infinimax96

My 4th gen has over 250k miles on it. I took it out to the track last night and my fastest run was a 16.3 at 83mph. I think I could have got a better time but I had a lot of wheel spin which I think kept me away from low 15's.

Anyway.. I'm definitely feeling my engine's old age and heavy mileage when running it hard on the track like I did. I foresee an engine overhaul in the near future. What I can't decide on however is if I should buy a rebuild kit for my current VQ30DE (around $500-$800). Or if I should just look into a VQ35DE and doing a complete swap.

I've decided I definitely want to turbo this car and it's possible it could also end up being just a track car in the long run. I've read and heard from many people that the VQ30DE is a tad bit stronger of an engine and can handle boost better then the 3.5 but there is also no replacement for displacement..

I honestly don't know what to decide on and could use some input from anyone with the knowledge to lend out their 2cents. Money is also most certainly a huge factor that needs to be considered as well. I do live on a budget and don't have thousands of dollars to dump into my car on a weekly bases like some people do.

MAXIMA_STYLE

iTrader: (21)

Just buy a used motor if money is a concern...either that...or drive youre car while building another motor....

Flava_24/7

iTrader: (46)

gonna take more then 800.00 bucks to do a complete rebuild. More so if you want to build it for boost.

infinimax96

I was more or less thinking along the lines of this rebuild kit.

I can also order oversized pistons if needed.

Flava_24/7

iTrader: (46)

Yeah, you could go that route. Not sure in the quality of parts being used. I also wouldn't consider that a build up for boost. Of course it would work, but who knows for how long.
Even with that kit, you will be over the 800 with labor unless you do it yourself. Also got to factor in the cost for machining, especially if you go with oversized pistons.

ChrisMan287

iTrader: (34)

Just get a used, lower mileage motor for $250-$300, swap it and go boost. VQ30's are dime a dozen these days.

Flava_24/7

iTrader: (46)

They are cheap, but getting harder and harder to find with low mileage. Last I looked very few had under 100k, and those that did weren't in the 3-4 price rang.

ChrisMan287

iTrader: (34)

I'd be happy with anything under 150K miles lol Even a DEK would be nice. Either lower mileage 3.0 DE or DEK will be cheaper than a 3.5 or rebuild kit.

lxnightmare

im really digging your front bumper where did you get it at

Dark_man_x

iTrader: (4)

3.5

GGENIUS

iTrader: (1)

Bassman.357

250k+ miles on an engine is something, but i'd be weary to rebuild it and then boost it. personally, if it was me, i'd: pull it out the engine, get an engine with low miles and inspect it for the usual problems, service it and then boost it.

you could rebuild what you have, but like other members have said, it would cost more, especially if you when with modified rebuild kit parts. and even then you don't know how well the engine will sustain with boost over time, cause i'm prolly guessing you'll be running between 10-12 psi, 15 at most when you jump on a track...soooo with the added torque your getting your also gonna have to consider the transmission as well.

idk i'd just grab a low mileage engine, rework a few things and turbo it

infinimax96

.... The bumper is stock 4th gen 97-99 with the fog lights removed.
It's sad isn't it?

As Flava said it's very difficult to find a VQ30 with low mileage these days. That's to be expected when the car is now getting to the point that it's over 12 years old. I've called my local junk yards and I found a 97 in the yard that was scrapped because it was T boned. The engine has 162,000. They'll give me just the engine for $150. I think I'll plan on pulling that and rebuilding it.

As far as the rebuild kit I looked into the company on ebay and from what I could find on other forums everyone says the parts are very high quality for the money. My tranny was recently rebuilt before I bought the car. New flywheel, Clutch, linkage everything. Guy I bought it from dumped a lot of money into this Max. That's why I bought it in the first place. I couldn't pass up such a screaming good deal regardless of the mileage on the engine. I plan on doing the Labor myself so no need to worry about that. I will have to look into getting it machined. I live in Salt lake city, UT and there isn't many options for tuning or modifying shops around here. I'll see what I can dig up.

I probably won't ever boost it past 12 unless I turn this car into a full on track car. So hopefully if I rebuild this engine and boost it, it will last for a while.

MaxiNone

iTrader: (1)

3.0 for boost, 3.5 for n/a. Im on the same boat as u and have the same consideration, but my goal for a 3.0 boosted motor is trying to get as close to 500whp or for a 3.5 swap trying to get 300whp all motor. But just remember that its better to do everything right the first time around...

Fauken

iTrader: (6)

The 3.5 is lighter weight, so if you plan to save weight and gain power 3.5 may be something you want to look into more.

infinimax96

That's what I'm thinking. I've done a lot of reading on the 3.5 and I hear it can not handle the boost nearly as well as the 3.0. If I was going N/A I'd get a 3.5 for sure, but I'm thinking I'd be better off to stick with the 3.0 for Turbo.

500Whp Talk about torque steer galore! lol You should get a FR if you want to go that much power. I guess if it's just for track use then it would probably be okay, but 500Whp on a FF for daily driver is just crazy.