mevi w/mods vs 3.5 swap
09-30-2011, 04:38 PM
#1
mevi w/mods vs 3.5 swap
Ok so ive been reading for the last two hours on two different forums, basically i have been debating a 3.5 swap into my 99.... as it sits right now, the motor has (this is an estimate,it was changed in 05) 120k or so... full mevi, cattman y pipe fidanza flywheel stage 1 clutch 2.5 catback frankencar midpipe with k&n filter... aside from those mods my car has suspension work etc etc but no other "performance" as far as engine goes, with my current mods, would a 3.5 with most of the mods be a better runner? it is my dd and well im looking for advice more or less... either i do a swap, which i dont have much knowhow of yet...im reading and learning...or do i save and go for boost? Please dont sit there and reply with well its your car or something dumb like that, i want to know which is more subtle and realistic.... as im no millionaire lol i got a family and work my a$$ off everyday so basically want something i can say i saved for and did on my own and be proud of...i know both would require some type of tune to get full gains and i expect no CEL's...ive been doing some searching and i find builds and explanations of things but no DEFINATE parts list, obviously id need the engine...aside from that what else is needed? my car is already a 5 speed....and well...ill also be searching for memebers here and of ctmaximas to help me with this swap
09-30-2011, 04:45 PM
#2
I've been debating the EXACT same thing lol. Here's what I'm thinking. The turbo would definitly be WAAAAY more fun. As far as practicality goes not so much. If you don't know what your doing dont get it. Not cause of the install just becuase some point or later you will have problems and if you dont know what your doing you're ****ed and going to have to go to a shop and pay them money. With the mevi or 00vi swap it will most likely cost less and be more reliable. plus easier for you to do yourself. The only thing I have thought of to pull of the turbo swap is by a second VQ30DE and do the turbo build on it while I have it just sitting in my garage and then just drive the stock engine until the whole turbo build is done and swap it in. That way you could still daily drive your max and not have it off the road for weeks. Other then that I am also completely torn on what to do. OH and also with the turbo build youll have to lower your compression ratio to 9:1 right now its about 10:1. You'll have to lower it to be able to boost to anything say over 10 psi give or take. Hope this helps and not makes you more confused lol.
09-30-2011, 05:10 PM
#3
Well i already got a mevi in my car so thats easy... im just torn between boost and a swap completely right now...either one will cost about 1000 bucks....so...i can attain knowledge no problem and i know motors pretty well but i know almost nothing about boost.. im kinda leaning towards a swap ..my car shouldnt be down too long.. only long enough to pull and drop.. ill have the tb situated beforehand along with the timing components... just minor things that need to be done as its going in like the injector splicing...and a few others but its a matter of finding someone in ct mass or ri to help me thats done it...i could probably pay a shop to do it but id have more appreciation doing it myself...
09-30-2011, 05:29 PM
#5
I've been debating the EXACT same thing lol. Here's what I'm thinking. The turbo would definitly be WAAAAY more fun. As far as practicality goes not so much. If you don't know what your doing dont get it. Not cause of the install just becuase some point or later you will have problems and if you dont know what your doing you're ****ed and going to have to go to a shop and pay them money. With the mevi or 00vi swap it will most likely cost less and be more reliable. plus easier for you to do yourself. The only thing I have thought of to pull of the turbo swap is by a second VQ30DE and do the turbo build on it while I have it just sitting in my garage and then just drive the stock engine until the whole turbo build is done and swap it in. That way you could still daily drive your max and not have it off the road for weeks. Other then that I am also completely torn on what to do. OH and also with the turbo build youll have to lower your compression ratio to 9:1 right now its about 10:1. You'll have to lower it to be able to boost to anything say over 10 psi give or take. Hope this helps and not makes you more confused lol.
You dont have to lower the compression to boost over 10psi, of course it is ideal but even at 10:1 you will be ok.
Many of us have and are currently doing it.
