Diary of my jdm VE swap
07-13-2003, 01:35 PM
#1
Diary of my jdm VE swap
okay somebody had this idea before but after a few posts they didnt really have any follow ups, I know alot of people ask about it but there isnt one thread with the wealth of info in it. So here we go Im gonna post my thoughts and results of it and post updates every 10k after the swap.
Heres is my car as of now
197,000 miles 92 5spd
mods (engine):
Place Racing CAI
Greddy SP catback
smc short throw shifter
luk performance clutch
everything else is stock
what I am going to be adding at the time of the swap
WSP Y pipe
carsound cat
Fidanza flywheel
Under Drive Pulley
ACT HDMM clutch
and changing out the exhaust studs
JDM VE motor with aprox. 30-40k
I am gettng the motor from http://enginereplacement.com I chose them because of there close location to my house and that they have a large selcetion of VE's to choose from and the prices are good. They also check out ok with the BBB. The last quote I got was for $1250
I also want to change anything that would be a good idea to replace while the engine is out. Or anything to keep off the old engine (any suggestions?)
I am going to have the swap done by a shop since I dont really have the time or patients to do it myself. I plan to have the car in the shop by the end of July,
D-sta will most likely be at the shop a few times and I may be as well so Im going to post any comments or problems with the swap, so anyone else who does it can know what to expect.
Heres is my car as of now
197,000 miles 92 5spd
mods (engine):
Place Racing CAI
Greddy SP catback
smc short throw shifter
luk performance clutch
everything else is stock
what I am going to be adding at the time of the swap
WSP Y pipe
carsound cat
Fidanza flywheel
Under Drive Pulley
ACT HDMM clutch
and changing out the exhaust studs
JDM VE motor with aprox. 30-40k
I am gettng the motor from http://enginereplacement.com I chose them because of there close location to my house and that they have a large selcetion of VE's to choose from and the prices are good. They also check out ok with the BBB. The last quote I got was for $1250
I also want to change anything that would be a good idea to replace while the engine is out. Or anything to keep off the old engine (any suggestions?)
I am going to have the swap done by a shop since I dont really have the time or patients to do it myself. I plan to have the car in the shop by the end of July,
D-sta will most likely be at the shop a few times and I may be as well so Im going to post any comments or problems with the swap, so anyone else who does it can know what to expect.
07-13-2003, 01:40 PM
#2
as to why Im doing this, I plan on either pursuing having the turbo built of going with the JWT N20 system, so I want to have an engine with less miles, also I have invested quite a bit of money in the car and with 197k on the clock I dont know how much longer the current engine is going to be able to move my investments around lol.
Also comparing it to other VE 5spd's
D-sta (pretty much fully modded) it doesnt compare, I drove his car and was blown away by the VE's potential, and also disapointed my car's lack of it.
Crazy4maxima- I never really had my car stock (had mods on it before I had it on the road) I got a chance to drive Izzy's stock car for 3-4 hours on a trip and with no mods it performed just as well if not better than my car (with the exception of the clutch and suspension, which are not stock on my car)
As far as prices go with all the new mods Im buying and the engine and install Im looking at just over $3,000.
If you have any comment or suggestions dealing with this subject please post them so this thread can be used in the future for people who want to do this.
Also comparing it to other VE 5spd's
D-sta (pretty much fully modded) it doesnt compare, I drove his car and was blown away by the VE's potential, and also disapointed my car's lack of it.
Crazy4maxima- I never really had my car stock (had mods on it before I had it on the road) I got a chance to drive Izzy's stock car for 3-4 hours on a trip and with no mods it performed just as well if not better than my car (with the exception of the clutch and suspension, which are not stock on my car)
As far as prices go with all the new mods Im buying and the engine and install Im looking at just over $3,000.
If you have any comment or suggestions dealing with this subject please post them so this thread can be used in the future for people who want to do this.
07-13-2003, 02:15 PM
#4
Senior Member
Join Date: Aug 2000
Posts: 2,807
Things to replace
One area to adress is the VTC's, while the motor is out you could rebuild them if it needed it. Next replace all JDM engine sensors with the ones that came from your existing motor. Believe it will give the ECU fits using JDM sensors. Then replace the front/rear crankshaft oil seals, tranny axle seals, clean the intake manifold (you'll probably have to swap it over from your USDM motor), replace the knock sensor (it is super easy now), replace the water pump,T-stat, drive belts, all coolant hose O-rings, install new exhaust manifold studs, replace/fix all the engine/tranny mounts.
