Turbo, N2O or 3.5 swap
I built a 3.0, and a 3.5. Between freshening up a 3.0 or dropping in an already fresh 3.5, the 3.5 will be 100x better in every way.
You can see what I did on my 3.0 in here - http://administrationtuning.com/?p=306
In spite of all the work I put in, after dropping in a built 3.5, it was much, much quicker even without tuning. (I plan on tuning it soon, it runs very rich under spray.)
You can see what I did on my 3.0 in here - http://administrationtuning.com/?p=306
In spite of all the work I put in, after dropping in a built 3.5, it was much, much quicker even without tuning. (I plan on tuning it soon, it runs very rich under spray.)
Thread Starter
Junior Member
Joined: Sep 2012
Posts: 31
From: Nashville, TN
Newbie - Just Registered
Joined: Mar 2012
Posts: 1
Hey guys. I'd like to add something to my car to make it faster but I still want it to be a daily because I only have one car. Basically, I want more power but nothing over board and about to blow up after getting on it twice. Ive thought about turboing or doing the 3.5 swap but a friend told me about nitrous and just having a 50-100 shot and it will be safe and it will give me the power I want. Soooo.... 1.) doing the swap and headers and exhaust would put me from 190hp to around 275hp depending on what headers I get and how well my exhaust is and I can daily it(in my definition) 2.) doing the turbo I would have to basically rebuild my engine because I have 250k miles on it and it was not treated well before I got it. And with the turbo, Ive seen that guys are getting around 400hp and thats reaching my limit of power that I want. And 3.) Ive been told how to do nitrous and how to make it safe. With all of this said, either way I have 250k on my engine and tranny and will probably have to rebuild or strengthen them to do any of the three. Which do you guys think would be the best choice?
I was talking about a 2009+ swap, not like a 02-03 since what would be the point in putting in a motor with close to 100k on it? and those go for about 10k (09 and up), plus everything you need you'll spend like 20k. I Don't think it will be worth it to put in a 04-08 swap either. So unless you're doing a 09+ swap with the 290 hp I don't think it will be worth the trouble when you can just overhaul the motor thats already in it, and spend half the money. If you do go for a low mileage 04-08 swap and you can do it for under
10k then by all means it comes with 265hp if you can get one with all manifolds, belts, chains, compressors, and even just by reusing the 4th gen exhaust can cost you 10 hp or so. You'll need all new timing/water pumps, filters, sensors, ecu, dash (because hooking up 3.5 to the 4th gen steering nets you losses, even by not having the 7th gen suspension and proper mounts, and axles, shift linkage would cost you, so your best bet would be to overhaul the 3.0. If you MUST get a swap, you have to get one that comes with everything (basically buying wrecked 7th gen and pulling everything out of it is the best way) I've been doing research on the swap but only it would be into my 5th gen, and it looks like you'd have to buy a wrecked 7th gen and swap everything over. Radiator, ac, heater, and every little part that doesn't come with a swap you get offline you have to get a new part, or reuse a part off of the 4th gen which might work, but you'd be losing power not do it right which was why I said just overhaul the 3.0 because everything already fits and it would cost half the money and nerves..
10k then by all means it comes with 265hp if you can get one with all manifolds, belts, chains, compressors, and even just by reusing the 4th gen exhaust can cost you 10 hp or so. You'll need all new timing/water pumps, filters, sensors, ecu, dash (because hooking up 3.5 to the 4th gen steering nets you losses, even by not having the 7th gen suspension and proper mounts, and axles, shift linkage would cost you, so your best bet would be to overhaul the 3.0. If you MUST get a swap, you have to get one that comes with everything (basically buying wrecked 7th gen and pulling everything out of it is the best way) I've been doing research on the swap but only it would be into my 5th gen, and it looks like you'd have to buy a wrecked 7th gen and swap everything over. Radiator, ac, heater, and every little part that doesn't come with a swap you get offline you have to get a new part, or reuse a part off of the 4th gen which might work, but you'd be losing power not do it right which was why I said just overhaul the 3.0 because everything already fits and it would cost half the money and nerves..
lol @ 10-20k... wtf
OP - why choose one when you can do all three?
I like the 3.0 because stock it can handle boost better but yea the 3.5 has more displacement and using a simple nitrous kit gives you all that extra power you need to haul... I'm trying 3.0, SC, NOS, and meth. Trying for 500hp Then simple built motor. big holset turbo, spray to spool it; 700+... on a budget. Research is key.
Then simple built motor. big holset turbo, spray to spool it; 700+... on a budget. Research is key.
Member
Joined: Apr 2012
Posts: 112
From: Allentown,PA
Originally Posted by ranmas2004
FULL 3.5 Swap......not that 3.5 with the 3.0 timing. FULL 3.5 swap with CAM TIMING, ECU and everything. That is what I'd do.
Not to mention the hassle of getting the additional parts for the swap such as the harness, ecu, steering wheel column, gas pedals, oh and gauges since 4th gen ones don't work with it. You would pretty much have to buy a wrecked car with all these parts to make this swap worthwhile otherwise it is a huge money pit for very little benefits in my opinion.
I would just do the 3.5 with the 3.0 timing swap and invest in a good tuning solution and still have some money left for other goodies such as headers/exhaust or nitrous kit or heck piece together a turbo kit...
BTW props to you for building a sweet max!
In my opinion that would not be worth it. Sure you get the VVT (variable valve timing) and better exhaust timing but from what I read that only equals to about ~10whp gain. I wish someone who has done this could chime in...
