how risky is a non infiniti tech engine install?

[longrunQ]

Hi,

I am about to get a replacement engine for my Q.

The Nissan place about 35 minutes from where I live wants $1700,

The infiniti place an hour from me wants $1500

and a regular mechanic about 12 minutes away wants $800.

How risky is it to go to regular guy? I dont think that the Nissan or Infiniti guys necessarily have more experience with this kind of job but I wonder how blindly a ford/gm guy will be. Can he follow the instructions in the book and do a good job?

thanks

[longrunQ]

OH, I should add that I am pretty broke and dont even have the money to go to the Dealers.

Or is it as they say, "buy cheap , buy twice"?

[Q45tech]

The problem is not physically swapping the engine. The problem is all the replacement work you should do on the [newer better replacement] engine to make things last.

Work that is done easier and cheaper while the replacement engine is out on the ground. Things like new front/ rear main seals, water pumps, chain guides and under plenum hoses and knock sensors and harnesses add up to $1400 in parts alone. Resealing both valve covers new plug, belts coolants ac recharge, etc checking idler pullies.swapping the best looking of the bunch parts,

Our normal $5,750-6,000 replacement and rehab takes 27 man hours another 11 hours over the just as is swap.

Buying a a domestic junk yard take out engine is scarey as many have been mistreated prior to the wreck.

The Japanese takeouts almost always look better inside but they all still need new guides and work.

We have never done JUST a swap out of the 35 something Q engines we have changed or pulled for internal work.

[PalmerWMD]

Dennis he is getting my engine.

Fred...

[DAEDALUS]

If I recall right, this is Fred's engine, which should be in tip-top shape, T3-serviced, new guides, new hoses, new injectors, etc. The swap itself doesn't seem that bad, but the engine is heavier than what the Nissan shop is used to, and more complex than what the GM shop is used to. But if they guarantee their work... When you go in to pick up the car, make sure the CEL comes on when you first start the car, and that it goes away after a few seconds. Inspect the engine bay visually with the car running. Look for any disconnected harnesses and hoses and, more importantly, any dripping fluids.

[Q45tech]

OK with Fred's engine you saved $2000-$2500....[all those brand new injectors]......if I were you I would pay the Infiniti dealer the extra money and find the tech who will do the work and slip him $100 cash in advance or $50/$50.

You will be surprised at how many fewer problems you have 18 months from now.

What are they warranting just their work not that anything on the engine works correctly...[it will get installed in the bay for sure].....who are you to prove what is and what is not after installation.

Trust the guys that do the same engines for a living......bet neither Nissan nor GM techs have all the secret tools to get all the top transmission bolts in correctly.

Ask them all how the engine comes out and goes back in [bottom or top].

[PalmerWMD]

It is very diffcult to just get the old engine out, especially w/o damaging anything.

Yesterday mine came out and it was a bit of a struggle even with Pat Shannon (NICO MEMBER) and his Bro-in-law who were clearly very were good at this

We had a front end loader and got it out after many attempts.

I can just imagine how difficult it will be, just to take the old engine out, w/o damaging anything.

The $800 guy is probably bidding on a job that is <much> more diffcicult than he is anticipating.And he will be frustarted most of his install experience and as a result might take shortcuts , a frustrated installer woill do les of a job than a good one.

I would agree with dennis that you are likely to have problems with the $800 installation except I wouldnt be surprised , if they showed up almost right away.

The install I have in this 94Q was a $2000 install (non dealer in FL, paid for by Rex) and I am still sorting out the bugs.I think the only realistic option is the Infinit dealer, especially since he is giving you what I consider an absolutely smoking deal on the installation by dealer standard.

He will have access to factory support if/when he runs into difficulty, has likely had some training on VH45DE's.And will likely be able to give a meaningful guarantee of his work.

Find a way to find the extra $$ to go with the Infinit dealer.

Fred...

PS: Call me!502 968 4728

[longrunQ]

thanks guys. Fred, ,I'll call you tonight.

The guy who wants $800 is asking that because the book for the engine install is 20 hours and he charges $40/hour. He also said that this includes taking out the old engine.

What kind of warranty should I be looking for when I do this kind of job? If I have to go to the infiniti dealer, I'll have to wait quite a bit to have it fixed and I'll also have the extra expense of towing the car 60 miles.

I know I want a good job, but I want my car running next month. I'm between a rock and a hard place.

[Q45tech]

Warranty [say what] you are asking them to install an engine you supplied. A job where you gross $6,000 and maybe make $600 in profit vs an $800 job where you just create work to keep the shop open is a different animal.

He sure doesn't think much of himself if he charges $40/hour, that's what I end up paying guys cash on the weekends/afterwork to help me out.

If he has never done a Q swap I'm inclined to think it will take him more than 20 hours unless he has a helper.......just knowing where you can attach the lift chains safely is an art.

Good luck.

[DAEDALUS]

Where *do* the chains go? I know there's a bracket on the right side toward the rear. The manual implies that there should be a bracket on the left, near the manifold, but I've never seen one. Does that have to be supplied by the shop, or is my car just missing it?

[Pat S]

Hey Fred, thaks for the Chicken!!!!!!!!!

There are two threaded bosses on the driver's side front of the block. One will have a ground strap attached. You can attach a slinger to lift at one of these points.

Q45Tech, you allude to the need to use some specialized tool to access the top transmission to engine bolts. Is it possible to slightly lower the rear of the engine to allow access to these bolts? I will be removing my transmission (91Q) and installing Fred's reman unit.

Pat

[Q45tech]

Nothing a 3-4 foot extension can't handle.

[forecast]

The $800 guy is probably bidding on a job that is <much> more diffcicult than he is anticipating.And he will be frustarted most of his install experience and as a result might take shortcuts , a frustrated installer woill do les of a job than a good one.

I agree with palmerwnd. The $800 guy has *no idea* what he's getting into.

Having just lifted and engine/transmission back into my Q I can testify that it's 2-3 times as difficult to get it in as out. It's at least a two man job. Breaking stuff isn't a huge issue, but the fit is very close, especially if you don't want to drain and recharge the AC.

Dan

[forecast]

Where *do* the chains go? I know there's a bracket on the right side toward the rear. The manual implies that there should be a bracket on the left, near the manifold, but I've never seen one. Does that have to be supplied by the shop, or is my car just missing it?

No Q I've ever seen has this bracket. I tried to buy one from Nissan, Scotsdale told me just $8, but there were none to be had. I had to improvise a lift point by bolting into the holes where the phantom bracket goes.