frank5079

I have an 01 5th gen with an automatic transmission. All things considered it is a nice car overall, but is plagued with rust issues in the RH quarter panel as well as the radiator core support. So my question is this....can I swap this motor into an 02 6 speed Max with a bad 3.5 motor? Aside from the blown motor, this car has no rust issues and can get it for about $500. TIA

Frank

TurboA32

iTrader: (36)

I was actually going to do this swap on my I35 because I have a DEK motor sitting in my garage. You woud have to swap the heads and upper oil pan so you can use the coolant pipes coming from the back of the engine going to the thermostat.

TurboA32

iTrader: (36)

You would have to use all the 3.5 things as far as timing equipment crank pully ect...

frank5079

Thanks...are there any other things I need to know about regarding this swap?

Child_uv_KoRn

iTrader: (7)

It's pretty....stupid? You have a functioning car that needs mild work that you want to turn to scrap (apparently). Then, you have a prime candidate for an HR swap, but want to put a 3.0 (pretty serious effort) into it, not to mention you're not gaining anything.

Blackwind

iTrader: (9)

you can't get ahead going backwards.

L_U_D_I_AMaxima

iTrader: (3)

technically the lower radiator support is only $150 oem from nissan. I have replaced both on my 2000 and 2001 20th... its not hard just tedious work of cutting all the spot welds. Currently I am in the process of rebuilding the vq35 in my girlfriends Murano and I can tell you that if i had the time to mess around and play I would drop a vq30 in it in heart beat. For those who have never been inside and studied the vq35 is full a traps and soooo may things to go wrong with it. The variable timing system is pretty much a disaster waiting to happen with every single one of those engines.... the oil galleries have a tone of potential leaking points and over all the extra HP is simply not worth the hassle to me... the vq30 in my 2000 maxima has close to 250K all original, original clutch even original valve cover gaskets still and no leaks. i change the oil every 10K and absolutely not a drop of oil burned.

TurboA32

iTrader: (36)

Are you going to be doing this work yourself?

frank5079

Yes. Just trying to get some idea of what to watch out for...

Crusher103

iTrader: (10)

This has to be one of the stupidest ideas i have heard yet. Fix the rust on your car or buy the 5.5gen and swap in ANOTHER 3.5. Why put the a weaker engine in the car? Its just stupid and wouldn't work in any case due to the location of the cam position sensors on the 5.5 gen. The 3.5 swap IS NOT backwards compatible as simple as it is in the 5th and 4th gens. Its way to much for nothing gained you just lose.

TurboA32

iTrader: (36)

Ok swap the cylinder heads so obviously you'll need to get new headgaskets I would just get the stock 3.5 gaskets. You'll need rtv liquid gasket. You'll have to use the coolant cross over pipe from the good engine (vq30dek) because of the thermostat in the middle of the block. Swap the upper oil pan. You'll need the bad motor (vq35de) timing equipment all of it. You'll use the 3.5 cams. It's not that serious of a job but if your not mechanically inclined I wouldn't do it.

TurboA32

iTrader: (36)

I don't think this is a stupid idea its actually pretty good. Why wont it work in any case due to the location of the cam position sensor?

Crusher103

iTrader: (10)

Cam sensors. Lets speak on them because i just know what this person intends to do is the long block swap like how is done from the 3.0 to 3.5. To retain the 3.5 timing. Anybody that has done the 3.5 swap knows the cam sensors on the 3.5 are on the rear of the engine. Not the timing cover like on the 3.0s. It means either the head from the 3.5 has to be swapped onto the 3.0 or the 3.0 head has to be drilled to accommodate the sensor, which yea good luck with that. For him to get this swap done he has to swap EVERYTHING from his old 5th gen to the 5.5 gen, wiring harness, dash, ECU, keys, EVERYTHING has to be swapped to make the 3.0 work. And at the end of the day he wont pass state inspection assuming his state has it because his car will throw all kinds of transmission codes. He wont be able to sell it because who wants a 5.5gen with a 3.0 in it? This is something that has fail written all over it. I'm just gonna tell it like it is.


Lol you have been here for a while so you explain why its a good idea to do that swap. Please explain because this one i have to hear.

TurboA32

iTrader: (36)

I think you need to read the whole thread again