Not to mention the hassle of getting the additional parts for the swap such as the harness, ecu, steering wheel column, gas pedals, oh and gauges since 4th gen ones don't work with it. You would pretty much have to buy a wrecked car with all these parts to make this swap worthwhile otherwise it is a huge money pit for very little benefits in my opinion.
I would just do the 3.5 with the 3.0 timing swap and invest in a good tuning solution and still have some money left for other goodies such as headers/exhaust or nitrous kit or heck piece together a turbo kit...
BTW props to you for building a sweet max!
Not to mention the hassle of getting the additional parts for the swap such as the harness, ecu, steering wheel column, gas pedals, oh and gauges since 4th gen ones don't work with it. You would pretty much have to buy a wrecked car with all these parts to make this swap worthwhile otherwise it is a huge money pit for very little benefits in my opinion.
I would just do the 3.5 with the 3.0 timing swap and invest in a good tuning solution and still have some money left for other goodies such as headers/exhaust or nitrous kit or heck piece together a turbo kit...
BTW props to you for building a sweet max!
I tried for the full swap for the last year. And just recently have abandoned it because of the noted problems above not being equal to the benefits.
For 10ish hp and VVT it would have been right around 6k.
It isn't impossible, but there are so many problems that its really not worth it unless you want to say "I did it." But hey different strokes, I'm just saying I chased this unicorn for an entire year.
Thanks man....thing is FAST!!
Member
Joined: Apr 2012
Posts: 112
From: Allentown,PA
Originally Posted by deloa84
In my opinion that would not be worth it. Sure you get the VVT (variable valve timing) and better exhaust timing but from what I read that only equals to about ~10whp gain. I wish someone who has done this could chime in...
Not to mention the hassle of getting the additional parts for the swap such as the harness, ecu, steering wheel column, gas pedals, oh and gauges since 4th gen ones don't work with it. You would pretty much have to buy a wrecked car with all these parts to make this swap worthwhile otherwise it is a huge money pit for very little benefits in my opinion.
I would just do the 3.5 with the 3.0 timing swap and invest in a good tuning solution and still have some money left for other goodies such as headers/exhaust or nitrous kit or heck piece together a turbo kit...
BTW props to you for building a sweet max!
3.5 swap all the way. Never had an issue with mine as a dd and it never left me down or stranded anywhere I took it. Throw a little nitrous in the mix and it makes things interesting. Definitely miss my old 3.5 especially with the 125 shot, makes me want to get another 4th gen and do it all over again!
3.5 swap all the way. Never had an issue with mine as a dd and it never left me down or stranded anywhere I took it. Throw a little nitrous in the mix and it makes things interesting. Definitely miss my old 3.5 especially with the 125 shot, makes me want to get another 4th gen and do it all over again!
Member
Joined: Nov 2010
Posts: 216
From: Milwaukee WI
tax returns gettn me my 3.5 longblock from a 04 max. guna go with a exedy stage 2 clutch for the stock vq30 5 speed (flywheels different on 3.5 to the 3.0 but 3.0 flywheel bolts to 3.5, i love it) . i do however have to hunt down the fella that sells the cam adapters anyone know em?., i wana run my 3.0 ecu. everything else is plug-n-play, or splice and pray. lol. IMHO 3.5 swap on a cool 50-100 shot for a dd. just be sure to put the right nozzles in for that nawz!
tax returns gettn me my 3.5 longblock from a 04 max. guna go with a exedy stage 2 clutch for the stock vq30 5 speed (flywheels different on 3.5 to the 3.0 but 3.0 flywheel bolts to 3.5, i love it) . i do however have to hunt down the fella that sells the cam adapters anyone know em?., i wana run my 3.0 ecu. everything else is plug-n-play, or splice and pray. lol. IMHO 3.5 swap on a cool 50-100 shot for a dd. just be sure to put the right nozzles in for that nawz!
There is no lag on our cars. People run a RMT rear mounted turbo in place of the cars muffler all the way back under the trunk and no lag. Holset turbo is nice and cheap and effective. For a couple hundred dollars the VQ30 can handle 700+ hp and then you grab a holset from a junkyard for $50. Don't tell anyone though.
Complete 2004 vq35de $600 <----- This is a middle of the road price, you can get them for cheaper, and you can spend more than 1,000 on them, IMHO if you pay more than that for a 8 year old engine... may the lord have mercy on your soul.
Wiring Harness w/ nats removal (z-fever) $1000
2004 ECU (found on e-gay) $170
2004 Gauge Cluster (found on part-request.) 39$ + shipping.
If you do it yourself: $1809
I got quoted the longblock swap labor at: 1700 for everything.
Have a shop do it: $3509
And this is just the minimum, there is always sh*t happens stuff that WILL MAKE YOU WANT TO DROPKICK A PUPPY, and that is going to add up. So around 2k if you do it yourself, factoring in Murphy...
Anyone see something I missed?
Wiring Harness w/ nats removal (z-fever) $1000
2004 ECU (found on e-gay) $170
2004 Gauge Cluster (found on part-request.) 39$ + shipping.
If you do it yourself: $1809
I got quoted the longblock swap labor at: 1700 for everything.
Have a shop do it: $3509
And this is just the minimum, there is always sh*t happens stuff that WILL MAKE YOU WANT TO DROPKICK A PUPPY, and that is going to add up. So around 2k if you do it yourself, factoring in Murphy...
Anyone see something I missed?
Nitrous just eliminates engine life... forced induction when properly will do the same somewhat but if driven properly will last a long time whereas go ahead and hit nitrous on the highway and see how that works for you..... id rather have forced induction unless its strictly a track car