VK45DE out of the 2003 FX45

[HollywoodJackson]

Greetings all.

So I found a VK45DE in an 2003 FX45 at the junkyard. I want to grab that engine, and swap it into my 2002 Q45. Aside from the fact that the VK45DE in the FX45 has a clutched fan, Can I swap this engine into my Q45 and add the water pump from ym VK45De with the hydraulic pump for the fan?

All the best,
~HollywoodJackson~

[EdBwoy]

Look at the potential donor engine very carefully. The FX45 starter should be on the left side of the engine, which is opposite of the Q45.

It depends on your appetite of adventure as that can get "interesting" real quick.

[HollywoodJackson]

Look at the potential donor engine very carefully. The FX45 starter should be on the left side of the engine, which is opposite of the Q45.

It depends on your appetite of adventure as that can get "interesting" real quick.

Damn! Why did they do that!? I seen that it no longer has the hydraulic fan system. I would have never thought to look to see if the starter was on the correct side. Is the 2003-06 Q45 VK45DE starter on the same side as the 2002 Q45 starter?

All the best,
~HollywoodJackson~

[HollywoodJackson]

Confirmed, the '03 Q45 starter is on the right side (passenger side) as is the '02 Q45.

However, is there anything else that would prevent this swap from working? The only thing I need is the block, oil pan, heads, intake plenum. I'm just hoping for an 'easy' swap (if such a thing exists LOL).

All the best,
~HollywoodJackson~

[HollywoodJackson]

Confirmed, the '03 Q45 starter is on the right side (passenger side) as is the '02 Q45.

However, is there anything else that would prevent this swap from working? The only thing I need is the block, oil pan, heads, intake plenum. I'm just hoping for an 'easy' swap (if such a thing exists LOL).

All the best,
~HollywoodJackson~

[HollywoodJackson]

Is the 2003 M45 VK45De engine a candidate for a swap?

[EdBwoy]

The best matches for your 2002 Q45 is the 2003/2004 M45 and the 2002-2006 Q45.

As you've noted, the 05/06 Q45 had electric cooling fans. There are other slight differences in the intakes and fuel rails across the board. If you do a swap, it would be best to just transfer your engine attachments over; or at minimum check to ensure the donor and recipient engines match.

I think those are the most available engines for US consumers too.
May luck be in your favor - v8-engine-replacement-options-do-the-03 ... 19905.html

[HollywoodJackson]

May luck be in your favor - v8-engine-replacement-options-do-the-03 ... 19905.html

Thanks EdBwoy! As always, your experience and knowledge is invaluable. There are 2 Pick-Your-Parts in close proximity of each other (but far from me with L.A. traffic, of course). One has an '03 Q45 and the other an '03 M45. I'll be heading out there tomorrow morning to have a look, and pull one of the two engines.

All the best,
~HollywoodJackson~

[HollywoodJackson]

Hey EdBwoy,

Is it easier to remove the VK45DE from the car with the transmission still attached. Or, is it easier to leave the transmission in the car?

All the best,
~HollywoodJackson~

[EdBwoy]

Of the 2 options, I'd buy whichever engine has the lowest mileage &/or looks like it was cared for better. Fluids are a good indicator.

For my y34, I found it easier to remove the engine mated to the transmission. That was in my garage, using a cherry picker. The advantage of buying such large parts from a junkyard is that THEY figure out how to pull the engine, and deliver it to your truck etc. Call them and ask how they do it - most probably involves a telehandler or any other version of forklift.

[HollywoodJackson]

Thanks!

The engine I’m going to grab is at a PickYourPart junkyard. I have to take it out of the car it’s in. That translates into big savings at the register. I’ll be walking away with this engine for under $300!

All the best,
~HollywoodJackson~

[EdBwoy]

Maybe regulations are different. For safety and other reasons, they handle engines themselves at the self-service yards I've been to.

Either way, good luck and please keep us updated.

[HollywoodJackson]

Budget and time are ultimately preventing me from going way to Riverside to buy an engine out of the Q45 they have at the junkyard. I can't afford the time/$ in the event I come home with a toasted engine.

I have ordered head gaskets and a full set of head bolts (ten per side). I'm going to open her up, and try to see what is causing the tapping sound. From doing a bit more research, I see it can be the main shaft, or spun bearings. Are these common problems with the VK45DE?

What are some of the major issues that have been reporting as having happened with internal engine failure?

All the best,
~HollywoodJackson~

[HollywoodJackson]

Hopefully, 4 years of chronic over heating are about to be remedied with this swap!

I found a recently rolled over Q45 at the Oick-A-Part. Here’s the donor...

A.


B.


The car had the bill of sale in the glove box. The owner purchased it in November of 2018 with 115,000 miles on the odometer (mine was at 150k when I bought it). It was also smogged.

A few hours at the junkyard yesterday, and it was out. It was my second time pulling an engine (my 1st time alone). Dropped off the engine at the self help garage last night in Baldwin Park. I love that place, Your Dream Garage.

The junkyard did not provide a chain to secure the engine with the hoists they provide. So after I did all that work. Went and got the hoist, I’m like ‘f*ck, no chain!?’ Then one of the yard employees told me to use seat belt. They had plenty of that! And that’s why the engine is on the hoist at the shop with belts.

I see why EdBwoy designed those custom pieces to use to pull the engine. There’s no where really to secure a chain.

C.


I didn’t want to tackle the swap today, as I was pretty fried from removing the engine in the hot sun yesterday. So, I played hooky from my office today and spent several hours giving the engine a spritz bath with degreaser and gasoline and brushing it clean with a toothbrush and rag...

D.


E.


F.


G.


H.


I.


I’m looking forward to pulling the motor and installing the swap in one day. This will be my third time pulling an engine, and actually my first time where I won’t be able to cut wiring and hoses to make the job easier. I’ll have to be careful. Do you all think I can get this done in 8 hours or less?

Any tips?

All the best,
~HollywoodJackson~

[HollywoodJackson]

EdBwoy... should I pull the engine and transmission as one, or can I just pull the engine only?