MSP/Spec-v - KEEP IT BRIEF!!!!

[slug420]

so what is the general consensus about the spec-v?

I know when the msp first came out there was a lot of hub bub about one Vs. the other but in SCC the MSP killed the spec-v virtually every category.

There is this kid at work with a spec-v, doesnt know much about cars/imports but says he considered the MSP before getting his spec-v. He always brings up 2 things that he thinks make his car THE s***......his 5 more hp, and extra gear (6spd).

Now in SCC they dyno'd the two at virtually the exact same WHP but they said that was a weak/sickly spec-v and it was a prototype MSP.

And as for the extra gear, isnt our top speed limitation our governer and not our gearing? and wouldnt the spec-v have the same limitation? and wouldnt extra gears only hurt it in the 1/4 if it means he has to shift an extra time?

Not planning on racing him, but I have been biting my tongue when he brags about his "extra 5 hp, no turbo lag, extra gear"


lets not argue about this like in specv/msp threads in the past but just lemme kno what you think and what you know. I would be especially interested to hear your input braden


thanks!

 

[slug420]

well I guess SCC's saying it wasnt a healthy example doesnt really apply, just flipped out the mag and they also said "Regardless, power output was among the healthiest we've seen for a spec-v"

but anyways........back to you guys and your input

 

[2K3 MSP]

I never really considered them even performance wise. It was MSP all the way!! All you have to do to kill him would be to do a few minor mods, like up the boost, or free up the exhaust. Or, just blow him out of the water by upgrading the turbo. Does anyone even make a turbo for his car??

 

[ARunto]

a friend of mine has a spec V and we raced several times.

from a stop i'd usually beat him by a car

from a freeway kick from 60mph i'd easily put a car to car and half on him

 

[StarvingRussian]

Spec V's are very fast compared to a P5, but my friend tells me they don't handle nearly as well, but they are fast as hell.

 

[boosted protege]

we have 3 spec vs in our club and stock vs stock we were pretty much dead even,but..........when i cranked the boost up to 9psi, put my intake on and gutted the cats it was OVER.. my boy has aem intake, header, pulleys and greddy exhaust and i pull him by like 4 or 5 car links and hes about 5 car links over a stock spec

 

[kylenls]

area 51 makes a supercharger for the spec v 2k3 but i havent heard of a turbo. my brothe owned a v and totaled it i thought it was ok but the 6 speed was totally unecessary in that car 1st gear made it to like 15 or 20 mph before he had to shift when i turboed my mp3 i beat him by like 8 or ten cars they deffinetly have potential but they arent what everyone cracks them up to be.

 

[Captain KRM P5]

About the SE-R SpecV;
"You'll never forget its just a cheap small car with a big motor."
-Car and Driver Sport Compact Comparo

My best friend's boss has one - I completely destroy it.

 

[MSP Pro]

Spec V Pros: big torquey engine, helical limited slip, 17x7 wheels that are actually 7.4" wide

Cons: beam rear axle, shorter wheelbase (99 inch) means less passenger room inside, 1st gear is too short & somewhat useless, 2002 shifters were vague (fixed on 2003 models), low rev limit (6250 rpm), suspension tuning could be better.

MSP Pros: superb suspension tuning and steering feel, torsen limited slip, turbo makes performance upgrade as easy as a JoeP MBC, very roomy inside (103 inch wheelbase), great stereo.

Cons: poor fuel/ignition map (stumble), small intercooler is easy to heat soak, complicated plastic air intake is too restrictive.

Check this month's SCC for Spec V 34 hp gains from bolt ons.

 

[slug420]

thanks guys

 

[MazdaDryvr]

I have a friend with a Spec-v and I have driven it a bit. Over all the MSP handles better and I think they are comparable power wise. I find the MSP looks alot better but that may be a personal thing.

 

[Cirielle]

Own both. Well my husband owns the Spec V and I have the MSP.
Here is my take on it.....and not just performance....

6 speed transmission in this car is totally over-rated! It is just unnecessary. So what about better fuel economy in 6th.....doesn't make it any faster so I don't care!!!
Handling....not too bad, but not as good as the MSP!
Turning radius.......sucks!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Ride itself - not as comfortable as the MSP!
Stereo - the crap they put in there sucked from the get go!
Stock VS. MOD - Stock sucks really bad. Modded makes a difference! My husband has the AEM intake and the Stromung cat-back exhaust. Without those he would be dead in the water to my MSP. With those he is right there with me....and can pass me a little. If I was a more accomplished shifter I would be right with him all the way. (side note - I have only driven stick for about 3,500 miles.....2-1/2 months!)
Other features- well the rims are okay. But really they weigh a lot. They weigh 25 lbs each. It is nice having a sunroof. Having a stock trunk release on the keyless entry is cool, but I solved my problem with that by getting the Compustar system.

And to tell the truth straight out from the man who drives the car, "I like your car more than I like mine!"

 

[srd555]

I have a 02 Spec V that I am thinking about changing for a MSP. I am doing this because of the problems I am having with the car and Nissans Customer Service.