Other things to do if money wasn't much of an object is, get the cams reground for better performance. Have the heads ported and valve work done, install custom 11:1cr pistons for NA applications or 8.5cr DETT pistons/rods for turbo duty, bore the throttle body to 65mm.
Other things to do if money wasn't much of an object is, get the cams reground for better performance. Have the heads ported and valve work done, install custom 11:1cr pistons for NA applications or 8.5cr DETT pistons/rods for turbo duty, bore the throttle body to 65mm.
07-13-2003, 02:21 PM
#5
some other threads:
http://forums.maxima.org/showthread....t=diary+of+jdm
http://forums.maxima.org/showthread....t=diary+of+jdm
and thanks Nismo87SE anything I should keep off my old engine (my vtc's are still good so I wanna keep those)
http://forums.maxima.org/showthread....t=diary+of+jdm
http://forums.maxima.org/showthread....t=diary+of+jdm
and thanks Nismo87SE anything I should keep off my old engine (my vtc's are still good so I wanna keep those)
07-13-2003, 02:54 PM
#6
Originally posted by N34JZ
some other threads:
http://forums.maxima.org/showthread....t=diary+of+jdm
http://forums.maxima.org/showthread....t=diary+of+jdm
some other threads:
http://forums.maxima.org/showthread....t=diary+of+jdm
http://forums.maxima.org/showthread....t=diary+of+jdm
07-13-2003, 06:08 PM
#8
this sounds really interesting.
i read the other two threads but didn't find a definate answer. are there any differences in power between the jdm ve and the usdm ve?
if you're seriously considering boosting your maxima in the future. now would be a good time check and or replace some of your internals to make sure that they will be abe to handle a little psi. i'm not as technically inclined as some the other guys here but i think they'd suggest the same thing.
good luck with the swap
i read the other two threads but didn't find a definate answer. are there any differences in power between the jdm ve and the usdm ve?
if you're seriously considering boosting your maxima in the future. now would be a good time check and or replace some of your internals to make sure that they will be abe to handle a little psi. i'm not as technically inclined as some the other guys here but i think they'd suggest the same thing.
good luck with the swap
07-13-2003, 06:11 PM
#10
Originally posted by chchmax
The VE does come in japanese maxima's! The japanese J30 maxima's had the VG and VE just the same as the US. I've got a japanese VE.. The climate control unit has some japanese characters on the screen!
The VE does come in japanese maxima's! The japanese J30 maxima's had the VG and VE just the same as the US. I've got a japanese VE.. The climate control unit has some japanese characters on the screen!
07-13-2003, 06:18 PM
#12
Donating Maxima.org Member
Join Date: Jul 2002
Posts: 218
Originally posted by shock211
one of my maxima buddies has the japanese climate control unit and is going to swap it. it looks kinda cool but seems a little pointless to me.
one of my maxima buddies has the japanese climate control unit and is going to swap it. it looks kinda cool but seems a little pointless to me.
So, if my car is japanese, then i have one of these JDM engines? does that make it better than the US spec engines?
07-13-2003, 06:48 PM
#13
thats really interesting, didn't think Nissan did that. guess I can't argue with someone who actually owns one.
Originally posted by chchmax
The VE does come in japanese maxima's! The japanese J30 maxima's had the VG and VE just the same as the US. I've got a japanese VE.. The climate control unit has some japanese characters on the screen!
The VE does come in japanese maxima's! The japanese J30 maxima's had the VG and VE just the same as the US. I've got a japanese VE.. The climate control unit has some japanese characters on the screen!
07-13-2003, 10:08 PM
#14
heres a thought i never posed to you.. yea it only has 30-40k miles on it but how do you know the history of the engine, has it been beaten on etc?
why not a US VE engine instead of the japan VE?
why not a US VE engine instead of the japan VE?
07-13-2003, 10:16 PM
#15
thats the whole deal with buying the so-called "JDM" motors. all the companies claim low miles, but truthfully other than doing a compression test you have no way to tell of the motors past, but that goes for any used motor USDM as well.
Originally posted by Maximan190
heres a thought i never posed to you.. yea it only has 30-40k miles on it but how do you know the history of the engine, has it been beaten on etc?
why not a US VE engine instead of the japan VE?
heres a thought i never posed to you.. yea it only has 30-40k miles on it but how do you know the history of the engine, has it been beaten on etc?
why not a US VE engine instead of the japan VE?
