Getting 02 SER Spec-V With Bad Motor

[ctmnismo]

I have a friend that has an 02 SER Spec-V with 125k miles on it. He says its in great shape inside and out, but the motor is burning oil and grinding in the 2-3k range. Also needs struts and a tire.
Its still currently able to be driven, the motor isnt dead yet.

Im getting it for $1k, and have to drive 18 hours round trip to get it (I have a new Frontier to tow it with). So thats going to add about $200 from gas/food. Struts and the tire arent a big deal (full set of KYB GR2s on ebay for $225), just wondering if there is any indication of when the motor will go. Is it something that can happen any time now, or could it be ok for a little while if oil keeps getting put in?

When the motor goes, can I just go to a junk yard and grab any motor from an 02+ Altima, assuming they arent going to have an SER Spec-V?
My brother is a mechanic and can do the work, so Im not worried about that part of it.

Anything else I should look out for?


Also, by chance, is there is a 4 lug to 5 lug mod out there thats fairly easy or cost effective to do? I have a brand new set of 16in 5 lug wheels for an altima with 215/60/16 General Altimax Arctic tires that Id love to use on it this winter. If not, I can just get another set of steel wheels I guess.

[06_blkout]

Welcome to NICO!

If you're getting it for 1k and the only thing wrong with it is the engine that's a pretty good deal. You can get a reman engine from Nissan for under 2k with a core (shop around). But yeah any 02-06 QR engine will work (07+ QR engines won't work).

The engine will slowly keep losing compression, so I'd replace it as soon as possible. The problem is with the pre-cat in the exhaust manifold, make sure you get rid of that ASAP! Don't put it on with the replacement engine, they come apart and work their way back into the engine and destroy the rings.

Also, make sure you take the upper intake manifold off and loc-tite the butterfly screws, they like to come off and kill engines.

Again, welcome to NICO, and post up any more questions you have! Also, post up some pics of the car when you get it!!

[ctmnismo]

Thanks for the info. Its sat for about 6 months, so Im waiting for him to pull it out of his back yard and drive it a bit to make sure nothing else has come up since then.
Should be getting it around the 1st.

Is it possible to just rebuild the motor, or is the damage caused not fixable (or at least cost effective).

I can go to pull-a-part and get a motor with warranty for $150, so I figured I might try that first before dropping a lot on a newer motor.

[06_blkout]

Yeah if you want to go the cheaper route that's the way to go. Although, there are a lot of interesting internals out for the QR now

[audtatious]

Poop on that! Throw in a VQ35DE from a Maxima or Altima

[ctmnismo]

Biggest reason or me getting the car is to save on gas around town from driving my Frontier.
Heck, I wouldnt be against putting in the 1.8

[audtatious]

Was worth a try

[06_blkout]

I have a 1.8 also, don't do it lol. If I go from my GXE to my Spec V, I feel like I got into a rocket ship lol.

[ctmnismo]

Yeah, the fun part of me wants to put in a supercharged VQ, but no cash