98 maxima engine swap
06-19-2012, 11:19 AM
#1
98 maxima engine swap
ok so i have a 98 maxima at home motor is shot i put almost 300k and i had enough and im looking to find a motor and tranny tht would help me attain about 350 -450 hp does anyone know what motor i can fit in it and what would be the price for the swap ... and also i have an auto at the moment ... would it be possible to convert it to manuel cause i hate driving automatic
06-19-2012, 11:39 AM
#5
what i would really like is an rb26 motor in it but im not sure if it would fit on my 98 max and i know i would have to boost the VQ motor but im not sure were to start cause i want to get a brand new engine and tranny and i would like to put a turbo and turbo inlet maybe a cold air intake and some other mods but im not sure which motor to start with and the fitting of it in the bay of my car
Last edited by Monkeyboy19; 06-19-2012 at 11:41 AM.
06-19-2012, 11:48 AM
#6
06-19-2012, 12:00 PM
#9
Senior Member
Join Date: Dec 2011
Posts: 344
what i would really like is an rb26 motor in it but im not sure if it would fit on my 98 max and i know i would have to boost the VQ motor but im not sure were to start cause i want to get a brand new engine and tranny and i would like to put a turbo and turbo inlet maybe a cold air intake and some other mods but im not sure which motor to start with and the fitting of it in the bay of my car
RB26 can not go in our car... stay with the vq FWD motors.
06-19-2012, 12:12 PM
#10
lol sorry about that. are you sure it wont fit . i heard of someone doing it but i cant find out how. do you know of any other engines i can fit in the max
06-19-2012, 12:22 PM
#11
06-19-2012, 12:28 PM
#13
Senior Member
Join Date: Dec 2011
Posts: 344
Not saying it CAN"T be done, never seen one myself, yes I have heard of one person talking about trying it...but converting a FWD to a RWD just isn't worth the hassle and money you will throw at it...better off just buying 240 with an RB26 in it. Save you the headaches.
Will you be doing the swap yourself? or a shop? Cause if you went with the Vq35 you have two choices, take all the timing off of the vq35 and install the timing from the vq30 plus add cam spacers or completely rewire the harness and get new guages.. figure out what you will do with your IACV, ERG, throttle body...these are custom things that I wouldn't let any regular shop handle.
Best bet is to replace with what you have and do the de-K swap later on...search build your list of things to get and start buying them. Think about it, if you converted from auto to manual just in the motor swap you could be spending over 1K and that's not even including the trans. I'm sure some of you would say that's kinda high but think about clutch, flywheel, master cyclinder, clutch pedal, clutch lines, different motor mount...stuff adds up. And if you are going to do this and want to attain 350-400whp...you will be spending big bucks on a decent flywheel and clutch. Cause no OEM clutch is going to handle pulls from a 350hp motor and last. With that new whp and trans combo might as well get an LSD tranny for that traction...mine completely rebuilt from ground up (included painting
) was $1500. It grabs like nothing else.
Guess the key is if you are going to do it right...if you want 300whp build your stuff like you are shooting for 400whp. That way you have room to grow and you aren't working you setup at the top of it's limits to stress it too much.
Will you be doing the swap yourself? or a shop? Cause if you went with the Vq35 you have two choices, take all the timing off of the vq35 and install the timing from the vq30 plus add cam spacers or completely rewire the harness and get new guages.. figure out what you will do with your IACV, ERG, throttle body...these are custom things that I wouldn't let any regular shop handle.
Best bet is to replace with what you have and do the de-K swap later on...search build your list of things to get and start buying them. Think about it, if you converted from auto to manual just in the motor swap you could be spending over 1K and that's not even including the trans. I'm sure some of you would say that's kinda high but think about clutch, flywheel, master cyclinder, clutch pedal, clutch lines, different motor mount...stuff adds up. And if you are going to do this and want to attain 350-400whp...you will be spending big bucks on a decent flywheel and clutch. Cause no OEM clutch is going to handle pulls from a 350hp motor and last. With that new whp and trans combo might as well get an LSD tranny for that traction...mine completely rebuilt from ground up (included painting
) was $1500. It grabs like nothing else.Guess the key is if you are going to do it right...if you want 300whp build your stuff like you are shooting for 400whp. That way you have room to grow and you aren't working you setup at the top of it's limits to stress it too much.
Last edited by max1008; 06-19-2012 at 12:31 PM.
06-19-2012, 12:33 PM
#14
Not saying it CAN"T be done, never seen one myself, yes I have heard of one person talking about trying it...but converting a FWD to a RWD just isn't worth the hassle and money you will throw at it...better off just buying 240 with an RB26 in it. Save you the headaches.
Will you be doing the swap yourself? or a shop? Cause if you went with the Vq35 you have two choices, take all the timing off of the vq35 and install the timing from the vq30 plus add cam spacers or completely rewire the harness and get new guages.. figure out what you will do with your IACV, ERG, throttle body...these are custom things that I wouldn't let any regular shop handle.
