So my maxima 2002 has 218,000 miles. What's are things I should worry about? I believe it has a sound similar to the lifter. It's on the passenger side. Comes and goes. Also, oil consumption is another problem. In the future, Should I buy one from the junkyard ? Rebuilt? What's the best way to go? I want to keep this maxima for a long time. I put too much in this car. :/

 

If you buy a used engine, you wont know how much oil it consumes. If you are going to go that route, check out some of the members' swaps here who have gone with the newer generation engines. They say that the oil consumption problems were resolved. Someone else can tell you better which years are better than the 02-03 and the extra work that will be required.

 

Search 07 altima 3.5 swap....

 

^^^^

I agree, I certainly wish I had the time and resources to swap my engine with either an 09+ Maxima engine, or 07+ Altima engine.

 

Nothing stopping you brudder its a weekend project

 

Anyone have an estimated cost for just the motor yall recommend? car-part.com has them pretty expensive. I was hoping around $750 or less.

 

Can't seem to find any good info on that swap. Is everything the same?
Will it sit perfectly on the precats and manifold?

I hope it ain't bad.

 

lol, maybe you didnt search very long...

This should help: https://maxima.org/forums/all-motor-61/

Its the all motor (advanced performance) section. There are multiple threads in there about 3.5 motor swaps and lots of great info. The swap with the newer 3.5 is called the 5.7 swap.

 

I know right. That's why I asked if it's better to do rebuilt or get one from the junkyardd but it's a hit and miss.

 

I bought my engine from a junk yard and it was cheap. You have to keep an eye on car-part.com and when you see a good deal jump on it. Also the price of an engine will be different in different areas of the country.

 

Is it better to get just the engine only and have the transmission fix somewhere else or vice versa? or might as well get both but it seems so expensive even at high mileage just for engine. I want one with <=100K

 

^
Why bother going two places unless you're going to specialized shops.

 

Around here even the 02 3.5 with less then 100k mi are going for $950 people buy them so they just jack up the prices they only paid $300 for the whole car at auction smh....

 

Based on just the engine in car-parts, is like 1000$. Now imagine the transmission, another 300$. I'm not sure if i should just pay for a rebuilt, not sure how much they usually charge for but I'm not sure if that rod knock/ lift is fixed during the rebuilt.

 

Search the threads you can use 04-07 engines from Max,altima and quest you can also upgrade to 07-08 altima engines and 09-14 maxima engines there is plenty out there cheap.as far as your trans your stuck with 02-03 ones. Search some more the answers are there.