07-13-2003, 10:22 PM
#16
Donating Maxima.org Member
Join Date: Jul 2002
Posts: 218
I wouldn't count on any japanese motor having done only the stated miles! Living in a country where imported cars from japan contribute to a major part of the market, it is not uncommon to find out that cars have done a lot more than stated! It's amazing how many older cars come into the country with extremely low k's on the clock! a friend of mine bought a 1992 bluebird and it had only 30,000 k's on the clock, but the clutch was worn out after 3k and when the tappet cover was removed, it revealed sludge and other things in the motor... The best guess was the speedo had been wound back.. And that's not an isolated case!
07-14-2003, 12:29 AM
#17
Senior Member
Join Date: Dec 2002
Posts: 123
As chchmax said, dont count on any JDM motor having the stated kms on it.
I assume your from christchurch chchmax?
im from auckland!
just a question for ya, how much did you mag+tyre combo cost you? im in the market for wheels and dont know what to expect price wise.
and also where did you get your y-pipe made and how much did that cost? :P
I assume your from christchurch chchmax?
im from auckland!
just a question for ya, how much did you mag+tyre combo cost you? im in the market for wheels and dont know what to expect price wise.
and also where did you get your y-pipe made and how much did that cost? :P
07-14-2003, 01:40 AM
#18
Donating Maxima.org Member
Join Date: Jul 2002
Posts: 218
Logan, yep, i'm in chch! mag and tyres were $1600 fitted and aligned. Y - pipe was made by magoo mufflers for around $160 - $200. am unsure exactly, as the whole exhaust was replaced at the same time. I see you've got a 91 VE, mine's a 91 also! although i say its a 92 to avoid confusion. Mine was first regd in dec 91.
07-14-2003, 03:43 AM
#19
Senior Member
Join Date: Dec 2002
Posts: 123
nice!
did you notice a performance increase when you upgraded the exhaust at all? i think after my wheels i might go for the exhaust if theres some real power gains there, even though these maximas are surprisingly quick standard.. i almost keep up with my mate's `91 mr2 turbo manual! very strange :P
did you notice a performance increase when you upgraded the exhaust at all? i think after my wheels i might go for the exhaust if theres some real power gains there, even though these maximas are surprisingly quick standard.. i almost keep up with my mate's `91 mr2 turbo manual! very strange :P
07-14-2003, 04:08 AM
#20
Originally posted by Logan91VE
nice!
did you notice a performance increase when you upgraded the exhaust at all? i think after my wheels i might go for the exhaust if theres some real power gains there, even though these maximas are surprisingly quick standard.. i almost keep up with my mate's `91 mr2 turbo manual! very strange :P
nice!
did you notice a performance increase when you upgraded the exhaust at all? i think after my wheels i might go for the exhaust if theres some real power gains there, even though these maximas are surprisingly quick standard.. i almost keep up with my mate's `91 mr2 turbo manual! very strange :P
07-14-2003, 08:11 AM
#21
Senior Member
Join Date: Feb 2003
Posts: 358
n34jz good luck with the swap and everything.
i noticed on the older forum topics, says you went with Motorsports i think in woodberry.
Where exactly is this place...i got family all around there might have to scope it out, seems like it might be a future project.
i noticed on the older forum topics, says you went with Motorsports i think in woodberry.
Where exactly is this place...i got family all around there might have to scope it out, seems like it might be a future project.
07-14-2003, 08:55 AM
#22
Senior Member
Join Date: Jan 2001
Posts: 2,105
my experiance: rear motor mount doesnt like to come off, i found it easier to unbolt the mount from the crossmember.
axle nuts dont like to come off.
if you're pulling the tranny with the motor, you want the motor side to come out first, make it so the car is able to be lowered (thats more for piece of mind than anything) so you can drop the car and not raise the motor too high....umm...
power steering pump doesnt like to come off..i got impatient so i pulled off the lines and let the fluid leak out.
hope that helps.
axle nuts dont like to come off.
if you're pulling the tranny with the motor, you want the motor side to come out first, make it so the car is able to be lowered (thats more for piece of mind than anything) so you can drop the car and not raise the motor too high....umm...
power steering pump doesnt like to come off..i got impatient so i pulled off the lines and let the fluid leak out.
hope that helps.
07-14-2003, 08:10 PM
#24
Originally posted by DanNY
last time i went they had quite a few VE motors in there.
also they have a lot of SRs in there.
keep in mind not all the motors are JDM..because they have a lot of non JDM motors on the shelf too.
last time i went they had quite a few VE motors in there.
also they have a lot of SRs in there.
keep in mind not all the motors are JDM..because they have a lot of non JDM motors on the shelf too.