Best bet is to replace with what you have and do the de-K swap later on...search build your list of things to get and start buying them. Think about it, if you converted from auto to manual just in the motor swap you could be spending over 1K and that's not even including the trans. I'm sure some of you would say that's kinda high but think about clutch, flywheel, master cyclinder, clutch pedal, clutch lines, different motor mount...stuff adds up. And if you are going to do this and want to attain 350-400whp...you will be spending big bucks on a decent flywheel and clutch. Cause no OEM clutch is going to handle pulls from a 350hp motor and last. With that new whp and trans combo might as well get an LSD tranny for that traction...mine completely rebuilt from ground up (included painting ) was $1500. It grabs like nothing else.
Guess the key is if you are going to do it right...if you want 300whp build your stuff like you are shooting for 400whp. That way you have room to grow and you aren't working you setup at the top of it's limits to stress it too much.
Will you be doing the swap yourself? or a shop? Cause if you went with the Vq35 you have two choices, take all the timing off of the vq35 and install the timing from the vq30 plus add cam spacers or completely rewire the harness and get new guages.. figure out what you will do with your IACV, ERG, throttle body...these are custom things that I wouldn't let any regular shop handle.
Best bet is to replace with what you have and do the de-K swap later on...search build your list of things to get and start buying them. Think about it, if you converted from auto to manual just in the motor swap you could be spending over 1K and that's not even including the trans. I'm sure some of you would say that's kinda high but think about clutch, flywheel, master cyclinder, clutch pedal, clutch lines, different motor mount...stuff adds up. And if you are going to do this and want to attain 350-400whp...you will be spending big bucks on a decent flywheel and clutch. Cause no OEM clutch is going to handle pulls from a 350hp motor and last. With that new whp and trans combo might as well get an LSD tranny for that traction...mine completely rebuilt from ground up (included painting
) was $1500. It grabs like nothing else.Guess the key is if you are going to do it right...if you want 300whp build your stuff like you are shooting for 400whp. That way you have room to grow and you aren't working you setup at the top of it's limits to stress it too much.
any way you can send me how you did yours. ill most likely get another motor and contine to use fwd and not switch to rear and my budget it 15k for this build but i want to spend it wisly.
...ummm NO WOW
06-19-2012, 12:40 PM
#17
06-19-2012, 12:45 PM
#18
Senior Member
Join Date: Dec 2011
Posts: 344
who is doing all the work to it? You or a shop? Shop will be eating up your cash and most likely will not allow you to source a motor or trans on your own.
I kept with the vq30 and swapped the VLSD trans (kinda hard find as they are from Canada)
Google Man-tran, they are a local remanufactor here in my hometown and they did a fambous job on the trans.
I kept with the vq30 and swapped the VLSD trans (kinda hard find as they are from Canada)
Google Man-tran, they are a local remanufactor here in my hometown and they did a fambous job on the trans.
06-19-2012, 12:56 PM
#22
who is doing all the work to it? You or a shop? Shop will be eating up your cash and most likely will not allow you to source a motor or trans on your own.
I kept with the vq30 and swapped the VLSD trans (kinda hard find as they are from Canada)
Google Man-tran, they are a local remanufactor here in my hometown and they did a fambous job on the trans.
I kept with the vq30 and swapped the VLSD trans (kinda hard find as they are from Canada)
Google Man-tran, they are a local remanufactor here in my hometown and they did a fambous job on the trans.
i want a shop to do the motor swap and ill do later mods on it myself since i dont have time to do the swap myself. i work 60hrs a week and its a daily driver. my old motor was stock and took me to about 300 k miles and i wanted to get a moded one for some added fun on my way to work
06-19-2012, 01:01 PM
#23
Senior Member
Join Date: Dec 2011
Posts: 344
start your research by doing the seach with google and this forum. If you have questions and don't understand something I will be more than willing but there are parts lists and how to on swapping from auto to manual, engine swapping, going with the de-k intake manifold.
06-19-2012, 01:01 PM
#24
i love my maxima to death. meaning i wouldent buy another car i would much rather rebuild mine to keep on going. its nice to have a new car but at the same time i would rather have something im already used to. i would like to get around 350-450 hp just so i cant enjoy my 30 miles route to and from work.
06-19-2012, 01:05 PM
#26
06-19-2012, 06:06 PM
#28
Man, I understand how you feel but I would say go with a VQ35 swap for now and build on it. Trust me, the 4th gen body is light as it is and having that kind of power you are requesting will require a braking upgrade as well along with other things.
06-19-2012, 08:14 PM
#29
I did a 3.5 swap for roughly 1400 and it has much more power than the VQ30. Even when most of my max is fairly stock....
06-19-2012, 08:37 PM
#30
and if you're a newb i'd start with the 00vi swap. then add supercharger!... or go vq35de.
search vq35de swap into 4th gen or just look in the all motor section for the swap. i estimate cost to be 3.5k for vq35de, 5spd vq30 (if you don't already have one) and someone else doing the work.
