Did the horse define what they meant by "engineer"?

I seriously doubt they do "pure" engineering, i.e. take a concept, design and analyze it, produce detailed engineering drawings and specifications and turn that over to a manufacturer to have a NISMO specific item produced. That is time consuming and expensive.

It more likely that they come up with product specifications and send them to several manufacturers and have them submit samples of their products that meet the specifications. Nissan/NISMO evaulates the submissions and picks one for inclusion in the NISMO line. BTW, that's what is done with just about everything else that Nissan (and every other car manufacturer) does with the vast majority of parts that are used to build a car.

Except for NISMO wheels, everything else that I've seen branded with NISMO is available from the actual manufacturer with their own brand label. Most of them existed as their own product long before they became the NISMO version.

 

Could you point me toward the Nismo suspension package by the original manufacturer? I really want this setup but don't want to spend that much cash and I have not seen any non-coilover setups with the same spring rates.

Chris

 

Thats entirely possible, but all nismo parts are unique to nismo, the AEM CAI is not exactly the same as the nismo if you hold them side by side they are actually quite different. The nismo exhaust isnt anything like the fujitsubo, hell, my blitz exhaust is more like the fujitsubo than the nismo exhaust is.

Nismo then dyno tests all of their products themselves using 91 octane fuel, thats why their gains seem so low, they are HONEST.

 

I was at the dealer yesterday asking about mods that would not invalidate the warranty on the car.

I asked him if Nismo made a 5/8" Plenum spacer and the cold air intake because I want my car to have a 300 hp engine.

I know it is cheating without the dyno but I figure if the car is advertised as having 287 HP and one could do a few mods that theoritically added 13 HP, then you would not come off as a BS'er if you said you had a 300HP engine.

I knew that Nissan's choice to release this car as a 287 HP engine was marketing so they could wait a few years and come out with a 300 HP version. We all know what the scoop on that is now.

So anyway, I am talking to the Nissan service department about mods that would NOT hurt the warranty and He said he had to check into this and call me back.

Got home tonight and had this message on the phone from my local Nissan dealer:
"NISMO does not make a Plenum spacer but there are some mods we can do that would add 30 HP (I think he meant to say get me to 300HP). We would put on the NISMO cold air intake,Headers and exhaust for $3300 parts/labor and the car would still be under warranty."


My point is that one can argue about the merits of NISMO all day but the Number 1 plus for them is the waranty issue.

If you want to be able to take the car in at 35,999 miles (or more if you buy an extended warranty which I will be doing) with a blown transmision,for example, on a modded car with NISMO parts,they get to spend several thousand dollars to fix it - NOT you.

Obviously, there are a whole host of folks out there that want to modify their cars (not even thinking of folks that race as that is really a different animal) and don't car about not having a warranty or being able to get an extended warrranty but that is not me.

 

Actually, the dealer lied to you (no big surprise there). Headers and CAI are "R-tuned" NISMO parts, which do not provide the warranty that the "S-tuned" exhaust provides.

From the NISMO brochure...

S-tune components are engineered for street-legal cars. S-tune components offer racetrack-inspired styling as well as credible increases in horsepower, but with an additional feature that our aftermarket competitors can’t match – each S-tune component is covered by the Nissan Parts and Accessories Limited Warranty – 12 months/12,500 miles or up to 36 months/36,000 miles if installed at the time of new vehicle sale (like any other Genuine Nissan part or accessory). See your Nissan Dealer for warranty details.

R-tune components have been engineered for the hard-core enthusiast or weekend racer. Street “civility” is compromised for maximum performance at track days. R-tune components do not carry any type of warranty, and have been designed and are intended for off-highway applications only. The installation of these components on a vehicle intended for use on public streets or highways may violate laws and regulations relating to motor vehicle safety standards or emissions regulations. These components are sold “as is”, without warranty of any kind whatsoever, express or implied, (including all warranties of merchantability or fitness for a particular purpose). The installation of these components could also void vehicle or other Nissan warranty coverage.


One more thing - aftermarket parts do not totally void your warranty. They only void the warranty of the part you replaced or something directly affected by it. If your transmission goes out and you have a CAI, Plenum spacer and exhaust, they would have to prove that one or all of those caused the transmission failure.

 

Dave,
Thanks for that informative answer.

My car is going into the dealer next week for the 7500 Mile maintenance thing and I thought this would be a good time to have some mods done.

Looks like I have some more research to do.

That is a lot of money when All I really want is a CAI and a 5/8" Plenum (to keep the stock engine strut) which I am sure I can do myself.
PLus, I really was not interested in changing the exhuast system and hence the sound of the car.

All I want is a 13 hp boost so I can have a 300HP car.

The comment about proving does bother me though. I am really tough on my car's and worry about blown head gaskets,torn up trannies and blown out rear ends so the warranty thing is important to me.
I don't abuse them but I do like to "use them to their potential"

My rear tires are already obviously worn as they are breaking loose a lot sooner than they used to. And NO - I am not the kid who peels out when someone is watching. I am the rather mature adult who likes to push the car hard ,which willl include wheel noises, when NO one is watching.

 

My suggestion is to get the plenum spacer and a lightweight crank pulley like the KJR. Those two should be good for the +13 HP and will cause minimal or no problems at all for under $500.

 

anyone need a nismo cold air intake here?

 

I am really up on the plenum spacer since I have been reading all about it and also emailling back and forth with question to one of the manufacturers who is a member here.

I DO Need to study up on the Crank Pulley - not familier with that mod.

Why did you leave out the CAI?

Thanks

 

+1

Rich

 

What is this Plenum spacer you guys are talking about and how does it compare to the Crawford plenum. I'm sure the spacer is far cheaper but won't the Crawford plenum will give you more HP? Yes, I'm aware that you also have to get the Crawford strut bar because the plenum is too tall...

 

Nismo does not make a plenum spacer, assumptions about what makes more power can be misleading, do a search for "plenum spacer" or pick up the latest Sport Z magazine for the shootout.

Chris

 

Nismo Gooooood

Napster Baaaad

 

Relatively expensive for the relatively small gain. Potential for water ingestion because of the low location of the filter.

 

The Nismo CAI has a water diverter so there is little danger of water ingestion.



On the other hand the jury is still out on lightweight crank pulleys on the VQ long term, not that I want to start that here, it is well covered in other post.

Chris

 

so, Nismo does out source production on their products at lease its from quality manufacturs (Rays, Calsonic,AEm) not AAA, rota,etc.They do the R&D it's worth it IMO.If you dont care about quality theres always something cheaper..