Heres the deal I work and go to school, I have a 2003 maxima se auto, but I want a six speed. I dont have much done to my car besides an intake and when i purchased the car i put about 1000 on it a tune up, 4 struts, brakes etc. I do all mechanical work so I save cash in that department, I recently changed my power steering pressure hose. However I'm in the mood to buy a 6speed 02 but it has 155K on it. Would it be worth it selling my car and buying this 6 speed. I know these cars have a really strong and reliable engine but if it has been kept up with maintenance is it worth buying?. I really love Maximas, and I WANT a six speed no questions asked. and how long do you think i will get out of it?

 

It's really up to you at the end of the day. I seen these engines go past 300k with no problem and I also seen them die out under 115k. It all depends on how the engine was up kept.

I will tell you this tho, I went from a 5.5 auto to a 5.5 6spd and it was a world of a difference. I never regreted the switch and have had about 3 different 5.5 6spds to this day.

 

If the vehicle was well maintained it should last a while, but also some have oil burning issues and some dont, so in the end its all on YOU, you may get some headaches and you may not get any, I have a 02 with 163k on it I think it will hit 200k, Engines and parts are not that expensive depending on the State you are in, SO GOOD LUCK......

 

I ran into a few of those headaches with my auto, im still stuck on one right now. It sounds like i have a dead strut on the front right side, but many people tell me its because of the passenger side motor mount but it looks good to me and all the others as well. I did have the power steering leak and its all over the bottom of the car and on the bushings so idk what to do, it sounds like a dead strut and as if something is banging like a metal on metal type of contact and it really getting to me sound like something is loose and about to fall off.

 

I just want to put some basic bolt ons on the car but i'd prefer to have a stick if i'm going to do so, and lets face it, stick maxima's are faster than the 4 speed slug box

 

if you had oil leaking onto the control arms, I bet your control arm bushings are shot and giving you that noise you are describing.

IMO, since you are mechanically inclined, i'd say sell your car and buy a 6 speed that you want. At the end of the day, you are the one driving the car and if you don't enjoy it, then whats the fun of owning a car, might as well take the bus.

 

I'm only 18 so I'm learning but if I'm changing any thing on my car i always try to remember how i took it out and hopefully it will go back on in reverse order. I have purchased the sway bar and control arm bushings. What I want to know is, will I have to get the old and new bushings pressed in by shop with a machine or something I can do with my hand tools. Like I said I do everything myself and I would like to keep it that way, makes me proud for a kid of my age lol. And yea i drove a six speed. I'm in love thats why i'm looking to make the switch

 

i would find a lower mileage one unless that person wants a trade nd u see it being worth it

 

Im 18 also. It took me more than 3 months to find a 6spd with decent miles, and good condition with no rust. So if that one your looking at is in good shape i would jump on it for sure. The 6 speed puts down the power soo much better than an auto.

 

^This
I spent almost six months looking for my six speed. Only passed on one in that time because of poor condition. A good condition 5.5 max (6spd) is getting hard to find.

 

I spent 2 months shopping for my six speed it has 200k and it was the only decent looking one i found completely stock, i do all my own work so im not scared of mileage, engine runs super strong

 

Waiting isn't a problem. I waited long enough for my first maxima. I just want it to last a while before i can save up to drop a 7th gen engine inside. Yea i know i got my eyes set big lol but i'm going for it. been researching the swap for a couple months now

 

Just Do It!

 

If you are just changing the bushings then yes, you will probably need a shop to do it. Although I do recall someone saying that they managed to do it with a bench vise.

There is a how to thread around somewhere.

 

If i do decide to change the whole control arm with bushings do i have to do both sides or can i do just one for now? and is it a job i can do with hand tools?

 

I would suggest you not do just one side. You CAN but it will have an impact on handling and probably alignment.

You can do the job with hand tools. You will need a 27mm socket (pretty sure) for the pivot nut (not the correct term) on the control arm. You have to take the pivot arm out and reuse it on the new control arm. Will also need a 22mm socket for the bolts that hold the pivot arm to the frame.

The thing you have to be concerned about is whether the pivot arm will come out of the control arm. If it doesn't, you will need to burn the bushing out, then use a dremel to cut off the metal sleeve. So, you may want to have a propane torch handy and a dremel. I had to do that on one of my 4 control arms that I did.

 

Cool, alignment im not to worried about because I have to change outer tie rod ends anyway so i'll get it aligned. BTW have anyone ever have trouble taking their tie rod ends off. Mine is a pain in the A**, they wont budge for nothing. I tried heat already, its the factory tie rod end by the way