Hey guys, first post here! So I have a 5-speed 97 Maxima that has been sitting for about a year due to the engine taking a #2 on me, so I've been driving my 97 automatic as a backup (so glad I have two of these bad boys). Which means I have all the time in the world to modify my 5-speed. I am going to be putting in a VQ35 into it, as well as some other mods like a cold air intake, stage 2 clutch and other fun stuff. Anyone have any recommendations as to what else I should upgrade in it? I want to get upgraded suspension of course, but have not done my research so I don't know what to get. Any other suggestions would be great, thanks!

 

Assuming you swap to 3.0 timing; At minimum A clutch rated to hold 275-300 ft lbs will last you years.

Technically you could install the engine with everything else stock, but my top mods would be

• intake because the oem 4th gen wont fit anymore
• headers (while you're in there)
• tune

Have a look in the all motor section for more info on the swap.

 

Awesome, thank you! I was hoping to find someone to buy that stuff off of. I will let you know

 

Update:

Okay, so after hours and hours of research and looking at other peoples' build threads, I am feeling a bit discouraged as far as doing the work myself. As much as I want to very badly, I am not very knowledgeable and worried I might mess something up big time. Is this something I should be doing with basically no experience? I wanted this to be a learning experience for me, but I also want a fully functional vehicle in the end Any suggestions?

 

Plan for 3x the Amount of time you think this project will take you and Go go for it. All the Information is here. It always takes more time than Money.

 

Well good thing I can type fast, because I'm gonna be asking lots of questions. Thanks for the advice

 

What does “swap to 3.0 timing” mean?

 

Based off the research I have done, you have to swap some timing components from the VQ30 to the VQ35, like the chains and all that fun stuff. If not, I'm sure someone will correct me

 

Yep, install all 3.0 timing components to run the 3.5 on the 3.0 ECU.

 

Speaking of which, why would I need to get a new ECU for this swap? I’ve seen a lot of people mention it

 

Can you link to where you read that for context?

 

I believe I read an article wrong, I'm now reading I can use any ECU. Is there any reason people do use different ones?

 

95 is considered the holy grail since it lacks evap and is the most lax when it comes to deleting emissions components without throwing CEL. It still has obdii so you can take it through emissions testing in a later 4th gen also.

95-96 can install a tuneable daughterboard like jwt or nistune.

 

Okay sweet, so considering I have a 97, should I get a 95 or 96 ECU if I can get my hands on one?

 

You can but don’t need to. I have a 99 that’s swapped and is code free on the original ECU.

 

Should I get air tools, electric tools or both?

 

Air tools are cheaper but electric will be used more.

 

Performance parts are getting rare! Hell I ordered KYB AGX and still waiting on one side to show up at my front door! Could never find the pressed in bushings for the engine cradle so I went to the salvage yard and found an entire engine cradle instead! Back in the day I owned a 1st Generation Celica and parts were hard as hell to source without an internet and these 1st-4th are getting harder and harder to find parts for! Good Luck!

 

Yeah I’ve definitely noticed how little options I have for performance, but so far I’ve been able to use carid to find the things I want, so we will see how that goes. I’ll be starting my upgrading soon, so I will be posting more in this thread once I do!

 

Would anyone recommend getting an HR instead of the DE if I have the extra money?

 

With no experience, I would advise you not to tackle this project. You'll be in way over your head before you know it. The chances of messing something up big time is very high.

 

I agree with what Wizard said.

Don't Go There.

You mentioned that you have little experience.

The project you are considering would be a challenge for those of us who are in our 40s and 50s.
People who have been working on their own cars for twenty years.

You will have enough on your hands just replacing the engine with a used 3.0.

Keep in mind that the donor engine should have some items replaced and serviced before installing it.
Performing preventative maintenance while the engine is on a stand will save you a lot of work later.
I mean stuff like replacing the water pump, the injectors, and cleaning the egr system.
Oh yes, also the knock sensor.

Once all that has been done, its time to replace the engine.

All this will be challenging for a beginner. Or even for an experienced home mechanic.

We are here to help you. Our combined knowledge can guide you through all this.

Few of us have done the type of swap you are considering.

You might consider buying a 5th generation Maxima. Many of those have the 3.5
Swapping out one 3.5 engine with another one is the same amount of effort as replacing
3.0 with another 3.0

 

Most of us use ordinary hand tools.

Do you have a torque wrench?

How much experience have you had working on cars?
Which projects have you done
How many years have you worked on cars
Also, pardon my asking...... How old are you.

You are asking very basic questions, and are considering a major project.
We are trying to keep you from getting in over your head.

Your first major project should be a good experience. Not a potential nightmare.

