My first car was a 2001 maxima se, it bit the dust last year. I really don't want to get rid of it. This is my favorite generation, love the looks of them. Has anyone done the swap to the 3.5? I see a lot of the swaps being in the 2002 maxima. Also I think this would be a good chance to swap in a newer transmission if possible from the same year as the newer engine. Any links to another thread will be helpful TIA

 

Which swap do you want?

Full 3.5 engine, wiring, ECU?

Hybrid, 3.5 engine with 3.0 timing?

 

Have you tried searching? There is only 156,568 threads on this subject.

Here's a great link:

http://lmgtfy.com/?q=maxima.org+3.5+swap

 

Thanks Wizard for your feedback, I prefer to google my questions instead of having to create a account on a forum just to ask a question. I haven't found a good article that pegs the answer to my question. Some of the ones that were helpful were more than 10 years old when posted and changes might of come around by then. Jsutter, I have only seen the hybrid swaps with the 3.0 timing, you have a link with the full swap being done? Also is it even practical to do it in a 2k1? Are the gains good with the timing being swapped over to even make it worth while?

 

I don't have any links off hand. The all motor and dyno sections have some good reads.

If you did a full 3.5 harness and ECU you have far more options to make full use of the advancements made over the years. 07+ Altima or 09+ Maxima engines are more powerful than the old 3.5L. "HR" swaps are very common with 5.5 gens.

What kind of work are you more comfortable with? Wiring or tearing into the engine?

 

I would say a little of both. I have taken engines out and put heads on. I know the engine pretty well and it wouldn't bother me to tear into one if I had too. I have done a lot of wiring so I think I would be okay with that as well. What price range do you think a full swap would fall into? I figured 2k for just the tranny and engine.

 

I assume you want a 6 speed manual? At that point you should find a donor car. Find a 02-06 Maxima or 05-10 Altima. Around here you could find one under $3k easy and you'd have every single nut and bolt needed. Here ome 02-03 sell around $1k.

Is your car a 5 speed manual?

 

Considering the last 3.0 engine was in the 2001, everything there is to know about doing the swap has been discovered already, and has been for a long time now. Next to no one is doing swaps anymore because they are more concerned about just keeping it on the road at this point or they have moved on to better cars.

Why would you dump 2 grand into a swap when the car is not even worth 2k? If you love the 5th gen as you've stated, I think you should considering buying a 6 speed 2003 Maxima. If you wind up with a oil burner, then maybe consider an HR swap for $500 at that point. At least you'll have the transmission already and 99% of the wiring is done, and more than likely you won't have a CEL due to compatibility issues. Good luck.

 

I think your headed in the right direction Wizard, My car has been good but with how cheap newer cars are getting its not really worth putting that money into it.

 

If you're building this as a track car, then money is not the object. However if this is just to keep a daily driver rolling, you're shooting yourself in the foot twice...all the headache, the work, and of course the money, it just isn't a savvy move.