07-27-2003, 01:35 PM
#26
UPDATE- 7/27
Well yesterday I picked up the engine and dropped it off at the mechanic, (whos info I will post after I get my car back, for security reasons) All in all I would say it was pretty clean the intake manifold (which Im swapping out for mine) had a bit of grime but Im assuming thats just from sitting, It was pretty complete and included the power steering pump (which is a plus because my current one has a small leak in it), both exhaust manifolds, and the alternator.
07-27-2003, 01:39 PM
#27
also in transport the oil pan was dented so that is also going to be swapped out for my current one. I got all of the performance parts I wanted except the UDP which is on back order so that will be added as soon as it is available
07-27-2003, 01:41 PM
#28
while the motor is out Im also having the exhaust studs replaced and just to recap Im adding the ACT HDMM clutch and Fidanza Flywheel and Car sound Cat and WSP SS Y pipe. so I should feel a good increase in power compared to now.
07-27-2003, 01:45 PM
#30
Clutch, pressure plate, flywheel, Y pipe and Cat
hopefully D-sta will be able to take some pictures durring the swap and we can add those too.
again thanks to Diego and Izzy for helping me out with everything, Ill make sure you guys get hooked up with some Gliptone's and Hero Time
hopefully D-sta will be able to take some pictures durring the swap and we can add those too.
again thanks to Diego and Izzy for helping me out with everything, Ill make sure you guys get hooked up with some Gliptone's and Hero Time
07-27-2003, 01:55 PM
#31
Originally posted by NismoDrew91SE
n34jz good luck with the swap and everything.
i noticed on the older forum topics, says you went with Motorsports i think in woodberry.
Where exactly is this place...i got family all around there might have to scope it out, seems like it might be a future project.
n34jz good luck with the swap and everything.
i noticed on the older forum topics, says you went with Motorsports i think in woodberry.
Where exactly is this place...i got family all around there might have to scope it out, seems like it might be a future project.
I paid a little over $1100 for my engine, they can ship and deliver but I delivered it myself.
07-27-2003, 03:12 PM
#33
Re: UPDATE- 7/27
Originally posted by N34JZ
Well yesterday I picked up the engine and dropped it off at the mechanic, (whos info I will post after I get my car back, for security reasons) All in all I would say it was pretty clean the intake manifold (which Im swapping out for mine) had a bit of grime but Im assuming thats just from sitting, It was pretty complete and included the power steering pump (which is a plus because my current one has a small leak in it), both exhaust manifolds, and the alternator.
Well yesterday I picked up the engine and dropped it off at the mechanic, (whos info I will post after I get my car back, for security reasons) All in all I would say it was pretty clean the intake manifold (which Im swapping out for mine) had a bit of grime but Im assuming thats just from sitting, It was pretty complete and included the power steering pump (which is a plus because my current one has a small leak in it), both exhaust manifolds, and the alternator.
you might also want to replace the water pump for good measure.
07-27-2003, 03:32 PM
#34
Donating Maxima.org Member
Join Date: Mar 2002
Posts: 797
Have you got a phone number for them? Since I live on the other end of the country I can't really 'drop by'. I've been looking for a new engine but all the engines around here are $1500 or more and they have over 100K miles.
07-27-2003, 04:17 PM
#35
Originally posted by Spipedong90
Have you got a phone number for them? Since I live on the other end of the country I can't really 'drop by'. I've been looking for a new engine but all the engines around here are $1500 or more and they have over 100K miles.
Have you got a phone number for them? Since I live on the other end of the country I can't really 'drop by'. I've been looking for a new engine but all the engines around here are $1500 or more and they have over 100K miles.
ask for Doug I belive he is the owner and thats who I dealt with.
07-27-2003, 08:01 PM
#38
Well today some stuff came off......the hood, strut bar, intake, battery, and a couple of harness connections. Tomorrow Andy takes over and hopefully tomorrrow afternoon it will be ready to come out but the tranny has to come out so he'll be doing that first. I will be going there tomorrow after work and taking pictures and posting them later on that night. So far so good J.
07-28-2003, 04:06 PM
#40
Originally posted by Walka
excuse my ignorance..
but i still dont get it. other than availability, what is the point of the jdm engine? as if an engine swap wasnt hard enough, why make it harder with a japanese engine? are there any benefits?
walka
excuse my ignorance..
but i still dont get it. other than availability, what is the point of the jdm engine? as if an engine swap wasnt hard enough, why make it harder with a japanese engine? are there any benefits?
walka