Swaping in a 2000 DEK Motor with 8500 miles into my 96, with 555cc injectors, ClutchNet 6 puck clutch, Fidanza Flywheel, New alternator, ES Motor Mounts, ES LCA bushings, New Steering Rack with newer outer tie rods, inner tie rods, sway bar end links also doing a bit smaller pulley on my Blower. Im also doing away with the EGR system.

Heres a small teaser Pic of the progress from today.

 

Love tear down pics. Sounds like your new setup is going to be nice. Are you going to a 2.87 pulley?

 

yea. I was going to have a 3" pulley made by ASP, but I figured now that I have good fuel management (emange ultimate) I can get away with a small pulley.

I knew I had a leaking timing chain cover on the top side where it turns down by the alternaot but its really amazing how many leaks I had on the motor that I didnt even know exsisted. 141,000 miles and it ran perfect and didnt burn a drop of oil, but that leak bothered me.

-matt

 

Keep us posted on the swap!

 

Please post pics and possibly a write-up on the VI and FI adaptation. Are the injectors for the 4th or 5th gen? I'm going to be doing this swap as well, still looking for a donor motor at the local yard.

 

Wondering if you've ballparked the HP gains from the swap, think it will be anywhere near what a VQ35 gains (We could only hope...)?

 

What tranny do you have? And with all those mods, you may as well do the ball joints.

 

agreed you should do the ball joints while your at it.

 

Do they even sell ball joints out of the LCA ?? Nissan I know doesnt, but I have to try locally tomorrow.

Trans is 5th gen with about 20K miles on it now, 10K miles when installed.

 

Just curious....what made you choose the dek over a 3.5?

 

I got the same clutch that matty's using (clutchnet 6puck) for sale in the forums if anyone's interested....

 

can somebody explain to me what is DEK motor??

 

In a few words, less BS. Im not looking for all that power from a 3.5, and the problems that come along with the swap. Changing the timing chain and cover over, worrying about leaks. I know its a great thing that guys are doing, but with the 3.5 and blower id be well over 400hp and with FWD, thats a bit too much for my taste. At that point, things start breaking. DEK is a great medium, alot of them out their with low mileage (Im talking under 10K miles), and a near direct fit. No covers coming off, drilling cams, messing around in other words.

-matt

From a 2000 or a 2001 Maxima. Different internals, different manifold, different cooling aspects to the motor. The most refined motor that Nissan made, IMO.

-matt

 

If you mean slightly tweaked cam profiles and different main bearings, then you'd be right. Otherwise, negatory.

 

Just "My Opinion---hense --> (IMO)" It does have a different cooling system, cooling down the center of the top of the block.

 

Your "IMO" was for the "most refined motor" statement. What i made bold is what i was referring to. Also I'm convinced the secondary cooling system is to allow for quicker warm-up, nothing else. I will agree that the DE-K is the smoothest motor mechanically because of its lower main bearing clearance.

Cliffs: The DE-K is a great motor and a step above the standard DE. I just try to disspell the "different and better internals" myth wherever i can is all. Nothing personal.

 

I agree that a DEK swap is easier, but a 3.5 done right is just beastly. By the way, get some headers.

 

Yea I got those stupid shorty headers from SSAutochrome. I couldnt see spending $500 on a set of headers or $800 on Cattmans, when I just put on my New 3" Y with WB welded in and my EGT welded in nearly 2 months ago. These were about $100 and hopefully Ill see some gains.

 

Exactly.... My man Tavarish is a prime example.... on the first crank of the motor the car fired right up with no problems. When done properly and thoroughly researched... the 3.5 swap and be done just as easy as a DE-K. This is my inspiration.....(LOL) But I do understand Matty's point of the motor being an overkill for him. It all comes down to what you are looking to get out of a motor. And to be honest he can probably still hit 375 at the wheels with htis setup which is good enough.

 

I would say that is good enough LOLz....

Matt, I was able to buy a balljoint seperate. IIRC they had to ship it from a hub-store (advance).

 

I got a balljoint from Ebay and installed it without a press.

 

What do you guys think of those headers ?? Waste of money ?? They sure look good..lol

-matt

 

i'm planning on going supercharged. 400 at the wheels won't be easy, but it's definitely NOT too much power. Most of that power is out of my daily rev range anyway.

 

yeah matt...400whp s/c is fine unless u rev ur car to redline every gear. u could drive around nice and calm-ish and then when need be open that sucka up and leave people in the dust.

ohh and the headers look fine if the price is worth it. i dont see the cattmans being worth the price but thats just me. i wish hotshot still sold headers for the 3.5.

 

Good luck with your swap. IMO any motor 3.5 or DEK is better then a high milage leaking motor thats little out of date.

 

Those headers for $100 is killer. Who cares if they gain 1hp, they do look great. Just clean up the ports and make sure they fit correctly.

I have seen just the BJ's separately. Im not sure but I thought Moog made replacements. Check Napa.

Is the tranny an LSD?

 

Negative on the LSD. I'll make some called about the ball joints today

-matt

 

get lca's off ebay they shouldnt run u more than 100 for the pair. ill try to find the seller i got mine from they are mint.

 

hotshot does make headers still for the 3.5. i just got a set for $535 shipped. should be here soon.

 

Looks like it's going to be a sweet setup, and a lot of fun in the meantime. Rep that DP0

 

You sure 3.5 puts down 400 whp?! Cuz I thought it would take a turbocharger hooked onto it to get that. But if 3.5 puts 400whp on it's own turboing it is downright Unholy!!

 

Absolutely not stock. WIth F/I and some aggressive moding that is Tavarish's goal...

 

Right. With my 3.0 DEK and about 14-15lbs, with a really nice tune, I should be around 370whp, give or take. Iansw has a similar setup, non-headers, JWT ECU, DE, and is hitting 360wph

-matt

 

Looks good, Matt. I love motor swaps.

BTW: I have the SS autochrome Y-Pipe. I think it's great. I've had it for over a year and it looks like it did coming out of the box.

I would get new LCA's of ebay. Try worldsuspension. They are about $68 each. But I can't remember if that's shipped or not. It does save some hassle... and some rust (if your are older).

 

Parts doctor has them for $125 shipped for the pair. http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/Lower...spagenameZWDVW

Ill call around in my area, see if I can get them locally. Figure I need to replace the Ball-joints and I have the LCA bushings from ES. No real reason to get the entire Lower Control arm. I only really need the ball joint.

-matt