to be here... :)

hi defcon1, really enjoy reading your inspirational article/projects....

 

[ongteckweng]

bro def...this weekend cant...coz have to balik my wifeys kampung le.

anyway, i know an exhaust shop in sri gombak. very good workmanship. Jian Hang...price can nego for sure...maybe we can show him some pics n c how much it cost....u can send the pic to me...will post it for [email protected]

btw, i tot only VQ30DE has 2.5 pipping size...how about VQ25DE?? i using stock piping from VQ30DE but i deCat and change the rear muffler to Apexi S-Flow. The topspeed its gr8 and i can easily go from 100km/h to 180km/h...but at lower rpm...i think its sucks...i think bcoz there is not enough back pressure for low rpm...Jian Hang suggust twin pipe muffler from skyline gtt which he claims has better front torque n acceptable top speed. do u agreed?

as for chamber bolts...i cant coz im using adjustables...maybe have to ask uncle richard to custom some pillow ball mounts.

probably i will try to change the front bushes if there r option from whiteline...i know they r good (price also not bad...)

btw, when r u comin back from sg?

 

[ongteckweng]

topui11 can shw some pic? do u guyz have rim pic? wanna find 1 for my rb... wit 195/r16/55 and 205/r16/55 ?

bro billy..i think topui its on the other thread la..Cefiro A31 ...hehe

 

[ongteckweng]

cgui...thanks for the pic...the nissan concept is so darn cute le...looks like mini murano le..hehe

n of course...the all time fav Nismo 350z..


p/s: any close up shots on the girls?? hehe

 

[cgui]

here r some close up of the girl there

 

[defcon1]

bro def...this weekend cant...coz have to balik my wifeys kampung le.

anyway, i know an exhaust shop in sri gombak. very good workmanship. Jian Hang...price can nego for sure...maybe we can show him some pics n c how much it cost....u can send the pic to me...will post it for [email protected]

btw, i tot only VQ30DE has 2.5 pipping size...how about VQ25DE?? i using stock piping from VQ30DE but i deCat and change the rear muffler to Apexi S-Flow. The topspeed its gr8 and i can easily go from 100km/h to 180km/h...but at lower rpm...i think its sucks...i think bcoz there is not enough back pressure for low rpm...Jian Hang suggust twin pipe muffler from skyline gtt which he claims has better front torque n acceptable top speed. do u agreed?

as for chamber bolts...i cant coz im using adjustables...maybe have to ask uncle richard to custom some pillow ball mounts.

probably i will try to change the front bushes if there r option from whiteline...i know they r good (price also not bad...)

btw, when r u comin back from sg?

Aaah pity. I got a friend coming in from Australia (ex-teenage motorcross national champ who broke his back in a freak mishap on the track). He now drives fast cars (got back some use of his legs) and races 3-wheelers. He's a crazy sob who may also be carrying some parts for me... :)

Anyway, about torque. Current opinions are that engines do not require back pressure to build torque. They need to breathe. That is why for the Cefiro/Maxima, the best recognized initial mods are the CAI and the Y-pipe/B-pipe. They assist air in...and finally out of the motor.

My exhaust nuts, for example, came loose about a week ago...and I haven't had the time to get them tightened. So my exhaust is leaking at the far Y-pipe joint. My torque has improved dramatically which is one of the reasons why I now have CAI's and Y-pipes on my mind.

The twin pipe muffler from the GTT will help NOT because of back pressure...but because you isolate both rows of pistons into separate pipes, lessening the turbulence, into smaller pipes..and thereby increasing the velocity at which the exhaust travels the exhaust pipes and exits. Once again...your engine breathes easier. Surprisingly, wrapping the headers and exhaust to keep the heat in does the same thing...increases the exit velocity of the exhaust.

I thought you had a pair of Titans in the front? If you do, then they come with adjustable camber compliments of some very ingenious engineering from Uncle Richard.

I'll check on the Whiteline option and let you guys know. But be aware...with your 18" rims...your ride is going to be a tad harsh with harder bushings...

I'll be away only for the weekend. Back on Sunday, but probably late. We'll just have to see.