Well i already got a mevi in my car so thats easy... im just torn between boost and a swap completely right now...either one will cost about 1000 bucks....so...i can attain knowledge no problem and i know motors pretty well but i know almost nothing about boost.. im kinda leaning towards a swap ..my car shouldnt be down too long.. only long enough to pull and drop.. ill have the tb situated beforehand along with the timing components... just minor things that need to be done as its going in like the injector splicing...and a few others but its a matter of finding someone in ct mass or ri to help me thats done it...i could probably pay a shop to do it but id have more appreciation doing it myself...
09-30-2011, 05:52 PM
#7
09-30-2011, 06:01 PM
#8
Honestly i haveno idea... i havent looked... againi boughtthe car the way it sits...original org owner was jeffersonM.... lakeshore blue 99 se-l... he had a company from NY install it.. some tuning place he found i think from here...so i would assume....idk tho...ive taken it to redline i 2nd and at 6900 it tops 2nd at @almost 70
09-30-2011, 06:09 PM
#9
Honestly i haveno idea... i havent looked... againi boughtthe car the way it sits...original org owner was jeffersonM.... lakeshore blue 99 se-l... he had a company from NY install it.. some tuning place he found i think from here...so i would assume....idk tho...ive taken it to redline i 2nd and at 6900 it tops 2nd at @almost 70
09-30-2011, 06:13 PM
#10
09-30-2011, 06:16 PM
#11
Ok...so where would i look for this switch..trust me i dont doubt you...between yourcar and wizards....im pretty impressed... in your opinion... a mevi setup properly withfull bolt ons....or.....3.5 swap wit 3.0 timing??
09-30-2011, 06:22 PM
#12
Summit, and honestly that's up to you and your preference. Im all about the 3.0 and obtaining the most I can out of it.But the 3.5 does offer more displacement so that's a great platform to build on right there.
09-30-2011, 06:34 PM
#13
yeah im looking for best peaks at n/a....i know some say the 3.0 is "bulletproof" and the 3.5 is better...but i know you got a mevi...so....that being said...i want to stay n/a probably go full bolt on...and ...possibly....a small turbo in the future....so what kind of numbers do you make?? LOL and...i have no idea where to even look for the switch so...i assume im gonna have to try to get ahold of jeffersonM and see what it was mounted...or if it was removed...i know my cigg lighter is non existant now and there appears like something was wired in there at some point i got a ground and orange wire that arent connected to anything and blocked off now...
09-30-2011, 08:04 PM
#14
yeah im looking for best peaks at n/a....i know some say the 3.0 is "bulletproof" and the 3.5 is better...but i know you got a mevi...so....that being said...i want to stay n/a probably go full bolt on...and ...possibly....a small turbo in the future....so what kind of numbers do you make?? LOL and...i have no idea where to even look for the switch so...i assume im gonna have to try to get ahold of jeffersonM and see what it was mounted...or if it was removed...i know my cigg lighter is non existant now and there appears like something was wired in there at some point i got a ground and orange wire that arent connected to anything and blocked off now...
09-30-2011, 11:22 PM
#15
yeah im looking for best peaks at n/a....i know some say the 3.0 is "bulletproof" and the 3.5 is better...but i know you got a mevi...so....that being said...i want to stay n/a probably go full bolt on...and ...possibly....a small turbo in the future....so what kind of numbers do you make?? LOL and...i have no idea where to even look for the switch so...i assume im gonna have to try to get ahold of jeffersonM and see what it was mounted...or if it was removed...i know my cigg lighter is non existant now and there appears like something was wired in there at some point i got a ground and orange wire that arent connected to anything and blocked off now...
imo, i would boost the 3.0 after youve learned everything you can. its still a baby at 120k miles. if your decision is either boost or 3.5, one or the other, then i think youll enjoy the boost more.