06-20-2012, 06:03 AM
#31
Senior Member
Join Date: Dec 2011
Posts: 344
As you guys read..hopefully...he will have another shop do the install for him. So if you are going to go the vq35 route make sure you trust your shop and everything goes smoothly. It's not just a swap in you have to buy or swap internal parts. Shop is basically going to add the cost of doing a timing chain plus most shops won't let you get your own parts like that and that kit alone is over $500.
You are better off spending your money on swapping a vq30, doing the manual change over (no real science) and then doing the 00vi on your own (there are many different methods and ways to do this swap, find the manual on here) Once all that is set work on your turbo and you will be around your mark.
When you get the vq30 inspect and replace whatever gaskets you can while it is out of the car, paint whatever you want. You could even get different internals to lower your compression for the turbo and ensure that you will not throw a rod or spin a bearing.
Someone up top talked about a brake kit, TriniBoom, as long as you have good thick rotors and good pads (as you need with any car) you should be fine. These aren't race cars you guys and slots and drills actually hurt the rotor vs. really providing any good (and it's just a bandwagon everyone junped on, yes me two). Even if you wanted to upgrade your brakes you are only talking a few hundred to get a 300zx swap kit from the junkyard or on ebay. Which that offers two piston calipers and larger rotors.
You are better off spending your money on swapping a vq30, doing the manual change over (no real science) and then doing the 00vi on your own (there are many different methods and ways to do this swap, find the manual on here) Once all that is set work on your turbo and you will be around your mark.
When you get the vq30 inspect and replace whatever gaskets you can while it is out of the car, paint whatever you want. You could even get different internals to lower your compression for the turbo and ensure that you will not throw a rod or spin a bearing.
Someone up top talked about a brake kit, TriniBoom, as long as you have good thick rotors and good pads (as you need with any car) you should be fine. These aren't race cars you guys and slots and drills actually hurt the rotor vs. really providing any good (and it's just a bandwagon everyone junped on, yes me two). Even if you wanted to upgrade your brakes you are only talking a few hundred to get a 300zx swap kit from the junkyard or on ebay. Which that offers two piston calipers and larger rotors.
06-20-2012, 07:22 AM
#32
As you guys read..hopefully...he will have another shop do the install for him. So if you are going to go the vq35 route make sure you trust your shop and everything goes smoothly. It's not just a swap in you have to buy or swap internal parts. Shop is basically going to add the cost of doing a timing chain plus most shops won't let you get your own parts like that and that kit alone is over $500.
You are better off spending your money on swapping a vq30, doing the manual change over (no real science) and then doing the 00vi on your own (there are many different methods and ways to do this swap, find the manual on here) Once all that is set work on your turbo and you will be around your mark.
When you get the vq30 inspect and replace whatever gaskets you can while it is out of the car, paint whatever you want. You could even get different internals to lower your compression for the turbo and ensure that you will not throw a rod or spin a bearing.
Someone up top talked about a brake kit, TriniBoom, as long as you have good thick rotors and good pads (as you need with any car) you should be fine. These aren't race cars you guys and slots and drills actually hurt the rotor vs. really providing any good (and it's just a bandwagon everyone junped on, yes me two). Even if you wanted to upgrade your brakes you are only talking a few hundred to get a 300zx swap kit from the junkyard or on ebay. Which that offers two piston calipers and larger rotors.
You are better off spending your money on swapping a vq30, doing the manual change over (no real science) and then doing the 00vi on your own (there are many different methods and ways to do this swap, find the manual on here) Once all that is set work on your turbo and you will be around your mark.
When you get the vq30 inspect and replace whatever gaskets you can while it is out of the car, paint whatever you want. You could even get different internals to lower your compression for the turbo and ensure that you will not throw a rod or spin a bearing.
Someone up top talked about a brake kit, TriniBoom, as long as you have good thick rotors and good pads (as you need with any car) you should be fine. These aren't race cars you guys and slots and drills actually hurt the rotor vs. really providing any good (and it's just a bandwagon everyone junped on, yes me two). Even if you wanted to upgrade your brakes you are only talking a few hundred to get a 300zx swap kit from the junkyard or on ebay. Which that offers two piston calipers and larger rotors.
thankx . tht info really helps im thinking maybe the VQ35 might be the right one for me
06-20-2012, 11:53 AM
#35
06-20-2012, 02:37 PM
#38
06-20-2012, 03:46 PM
#40
OP is posting from a new i.d., just registered and has barely enough posts
to start his own thread, he's posting about spending 15k on a car that does
not even have painted body parts, planning on an incredulously ambitious engine swap and he has admitted to supposedly knowing someone- a "friend" who has a car identical to his, as conspicuous as it is.
The pics of his car are probably harvested from somewhere, not his own.
If it walks like a duck and quacks like a duck...
THIS GUY IS A TROLL, taking us on a ride. Don't bother with his questions.
to start his own thread, he's posting about spending 15k on a car that does
not even have painted body parts, planning on an incredulously ambitious engine swap and he has admitted to supposedly knowing someone- a "friend" who has a car identical to his, as conspicuous as it is.
The pics of his car are probably harvested from somewhere, not his own.
If it walks like a duck and quacks like a duck...
THIS GUY IS A TROLL, taking us on a ride. Don't bother with his questions.