Nissan Repair: Radiator fluid, radiator coolant, strut tower braces

Question
QUESTION: Hi Von,
Thanks very much for answering a previous question of mine.  Anyway, I was thinking of installing an upper strut bar and upper shock bar on my 96' Maxima 109k miles.  Will it do anything negative to the alignment, or anything else?   I found the front for $50 and the rear for $40.  Will it improve suspension performance?  What are your thoughts on the subject?
Thank you in advance, Mark.

ANSWER: Mark,

Strut tower braces are excellent since they help box the suspension.  It does nothing to the alignment.  But, it keeps things tight.  You will love the way the car handles.

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QUESTION: Hi Von,
How about a cold intake air kit for my 96' Maxima 109k miles.  Is it worth it?  Does it really save on some MPG's? Does it add horse power?  Does it make the engine louder? Safe of one the intake manifold and engine, etc...?  Does it matter what brand of cold intake I buy?  By the way I have a drop in K&N air filter in the car presently and I'd like to keep it.
Thanks again.
Mark

Thanks for your assistance.
ANSWER: Mark,

A little horsepower gain of 5 to 10, more intake noise and if you get the cold air intake you will need to check positioning to make sure it does not suck up water as this will destroy your engine.  A device can be put in line to prevent water locking up your engine but that is another $100 bucks on top of the CAI kit.

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QUESTION: Hi Von,
Another question for the Master....is there a way to flush the inner radiator coolant myself (inside the engine)?  If not then I'll just drain the radiator and that will be that.  96' Maxima, 109k miles.
Thanks, very much.
Mark

Answer
Mark,

There are drain plugs on both sides of the block that you can remove.  A factory service manual shows the locations of these.  You can see them since they are just above the pan rail on both sides.  Use thread sealer when you put them back in.  Do not backflush the block with one of those kits that you hook the garden hose to as it will blow your heater core.  Just fill it with water and flush and then install the plugs back in the block and fill with 50 / 50 demineralized water and antifreeze to keep it going for years to come.