10-01-2011, 12:26 AM
#16
If youre looking for something daily.want to reduce point of failures and want a fun peppy car with little mods:3.5 swap w good flowing exhaust setup
If your looking for the most power(boost) and torque out of the 3.0 with the least amount of point of failures: turbo (s/c is another option but w additional points of failure)
If you want to be relatively quick and dump lots of money and time on mods to stay na and make power: mod the hell out the 3.0
If your looking for the most power(boost) and torque out of the 3.0 with the least amount of point of failures: turbo (s/c is another option but w additional points of failure)
If you want to be relatively quick and dump lots of money and time on mods to stay na and make power: mod the hell out the 3.0
10-01-2011, 05:45 AM
#18
Yea i currently suffer from a misfire so i cant really tell when shes opening up...i kknow once i hit about 3200 rpms the car pulls HARD to redline....but yeah im like flavas numbers LOL i think im gonna boost it....the engine has 120 my car has 168 motor was replaced by previous owner...i got a lot of decent mods..and was def wonderin about 3.5 cams...but i was readin up on s1s....
10-01-2011, 07:34 AM
#19
Flava, any chance you could pm me a "parts list" for a turbo build, ive been looking high and low and for some reason ...or im retarded...i can seem to find anything...it would be appreciated....
10-01-2011, 11:32 AM
#20
what i meant by see if it opens up, is actually look at it...you can actually see it open up when you hit ~5k rpms.
flava is not turbo charged btw, he still may be able to send you a turbo "parts list", but just so you werent confused on anything.
flava is not turbo charged btw, he still may be able to send you a turbo "parts list", but just so you werent confused on anything.
10-01-2011, 01:09 PM
#21
I see....well.. i think my final decision after reading debating price reliability....a 3.5 swap will be most ideal... how would i see it open?pull the top offand see if the valves open? I mean i see a ton of wiring to a vac canister and some other thing and the throttlebody was def replaced.but im going to investigate further....i may even sell off the mevi to help fund my swap... i got the old im and throttlebody still so i may sell it who knowsi need to start pricing engines and find someone to fab up something for the throttle body once im swapped
10-01-2011, 02:28 PM
#23
What else can be done to a 3.0 with mevii take y pipe custom exhaust.... i mean i know i could pull it and go full internals...but aside from cams what else can i do??? The wife has been tellin me the same thing..."that mevi isnt a dime a dozen like most things" keep it and fix whats wrong and finish what the other owner didnt... so... what eould you suggest?? Im looking for some more power...as we all do just dont know what else i can do aside from a swap or boost...
10-01-2011, 02:39 PM
#24
from the vacuum canister, a hose should run to a brass/gold colored actuator on the mevi. that actuator moves forward and backwards, opening and closing the valves.
10-01-2011, 03:24 PM
#26
Ok so i had the wifey brig it up sonewhere around 5400-5600 and the armature on the side definately flipped open.... now i want to know where it is so i can adjust....or see what its set at..
10-01-2011, 09:01 PM
#27
What else can be done to a 3.0 with mevii take y pipe custom exhaust.... i mean i know i could pull it and go full internals...but aside from cams what else can i do??? The wife has been tellin me the same thing..."that mevi isnt a dime a dozen like most things" keep it and fix whats wrong and finish what the other owner didnt... so... what eould you suggest?? Im looking for some more power...as we all do just dont know what else i can do aside from a swap or boost...
10-02-2011, 05:41 AM
#28
Yea im not into paying 600-800 for headers when the gains the yield arent even double digits... to me...thats just a waste...this is why i was thinkin 3.5 cause all my current mods would stay and after i part out my old engine....ill make at least half back...which makes more funds for goodies LOL
10-02-2011, 12:10 PM
#29
Yea im not into paying 600-800 for headers when the gains the yield arent even double digits... to me...thats just a waste...this is why i was thinkin 3.5 cause all my current mods would stay and after i part out my old engine....ill make at least half back...which makes more funds for goodies LOL
10-02-2011, 01:44 PM
#30
Now that you have narrowed it down to 3.0 or 3.5 I say keep the 3.0 (for now) you have good things going for it. Upgrade as much as you can/want and just drive it into the ground and THEN swap the 3.5 into it and build on that. One thing I thought of that you dont have is a lightweight flywheel. The RPMS in our car (at least mine and my friends) build sluggishly if its from a roll and not going all out from first.