 

[cgui]

vote the cutest looking 1

best looking girl

 

[defcon1]

Hmmm...nice "accessories" at the KLIM...but I think, too expensive for me...supercharger probably cheaper...and less "maintenance"...

 

[brian23]

Thanks all the sifu here. i just called uncle richard today, he also quote me RM2800 for the shocks. when i ask whether need to fix up strut bar, uncle richard said no need. May i know why? what is the function for "pillow-ball joint"?? thanks.

 

[ongteckweng]

Aaah pity. I got a friend coming in from Australia (ex-teenage motorcross national champ who broke his back in a freak mishap on the track). He now drives fast cars (got back some use of his legs) and races 3-wheelers. He's a crazy sob who may also be carrying some parts for me... :)

Anyway, about torque. Current opinions are that engines do not require back pressure to build torque. They need to breathe. That is why for the Cefiro/Maxima, the best recognized initial mods are the CAI and the Y-pipe/B-pipe. They assist air in...and finally out of the motor.

My exhaust nuts, for example, came loose about a week ago...and I haven't had the time to get them tightened. So my exhaust is leaking at the far Y-pipe joint. My torque has improved dramatically which is one of the reasons why I now have CAI's and Y-pipes on my mind.

The twin pipe muffler from the GTT will help NOT because of back pressure...but because you isolate both rows of pistons into separate pipes, lessening the turbulence, into smaller pipes..and thereby increasing the velocity at which the exhaust travels the exhaust pipes and exits. Once again...your engine breathes easier. Surprisingly, wrapping the headers and exhaust to keep the heat in does the same thing...increases the exit velocity of the exhaust.

I thought you had a pair of Titans in the front? If you do, then they come with adjustable camber compliments of some very ingenious engineering from Uncle Richard.

I'll check on the Whiteline option and let you guys know. But be aware...with your 18" rims...your ride is going to be a tad harsh with harder bushings...

I'll be away only for the weekend. Back on Sunday, but probably late. We'll just have to see.

bro def...i love CAI but im a bit worried about the hot air inside the engine bay as we all know, the VQ series engines produce lots of hot air. will the hot air reduce the performance? as we all know, CAI mean cold air intake...now it become hot air intake, which i dont think its good...i know we can mod a heat reflector but how much of hot air will it deflect?

im really keen on the Y-pipe now...hehe...i need torque badly...

as u mentioned about the PU bushes, it will contribute to harsher ride? is this coz by minimal reflexes?

im not using titan. im using hotbits adjustables...probably need to go to speedwork n enquire about the pillowmount ball...

 

[ongteckweng]

Thanks all the sifu here. i just called uncle richard today, he also quote me RM2800 for the shocks. when i ask whether need to fix up strut bar, uncle richard said no need. May i know why? what is the function for "pillow-ball joint"?? thanks.

brain, pillow ball mount its to adjust the chamber. usually its for adjustable as we do not use chamber screw with adjustables...hence, we have to use pillow ball mount to adjust the camber...

its something like this:

 

[Lawcc]

here r some close up of the girl there

hi bro cgui, looks like enjoy the trip ah.....the girls show.......wife never show :cry_smile: ?

 

[ongteckweng]

got some pics about the Y-pipe for A32:

Source: http://www.customenterprise.com/vie...plate.1.product.asd/scspid/1051/vts/design017

 

[ongteckweng]

CAI for A32

Source: http://www.customenterprise.com/vie...mplate.1.product.asd/scspid/994/vts/design017

 

[billyArbie]

hahaha sorry.. newbie here !...

 

[defcon1]

bro def...i love CAI but im a bit worried about the hot air inside the engine bay as we all know, the VQ series engines produce lots of hot air. will the hot air reduce the performance? as we all know, CAI mean cold air intake...now it become hot air intake, which i dont think its good...i know we can mod a heat reflector but how much of hot air will it deflect?

im really keen on the Y-pipe now...hehe...i need torque badly...

as u mentioned about the PU bushes, it will contribute to harsher ride? is this coz by minimal reflexes?

im not using titan. im using hotbits adjustables...probably need to go to speedwork n enquire about the pillowmount ball...

Hey Ong... :)

I think you are confusing the installation of a mushroom type air filter with CAI.

