it puts out somewhat respectable #'s(not compared to newer Max's) 160HP, 182 lb-ft of torque, but when mated to the auto trans makes it really slow, I guess 17.0 1/4 mile ??(no one has told me yet). From what Ive read the only problems are the exhaust studs and the weak auto tranny which was supposedly beefed up for 92-94 (am I right ?). Other wise this is a pretty reliable engine right ??, maybe not as capable as the VE, there is still lots of parts to make it go a bit faster (are low 15's possible modded with a GXE ?)

 

VG = old technology.

 

it deserves much respect seeing as how it is probably Nissan's BEST workhorse motor in the last 10-15 years, used in more than 3 vehicles. those who know of it potential respect it and also those who know of its realiability factor and superb build respect it, but plain and simple its not a big "performer" motor in STOCK form...SOHC and lack of high-end hold it back. but its still has enough bite to hold off your local neighborhood ricers!

low 15's can ony be attained with engine work, FI or nitrous...if anyhing get a 5spd!! at least mid 15s will be possible with botl-ons! but if you like a good project car the VG is a good bet, cams, "easy" turbo swaps, "boost friendly" CR.....

 

if I could find a 91 SE 5spd(rare around here), Id take one over a 92 GXE, All Id do is get an intake (is there a CAI for the VG ?), get a cat-back built (what size piping is best ?), maybe some pulleys, and advance the timing. Will the Y pipe make me fail my local emissions test ? With these mods could I get a 92 GXE into the high 15's ?

 

search is your friend grasshoppa

 

The VG is a fine motor. Mine has 154K and I still have the original clutch. Low 15's in a VG auto would probably require about every bolt on mod. I've never run my MAx at a strip but I have many bolt ons and the Max runs pretty well. Especially when you consider it is almost 12 years old!

I'm not so sure the 92-94 GXE trannies are any different from the 89-91. I know they beefed up the auto for the VE and changed the tranny for it. All VG autos RE4F02A VE autos RE4F04V.

 

Not everyone hates the VG....just those who have a VE! And some who have the VG too I suppose.....OK so maybe everyone does hate it! I like it. Plenty of people do...they just don't like to admit it. In all seriousness though, the VG and the VE each have their strenghts and weaknesses. (which can all be found by sitting back and listening to the vets show you the ropes) its just a matter of personal preference.

 

The vg was a great engine considering that it was developed in the early-mid eighties. Also, compared to other cars in its class, the vg equipped Maxima was way ahead of its time. Most other Maxima guys just hate on it because it is the weakest Maxima motor.

 

I like my VG. Don't hate on it, it wasn't meant to be a race car. But with enough money, it can be.

 

i think he had one of the best moded VG's. He bought his car practically new (2-3 yrs old i think) and started tuning it. Eventually i think his auto VG got into the 15.1 range . check out his page. proves that a vg can be a very competent performer.

 

i like mine it gets me where i need to go and hasn't conked out on me. hell its better than my moms chevy tracker.
in the end i have no regrets about my vg

 

I had CAI, Y-pipe, and Greddy catback on my VG and on my VE, and I never had trouble with emissions.

 

You make it sound as if he turned a couple of bolts and whamo... 15.1 e/t...

 

with I/E/Y/U i was able to do 15.8 in summer heat, im sure in winter it will run 15.5 with cams low 15's its possible especially with a lightened flywheel

 

VG is hype!
it was definately way ahead of its time.
compare it to the other cars in it's class from 89' to 94' and we come out on top!
it's very reliable.
question: have any of you guys ever heard of anyone blowing there seals and burning oil??? i haven't seen it yet.
my last two cars escort and grand prix both had issues with the seals.
we can still take out the common ricer without mods, that's good enough for an engine that has been around for almost two decades.

would i prefer a VE 5-speed : YES
would i bother with the swap : NO
will i attempt a 300zx single turbo swap : HELL YEAH!
will the VE hate me : YES

just remember people were all on the same team.

 

I dont see why everyone complains about the auto trannies, about them being weak and whatnot, they arent that bad. compared to other vehicles. Personally, I have gone 200k miles without a rebuild...

 

I have a vg and I must say that this is the best car i have ever had I have 233,000 miles and all i have had to do was a tranny swap at 200,000 but it was time I love my vg even though its not the fastest it is good enuff to woop a little honda but .

 

Check this out: I've had my car for about 1year and 8months (and 6days i think) and the only major work was the tranny(its a 5speed btw) Other than that, it's been fine. I have 174k miles on mine, and I drive to and from school (Houston to Kansas) about 6 times a year, not counting within city mileage and frequent trips to Kansas City almost every weekend. So far this year, I have woken up almost every morning, started my car and gone out and done my thing. Only exceptions were in January when my starter went out but it was snowing like crap and I dont have splash guards or engine covers, so it was snow/exposure directly on the starter I figure but even then, the starter grinded before starting and it still started. How many other cars can give you such reliability at such high miles? I regularly exceed clock out EASILY when visiting my fiancee's parents on back roads. Again, what car of the same age can do the same? Personally, I think it has the best motor of it's time. Look around you and count the number of people with vgs...we might be quiet by there are quite a few of us and if it was a crappy car, i dont think anyone of us would still own a maxima.

