New to FX... FX is not new (03)

M

Merser

Member
Location
Connecticut
Car
2003 FX45
Name
Erik
So i have been snooping about on the forums and such.. done a lot of searches and everything...

I have some questions that I 1) can't seem to find a decent answer to or 2) the info is soooo old i don't trust it.

First off I Recently (like 2 weeks ago) Aquired a 2003 Black w/ brick FX45... It has 116k miles on it and only had One owner which seems to have been a short/fit Italian lady from upper NJ that liked outdoor sports(Based off of junk i found under the seats)

Other than some Cosmetic things like weather stripping on a door and the rear wheel trim finally snapping at the tabs... a few scratches it seems good... Big upgrade from my 02 Subaru outback sedan with 240k on it.

Things i was looking at doing are for efficiency and reliability(and to make it badass)...

So first off the questions/parts i am looking at... Any Input on them would be great...

Spark Plugs:
Looking at E3 Plugs, they only have one kind(not hotter or colder)... Had good gains with my 05 wrangler (like +20% better gas mileage)

All fluids changed for Royal Purple as i get the funds to do so (RP ATF is compatible with matic-j but not matic-S due to a slight viscosity difference... Per Nissan and RP... Matic-s on and older infiniti is merely for warranty purposes... I dont have one and should be fine)

Air intake...
Is The Manta Ray intake still around? I can not PM people yet sooo...

Exhaust:
Invidia Gemini rolled tip true-dual exhaust.

Suspension:
Megan Racing coil overs (I intend to keep the stock ride height due to snow and annoying speed bumps and poor roads condition up here)

Strong-Strut FSB
Other braces as i find flex as it is old

Others:
Aluminum Belly pan (Toll booths or GTSpec)
Trans-Go Kit
+2 timing (spec is 12 I think so up to 14)
PML Low Profile Trans Pan (maybe deep middle if i have room and it does not ride too low)
Burtman Billet Grille in black (upper only until i figure out my cruise control stuffs then maybe the lower also)


next a few questions...

If i go to fill up my tank and it pops the pump halfway is this the fuel filler tube issue?
Spent 18 tries to get the pedal dance down... Not sure if it worked for the throttle plate and IAT yet... The FX pretends 2.5k -3k does not exist unless i mash the pedal down at which point it slowly will accelerate until it hits 3k then zooom...



Thanks in advance everyone...
 
Welcome to :iS:



- NGK Iridium or similar is a good option

- I personally stick to OEM fluids, except engine oil

- The Manta Ray still available? Very good option

- Invidia Gemini(some drone), Stillen, Greddy(needs modifications) or Nismo(needs modifications) are all good options.

- Megan Racing or BC Racing(if you want custom spring rates)

- STB GTSpec(on backorder) or Stillen

- Aluminum Belly pan (Toll booths). GTSpec is discontinued

- Trans-Go Kit(I personally like it very much)

- +2 timing- go with Unichip or Uprev
 
For the Spark Plugs I read somewhere on these forums something about Iridium causing issues? Has that ever been verified? Has anyone tried anything other than NGK? Pulstar? E3?
-- My reasoning for the E3 is my experience... took a Brand new 2005 Jeep Wrangler... Put the E3 plugs in... Prior to switch A trip to work was a 1/4 tank... So i could only make 4 trips... a trip being one way... After the switch I was able to make an entire 5th trip(one way)... I wish i tracked the gas mileage back then like I do now. Might try them anyway and give the community some feedback.

Also I am a firm believer in Royal Purple products... Not a fan boy but i have felt a noticeable change in vehicles i have switched stuff out with. (Like I received better than stock gas mileage with no mods to vehicle) The information I received from both Nissan and RP for fluids confirms compatibility.... Since i am no longer under warranty i do not "need" to use the OEM stuffs...
 
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So anyone know anything about the Manta Ray Intake?

The only other option that seems to be out there is the Popcharger


Also i am in school for Diesel technology and the automotive side had a Snap on Scan/send tool...

Was able to +2 my engine and clear my relearns...
 
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I've been running Denso Iridium plugs for a while with no issues (zero mileage difference). Transmission fluid wise, you don't need OEM. As long as it's JASO 1A compatible, it's fine. Lots of fluids are (I'm running Mobil1) don't know if Royal Purple is. Matic S is effectively just full synthetic while Matic J was a blend.

Merser said:
For the Spark Plugs I read somewhere on these forums something about Iridium causing issues? Has that ever been verified? Has anyone tried anything other than NGK? Pulstar? E3?
-- My reasoning for the E3 is my experience... took a Brand new 2005 Jeep Wrangler... Put the E3 plugs in... Prior to switch A trip to work was a 1/4 tank... So i could only make 4 trips... a trip being one way... After the switch I was able to make an entire 5th trip(one way)... I wish i tracked the gas mileage back then like I do now. Might try them anyway and give the community some feedback.

Also I am a firm believer in Royal Purple products... Not a fan boy but i have felt a noticeable change in vehicles i have switched stuff out with. (Like I received better than stock gas mileage with no mods to vehicle) The information I received from both Nissan and RP for fluids confirms compatibility.... Since i am no longer under warranty i do not "need" to use the OEM stuffs...
Click to expand...
 
Add a plenum spacer to your performance list, right next to the intake and exhaust.

