Im preparing to do a rebuild on my 00’ infiniti i30 which i may be replacing with a motor off a 01' base model. Will I encounter any issues involving possible differences between engine harness or ECUs between the two model years?

 

2000 and 2001 are the exact same car, shouldn't have any issues.

2002 2003 and 2004 are I35

 

01 doesn't have EGR.

 

would that make an 01 motor unusable with a 00 wire harness and cause a check engine light? Should i only be looking at motors from my specific year for that reason?

 

Correct, the bodies are exactly the same. My concern is whether the harnesses will match? The infiniti parts site says the harness for an 01 was made for 01+ models while the harness for a 2000 I30 is specific to the 00' and older models. Despite this info, i was just curious on whether i could still get away with it?


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you can swap EGR **** (and maybe IM, can't remember if it's sealed), but I wouldn't. I'd use 01 ecu lol

 

just use the 01 long block and 2000 everything else.

 

I have a 2001 engine in my 95, I only used the block and heads. I just swapped everything over from the 95 engine. Been in the car 6 years with no issues.

 

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Awesome! That's more along the lines of what i should've done. I just bought an identical motor to mine, same year n all. While in search of it though, i was coming across way fresher FWD 3.5 VQ's out of newer muranos and maximas. What would prevent me from swapping newer motors like those into an i30?

 

Yea i was trying to avoid having to source and pay for any extra part that wasn't completely necessary to gain. When i upgrade to a 3.5, all this info will definitely come in handy. For now I have to keep this rebuild as inexpensive as possible. With that being said, im not completely versed in all the differences/similarities between all FWD VQs. Where would i even begin with possibly understanding what's needed to swap a motor from lets say a 09' maxima or murano into a 00' I30?

 

Yea i was trying to avoid having to source and pay for any extra part that wasn't completely necessary to gain. When i upgrade to a 3.5, all this info will definitely come in handy. For now I have to keep this rebuild as inexpensive as possible. With that being said, im not completely versed in all the differences/similarities between all FWD VQs. Where would i even begin with possibly understanding what's needed to swap a motor from lets say a 09' maxima or murano into a 00' I30?

 

So in theory, could I swap this newer maxima motor into an I30? Whether I frankenstein it or do a full swap, it shouldn't be too big of a job right? I know a 3.5 will fit(hence the I35) but im concerned mainly about harness assembly, ecu/ignition and the transmission fitting.

 

you would have to wire in a 5.5 gen engine harness ECU into your car, 5.5 gen flexplate + everything it takes to perform the swap into a 5.5 gen. would also recommend Nisformance ECU flash to get the most out of it.

here's the Nisformance swap guide https://www.nisformance.com/Articles.asp?ID=252

transmission fits the same and should wire in the same since 95-03 have the same automatic from what I heard..

 

No, just convert to 3.0 timing. In fact, I know a guy that has the kit new in box still lol

 

Thanks for the link, it's very informative, im super elated now. I did grab that 7th gen motor too. So you're saying the 4speed that comes in 95-03 maximas will mate with a 2nd gen vq35de?

 

3.0 timing?

 

run the original timing from the dek

 

gers and chain cover?

 

Engine swaps are cool and all. But my best advice is to you here is to put it back exactly like it is and have a reliable car, I've been in the maxima game a long time and these days I prefer my 3.0. Its reliable. Plain and simple.

 

I recognize that this is an old thread. Trying to revive my Uncle Ralphs 95 I-30. I am not new to mechanical, have done several frame off restos on american metal.

Long story long, he bought this car new, I have run it and taken care of it but the motor is at 300,000 K, the timing chain rattling, losing lots of oil. Its time for a swap. I picked up a '00 with a rebuilt motor in it, runs well. except the transmission is bad. Want to swap the newer engine into the '96.

What do I need to know, does the harness follow the engine? I see RS's comments about using everything, sir, did you swap out the intake manifold, fuel rail, etc and use the old to the new?

