Wow, it's been a LONG time since I posted! I have some progress pics I could post, but nothing too exciting. I spent the month of May riding my bike everywhere and pretty much ignoring the Maxima. But now it's getting down to crunch time a little bit; I have a 2 week vacation to Canada at the end of July and into August, and I have mini-meister #2 making his or her debut on/around Oct 6., so I need to get this thing running!
I got the motor mounts done, and they are pretty awesome if I may say so myself. Especially for about 30 bucks. I picked up another set of 17" Maxima wheels that I will use for my race tires--I want to hunt some of the local performance shops to try and find some old road slicks if I can. I think once it's running I will keep the rest of the build pretty simple. Good tires and replacement of worn parts. I may not go quite as crazy as I had originally planned. If I get it all put together and drive it down to FL it will be a win in my book. Man, I suck at projects... 
Made some great progress today! I have a machinest modifying 2 of my Jim Wolf spacers so I can finish putting the motor together. Only $80. Also, I found a local race shop (Mitchum Motorsports) who will sell me some used track tires for cheap. Sweet! Expect more frequent updates once I get the adaptors back from the machine shop.
Don't forget the rules allow your first set of tires to be free in your budget. Buy the nicest tires you can afford since you've got extra wheels. Cheap tires won't do you any favors in the budget or performance. HOWEVER, I completely understand doing what you can when you can. 
In reply to VWguyBruce:
I know I can count the first set as free, but I'm also going up against my own personal budget, which is "Spend as little as possible". . I'm hoping to come in under budget even including the stuff that is "free". Plus, they are pretty nice Continental tires that should have plenty of life left for some autocrosses.
Wow, I've slipped to page 6 of the Build Threads forum! Man, I need to get on it!
I've totally let this thing sit the past couple months, but I can't any longer. I've been bugging the machine shop about my adapters, hopefully they are done soon. Here are some long overdue photos, this thread was/is getting pretty boring without any pics.
Here's the motor mount "repairs"
Wonder if the old motor got overheated? Yes, that is a melted knock sensor…I had to pry it off the block.
And here is where she currently sits, probably with a lot taller grass now. Next week I'll be back on it!
Brakes and sway bar endlinks on the CR-V yesterday, brakes on the Esteem today...hoping to get on the Maxima at least Thurs and Fri.
Lots been happening on this beast lately, I'm in definite crunch mode to make it to the Challenge. Need to register ASAP so that I'm forced to go. I looked over my budget today, and I won't be doing quite as much to the ol' girl as I had originally planned, but that's fine. I'll be there having fun anyway! I'll try to get some more pics up soon, I realize this is a pretty dull thread, but thanks to the few of you who have checked it out!
Is a maxima luxurious enough for the aristocrat class?
Ooooh, there's an aristocrat class? It does have a power driver's seat and power windows, that was pretty luxurious for 1995, right? Right? Anybody?
100% bring it. I will add you to the aristocrat roster.
Love these maximas. My brother drove one for years. Now it just decorates his yard. I have a 6 speed transmission for a maxima i picked to put in his maxima. I'd sell for cheap if you're interested, I can even bring it to the challenge.
In reply to DatsunS130:
Thanks, but I think I'll pass for now. Not sure if a manual swap is in this car's future or not. At this point I just need it running!
Got a few pictures of where I'm at. I got my spacers/adapters on as well as most of the timing stuff. Unfortunately I discovered that I got the wrong water pump, so I'll have to get another one coming-the 3.5 and 3.0 pumps bolt up the same way, but the teeth/gear is different, so the one I have doesn't mesh with the timing chain.
I also have some rust to fix before the engine goes back in. The lower core support is a common rust area on these--it looked fine when I sold it a couple years ago, but it was pretty ugly when I got the car back. I'm not a welder, but my buddy should be able to help me make it solid again without too much trouble.
Here's today's progress--not much. I need to get a water pump on the way so I can get the motor back together.
Today I cleaned up the manifolds and sprayed them with some header paint I had laying around. I also cut the EGR pipe, pinched it shut, and welded it. This is actually the first thing I've ever welded, so I had to take pics. 
I also sat and scraped blue RTV off of the timing cover--why the last guy who was in here used that stuff I don't know. The cover cleaned up pretty well though with some Purple Power, brake clean, scotch bright and elbow grease.
Engine is all back together, rust repair on core support is almost done. Motor should be going back in on Tuesday or Wednesday of next week. Crunch time now...baby due in less than 4 weeks, car needs to be gone from its current location in 3. Fingers crossed.
Thanks! Making it to FL and just competing will be a win, even if I come in last!
I'm officially registered, so I have to make it now!
Core support welding is done, motor bolted back in as of an hour ago. I'm getting excited! Pics to come this weekend.
You will probably have done the most work of anyone in the aristocrat class. Impressive.
In reply to WillrunifChased:
It will only be impressive if it works. Otherwise it's just a big boat anchor.
