Joining the 3.5 swap club
11-02-2012, 02:02 PM
#1
This next weekend I'm taking my 180XXX mile '97 GLE to sugarland Texas to have my 3.0 swapped to a 3.5 by EDIT: a guy I used to trust.
This is my first solo road trip from Kansas on down, and I'm excited as h@*l!!
I'll post lots of pictures or links to them during my swap.
If I have enough money, I'm going to beg for a 5 speed swap too.
After that, I'm saving up for body work and a paint job, interior, then wheels and tires.
I just wanted to share my anxiety. Lol
This is my first solo road trip from Kansas on down, and I'm excited as h@*l!!
I'll post lots of pictures or links to them during my swap.
If I have enough money, I'm going to beg for a 5 speed swap too.
After that, I'm saving up for body work and a paint job, interior, then wheels and tires.
I just wanted to share my anxiety. Lol
Last edited by Fakie J Farkerton; 04-23-2014 at 09:45 AM.
11-02-2012, 08:48 PM
#6
I just had my lower radiator support mount replaced with a Courtesy Nissan part. That was the last step.
Got my 300zx fuel filter and a pocket full of PayPal.
I'm very lucky to be able to afford the manual swap at the same time.
The 10th can't come fast enough.
Once I'm in Houston I need to try to sell my old motor and automatic. Having trouble with that at the moment. I need to fix my profile or something to be able to post in the classifieds.
I know I'll be there for the whole thing!!! Picture time!! I hope Aaron isn't camera shy. Lol
Got my 300zx fuel filter and a pocket full of PayPal.
I'm very lucky to be able to afford the manual swap at the same time.
The 10th can't come fast enough.
Once I'm in Houston I need to try to sell my old motor and automatic. Having trouble with that at the moment. I need to fix my profile or something to be able to post in the classifieds.
I know I'll be there for the whole thing!!! Picture time!! I hope Aaron isn't camera shy. Lol
Last edited by Fakie J Farkerton; 01-04-2013 at 12:17 AM.
11-02-2012, 08:50 PM
#7
I was told this engine has been around the org a few times.
Anyone know of it?
Last edited by Fakie J Farkerton; 01-04-2013 at 12:17 AM.
11-02-2012, 11:21 PM
#9
Im surprised he didnt try talking you into a 6spd swap instead of the 5MT.
Either way, when the motors out, dont forget to take the obligatory pic of you in standing in the empty engine bay.
Either way, when the motors out, dont forget to take the obligatory pic of you in standing in the empty engine bay.
11-05-2012, 12:11 AM
#20
Originally Posted by deloa84
Welcome!! And enjoy 
You mind if I consider you for my "stupid questions"?
I'm sure I'll have some newbish stuff to ask afterwards. I'm already lost on what kind of oil filter it takes.
I have a few for the current 3.0 already, but I don't know if they will work on the swap.
Not sure what all is/was involved on this Frankenstein before I see it.
Last edited by Fakie J Farkerton; 01-04-2013 at 12:18 AM.
11-09-2012, 10:46 PM
#24
In Texas now. I wish I could say it is going smoothly.
First off: F@*k Houston traffic and whomever designed the whole layout.
Aackshun is having some trouble getting the swapped 4th gen here because he broke a bolt on the alternator trying to fix starting/dying problem.
So he says he will pull my engine tomorrow and use my alternator on the other engine. I assume he's going to drill out the rusted one...? Find out tomorrow.
Also, he said the tires are showing metal, so someone has been being hard on it.
Edit: d!ckead comment removed.
This is making me broke.
He suggested to send as a friend to save the 3% PayPal fee.
Who thinks I should go ahead and pay the service charges on PayPal just in case the engine or transmission blow up on my way back to Kansas? Would that help me with piece of mind?
First off: F@*k Houston traffic and whomever designed the whole layout.
Aackshun is having some trouble getting the swapped 4th gen here because he broke a bolt on the alternator trying to fix starting/dying problem.
So he says he will pull my engine tomorrow and use my alternator on the other engine. I assume he's going to drill out the rusted one...? Find out tomorrow.
Also, he said the tires are showing metal, so someone has been being hard on it.
