VQ Powered 3rd Gen

[DragonMaxima]

I decided that I want to run a 4th or 5th Gen Maxima VQ series motor. Leaning toward the 5th gen because of larger power output, but 4th Gen motor easier to find.

I know fab work will be in order, but I want to know who has done a swap like this already.

I want to know what all will be needed to do the swap. (Wiring, hoses, mounts, ect....)

My Maxima is running up on the 250K mark and I want to give it new life. My motor runs well, but I want to drop something in that not only has significantly less miles but also is more powerful and is easier to find parts for.

Any and all help will be accepted.

Thanx

[maxhopper]

There's not much difference between the 3rd and 4th gen motors as far as torque and hp. Unless you (or someone you know) is a wizard at wiring and fabrication, I would strongly discourage you from swapping to a 5th gen 3.5L.

Why not just buy a JDM VG30DE from http://www.soko.com. and install a turbo?

[MinisterofDOOM]

The VG30E only makes 160 hp. Even early VQ30s made 210. Unless you're comparing the VE, which is still not really comparable due to being limited to it's upper rev-range for usable power while the VQ is most certainly not, there's a world of difference between 3rd and 4th gens power wise.

I know the VQ has been done, but I haven't really looked into what's necessary. I've decided to take a slightly different route by making a "VG34ER" or maybe even bigger...The VQ third gens I've seen also have 4th gen transaxles, which makes sense. If I were to do the VQ swap, I'd go all out with a 6th gen 6 speed on a 4th gen VQ30DE.

I think the VG30DE suggestion is be the best option. Even that won't be total cake, though, as the VG-E and VG-DE blocks are not identical. Mounting points (both engine and accessory) are different. Heads from the VG-DE will NOT work on a VG-E. I'm not sure if the FWD transaxle will mate to the VG-DE without modification either.

[internetautomart]

Boy, talk about some disinformation1. the VQ30DE starts off at 190hp not 2102.a VG30DE will not physically fit in a third gens engine bay with serious cutting and welding.

if the car has a VG30E (all 89-94 GXE and 89-91 SEs) then the easiest route to more power is a turbo.

[MinisterofDOOM]

Boy, talk about some disinformation1. the VQ30DE starts off at 190hp not 2102.a VG30DE will not physically fit in a third gens engine bay with serious cutting and welding.

if the car has a VG30E (all 89-94 GXE and 89-91 SEs) then the easiest route to more power is a turbo.

This thread is not about what is easiest. This thread was about swapping a VQ30DE into a third gen. You're right about the horsepower, though--I don't know where I got 210 from.Also, point #2 has already been noted in my posts. I mentioned the need for fabrication. I never said it would fit without modification.

The turbo option was not brought up, as the original poster stated that he wants to replace his stock VG, not make more power with it.

If you registered just to pick apart my helpful posts, you might want to hit the search button and find out for yourself that we've covered much of this already, so a lot of the "missing" information is missing because it would be redundant.

Welcome to NICO.

[internetautomart]

Points taken.

I guess your definition of fabrication includes moving structural pieces too :

my post was not meant to pick apart yours, I'm just too used to people wanting to do this motor swap or that and researching it nearly enough to realize just what is involved in doing it.

[MinisterofDOOM]

Definitely appreciate your input.

I should apologise for being so hostile. That's not how we do things around here, and definitely not "me". It's a monday morning after a LONG night at work...I should have just let it wait until I was free of the stress of the office. Sorry about that.

As for my definition of fabrication, yeah, by that I mean altering/moving structural components.

[elwesso]

You maxima guys need to focus on "straightening" your engines... If your engine wasnt sideways in the engine bay, then you could be taking your maxima's sideways!!!

/troll

[internetautomart]

Definitely appreciate your input.

I should apologise for being so hostile. That's not how we do things around here, and definitely not "me". It's a monday morning after a LONG night at work...I should have just let it wait until I was free of the stress of the office. Sorry about that.

As for my definition of fabrication, yeah, by that I mean altering/moving structural components.

meh, impulsive responses can help add to the fun of a forum.

[AZhitman]

Brian - Good to see you here!

Let me know if you'd like to offer a hand here in "Maximaville"...

[internetautomart]

I'm always willing to lend a hand.especially if you'll put up with my blatant self promotion

[MinisterofDOOM]

especially if you'll put up with my blatant self promotion

Speaking of which...Do you have access to canadian third gen seatbelts? I've been thinking about getting rid of these blasted power belts...

[internetautomart]

Speaking of which...Do you have access to canadian third gen seatbelts? I've been thinking about getting rid of these blasted power belts...

from my understanding we (USDM) don't have the mounting points on our cars for the shoulder of the canuck version.