Stock the Spec has a nervous unsure feeling in the suspension. The transmission is very notchy and you sometimes have a tendency when shifting into 5th at speed to go into the reverse channel (there is no lockout) . The 02 models dont hit 60 mph until the middle of 3rd gear. There is no turning radius on this car; I sometimes take the entire road to do a u-turn.

I installed the Tein Super Street coilovers with the 336 lb/in springs in the rear. This was the single biggest improvement I have felt in this car, the handling is excellent. I have a 2.5" catback as my only other mod. My dyno numbers are 144hp @ 6000 and 158 ft/lb tq @ 3750. The exhaust only added 2 hp at peak but aprox. 4-6hp in other places. The peak tq went up 8 at the peak and about 4-6 up top. My top speed is about 138 mph as read from the stock speedo ( if its accurate ).

I have only raced one MSP and I beat him by 2 car lengths by 80mph. From reading all the posts here I have concluded that he must of had the "stumble", because we were side by side until he shifted into second and then the nose of his car dropped and he feel behind

 

[LinuxRacr]

Welcome to the site. Take note that people are in the 13's with the MSP with some minor mods. Yeah, that fuel delivery issue....

 

[Vicocola]

heh but watch out for the problems with our msp if u r looking for a problem-free new car... msp mite not be a good choice... but i am sure 90% of the people who owns a msp still LOVES their msp. Oh yeah, i am one of them heh =D

 

[srd555]

Welcome to the site. Take note that people are in the 13's with the MSP with some minor mods. Yeah, that fuel delivery issue....

Thank You.

I am not really a drag racer, I am more interested in the MSP for its handling and built quality.

Although I wouldn't mind 180-190 whp. I am told that the MSP can easily attain that with minor mods. I just don't know about engine or tranny reliability at those levels.

So far the members here seem to have no issues with the tranny at higher levels.

 

[lach]

I have an SER and my brother has the Spec V. I am selling me SER for an MSP I have driven his spec and a few things turned me off from it turning radius sucks big time, lots of power but the gear ratios from 1st to 2nd are way too close, I also found the shifter clunky with almost a plasticy feel to it it just didnt feel right to me. Drive both and see which one you like better my personal opinion is the MSP I love the car and hope to have one soon!!! Good luck.

 

[srd555]

heh but watch out for the problems with our msp if u r looking for a problem-free new car... msp mite not be a good choice... but i am sure 90% of the people who owns a msp still LOVES their msp. Oh yeah, i am one of them heh =D

I am in that the grass is greener stage right now. While I know no car is trouble free, I do know that most of the problems I see reported on this site I can deal with.
Example:

I have seen reports of the head units going bad. Worst case I can buy a head unit for $300.

I have seen reports of the "clunk". Can be fixed or ignored.

I have seen reports of the "stumble". Its being worked on by some of your members.

I have seen reports of the coolant leak. I can fix that myself.



Here are Examples of what I face with my car:

I am burning oil; the dealer has been dragging their feet for over a month now and still nothing. I cannot buy the engine on my own because it is only available from Nissan America and it lists for $3k.

My tranny has started whining at constant speeds, which I am told by other Spec V owners is a prob. with the 02 models, something about the input shaft. The Dealer says there is nothing wrong. :bs:

The list goes on but I don't want you guys getting the wrong ideas about the spec. Nissan seems to have fixed alot of the prob. in the 03 models which seem a lot more reliable, but that just leaves me sh*t out of luck.

 

[AGR]

almost 7,000 miles..........

I have had the coolant link fixed. Many of us have had this problem.

A year ago; I was going to buy the Nissan SE-R Spec V. I really liked my '99 SE Limited Sentra. I waited, saw the MAZDASPEED in late December of '02, I drove one, bought one, and absolutely love it! No regrets. Sure; there's the hesitation, stumbling issue, but that's about it. No clunk, and the stereo is wonderful!

And there are so few around. Only 3 in our area that I know of, and mine was the first Black Mica.

 

[Cirielle]

I am in that the grass is greener stage right now. While I know no car is trouble free, I do know that most of the problems I see reported on this site I can deal with.
Example:

I have seen reports of the head units going bad. Worst case I can buy a head unit for $300.

I have seen reports of the "clunk". Can be fixed or ignored.

I have seen reports of the "stumble". Its being worked on by some of your members.

I have seen reports of the coolant leak. I can fix that myself.



Here are Examples of what I face with my car:

I am burning oil; the dealer has been dragging their feet for over a month now and still nothing. I cannot buy the engine on my own because it is only available from Nissan America and it lists for $3k.

My tranny has started whining at constant speeds, which I am told by other Spec V owners is a prob. with the 02 models, something about the input shaft. The Dealer says there is nothing wrong. :bs:

The list goes on but I don't want you guys getting the wrong ideas about the spec. Nissan seems to have fixed alot of the prob. in the 03 models which seem a lot more reliable, but that just leaves me sh*t out of luck.

Do you belong to B15Sentra.net??? Over there they talk about a recall that should be issued here soon for 02 Spec V's. I can't remember the specific reason, but if you do a search over there you are sure to find it. My husband and I have not had the problems you list. Guess we are lucky with that one. Overall the Spec V isn't a bad car. There are going to be problems with every new experiment by car makers and the Spec V was new in 2002 just like the MSP is for 2003. Really it just depends on what makes you happy!