well, last week i posted a thread about how i have a major oil leak from the timing cover and/or chain. nissan dealership qouted me $2,000 to fix it. a couple of people on the forum said to just do an engine swap. so i started thinking about that and it might not be a bad idea. spend a few hundred more and get a whole new engine with 30k. so i was just wondering....do i HAVE to get a VQ engine? could i drop in something else with more hp without doing major modifications to making it fit? could i even drop in something else with more hp even with modifying it? and since i have a '96 do i need a '96 engine or would any 4th gen work? thank you for any advice

 

ok, if you want a better engine with a little bit more work, you can put a 3.0 liter engine from a 2000-2001 maxima. I did it but there was some problems. I had to use the intake manifold from a 4 gen. IF YOU WANT TO KNOW HOW TO DO IT, EMAIL MY BROTHER AT msamoylov@yahoo.com. He did it for me.

 

Any 4g engine will work, however I'd highly recommend getting the same year engine to avoid differences in sensor connectors and crap like that.

 

True, if u wanted u could get a VQ from a '96 - '98 but I think '99 have different sensors and emissions equip and '95 was still OBD 1, but I agree w/ ejj, stick w/ a VQ that's the same year as your Max

 

if you don't get a 96 engine you'll need an ecu from the same year as the engine. Also are youspending $2k+ for jst the engine? That's way too much...

 

My 95 had an oil leak apparently from the timing cover, it wasnt major becasue it didnt even drip on the driveway, but it dripped on the starter sensor causing it not to function properly. Nissan said swap the engine or pay 1500 dollars for us to fix it. They said 160K was too many miles on the engine and it would not last any longer. I took it to an independent mechanic who did it for approx half 700-800 bucks and i think that may have included a new starter (cant remember) 60K miles later and the engine is just as good as ever. Saved me a ton of money not swapping the engine.

 

no, i found a '96 engine for $750 with only 30k miles on it. so i was like, hey, why not spend a little more and just get a whole new engine. i'll probably get back the extra money i spent on the engine swap cause when i come to sell the car i'll have low as$ miles

 

Ummm the 95 engine is obd II.

 

The idea of dropping a 2K VQ30DE-K with the variable intake is an option. Granted that you'll probably need the harness as well as the ECU. Why not price it all out to see if the difference is worth it. It's not just the extra 30 HP you would be getting but the better breathing on the top end also. My 2 cents.

 

thank you for all your responses but i went on a major hunt on finding a good/cheap shop to fix my leak and i came across this guy that qouted me $730 to fix my leak and change my axles cause i have a torn cv boots. sounds too good to be true and i dunno if i should trust this guy. so right now i'm leaning more towards fixing the leak rather doing a swap.

 

what kind of hood scoop do you suggest to fit that 2k intake manifold under the hood

 

More info please

 

a hood scoop won't really do ****? It won't clear the firewall which is the main reason people don't do it...

 

yeah, I know that the plenum would interfere with the firewall.
it was a joke bud

 

Hey while your in the process of changing engines, why dont you get a Tranny swap 2? You can find the combo for around 1k-2k dollars.

 

I am in the process of doing a swap. I am swapping in a 98 i30 into my 95. I find that the intake and the exhaust manifolds are different. The exhaust headers on the 98s have no o2 sensors. All did for now is switch the manifolds. Now the engine is currently at the shop about to be put into the car. I dont know if there are other electrical issues thats to be seen.

 

IT IS NOT WORTH TO DROP IN a 2K/2K1 engine
(benefits vs. difficulties)
For instance, 2k engine management sys. uses the ABS signal instead of a speed sensor on the transmission in 95-97; so even if you get the 2k complet engine + eng. harness + ecu + tranny controller (all is a must), you still will have issues integrating it with the abs controller and the rest of the wiring. I'd say a supercharger is a better solution if there is a need of more power.

 

Did the shop you take it too just rebuild your motor or what did they fix in the process?

 

Its not like the 2000-2001 engion will give u more gains cuz u have to use a 4th gen manifold....the motor is the same besides that, so there is NO gains....right? ¿ ?

 

no it's OBD I dummy. Cars with model years 96+ are all obd II...

 

95 is OBDI, because it has the OBDI connectors correct?

 

Now you're talking about a $3-4k price range. I dont think the man wants to do that.