I also test drove a I35 when the first came out. I stopped in the middle of the street and floored it. No brake torquing. Instant wheel spin (and hop btw). So I don't think there was any TM software in those. Probaby one reason why the 3.5 maximas can turn some decent 1/4 times

 

The intake manifold on the Pathfinder tuned for low to mid range power. It will certainly have more lowend punch and may even beat a 5AT G35 within the first 15-20 feet, but after that the G35 will fly by. The G35 has a pretty elaborate intake manifold that delivers a broad power over a large amount of rpm. Tuning it more for low end power would take away it's upper rpm lungs. I also believe the Pathfinder VQ35 uses different cams and does not have variable intake cam timing.

 

I think wheel spin in I35 is largely related to the fact that's FWD. The rear end squat and front end lift unloads the tires quite a bit. I believe Boss' wife had 5.5 gen auto Maxima that he raced on occasion. I also believe the Maxima was quicker than his G35 sedan for a short while.

 

I would think if it had TM software, it wouldn't spin the tires nearly as much.

My 19s could be hurting but only in the fact that the rear 245-40-19 is a tad tall. The wheels are pretty light being forged (about 20lbs ea)

BTW. I've emailed TS to ask what they thought of the TM software. And to see if they had any plans to do a TCM mod. Since VB mods are going for what? $700-$900? They should be able to tweak the programing to include harder shifts. That is if the line pressure is varible and not just on/off type of deal.

 

If TS could crack this code, we'd be golden. As for line pressure, it should be electronically controlled. I know the 4L60E in my 94 Z28 had electronically controlled line pressure because I bought a $40 B&M shift improver piece for it. The Improver had three setting. Normal, sport, and race. The race mode was downright violent. I believe the system operates much the same way has the "VB" mod that guys do to their auto Maximas. I'm sure the same device could developed for the Jatco 5AT.

 

Good ideas Dave...but I can't even blame the 19's out back b/c I put on the 16'' Nittos to race...still have 19''s up front, but they seem to weigh about the same as the spare tire so I don't know if I am losing out there at all, but unless I find some 18" Coupe rims for next to nothing I won't be finding out b/c nothing smaller than 18 will clear the brakes up front.

I just wish an engineer could debug this.

 

100% true...My wife's 02 Maxima SE with the old 4AT would turn 2.1s and it ran a best of 14.52, but at only 94.52 mph...it did trap in the 95s, but ony running 14.6s...this was a bone stock auto maxima too...and yes, no torque manament and plenty of wheel spin...just like an I35 would do.

 

I thought we covered this...we Don't need firmer shifts guys...our cars, in auto mode especially, shift super quick and smooth...and in MM mode do a damn good job too.

And yes Jeff, your 19s are light as hell for 19s which I backed up in my other post too regarding my front rims.

What we need is to not have power, IE timing, spark, fuel, etc...retarded from the engine, via the ECU (IMHO the TCU has nothing to do with this) when we either brake torque or plain take off the line under 3300-3500 rpms...

This is why I was telling Mr. wiseass comments that in a 6 spd, where you can drop the clutch (After matching up tire pressure, etc to what RPM you can launch at for best times) to get the desired power to the wheels...but for us 5AT people we can't do anything except wait for the other ******** to drop back into place above 3K on the tach...

 

I do hope there is a simple tweak for the TM in the software.

Judging by how Dave advises to launch, it looks like mashing the pedal gets the revs up near or above the TM 3k range. I guess if you can do this fast enough you can this w/o making the car move?

But I still would like better shift logic that a revised TCU could accomplish. ie.. fix the lazy arsed downshifting.

 

yeah, Dave is talking about Flash braking as he calls it I believe...I actually tried it today at a light...and it seemed to work...but the track is always a different animal...Anyway, I don't think this BOG is b/c of the TCU or Tranny at all...I feel it's all the ECU/Big Brother enforcing controlled take off/launches.

DaveB...as a side question, when I go WOT, there is a second's hesitation and a sucking sound and then the massive take off...is this b/c of our Eletronic Throttlebodies/Throttle by wire set up?

 

Yep, the track is a different animal. The prep at my track has been pretty good and even with the best start, my car feels boggy. Honestly, I'm amazed my car is pulling mid to high 2.1 60 foots because it sure doesn't feel like it. Of course, my Z28 would pull 2.0-2.1 60 foots and feel those felt slow as molasses sometimes. Then my Maxima would pull 2.1-2.2 60 foots and it felt pretty dang fast...but it was wheel hopping and spinning all over the place.


My car comes off the line okay, but it seems like about 10-15 feet out, it lays over, and then the rpms hit 3000pms and it's almost a like a turbo kicks in. Is this the hestitation your talking about? As for the sucking sound, my guess is it's the Stillen CAI. Just for fun a couple days ago, I yanked both the over radiator duct and power duct, effectively adding about 60% additional intake area. I noted a bit more initial hestitation and a sucking sound just as I mashe the guess. I put the ducts back on and everything seemed to go back to normal. The intake was loud as hell though and sounded sweet. You may want to take off the Stillen CAI for a day and see if the sound disappears.

 

Ok, and yes that could be it...I was just curious about the Throttle By Wire set up and if that caused an inert condition that takes a second to rectify itself...I am probably over analyzing it, but when you are going 2.3 in 60' with 250 Effing RWHP that makes no sense...

 

+1 Exactly.

 

I tested Dave's way again. I don't get many chances to do this as I have my daughter with me alot.

This time I braked and mashed the pedal. The RPM won't really rise above 3k from what I saw. So it was mash and let go of the brake about 1 sec later. This resulted in a small and feeble chirp of the 245-40-19 re050s But it's the best launch I've done so far. This is with the VDC off. But the slip light still blinked when I chirped the tires. Odd

 

The launch you decscibed is exactly how I launch. I'd imagine the reason I see a bit more spin is because of my balding and 3+ y/o EL42 tires and some pretty significant rear camber. I imagine most of the spin I get now will be stopped by new tires. The little chirp you talk about is exactly what I get on the track.

As for the slip light coming on, that's odd because the only time I see the slip light (VDC off) is when I get very dramatic spin or I'm toying around in a wet vacant lot doing donuts. Last week I toyed around in a wet lot doing a horrible impression of drifting. I then drove around in a tight circle and nailed the gas and did some very fast donuts. The slip light came on and stayed on. My guess is the ECU thought I crashed I had to restart the car to clear the light.