tshay1

so recently i got the idea since i got a new job and i have alot of time and money on my hands to rebuild my maxima that had alot of issues about a 6 months ago. it has be sitting in my driveway covered with a car cover since i started the part out. i haven't sold that many parts and everytime i pull in my driveway i look at her and am upset. so im going to rebuild her. As everyone knows money can buy anything. the question i have is does anyone know any info about the vq40de. yes i know that this is gona be a lot of money but once its done i will be worth it. since it is a vq series engine will it bolt up to say a 6 spd 5.5 gen manual tranny? thanks in advance. please do not bash me over this any and all criticism will be accepted.

hot_wax_tree

good luck you may be the first to do this one

tshay1

okay so update today i did a little researching here is what i came up with. i have read in many location that the bell housing on the transmission of the vq40de is large than that of our transmissions. so i was thinking of this here the data and tell me what you think
5th gen Maxima Wheel Base:
Wheelbase 108.3 in (2751 mm)
Length 2000-01: 190.5 in (4839 mm)
Width 70.3 in (1786 mm)
2005+ Pathfinder Wheel Base:
Wheelbase 112.2 in (2,850 mm).
Length 2005-07: 187.6 in (4,765 mm).
Width 2005-07: 72.8 in (1,849 mm).

Also through research i have found two companies that will be able to shorten the length of the axles as well as the driveshaft. and the best thing Its not going to be that much 1500. I have found a Donor 2005 Pathfinder with the vq40de the SUV is totaled badly but the engine appears to be intact. the suv was rolled. the only thing im not sure about and am worried about is if the car has a transfer case for 4wd. what would i do? does anyone know if the suv has a transfer case or is the 4wd an awd suv. any help will be helpfull or even if anyone has done this? also would the engine harness match up easily. im still in the planning process. i want to make sure i have all the details correct and that im ready to move on with the swap.

nzelinsky

iTrader: (1)

you might want to research the size of the engine bay b/c I dont know if you can cram anything bigger than 3.5 in there. Maybe you should swap a 3.5 instead, probably way easier than the trouble you are trying to create for yourself.

But if you really want to go crazy maybe you can stuff the 5.6L titan engine in there!

tshay1

well i have read that the Vq40de is basically just a vq35de that has been bored out. so im hoping that it will fit. the 5.6 wou7ld be rediculous and wont happen. i wouldnt even want to try that. however i think the 4.0 is possible with some modification. the thing im worried about is the wiring harness that is going to be a pain in the a$$. if anyone has any knowledge on this subject please help me out i have been able to search anything on this subject.

tshay1

so i just put a down payment on this:




total cost: $1500.00
the car only has less than 36k and the engine runs but clearly coolant will leak in its current position. so lets put it in a maxima. i also just purchased a garage lift for 1500. it was complete and in good condition having someone install it in about two weeks. the pathfinder is rwd. so this will be a first in many ways if i can get it to work. the issue i am having is that i dont have a cherry picker(if that what it is called) to get the engine out. i have disconnected most of the wire and removed most of the parts in the engine bay. so this is my Question: what also needs to be removed to get the engine out. and would sliding a plate under the engine and jacking it up beable to pull it out.
Thanks for the Support will post pics once i get the vq40de out. also the engine bay is not that much bigger than that of the maxima's. this will be interesting.

LongIslandMax

iTrader: (3)

Wow, I have always wondered if this was possible. You will recieve alot more help in the all motor section.

Grand_hustle17

iTrader: (22)

+1... anyways a 3.5 will probely be most practical

rroderiques77

iTrader: (45)

It probably will not fit.

jrflores

iTrader: (3)

You seem very serious about this, good luck, Im def gonna stick around to see what happens.

Amave

wow very ambitious and you're probably one of the very few to do this type of swap.


you can always research on NICO forums...good luck op

MAXIMA_STYLE

iTrader: (21)

WOW is all i can say....i would love to see the outcome on this,however shay is right the 40 motor is a slightly bigger bore obviously,however i think that the engine would mount slightly different which in turn would require modifications to the engine mount bracket which is only some cutting and welding in the proper place which i believe isnt to far from the current location...a 6 speed vq40de with a 6 speed in a max would be a ROCKET and with the right mods probably untouchable by anyone on this site for sure...but i think you may be getting in more than you think with the wiring and all that,then you got to make sure everything else has room to fit ...i will be a subscriber to this and would love to see it in person when you start moving along and im in ct so id come check it out...good luck to you and keep us informed

oldskoolchevelle

wouldnt this motor swap only work with the vehicle being rwd?

CMax03

iTrader: (3)

RWD motor mount location Vs FWD motor mount locations...It's not the same ......

JustinXtlr

Get crafty with the welder on the mounts.

also good luck! If it works I wanna do it!

mysticalpun

If this miracle happens, i would love to see it! You would be my idol if it gets done......

ricerocket336

iTrader: (14)

subscribed...

tshay1

guy this isn't gonna be fwd. come on. i told you this will be special for a reason. its gonna be a 4L rwd maxima. first one. what i'm planning on doing is basically taking the entire drivetrain out of the pathfinder and moving it into the maxima. yes i know it is easier said than done but i have access to all the tools and i have a friend that is a really good welder. so the maxima has been dead since may 2009 so it doesn't hurt to try something new instead of letting her sit and rust.
the one thing that i keep getting confused on is the exhuast. i was thinking vq40 headers straight back 2.75 piping to dual 2.5 tips. but not going to buy anything else until engine trany and wiring are in the max and the engine is able to turn over and start.

Z-Powered

^ Wow! That's ambitious. That would require a lot of bracing at the rear and stuff like that. How about buying a G35 shell (coupe or sedan) and swapping the VQ40 into that? That would still be really unique and different. Or maybe you could swap the drivetrain into a Z, and make a 400Z...

kiyakerz

iTrader: (7)

subscribed

tshay1

Becuase i have a perfectly fine maxima(minus its drivetrain) in the driveway for the last year and i want to do something different with it. anyone can put a 3.5 in but how many put a 4.0 in?

CMax03

iTrader: (3)

Maybe the easiest thing would be to graft the Maxima upper unibody to the Pathfinder lower unibody.......LOL......A Maxifinder!

tshay1

sorry I'm nieve i cant tell if you are joking or not, but if you aren't how would you go about doing this? welding? i was thinking of using the stock left engine mount and the right tranny mount. then having a friend making custom brackets that you attach to the engine. i'm still having issues getting the engine out, but i am determined.
and i cant spell lol.

Scottwax

iTrader: (8)

You'd be much better off boring and stroking a 3.5 out to a 4.0 and keeping the car FWD. Either that or sell your car and try the 4.0 swap into a G35.

a33_ridah

iTrader: (10)

props to him for trying to do the unthinkable???
and yes money will buy you highly skilled labor. if a civic hatch can run a q45 motor and become rwd, so can a maxima. Theres just not a market for this as to why its not a supported swap.
in the honda world (just coming out of it) d series to f series to k series to j series to b series. it can all work with $$$ on tap.
wish you the best of luck!