Year: 1995
Make: Nissan
Model: Sentra GXE
Engine: 4-Cyl. 1.6 Liter
Transmission: Automatic (Overdrive)
Drivetrain: Front Wheel Drive
Mileage: 82000

Question: Hello all, and thanks in advance for any help you may be able to provide. I just got the above car from my cousin. She tells me I need some new PVC joints and a wash. So while I am getting new PVC I want to replace the stock suspension, and add an cold air intake. So my question is what parts (company) should I go with? Now before you guys start quoting outrageous prices for exotic parts, please keep in mind I am still a college student with a budget of about $1200 - 1400. I don't mind putting in different systems in stages. My over all goals are to have installed few mods to the engine, but change the stock suspension and exhaust. I am a newbie to imports (Dream car 72 Dodge Dart) but seeing how I am about finished with college I needed a car. So please walk me thru steps to adding the necessary mods to this car. Also, I live in Northern California, so if anyone knows of a Good Mechanic who could do this job, please tell me.

Thanks again.

well first, its a CV joint, PVC is a plastic compound used in a lot of plumbing pipes and other misc stuff. For an intake you should probably start off with an AEM, they seem to be the most reputable and have the least problems (if any). That should run you about $200, maybe cheaper if you can get one ebay-style. For a suspension setup what are you looking to do? Just springs? Springs and dampers? Full coilovers?

Springs will run you about $150, they will lower the car and give you some decent handling capability. However, they won't match up well with your stock struts (dampers) and it could get a little bouncy and uncomfortable. A spring/strut set would probably run around $600 depending on what you got. Full coilovers are the best solution, as they give you whatever size drop you want (adjustable ride height) and the springs/struts are balanced well with each other. They will run upwards of a $1k+ though.

For parts some good places to look at would be www.ptuning.com and www.optauto.com

And as far as those CV joints go, you would have to get a repair estimate from a local shop (sorry I don't know of any in Cali), and I have NO clue how much it would cost.

good luck

hanks for the quick responce!! I did mean CV joints (posting at work with the boss near is bad for my health) However, I should have been alittle more clearer. I don't mind spending 1200 - 1400 for the Suspension being replaced. Granted, the Sentra is not the 72 Dodge, It is cost effective at this point to roll with the GXE. My next question along this same lines as your advice posted, Would it make since to change the Air intake and exhaust first, then the suspension?

it all depends on what you're into, but you can replace as many different things as you want in whatever order you want. Personally I did my intake, then suspension, then exhaust, but any combination will work fine.