10-02-2011, 02:23 PM
#31
You could do this. I am selling the entire setup as a matter of fact. email me if anyone is interested. Im in NY. The picture was taken while i was removing the mods so forgive the mess.
Last edited by HomerMAC; 08-13-2020 at 11:34 AM.
WHY YOU SELLING!!!
10-02-2011, 02:51 PM
#33
Member
Join Date: Jan 2010
Posts: 119
You could do this. I am selling the entire setup as a matter of fact. email me if anyone is interested. Im in NY. The picture was taken while i was removing the mods so forgive the mess.
apnibin@gmail.com
apnibin@gmail.com
was there a powerband change with the VQ30DET intake manifold??
10-02-2011, 02:51 PM
#34
Senior Member
Join Date: May 2004
Posts: 6,190
OP:
I am sure I will be lambasted for this. You are talking about a 13-year old car with who knows how many miles on it. It appears you have dumped a lot of money into it already.
Given you have a family and are not a self-professed millionaire, I question whether you can truly afford to dump any more money into this car and question why you would want to. Do you own or rent a home? Other than a mortgage, are you debt free?
Do yourself a favor and hang on to your money. We are going into a global economic depression and the stock market is not going to bottom for another 3 to 5 years. Trust me on that one. By then you will need a new car no matter what you do to the existing one.
I am sure I will be lambasted for this. You are talking about a 13-year old car with who knows how many miles on it. It appears you have dumped a lot of money into it already.
Given you have a family and are not a self-professed millionaire, I question whether you can truly afford to dump any more money into this car and question why you would want to. Do you own or rent a home? Other than a mortgage, are you debt free?
Do yourself a favor and hang on to your money. We are going into a global economic depression and the stock market is not going to bottom for another 3 to 5 years. Trust me on that one. By then you will need a new car no matter what you do to the existing one.
10-02-2011, 03:28 PM
#37
Bobo... no matter what happens with the economy i dont worry about that i.live for the present not the future... and noim no millionaire..if i was you think id be driving a maxima? And i havent dumped much into ir..the cost of the car the way it sits was 700 then another 100 between led bulbs hids and corner lenses... so i think for 120k it isnt even close to bein junked... my last max had 216 on it when i sold it a year ago and thee new owner isstill running it daily... i was asking for opinions....thanks for the input though...homermac... what is that yielding for power?? I can honestly say ivenever seen that before..and whats the price or cost??
10-02-2011, 05:01 PM
#38
Senior Member
Join Date: May 2004
Posts: 6,190
For some reason I thought you had done a lot of the existing mods. The previous owner must have taken a bath on that car, given what you paid for it.
I still question the need for speed given you have a family, and I suspect it is a young family at that. How is the college education fund going? Oh right, that is in the future, lol.
I still question the need for speed given you have a family, and I suspect it is a young family at that. How is the college education fund going? Oh right, that is in the future, lol.
Bobo... no matter what happens with the economy i dont worry about that i.live for the present not the future... and noim no millionaire..if i was you think id be driving a maxima? And i havent dumped much into ir..the cost of the car the way it sits was 700 then another 100 between led bulbs hids and corner lenses... so i think for 120k it isnt even close to bein junked... my last max had 216 on it when i sold it a year ago and thee new owner isstill running it daily... i was asking for opinions....thanks for the input though...homermac... what is that yielding for power?? I can honestly say ivenever seen that before..and whats the price or cost??
10-02-2011, 05:06 PM
#39
Actually they guy i got it from paid 3000 for it and the owner before that bought it in 02 with 30k and did all the mods to it... college fund?? For a 20 month old?? Yourekidding right?? And the 9 year old has 13000 for that so....and regardless if i pay for a swap or keep it as is... in 2-5 years ill need another car and why worry about that if i do a swap now it will last even longer...so ibstead of paying 15000 for a used car in 2-5 yrs i can pay 1000 and keep mine....so wheres your logic in all of this if im saving 14000 dollars??
10-02-2011, 05:07 PM
#40