I may be wrong though.

BTW I'm more stock replacement mechanical parts than body parts

[DragonMaxima]

Ok guys, here is my reasoning for wanting a 4th gen motor.

1. The engine would have less miles, and more stock power, not to mention a second cam with a greater opportunity for power options.

2. This motor was offered for more years and would be easy to find. Also more companies make parts for this motor as opposed to the 3rd gen motors.

I understand the need for fabrication. i know there is no way to swap a motor in a car that shouldnt be there without making changes.

after talking to a few of my friends, i think that i am going to back to my original plan.....and make it rear wheel drive.

I have a whole group of friends who have graduated from Wyotech in High Performance engines and Chassis fabrication.

He tells me that we can do it pretty easy.

so i think i am going to run either a CA18DET or go balls out and make it an american Cefiro with an RB26DETT

I miss drifting, so thats the new goal.

[audtatious]

RWD 2nd gen has been done with a V8. Might as well do a 3rd gen.

[internetautomart]

meh, making it RWD isn't that hard if you got welding skills and patience.I planned it out with another guy before , but it was decided to forgo RWDing a 3rd gen, not worth it.

[DragonMaxima]

Yeah all my friends are certified welders also. My biggest thing will be finding a rear end of similar dimensions to fit under the car.

It will be expensive, but it will be worth it to me.

[Chris92SE]

Ok guys, here is my reasoning for wanting a 4th gen motor.

1. The engine would have less miles, and more stock power, not to mention a second cam with a greater opportunity for power options.

2. This motor was offered for more years and would be easy to find. Also more companies make parts for this motor as opposed to the 3rd gen motors.

I understand the need for fabrication. i know there is no way to swap a motor in a car that shouldnt be there without making changes.

after talking to a few of my friends, i think that i am going to back to my original plan.....and make it rear wheel drive.

I have a whole group of friends who have graduated from Wyotech in High Performance engines and Chassis fabrication.

He tells me that we can do it pretty easy.

so i think i am going to run either a CA18DET or go balls out and make it an american Cefiro with an RB26DETT

I miss drifting, so thats the new goal.

Yeah, I am new to this site, but not to Maximas.

If you are a good welder/fabricator and have a lot of extra time, than maybe you could try a swap. It's not impossible, but a pretty advanced job. It's not like putting an SR20DET into an s13, it's much more complicated.

However, there are virtually no similarities between a VG30E and a VQ30DE and how they would fit into a 3rd gen.

You wouldn't just need an engine, but almost an entire donor car. The electronics are all different, including the ECU and speed sensor on the transmission. You would need an engine, transmission, axles, ECU, dash (or at least the speedo) along with a complete wiring harness.

The motor and transmission mounts are also different, so all of that would have to be fabricated.

I have seen one car that had this done and it took a lot of time and fabrication.

Honestly, if you were going to do this swap, you might as well do a 3.5L. It has a lot more power and potential. 4th gens with the 3.5L swap run in the 13s naturally aspirated and those engines are even newer with usually very low miles.

I am not going to comment on a rear wheel drive conversion. That is Jesse James/Monster Garage stuff. If you can do a job like that we should be asking you all of the questions.

[audtatious]

I am not going to comment on a rear wheel drive conversion. That is Jesse James/Monster Garage stuff. If you can do a job like that we should be asking you all of the questions.

Well, you did comment, but I agree. If you are going to fab RWD in a Maxima, you might as well "shoot the moon" and build an ATESSA-based AWD Maxima instead of settling for a RWD setup.

Chris, welcome to NICO. Bit different "feel" than the .org

[MinisterofDOOM]

If you are going to fab RWD in a Maxima, you might as well "shoot the moon" and build an ATESSA-based AWD Maxima instead of settling for a RWD setup.

Unless you don't want AWD...

[audtatious]

The most common "conversion" you hear about (from a drive wheel perspective) is converting a Maxi to be like a GT-R. RWD is only 1/2 way to the "holy grail"

[internetautomart]

I for one would rather have the RWD only on a project like this.of course i'd take the easy way and just mount the motor in the trunk

[seyath]

Hum.... a lot of familiar faces from other forums :-)

[audtatious]

I for one would rather have the RWD only on a project like this.of course i'd take the easy way and just mount the motor in the trunk

Keep the front motor and add another in the trunk. Like the 10-second Tibby project

[internetautomart]

Keep the front motor and add another in the trunk. Like the 10-second Tibby project

yeah, but I worry about the weight penalty.

[MinisterofDOOM]

Plus, two Tib motors still don't equal one VQ.

[audtatious]

Pull the VQ out and do the JATO tail light mod?