LEAF Performance, Most Efficient Spec / Most Aggressive Spec

OK, so 16 months in, we now have about 27,000 LEAFs running around. This is great news... but they are all pretty much the same and pretty much do the same thing. No news here, car runs great, move along. However, the brave amongst us have already been making modifications to the measurable performance of the LEAF. I am certain we would all like to hear more. BUT, in general, the auto modification community is divided into two camps; How Far or How Fast. Wander over to the TDI forum for a sample of pointless bickering about these things. How Efficient or how Aggressive a Spec is run are both very cool things and should be respected for what they are. Every now and then there is overlap but generally people are trying to pursue one or the other. It is my hope that if more members provide more constructive feedback on mods, people will be willing to post up work they have already accomplished and all of us know-it-alls might actually learn something.

I have weeded out the aesthetic threads and consolidated the performance threads below.

General-
http://www.mynissanleaf.com/viewtopic.php?f=37&t=5426" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Suspension-
http://www.mynissanleaf.com/viewtopic.php?f=37&t=5269" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
http://www.mynissanleaf.com/viewtopic.php?f=37&t=4490" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
http://www.mynissanleaf.com/viewtopic.php?f=37&t=5056" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
http://www.mynissanleaf.com/viewtopic.php?f=37&t=2675" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Tires-
http://www.mynissanleaf.com/viewtopic.php?f=37&t=7080" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
http://www.mynissanleaf.com/viewtopic.php?f=37&t=8115" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Wheels-
http://www.mynissanleaf.com/viewtopic.php?f=37&t=3184" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
http://www.mynissanleaf.com/viewtopic.php?f=37&t=7617" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
http://www.mynissanleaf.com/viewtopic.php?f=37&t=4922" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
http://www.mynissanleaf.com/viewtopic.php?f=37&t=6154" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
http://www.mynissanleaf.com/viewtopic.php?f=37&t=5928" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
http://www.mynissanleaf.com/viewtopic.php?f=37&t=4024" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Aero-
http://www.mynissanleaf.com/viewtopic.php?f=37&t=5270" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
http://www.mynissanleaf.com/viewtopic.php?f=37&t=8086" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
http://www.mynissanleaf.com/viewtopic.php?f=37&t=5262" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
http://www.mynissanleaf.com/viewtopic.php?f=37&t=5985" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Motor (?)
http://www.mynissanleaf.com/viewtopic.php?f=37&t=5822" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Weight reduction-
http://www.mynissanleaf.com/viewtopic.php?f=37&t=5249" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;


So if you have ideas for a performance mod, or have results of an accomplished mod, please post it up.

Tronz,
I'll follow this thread with some interest! I just replaced stock wheels and tires with aluminum wheels & Michelin Primacy MXM4 tires.

Which wheels, weight, size, offset?

TRONZ said:

Which wheels, weight, size, offset?

Click to expand...

I went with the aluminum Viper (by MB Wheels) 16X7 5-114.3 with a 40mm offset which is pretty standard and weight is 18 lbs. The tires are Michelin Primacy MXM4 205/55R-16 91H which are 21.7 lbs. The OEM setup was 21 lbs (wheels) and 18 lbs (tires). I wanted better handling, cornering, stop distance, and connection to the road but didn't want to sacrifice range (forged aluminum wheels were too pricey). I've only had these on for 2 days but I like them!

This thread needs a sticky. Good idea starting it.

It doesn't look like this thread has been updated much. Lynn in San Diego did a lot of performance mods which he documents here.

Once Inginier releases his Leafscan perhaps some of the safety settings can be modified to boost torque and power.

I noticed Nissan announced production of the Nismo LEAF today. Sounds like a drivetrain power and suspension upgrade is for certain. Rumored torque figures from 225 up to 325!?! We shall see and most likely for production at the new tooling in Smyrna.

TRONZ said:

I noticed Nissan announced production of the Nismo LEAF today. Sounds like a drivetrain power and suspension upgrade is for certain. Rumored torque figures from 225 up to 325!?! We shall see and most likely for production at the new tooling in Smyrna.

Click to expand...

Wow! that's good news - maybe it'll give the BMW i8 some competition though I think the i8 is a plugin hybrid.

TRONZ said:

I noticed Nissan announced production of the Nismo LEAF today. Sounds like a drivetrain power and suspension upgrade is for certain. Rumored torque figures from 225 up to 325!?! We shall see and most likely for production at the new tooling in Smyrna.

Click to expand...

Can you link that? Has it been linked on here somewhere else? God I hope this is true, because I would buy that up in a heartbeat.

?? No link ?? Nobody?

Look on Google news for several articles about the new Nismo models.

http://www.autoblog.com/2012/08/13/nissan-working-on-high-performance-nismo-rs-models/" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

I'm interested to see if they kill the quirky headlights on the leaf nismo. Please do Nissan.

EVDrive said:

Look on Google news for several articles about the new Nismo models.

http://www.autoblog.com/2012/08/13/nissan-working-on-high-performance-nismo-rs-models/" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

I'm interested to see if they kill the quirky headlights on the leaf nismo. Please do Nissan.

Click to expand...

Thanks. Does any one article say if it will be the RC or just the plain Nismo? I'm hoping for the 4 door, personally.