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It’s well worth it once done. There are how tos that can help but without the experience I don’t think I would suggest you taking on this project alone. If you have friends with more experience go for it.

 

I have experience with the basics, and that's pretty much it. I haven't done really any projects yet, this would be my first. I am 21 years old. However, I work at a dealership and have techs here willing to help me out by my side. I also have my best friend who has been working on cars for years. I am trying to get all the information I can so that I'm not just sitting on the sidelines watching my mechanically inclined friends do it for me. I am using this as a learning experience, and I have the helping hands to prevent me from making the big mistake that ruins it all. I also have a designated shop on hand that specializes in JDM.

 

I appreciate the advice! I'm definitely sticking with my 4th gen, just because I love the thing to death and I really don't like the body of the 5th gen. Considering the helping hands I have, I think I will be able to do this without too many issues. So that combined with this forum, I feel I will have everything I need

 

Don't do it. I know it's not what you want to hear. 21 year old me wouldn't listen either. I've wasted tens of thousands of dollars on car mods. Completely useless. Internal combustion engines are not the future. Find a different hobby.

 

Lol. This approach may save you money but you'll loose skill. Everything I go to repair/fix outside of the automotive world is very easy in comparison. I don't think it would be this way without 20 years of messing with ICE related things and helping a buddy do a 3.5 swap 15 years ago with little experience.

The biggest thing is, are you prepared to not have a car for a while and do you have money set aside in case this doesn't work out? If you need this to work the first time to get to work etc. then it's probably not worth the risk.

 

+1. I'd like to emphasize this part.
Don't expect to get everything right the first time, and this is not just a weekend project. Being you first time and relying on others for assistance, I anticipate your car being down for quit a while.

 

I have two 4th gen Maximas, my automatic as my daily driver and my manual as the project. I got all the time and space I need, and I will very soon have all the money I need as well. I’m definitely doing this, I’m very set on it. So people telling me to find a different hobby will not do any good, considering the fact I’m taking my first steps to becoming a certified master tech for Mercedes as we speak. This is not just a hobby for me, which is why I’m so eager about it.

 

Most of us probably started working on cars gradually.

We did small projects, learned as we went along, read stuff to learn general information.
The small projects were probably successful 60 to 70 percent of the time. Which meant we made mistakes, and learned from them. The projects were 90 percent successful after we fixed our first mistakes. Gradually we leaned more and more. Then we tackled more involved projects. Same success rates.

The important thing is to have successful repair experiences. Ones that make you feel good about yourself.

I started when I was 17. I knew next to nothing. My father was clueless and unhelpful.
I started with the small projects. I removed the cylinder heads from a 1968 Dodge 318 engine and had the valves ground. I was 22 years old at the time. The engine ran quite well afterwards. I felt good about myself.

I'm 67 now. So I've worked on my own stuff for 50 years. I've learned a great deal.
My hobby has saved me tens of thousands in mechanic fees. Also perhaps 100 to 200 thousand from new cars I did not buy. Because I buy older cars, then drive those over a decade.

Please take your time with this project. It's not about getting the car on the road as rapidly as possible. It should be treated as a learning experience. This is quite a project for a newbe.
Yet it is manageable if you ask questions and take our advice.

Good luck. Have fun with this!


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I say go for it, especially if this is a second car.

I dove into my first 00vi swap only half understanding what I was getting myself into. I had a general idea of what needed to be done. But a lot of the reading I had done beforehand began to make more sense as I went. Follow the FSMs for disassembly/reassembly.

Go slow, mark where each bolt and hose goes to because you will forget. Double and triple check your work. And ask questions. Some people may rip you apart for asking questions, but its how we learn and sometimes you dont know the right words to put into the google to find your answer.

 

Thank you to everyone who provided positive feedback! I’ve been doing countless hours of research and will keep doing so for another few months before starting. I will also be thoroughly studying the FSM before anything. In the mean time, I’ll be posting my upgrades for suspension and all that fun stuff in this thread. Super excited to get started and learn everything!

 

The new to you engine will require some work before installation.
In fact enough work to keep you entertained for quite a while.

You might want to consider buying one sooner rather than later.

It would be nice to be able to drive your stick shift Maxima early this summer rather than towards fall.

I imagine that the suspension work might be easier if the car had no engine in it.

 

So what is your budget?

 

Considering that I’m gonna be taking my time with this, I don’t really have much of a number for that. I’m not gonna go super cheap on anything though. I want this car to last me a long time, and I’m gonna put a lot into it over the years. So I’m playing it by ear as I do my research, and figuring out what works best for me

 

This is the saddest s**t I’ve seen on here in a while.

 

Yeah I just ignored it because that’s the worst advice I’ve ever gotten. LOL

 

The truth hurts.