A lot of people install an aftermarket air filter INSIDE the engine bay. And it is actually much more efficient than the stock air filter setup, despite the heat. This is because, it greatly reduces the resistance to air flowing into the engine I.e. the engine breathes easier. Also, when the car is moving, the air-flow into the engine bay through the grills tends to take most of the heat out of the engine bay. Air running through the radiator may be a few degrees higher temp than ambient, but the increased air-flow efficiency more than makes up for this.

A true CAI has to have the air filter in a position to draw in cold air. This would mean piping the air tract to somewhere cool. In the Cefiro, the best place for this would be to place the air filter inside the bumper, just behind the spotlight. If you remove the stock resonator that sits there, there is more than enough space. Unfortunately, in a country like Malaysia...you could be caught in a flash flood at any time and that position would be of marginal risk. Still, the water would have to be a foot high before it becomes a real problem.

Another option would be to have the filter inside the engine bay, then installing a small scoop on the bonnet of the car. he air filter would sit in a shielded box with the scoop forming the top of the box. The upper edges of the box sides would be lined with rubber to seal against the bonnet. Of course, you'd have to cut a hole so that cold air could reach the air filter...something most of us would not be keen to do.

A heat shield protecting the air filter is not to prevent hot air from reaching it. It is simply to prevent radiated heat from reaching it as most of these filters eg. Apexi, Razo, K & N etc. are made predominantly of fine stainless steel mesh that would pick up radiated heat.

All in all, throwing away the stock scoop and placing an air filter in a position behind the battery will do wonders for your torque. In no way will it ever reach a temperature where it could actually damage your engine or even reduce it's efficiency.

I once experimented with a CAI on my Celica. Now, the Celica GT4 is a true sports car, so it sits quite low. I piped the air filter all the way behind the bumper...and it sat about 6" above the ground. My friends nick-named my car "The Most Powerful Vacuum Cleaner in Singapore"!!!...

 

[ongteckweng]

how about hybrid intake?

http://www.brianv.net/mods/filter/

 

[ongteckweng]

Hey Ong... :)

I think you are confusing the installation of a mushroom type air filter with CAI.

A lot of people install an aftermarket air filter INSIDE the engine bay. And it is actually much more efficient than the stock air filter setup, despite the heat. This is because, it greatly reduces the resistance to air flowing into the engine I.e. the engine breathes easier. Also, when the car is moving, the air-flow into the engine bay through the grills tends to take most of the heat out of the engine bay. Air running through the radiator may be a few degrees higher temp than ambient, but the increased air-flow efficiency more than makes up for this.

A true CAI has to have the air filter in a position to draw in cold air. This would mean piping the air tract to somewhere cool. In the Cefiro, the best place for this would be to place the air filter inside the bumper, just behind the spotlight. If you remove the stock resonator that sits there, there is more than enough space. Unfortunately, in a country like Malaysia...you could be caught in a flash flood at any time and that position would be of marginal risk. Still, the water would have to be a foot high before it becomes a real problem.

Another option would be to have the filter inside the engine bay, then installing a small scoop on the bonnet of the car. he air filter would sit in a shielded box with the scoop forming the top of the box. The upper edges of the box sides would be lined with rubber to seal against the bonnet. Of course, you'd have to cut a hole so that cold air could reach the air filter...something most of us would not be keen to do.

A heat shield protecting the air filter is not to prevent hot air from reaching it. It is simply to prevent radiated heat from reaching it as most of these filters eg. Apexi, Razo, K & N etc. are made predominantly of fine stainless steel mesh that would pick up radiated heat.

All in all, throwing away the stock scoop and placing an air filter in a position behind the battery will do wonders for your torque. In no way will it ever reach a temperature where it could actually damage your engine or even reduce it's efficiency.

I once experimented with a CAI on my Celica. Now, the Celica GT4 is a true sports car, so it sits quite low. I piped the air filter all the way behind the bumper...and it sat about 6" above the ground. My friends nick-named my car "The Most Powerful Vacuum Cleaner in Singapore"!!!...

def..yeah...got it wrong...found the answer from maxima.org thou....dont think CAI its practical here in KL coz of the rains n floods...not worth it...