Any pitfalls to seperating the transmission and using the original one to the newer engine?

thanks
URC

 

The engine is basically the same except for some bolt on parts like the intake (upper, lower, throttle body), exhaust, valve/rocker covers, and emissions equipment. You can swap those parts over no problem. The fuel injectors are different, physically and how much they flow. You'd need a tune if you wanted to use the newer injectors with the older ECU which is not worth it. Keep all the original fuel stuff, preferably OEM parts cleaned and flow tested. Keep the original wiring, they are totally different.

 

if you found an 01 engine for the 00 just use the intake and exhaust manifolds from the old engine and call it a day.

 

thank you ! Kinda what I suspected. Any advice on the transmission? I am thinking that I need to be careful (MOPAR 727s) because of the pump. Planning on the converter/flywheel etc.

Uncle Ralphs Car

 

just use the torque converter and flex plate that you already have.

 

thank you guys! I am going to start this swap in a few days and will post it up. I have no ego about this at all, so IF I am doing somehting wrong PLEASE tell me.

Uncle Ralphs Car

 

OK! time has flown by but I am going to start this swap in a couple of weeks. Getting ready to start to collect parts. Is there a good source to order injectors from? I don't want junk. Maybe Rock Auto?
thanks !

URC

 

if your injectors worked fine just let them sit in some injector cleaner while doing all the work.

I've used injector rehab in the past when I turbocharged my CRX, they give you a print out like this with before and after in the graph..

 

A little late here, but Yes you are correct. You need to re-use everything off the engine that is in the car already. Pull and strip everything down from the donor to a long block and put it exactly as it was back in the car. Evaluate the new engine while it is out and update accordingly. My rule has always been that if it was running as is, wiring wise i use the harness it was running fine with. As far as the Injectors go you can replace or buy them, However as uptown suggested sending them off to be cleaned is best. The oem set is where ide stay.

 

OK! Time has flown by, I am really going to start this swap, like, TODAY!!

Pulling the donor motor this afternoon. Can I pull just the engine and leave the transmission in the donor car or is it easier to pull as a unit?

Will the engine/flexplate slide off the transmission input shaft or are there bolts involved? Reason I ask is I am used to Mopar units where the torque converter is bolted to the flexpate with four fasteners and access is gained on these by removing an access cover from underneath.

Hoping to leave the original transmission in place in the car.

Thanks!

Uncle Ralphs Car

 

Either remove engine and trans together or remove trans first. There isn't enough room to leave the trans in place. The torque converter is assembled like the Mopars you know.

 

I was able to find the FSM here:

http://boredmder.com/FSM/

very helpful, his YouTube videos have saved me some trouble over the years.

Now the question is for today, out from the top or out from the bottom?

I *do* have a lift and the FSM shows using a transmission jack, of which I also have.

What is the best approach reallly?

I don't like being under something that I don't know (like which way it may roll on the jack), and like my american metal I do use ratchet straps to help secure it, guess the question here is how stable is it as a unit?

thanks!
Uncle Ralphs Car

 

ive done both. honestly i found out the top with my manual was easier but auto is likely easier out the bottom. i havent done one out the top yet with an auto.

 

SInce I gotta do it both ways (donor/transplant) and the FSM says thru the bottom thats what Ill do.

thanks all

Uncle Ralphs Car

 

today!

both motors out and on the ground.

Uncle Ralps Car

 

Side by side, they look nearly the same. Research on this site indicates they are VQ30 motors.

What is bothering me is this, in my world this would tell me its a coolant passage from the top of the block on the donor motor vs the original one does not have this.







suggestions? Can I block it off or is this game over for this newer engine going in the car?


Thanks!

Uncle Ralphs Car

 

your original engine looks to be a 95-99. got a pic of your car or the VIN number?

 

jus make sure all the coolant hoses on the car will be able to connect to something on the new engine.

 

this is the donor

and this is Uncle Ralphs





Since I am considering using this just as a long block, I don't know what to do with this fitting in the center of the valley pan. It appears to me that it won't work with the older throttle body.


Uncle Ralphs Car

 

that is my situation, don't see how the donor will work with my car with this bypass (?) in the center of the valley.


Uncle Ralphs Car

 

thats a 96. youre probably gonna be on your own with this one. there may be info out there on swapping a de-k into an older chassis but i dont know of anything.

if you want simple youre going to need the right engine.