Edit: d!ckead comment removed.
This is making me broke.
He suggested to send as a friend to save the 3% PayPal fee.
Who thinks I should go ahead and pay the service charges on PayPal just in case the engine or transmission blow up on my way back to Kansas? Would that help me with piece of mind?
Last edited by Fakie J Farkerton; 01-04-2013 at 12:20 AM.
11-10-2012, 02:03 PM
#25
Thats up to you, If he was a friend he would be doing it free, if its a business deal treat it as such. Saving you money on the paypal end is smart but does not protect you. In the event of an engine failure hopefully it would be covered under a used warrenty from place of purchase.
11-10-2012, 02:32 PM
#26
Dear OP:
This swap is gonna be expensive, and there are always "little things." that are going to happen. This is normal, I would trust aackshun with the swap no problem, he has a ton of experience and has the parts hook up to boot. I spent 1600 on my swap. If you are coming in under that, you are doing fine. WELCOME TO THE CLUB HOMES!
This swap is gonna be expensive, and there are always "little things." that are going to happen. This is normal, I would trust aackshun with the swap no problem, he has a ton of experience and has the parts hook up to boot. I spent 1600 on my swap. If you are coming in under that, you are doing fine. WELCOME TO THE CLUB HOMES!
11-10-2012, 10:09 PM
#31
You seem like someone I could go to for my many future questions. You mind if I consider you for my "stupid questions"?
I'm sure I'll have some newbish stuff to ask afterwards. I'm already lost on what kind of oil filter it takes. I have a few for the current 3.0 already, but I don't know if they will work on the swap. Not sure what all is/was involved on this Frankenstein before I see it.
I'm sure I'll have some newbish stuff to ask afterwards. I'm already lost on what kind of oil filter it takes. I have a few for the current 3.0 already, but I don't know if they will work on the swap. Not sure what all is/was involved on this Frankenstein before I see it.
I noticed that the 3.5 and 3.0 use the same oil filter...
Heck even my sister's 05 Sentra uses the same oil filter. But yeah let me know... I will definitely try my best to answer them... 
Just take your time and do as much research as you can. I didn't know much but I got much help from friends and reading on this site. Have you done the timing swap yet?
Last edited by deloa84; 11-10-2012 at 10:14 PM.
11-10-2012, 11:44 PM
#32
BTW, I'm the 3rd owner of this 3.5 and the timing was done long ago.
The hardest thing about this swap is the 5 speed swap from automatic, and my side mounts are crap and impossible for me to find.
The car it's coming from had blown shocks and cut down springs with a broken bolt on the alternator.
It made it on my yellow top optima for the 40+ mile drive.
Aackshun drove it and I followed.
It bottomed out so much that I need to use my oil pan.
It will be done tomorrow, hopefully. Spent all day today.
The hardest thing about this swap is the 5 speed swap from automatic, and my side mounts are crap and impossible for me to find.
The car it's coming from had blown shocks and cut down springs with a broken bolt on the alternator.
It made it on my yellow top optima for the 40+ mile drive.
Aackshun drove it and I followed.
It bottomed out so much that I need to use my oil pan.
It will be done tomorrow, hopefully. Spent all day today.
Last edited by Fakie J Farkerton; 04-23-2014 at 09:47 AM.
11-12-2012, 02:46 AM
#33
Swap is 99% done! I think...lol.
Just need to top off fluids and test drive!! Look out Kansas!
Oh, BTW, I got real lucky with the swap and got a pathfinder TB and a VLSD 5 speed. No big deal.
Just need to top off fluids and test drive!! Look out Kansas!
Oh, BTW, I got real lucky with the swap and got a pathfinder TB and a VLSD 5 speed. No big deal.
Last edited by Fakie J Farkerton; 04-23-2014 at 09:49 AM.
11-12-2012, 08:28 AM
#34
Lucky you! I have a 5 speed. I will probably go with a 6 speed from a Spec V in the near future... Regardless you will enjoy it! I think it should start up the first time since you have experienced helpers. It took me a couple of attempts to get it started and little things towards the end that had me baffled... then again I was inexperienced.. But it is fully functional and quite reliable now actually.
11-12-2012, 12:54 PM
#39