My engine in my 1999 Nissan Maxima just went out at 140k and I need to remedy the situation by either getting a used engine from a salvage yard or having my engine rebuilt. My first question is the engine the same for the 1999 Cali Spec and the 1995-1999 Fed Spec Maximas? They are both VQ30 engines but I don't know if there is some differences between the two where I would not be able to use a Fed Spec engine in my Cali Spec. When I was looking at www.car-part.com for an engine, it gave me an option for California or non-California, but I thought that mainly dealt with the emissions and shouldn't really affect the engine itself. My next question is would it be a better idea to get a used motor from the salvage yard or just get mine rebuilt? The used engine would cost me about $975 including installation and a 6 month warranty and the one I'm looking at currently has 62k miles on it. That engine is a Fed Spec engine. My second option is to rebuild my current engine, but that would cost $1400 but would provide a 1 year warranty. I am for sure selling the car in about 1.5 years so it makes the decision a little more complicated? What would you guys recommend? Please let me know. Thanks in advance.

 

I have a really hard to believing any shop in the world would rebuild a VQ for $1400 all inclusive (that's really cheap) - if that's your quote then make sure and get it in writing because that's the cheapest VQ rebuild I've ever heard of, if you decide to go that route (I wouldn't).

Anyways, it's always cheaper to swap in another VQ, they are so plentiful and so cheap, $975 is great price for that too (assuming that $975 you mentioned is all inclusive as you said it is).

The differences between the two are all ancillary differences, intake manifold, emissions equipment, exhaust manifold, electrical, etc. The block/heads/rotating assembly are all the same, so you could make a fed spec engine into a cali spec engine by swapping over the necessary components from your existing engine, if that is necessary (by necessary I mean if your state has emissions or OBD testing that would necessitate that the car have no check engine light and/or no emissions related issues.)

 

 

Thanks so much Nealoc187. The shop that was willing to do the rebuild for $1400 just did a 02 Maxima last week so I would really hope they knew what they were talking about. Just for my information, is a VQ build more difficult than most other engines? The only reason I considered this option even though it would cost more is because of the warranty. With the swap, I don't know what that engine has been through in its life and don't want another engine going out on me. With a 1 year warranty, I have a little bit more peace of mind. When making a Fed spec engine into a Cali spec, would swapping over those items be extremely difficult? The place that has the engine and would do the installation wasn't sure what the difference was and I don't want to be hit with a bigger bill when they realize that swapping certain things will be required. The engine would be coming from a 1998 I30 which is supposedly still working because it was hit from the side so I'm thinking that's at least a positive sign. I do live in a state where we have yearly emmissions testing so having no check engine light is a must. Also, both the prices of $975 and $1400 included everything except maybe tax. Again, I greatly appreciate all your help.

 

The swap should be quite simple with both engines removed. I know that the right (front) exhaust manifold, Y-pipe and intake manifold should be swapped. I am unsure of whatelse is needed.

 

I have a 1996 Maxima that I have -babied- for the 10 years I have owned it.

I got rear-ended HARD...

I am now looking at a 1998 I30.

I am considering keeping the 1996 Max around for the engine and tranny in case the I30 needs an engine and tranny.

Is this a direct -no problem- uncomplicated, direct swap?

Would it be as easy as going from one 1996 max to another 1996 max?

If not, what is the problem with that plan? Which plugs, wires, sensors will not fit?

Any insight on this please?

 

why are you posting the same crap in different threads? search!

 

i believe he wants everyone to know that he got rear ended hard............

 

NICE!!!!

 

ibtl!