Well, I just brought home my 3rd maxima - a 92 SE 5-speed! I have a 92 GXE just sittin in the garage with a bad tranny, so I decided that it was time to do something about it. Last year I brought home a wrecked green 93 GXE to fix the 92 GXE, but it was easier to fix the green one than to swap the tranny. I've been driving the green one around for a year or so, until I found the 92 SE with a bad motor and good tranny. So I felt that it was time to take the plunge.
Anyway, I'm excited about the project. I've already got the automatic tranny removed from the 92 gxe and I'm about to drop the 5 speed from the 92 SE. I've been searching and reading alot, but I have a question about the carrier bearing support bracket for the passenger side axel. Can I use the one off the VE engine? Or do I have to use one from a VG?
I'm sure I'll have more questions, but I just want to be prepared. I've read and re-read until I can't see anymore, but when I go outside and actually do it myself I usually answer my own questions.

 

hmmm... IIRC, VE's Trannies don't bolt up to VG Engines. The axle carrier bracket on the VE Auto vs. VE Manual is different I know, which probably goes the same with VG's as well. I belive it is just angled slightly and when you don't use the proper one, you could leak transmission fluid out of your CV axle's...

 

I hope your wrong about that, because if your not I feel pretty foolish. I thought the manual tranny will, not the auto. Actually, the auto will bolt up, but the starter and flywheel are different. Someone else please chime in. Didn't maxitech just do this? I know capedcadaver will know.

... I just re-read the sticky on 5 speed swaps, and people do this all time. You just need VE axels and hubs. Damn! don't scare me like that!

 

Yes, the VE trans will bolt up, several members have done this. Axles, hubs, and at least one, if not both mounts are different. might have to cut and splice a few wires from what ive heard but it will work. Im not sure about the carrier bracket tho.

 

lol, phew... For some reason I was just thinking the VE trans didn't bolt up, I thought Brian (Internetautomar) said it, but I may be wrong, perhaps it was just the starter/flywheel... I'm off tonight, maybe I should go to bed.

 

ve auto wont work, because the statrter is on top of the tranny. it would bolt up to the block, but there is stuff where the starter would go.

have fun with the swap!

 

ve AUTO won't bolt up and work, but all vg trannies and the VE5 work on a VG motor. swap the axle carrier braket for sure. it's a pain in not only the a$$, but in all parts of the body, but it's what you got to do. wiring is a cinch (except for this one PITA part but it's not that hard... you just got to be patient with it). lemme know when you're ready for the wiring. don't forget the engine-to-trans gussets. i don't even know if the VE ones are the same as the VG5 ones... and if they aren't then i'm kinda screwed in terms of going from VG5 to VE5 trannies.. if you could take pics of the gussets and the lower bolt/nuts where the tranny connects, as well as taking note of the plates that fit up on there behind the flywheel, because i just got a bunch of parts from another Maxima guy.. i didn't get to remove the VE5 tranny from the VE car so i didn't get to take note of any differences. OH. and you're gonna need to buy your own flywheel. VG and VE have different bolt patterns i think.. 8 bolt vs 6 bolt.

 

All M/T mounts are the same. All M/T carrier brackets are the same. Do yourself a favor and swap one in or you run the risk of leaking gear oil out of the axle seal like mine did for 2 years before I finally fixed the problem.

Also, there is no way to make a VE A/T work in a VG car.

 

we still love you Maxitech even you're a bit slow

thanks for helping with my spoiler at maxus .. still haven't secured the ends properly b/c i've been lazy. but it sure beats having holes with duct tape covering them!

any other questions creamy? you'll need a 1 1/2" hole saw rated for metal btw. i can loan you mine if you pay shipping to/from but i forgot how much i paid so you may want to see if buying one is cheaper than shipping it.

 

there may be a way, but no one has bothered to try it yet.

 

Thanks caped, so does that mean I can't use the clutch from the VE either?
The axles came out today, so tomorrow the tranny will be comin out and I'll take some pictures then. How hard is it to drill that hole in the firewall? Didn't you remove your dash? Or was that to do the clutch pedal?

 

Because of the Quest? I've considered this, but I wanted a 5 speed. What year models should I look for, if I was to look into it? I'll probably be going to the pull-a-part soon, I might do some investigating.

