replace engine in 92 pathfinder?

[fireslave]

greetings all... im new to the truck forums here, but i have a 1992 240sx with a VQ35HR swap in progress...

im thinking about buying a boat, and i want a cheap, reliable way to tow it around...

i found a 1992 pathfinder for 600 bucks, but its not running, and the current owner says it overheated...i also found a 1994 with engine issues as well...

the first thing i would do is see if its something simple like a headgasket, but if its something else, and the engine is scrap, i was wondering what the differences are...

can i use the vg30E engine from a maxima? what parts will i have to swap over from the current engine to make it work?

the ones i found so far are both v6 powered, but what if I buy a 4 cylinder? i assume this would mean lots of headaches, but if this isnt so, let me know!

i just want a reliable ride for cheap!

thanks

[ahardb0dy]

you can use the VG30E from the maxima but you will have to swap the fuel injection/intake manifold over that is on your current motor, this is so it works with your current computer. basically you would only be using the block and heads, and than transfer all the parts from the truck over to the new donor engine, or you can do as I'm going to do in my 94 pathfinder that needs an engine and buy a JDM engine with the same manifold. The have low ,mileage JDM engines on e-bay that run from $400 to $600 and most of the places even offer free shipping if you have it sent to a business. I've noticed some of the JDM engines have the alternator on the lower pass. side but the pathfinder/truck have it on the lower drivers side, the nice thing even if you get a JDM motor from a car that has a different manifold you can transfer all the stuff over from the original motor to the new one.

[Chuck Tribolet]

What boat are you interested in? How much does boat, motor, trailer, and gear weigh? Do check the tow capacity of the PF you are interested in. Itvaried depending on engine, transmission, and brakes.

Four-cylinder Pathfinders are VERY rare. The only four-banger was the E modelwhich was only available the first couple of months of the '87 (first) model year.I've seen two ever, both in the late eighties. They were $9999, no back seats,rubber floor mats, spare tire strapped down on the back deck. Low price leaderthat turned out to be unnecessary and got dropped real quickly in favor of themore profitable XE and SE models. A well-equipped SE was about $17,500. TheE did have four-wheel drive.

[fireslave]

ah thats good to know. inline 4 wouldn't cut it for my needs.

im planning on getting a fiberglass boat between 16-19 feet. it should come in under 3500 pounds, which was the towing capacity of the better equpped pathfinders.

i also live in florida, which means no hills... in NY where i used to live id be afraid to tow 3000lbs with a car rated to 3500 but here in FL I bet you could tow 4000.

If i get a boat thats over about 2500 lbs though, i may need to get brakes on the trailer. i wouldnt think disc vs. drum brakes in the rear would have much of an effect in florida though... drum brakes have good stopping power, the just dont dissapate heat like discs... would only really matter going down long hills.