Newbie considering 2002 Nissan Sentra SER Spec-V

[989brend]

I was really excited to buy this 2002 Nissan Sentra SER Spec-V it is a really good deal. As I start reading about all the recalls and problems it is starting to scare me. I only have 4 banger experience with a couple Honda's ( Prelude,Civic) so it will be completely new to me. I have fallen in love with the Spec v recently and really want this car. LOL

So I asked the owner about the kilometers and he explained the engine was replaced at 59 000 kms. He worked at a Nissan dealer and when the Altima 2.5l was recalled he got a new engine from one and had it installed into this Sentra. The new motor has 150 000 on it. The car is immaculate..very well taken care of.

My main question is: would this new engine meant for the altima 2.5 l have all the problems sorted out ? (Cat issues, Butterfly valve, etc.) also any other info like what years were the Altima motors recalled.


Any advice or knowledge would be greatly appreciated !

Thanks

[SER Wes]

All of those are very good questions and i can only speculate because i do not know too much about the altima qr25

What i can tell you is that the precat issues are apart of the exhaust manifold and not the engine itself. Specs and Altimas of that year have the exact same manifold, it is just the spec-v drivers drive their cars much harder and that leads to the cat break-up. Replace the manifold with an aftermarket header and problem completely solved.

As for the intake manifold i have no idea. The altimas may or may not be the same as the spec's, and i do not know if they used the altimas or the spec's when they did the swap. If id does have the butterfly screws then just lock tight them and you will be fine.

Performance wise, as long as they used the spec's computer you should get all the hp. I know that the difference between the 02-06 ser and spec-vs is all in the tuning and not internals, and i am assuming that the ser and the altima have basically the same tuning.

Hope all of this helps

[989brend]

Thanks very much I really appreciate it !! May as well low ball him and see what happens... LOL

[PapaSmurf2k3]

Let us know how you make out!

[VMPhil]

there are rare instances of the Altima engines experiencing the same issues around the same years. the Sentra SE-R engines tend to be driven harder. The recalls were just band aides as far as the header was concerned. the Locktite on the butterfly valves was the only recall that did anything of value. The only thing that fixes the header issue is to outright replace the header with an aftermarket catless one. Once those 2 things are done the engine is pretty much bullet proof.