[Downshift1]

I have read quite a few post that show some interest in performance parts for the Cube such as the Stillen intake and exhaust.

Having been in the performance industry for quite a few years I can't leave anything I own stock for long (I even mod my cell phone ).

For my own Cube I plan on starting at least with the standard Intake/Header/Exhaust. I figure unless the aftermarket really kicks into gear asap I'm probably going to have to fab the header and full exhaust myself. :roll:

For the future I'm thinking a possible low boost turbo kit to really kick it in the pants 8)

What I'm wondering is how many people would like a bit more pep in their Cube?

-Dylan @ Kei Garage

 

[palaina.kawika]

i was thinkin the same on a turbo kit for later years. after warranty expires.

and its not at all about the performance. although a little boost would be nice, the fact is, i just really miss all the sounds of driving a turbo car.

 

[none]

I'll be doing a Hot Air Intake at some point.

 

[Downshift1]

I figure the Intake/Header/Exhaust will help the 1.8 breathe a little easier and hopefully pick up a few more hp anf mpg

The turbo kit will an over the winter kinda thing just to see if I can do it lol

 

[dink74]

The header is not really needed for the Cube. If you take a look at it, you will find a very nice tubular manifold and a nice 2.25" mandrel bent downpipe to the cat. Between the cat and the flange at the axle is a different story, that is one ugly chunk of tube that is all buggered up. I found it shrinks down to 1.625" in 2 spots. After the flange at the rear axle it goes back to a nice 2.25" mandrel bent tube to the muffler. Engineers must had a few to many beers while designing the middle pipe.

Dink

 

[Downshift1]

Between the cat and the flange at the axle is a different story, that is one ugly chunk of tube that is all buggered up. I found it shrinks down to 1.625" in 2 spots. After the flange at the rear axle it goes back to a nice 2.25" mandrel bent tube to the muffler. Engineers must had a few to many beers while designing the middle pipe.

Dink

LoL!

I've looked at the header a little bit for initial designs. I would like to go a little bigger on the primaries with a possible stepped design like the Honda guys have seen good results with. Couple that with a nice smooth 4-1 collector and a hi-flow cat (yes, I'm trying to stay emissions legal!) to a full 2.25 mandrel bent exhaust and I think I should see a few hp out of her

-Dylan @ Kei Garage

 

[elDizzle_foShizzle]

I'd def be interested in basic bolt-ons...stuff DIYers can take on (intake, exhaust, strut bar, lower tie bar, etc.) It'd be nice to be compatible with our CVTs (guess that rules out the turbo). Man, if they just imported the IMPUL CUBE here....

 

[johnwdw]

Yes. I would be interested as well. Haven't done anything on the performance side since my Big Block 442 days. Look at DIY mods as well. The turbo kit sounds interesting but as alot of others have mentioned the CVT is most likely an issue.

 

[1HoTCuBe]

yes i would also be interested...

 

[ChristineK]

I found this and thought it was funny or at least interesting.

http://www.examiner.com/x-4824-Tampa-Sports-Car-Examiner~y2009m4d7-Nissan-Cube-performance

I think the performance part would be how much faster your gas gauge moves :yes:

 

[Pejay66]

I watched the video (Tampa Bay something). I find it hard to believe they really ever drove the CUBE for miles on an interstate. I drove from Amarillo, TX to Boston, MA all the way on "I's" and it ran great no issues, relaxing and kept up easily with everybody. So the XB is hot, whatever. It just looks boring to me. I did not buy the CUBE so I could lay a patch at stoplights and, so it goes 0-60 in 8.4 seconds. I would rather not get the ticket. These reviewers for the most part in my opinion are a JOKE!

Pejay66

 

[elDizzle_foShizzle]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BKtTznVkhm0

tasty! melikey! any word if someone makes this for our Z12 yet?

or how 'bout this one?
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gk9Lt-nbj-A

 

[momzbox]

OK Holly Shit batman!!!! That sounds mean. So I have to share that mine sounds like that too. LOL

 

[Downshift1]

I'm happy to say we'll have our first Cube (yes there will be many! ) this week so the development will commence.

First on the list is trying to figure out a little better intake set up to get some fresh air in there.

Next up will be exhaust including a little bit better design header.

I figure we'll do a number of experiments in this order:

1. Bolt-on parts (mild performance and MPG)- Including: Intake, exhaust, header, high flow catalytic converter, ECU tune

The goal of this first experiment is to try and optimize the performance of the stock engine and optimize fuel economy with basic bolt on parts that even the novice can install.

2. Light Engine Work (medium performance)- Including: Ported head, cam upgrade, up the compression via thinner head gasket, lightweight flywheel

The goal of this one is to see what the max performance we can get out of a good weekend DIY project. If you have good mechanical knowledge, decent set of tools, and a service manual this can put a lot more pep in your box :yes:

3. Major Engine Work (Max N/A performance)- Including: Built bottom end (balanced, lighter, stronger, higher compression), cat-less header, race exhaust.

This is just to see how far we can push it. LOL

4. Turbo Charging- Including: full turbo kit with intercooler, fuel system upgrade, etc

"Why?" you ask? I don't know I guess just to see what happens. Nissan engines are known for producing good power when turbo charged. I was thinking if I could offer a turbo kit for a decent price it may be more bang for the buck than building the engine naturally aspirated.

Our first car is CVT so it's limit will be step 1 due to transmission concerns (I'm working on this too!). I wanted to do this one first because they are more common than the 6 speed Cubes. We will be doing baseline runs on the stock car once it hits 3000 miles. After that we will do test on each piece individually to show the results of each. Then we will do them all together.

Once the 6 speed car arrives we will order a spare short block and head assembly to start the next steps.

-Dylan @ Kei Garage

 

[elDizzle_foShizzle]

awesome man! that's exactly the flow of mods i wanted to hear! get stage 1 up and running and you got yourself a buyer!

 

[1HoTCuBe]

wow great news!

 

[ChristineK]

I like this and how you will do the results one at a time and then together. I also appreciate your concern for the CVT and difference for 6 speeders so both get equal appreciation.

I think the 6 speeders are going to be the performance mod group and we will enjoy the electronic toys as we cannot partake.

 

[palaina.kawika]

discrimination against the 6MT minority!

lol the more and more you talk about a turbo kit the more and more i get stoked for it. i just might have to do it before warranty is up.

 

[ChristineK]

i just might have to do it before warranty is up.

So you can pull it off and say, I don't know what happened??

 

[Downshift1]

The software I have for tuning can do both the 6 speed and CVT ecu

I will update this thread as development begins :yes:

-Dylan @ Kei Garage