UpRev Osiris is an interface program that will allow your ECU to be reflashed to take advantage of your intake, exhaust & plenum spacer. It's about $600 but any professional tuner that tunes the 350Z or G35 platforms can do the same for you. Tuning usually runs about $500 depending on who you go to. But that will give you both more power AND better fuel efficiency. You can buy UpRev Osiris before you ever bolt on a single mod and a tuner can STILL wring out another 15-20whp from your STOCK setup. Bolt on your intake, exhaust and plenum spacer and then tune it again to take advantage of the different airflow through your motor. I did the very same with a 2004 and my Stillen intake, Stillen dual exhaust and Motordyne plenum spacer along with the Osiris tune gave me +38whp and it was definitely noticeable.
 
jumbosrule said:
Add a plenum spacer to your performance list, right next to the intake and exhaust.

UpRev Osiris is an interface program that will allow your ECU to be reflashed to take advantage of your intake, exhaust & plenum spacer. It's about $600 but any professional tuner that tunes the 350Z or G35 platforms can do the same for you. Tuning usually runs about $500 depending on who you go to. But that will give you both more power AND better fuel efficiency. You can buy UpRev Osiris before you ever bolt on a single mod and a tuner can STILL wring out another 15-20whp from your STOCK setup. Bolt on your intake, exhaust and plenum spacer and then tune it again to take advantage of the different airflow through your motor. I did the very same with a 2004 and my Stillen intake, Stillen dual exhaust and Motordyne plenum spacer along with the Osiris tune gave me +38whp and it was definitely noticeable.
Click to expand...

I thought i read on here that the Plenum spacer was more for the 35 not the 45 as the 35 had issues with the front two cylinders not getting good air... The 45 doesnt have that issue... also if this is not true... Can anyone recommend a plenum spacer? motordyne? they have nothing for the FX45 that i can find.

Stillen made a 45 intake? I cant seem to find one anywhere

Edit: Noticed Jumbo Owns a FX35... So I might be safe to say he may think I do to...

Sent Joe a message Hope he is still around...
 
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Ok I have used the search button and found the Service info someone posted...

When filling the gas tank it cuts off... This is the shutter valve problem... Not the fuel gauge issue...

My question is... Can i just remove the shutter valve and not replace it?

Also i cant seem to unlock certain doors from the outside or inside... It seems to be intermitent... Any ideas?
 
Merser said:
Ok I have used the search button and found the Service info someone posted...

When filling the gas tank it cuts off... This is the shutter valve problem... Not the fuel gauge issue...

My question is... Can i just remove the shutter valve and not replace it?

Also i cant seem to unlock certain doors from the outside or inside... It seems to be intermitent... Any ideas?
Click to expand...


Apparently there is an issue with the door lock actuators on the fx
You can get the parts from the dealer and replace them yourselves for a nice weekend project if its your first time.

Also if you are looking for a cheap exhaust mod before you buy a big ticket aftermarket unit
you can take your fx45 to any exhaust shop and have them cut out the resonator that sits between the cats and the muffler and have the weld in a 2 1/2" diameter pipe in its place.

I did this on my fx and it sounds great.

Also for your intake you can go to any pep boys and build your own intake for around $50 and if you add $5 for 3/8" rubber hose you can bypass the coolant line to the throttle body which will actually keep your intake air cooler than the aluminum intake will. This is another pleasant saturday afternoon project

and for added power you can go on amazon and buy a 16" electric fan and a temperature controlled fan switch and delete your clutch fan from your water pump.
This mod is the best bang for buck mod due to removing about 7lbs from the rotating assembly and I did it for a grand total of $32

For any other cheap and easy mods just message me
 
If you remove the valve, wouldn't you risk overflow from your tank every time you fill up? I have the problem intermittently and I've just learned to turn the nozzle sideways when it happens. It depends on the gas station, still pretty rare.
 
i find the shutter valve has more issues the colder it gets and how empty the tank is.

Air intake I have a plan for at the moment.

The electric fan mod i plan to do also but i want to get the Fx35 fan so it fits better.

Anyone have a decent Oil Catch can setup? I have seen on with the tiny Jegs thing and I was wondering if anyone else had a mod they did.

Also the coolant for the throttle body i am leaving alone while i live up here in CT... Though I may change my mind as i get some of my other list done.
 
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Merser said:
i find the shutter valve has more issues the colder it gets and how empty the tank is.

Air intake I have a plan for at the moment.

The electric fan mod i plan to do also but i want to get the Fx35 fan so it fits better.

Anyone have a decent Oil Catch can setup? I have seen on with the tiny Jegs thing and I was wondering if anyone else had a mod they did.

Also the coolant for the throttle body i am leaving alone while i live up here in CT... Though I may change my mind as i get some of my other list done.
Click to expand...

I am also going with the fx35 radiator and fan but I am one to want to see the gains as soon as possible so I paid the $35 to get it done faster. the only reason I am going with the fx35 rad and fan now is my trans cooler on my 45 rad started to leak so I have to get a new rad any way. Also note the fx45 rad doesnt have mounting provisions for the fx35 fans and shroud.

I live in Jersey and I have zero issues with the throttle body after deleting the coolant line to it. That coolant passage is more so for climates the hit sub zero temps on the regular.

as far as a cool clever catch can set up there are tons of things you can use
I have made them for various cars out of the Monster cans with the twist off lid and a couple NPT to hose barb fittings with steel wool in them but GReddy and HKS and a host of other companies make catch cans you could use

But it seems the biggest bang for the buck performance upgrade you can do for the 45 is weight reduction and lower the center of gravity. other than that everything is extremely expensive unless you do all your own fab and installations like I do
 
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