 

use a right angle drill to cut out the holes on the firewall for the clutch master cylinder. at first it seemed hard when i did mine but just make a template from your parts car and just transfer that template to your gxe and your good to go. also you are going to need the metal bushings for the clutch master cylinder under the dash. oh and you don't need to remove the dash for this job at all. good luck and have fun with the swap .

 

ALL maximas from 85-01 use the same clutch set

yes from a quest. the A/T is the only one with an issue, the M/T is no problem whatsoever.

 

That's good to know. The guy I bought it from said it has a new clutch. Now all I need is a VG flywheel!

 

i removed my dash b/c i didn't cut my brake pedal, i swapped the M/T pedal into it. that's the sole reason i had to remove the dash.

 

nice, to see you took the extra time and effort to do that. i just cut my brake pedal to avoid that crap.

 

except that i cracked my dash against the seatbelt runner when i took the dash out.... the issue was that i was unemployed, out of money, and couldn't obtain/buy a sawzall.

 

I originally didn't want to cut the brake pedal, but I might do it now.
But so far, the most difficult part has been removing that carrier bearing bracket. It's sandwiched between the engine block and mount, dammit! I finally got it out by supporting the engine and removing the crossmember just to get to it, whew. I left the tranny attached for support, but I think an engine hoist would be a better tool for the job. Also the exhaust was removed and it's very greasy and grimy under there! The tranny sould be comming out today!

 

when you cut the brake pedal out remember to lay down plastic on your floor so you catch all the metal dust. better than vacuuming it out later. and i dearly hope your GXE's motor mounts aren't as torn-to-bloody-hell as the VE's are...

 

lol! They're pretty bad on that VE, my GXE's aren't nearly that bad though.

 

The MT is out!!
Now all I have to do is find a VG flywheel and put it all back together, ha!

 

did you remember to take the gussets (look like maxi pad wings that are where the lower bolts from engine to tranny go, 2 bolts apiece into the block)

 

^yep, got those.
So, caped, when you removed the clutch pedal assembly, what about that piece that is welded to the firewall that the bolts go through to mount the master cylinder on the other side of the firewall? I'll probably need to get a picture, I know that sounds confusing.

 

here it is:

 

pull it off with pliers and slide it onto the studs on your clutch pedal and glue it to the pedal assembly if you have any glue.

 

^ got it off with a little struggle.
I also got a VG flywheel at the pull-a-part for $12!! I love that place.
I'll get you some pictures of those VE gussets that you mentioned, tomorrow.
Thanks for your help so far!!

Mark

 

cool. i'm missing a few parts that i need to make a complete extra swap setup for another member local to me, and i noticed the VE tranny i have has 2 studs at the bottom where my VG5 tranny has bolt holes.. so i figured maybe the gussets are different from mine. what i did was put the gussets to the engine loosely, fully tighten the tranny's top bolts to the engine block, then tighten the gussets to the tranny, then the gussets to the block. that way there's minimal strain on everything.

 

The clean one on the left is from the VG/AT, the dirty one is from the VE/MT and they are different.
Here is the MT and AT for bolt hole comparisons:

 

Hey guys, I just wanted to update this thread and let everyone know that I have sucessfully completed my Maxima project. I can now join the GXE/5speed club, or SXE, or whatever. I also swaped over the rear disc brakes and sway bar from the SE. I got goon's control arms (w/ poly) and kyb shocks. I also got some suspension techniques 2" drop springs. So, this is a totally different car. I was amazed at how it instantly fired up after sitting for about 9 months. I still have to finish a few minor things to finish up, but it actually runs and drives. Of course, this goes without saying, I couldn't have done without the ORG! I appreciate all the info that's on here and all the helpful people who have done this already that helped me out (capedcadaver).
I have to say that this was a great learning experience, BUT I will probably never do this again. If I want another Maxima with a MT I'll buy one that came that way. I spent many hours underneath that car on jackstands wondering, why am I doing this? But when I drove it for the first time, I realized why. Like I said, it is a much different car now and truly a 4DSC!
from this:

to this:

 

awsome....glad to see that...i duno wen i m gonna find my VE/5