AWD AT for VQ30

[allensteiner]

did they ever have an awd at transmission with the vq30de in the states? or anything similar that would bolt up to the vq30.

[THT]

did they ever have an awd at transmission with the vq30de in the states? or anything similar that would bolt up to the vq30.

Not in the US. Don't know about international though I doubt it.

[MinisterofDOOM]

Only in longitudinal format. Nothing that'd work with the Max.G35, M35, FX35 all had AWD with the VQ35, but that's a whole different deal.

[DevonD]

well there is the murano but thats vq35. I had heard on one of these threads. take the rear end of an infiniti J30? (I think) transfer case off another awd nissan and it should all work. ha ha do some digging im sure you can find it. Its more complex than my explaination as well...haha

[MinisterofDOOM]

Oh, you're right. Yeah, Murano is transverse VQ and AWD. So it would theoretically work with the Max's VQ.

I don't know if the Murano setup uses a transfer case or a totally self-contained AWD transaxle. Either way, that setup should theoretically be able to be used with a Maxima as well.

Big thing to consider for the rear end is front vs rear gear ratios. They have to match. So you can just take any random Nissan rear end. You'd probably be best off with the Murano rear for numerous reasons, not the least of which the simplicity of knowing the ratios are right. I have no idea what the Murano rear end's ratio is, though. In fact, I don't even know if the Murano 5at's gearing is. If it's not the same as the Maxima's you'd need it as well, regardless of separate transfer case.

Actually, the biggest challenge with this would be making the rear end all mount up and work. the 4th gen has a solid rear axle that won't work with any stock Nissan rear ends (even the Murano's since it has IRS). You'd have to completely redesign the rear suspension to a strut or multilink setup for it to work.

[allensteiner]

i was thinking about subaru rear end - as for the transfer case and axle - but i don't know if it would work. i might go to a 4x4 shop and see what they know.

[MinisterofDOOM]

Subaru rear ends are notorious for being weak. Not something you want to go with. There are plenty of STRONG Nissan rear ends to choose from if you must go with something non-Murano. Skyline and Z32 rear ends can stand up to a lot of power.

[allensteiner]

with their bigger rear ends wouldn't there be a clearance issue though? i thought about an impreza rear which should hold up to more than a legacy or other model and they're lightweight and compact.

btw it'n not something i'm working on but thought about designing for the future.

[DevonD]

I dont know if you could make any murano parts other than the rear end work. I have been under my dads a few times and the transfer case is all contained inside the transmission.It stays in front wheel drive for fuel economy and as soon as it detects slip it runs power to the rear. that and its a CVT. It would be a lot of work! But what about the infiniti J30 rear end? its roughly the same size as the maxima and then you could use a case off of a skyline or something. There is a guy that has an AWD Sentra somewhere around here. I think he did something similar to that.

[915max]

I've come across this idea but i've never actually researched this. I think it would be less of a hassle to use the Murano set-up. Using all parts of the Murano to do this.

Why would you go around and try to piece one together when it all there for you. If the rear axle is an issue, you still have room if you modify the shape of the trunk. The only problem is the gear ratios of the Murano. I'm not familiar with its ratios... and i'm no expert.

I havent had a chance to check out the undercarriage of the Murano but I think it would be the best route to go without having to piece it together. Regardless what you do, its going to be some major modifications to get it going.

Thats my opinion....

[allensteiner]

idk that the murano's transfer case is inside the transmission - that would make things a lot easier. my main concern is clearance issues with the rear axle because i'm putting in a rmt.

[DevonD]

The only thing I could see being an issue with the Murano set up is the fact its a CVT. and not a full time AWD. It switches from front wheel drive to AWD when the front wheels slip up. The CVT Is to weird and I dont know if i would get into it. dont think the 4SPD Auto and the CVT's parts will mix well. unless you put the CVT on your car! that actually could be kinda cool!

[allensteiner]

idk how it works but my guess is that since it's a cvt it probably senses the slip through a sensor and if that was the case it could be cheated into thinking that the wheel's slipping all the time thus awd all the time. but i have a lot of time to figure that one out and i think it would be the coolest mod done to a max yet - especially in the northwest where the snow is deep and rarely plowed plus all the cornering abilities of an awd car

[audtatious]

With enough money, time and effort, anything can be accomplished. Whether it is worth it or not is up to the person doing the work and investing.

The EX35 also comes with the ATTESA E-TS intelligent all-wheel drive system and was not listed above.