 

Vtec Owns JooO

 

I have a red 91 SE, its an auto but I love it. I had a little overheating problem about 3 years back when I got a couple new parts(water pump, radiator, exhuast studs, thermostat) but its got 153,000 on her and its the original tranny.

I don't do any racing though, just troll around town, to work and back and blast my music. The 3rd gen I should say is a very unique car and commands a lot of respect. You can see dozens of heads turning when a nicely modded one drive by.

It sure is a good feeling knowing you are not just another riced out civic, the more they try, the more they all look the same...

 

The 300Z is a VG variant.

 

I absolutely love my VG... Tonight, it goes in the shop to have the manifold studs replaced, and when that's done, it's open season... I just have a few minor problems to fix, but they can wait until spring time...
When I get down to Florida in April, I'm buying a 2k or so SE and putting my 93 GXE in the garage as my project car... It WILL be a VG to turn heads, even the jaded ones here on the .Org
There... Now I've officially said it after keeping quiet all these months <roar>

 

be it the VG or the VE...these cars were way ahead of time like alot of peeps have said....i mean how many sedans were pushin 160-190 hp back in 92.....if you really look, there are still some sedans (in the class of the maxima) that don't give this much hp...honda just recently put the accord over 200 hp with there new model i think.....i luv my VE alot....but if i had to get a VG, i would...like DA MAX pointed out...theres a lot to do with that engine!!!

 

I love my VG. 145K on it and it still pulls, chirps second. Love the torque. COuld use top end though. But as far as reliabilty, you have to really beat it AND not maintain it for it to crap out on you. There is certainly something to be said about simplicity in old technology. Look at the new vette for example. Arguably the best Vette EVER, most advanced chasis design, 405 HP form the Z06 and uhh, what's that, no OHC? Old technology is cool. VTEC rocks too.

 

hey jwtarbaj how did you get 154K out of your original clutch? Let me in on this secret? I would greatly like to know? I don't ride the clutch pedal, and I don't double shift, or redline my gears!! Just smooth normal driving love the car to much to dog it out and blow something then to just do mods!! like turbo. I have 89 SE max stick also.

 

because it's slow?

 

VE BABY!!!!!!!! Sorry I had to say that

 

Variocam Plus owns you and Vtec


Seriously, the VG is a great engine. Many Z31 guys have proven that for us. The low-end torque is just so much damn fun around town!

 

I really don't know how I got such mileage. I am not an easy driver at all. I believe I am very hard on my Max. I regularly drive the freeway and like to redline it while accelerating on the entrance ramp. It does have maybe as much as 1/3 highway miles. I bought the car from my mother. She is also a "spirited" driver. She probably wasn't as hard as me on it. I can remember her driving on the freeway in 3rd gear at like 75mph and she had no clue because the Max is such a smooth quiet car. I NEVER ride the clutch. I think it really comes down to proper shifting/clutch action and excellent Nissan quality build. I do think I am going to need a rebuild on the tranny when the clutch does go. It really shows no signs of failing to this day! I have done the "high gear" test. Put in 4th and let clutch out really slow if it stalls out clutch is good. Mine stalls out every time.

VG POWER! Look Ma no ticking!

 

We got 157K miles on our 92's clutch. The trick? Not letting me drive it.

My theory is this:

On a high torque motor with a good quality clutch, you dont need to rev higher in normal driving. The opposite is true for a honda 4cyl. In our Accord, we regularly go to 4K RPM, just driving normal. This obviously makes the flywheel spin faster, which in turn would create more friction and heat even for that split second engagement between gears. I know there are many other factors, such as weight and driving style. It all really comes down to physics. But to be honest, I couldnt believe how long our clutch lasted!

 

yeah, that isnt what you said before when we ran on the Belt parkway, and i was toppped out



Back to topic.. my vg i love it and all, but missing 30 horses hurts, and the top end is, well no top end. Its reliable b.c. it was mad for family driven, back and forth, My tranny is still the original and i am driving strong @ 174,400+ right now. I wish i could have gotten the ve 5 spd, b.c. once you get on this board you get a lot of knowledge.

Y Pipe, catback, udp, intakes, cams, turbos, SC, nos, headers, tires, rims,lights(HIDS), Body styles, Audio, and repair information Everything is possible, all here, and with the proper $$$ you can get what ever you want. But for vg, our weekness is the tranny and the lack of power.

Our engines can hold alot, just have to pick off where nissan failed or left off and create what they didnt for the 3rd gen and what they will contiue to learn as the maxima evolves into the next generation.

I am happy with my vg, even though poeple call my max the "slow gen"

 

and how do you drive your Max ? do you drive it hard ?

 

yes i do, People are very surprised when i can keep up with them, or that my max still hasnt had any major issues with the thranny or engine.


btw do you have dial up or high speed access
?

 

I know why the VE guys hate the VG's that is because they cant keep up with them!! And Vtec owns who????? I have about 150k on my VG auto and i will be in the 13's next time to the track. And all of you VE guys always saying IF and may i repeat IF a VE had nitrous then..... Then what??? why dont you punks get some nitrous and bring it on. After my new VB and a new fuel pump that was just installed last week. None of you guys in your VE's have a chance bring it on you "slower of the slower gen."
But hey dont forget we are all in this together just standing up for my VG.