I'm looking to do my 3.5 swap in the spring, and i have a question for those who swapped engines. How easy is it to take out the engine and transmission attached to each other?

The reason I ask is i'm getting a spare 5spd tranny, and would very much like it if I got the whole assembly on before I put it into the car, so the only thing I would have to do after bolting on motor mounts is attaching sensors and axles, and starting the car.

I know how much of a hassle it is trying to perfectly align the tranny on the engine while inside the engine bay. Took me 2 hours to do it with 3 friends and a small hydraulic jack.

So, is it possible to angle the engine on a cherry picker for it to come out with the tranny still attached?

thanks,
-Freddy

 

Well I pulled the engine and tranny together, then pulled the 3.5 apart, fit all the sensors correctly, changed the clutch and attached the tranny to to the 3.5 then put the whole neat package back into the car, no hassle, from under. But I had a lift to work with.

 

I think it would be harder to take both from the top than removeing the tranny and engine seprately.

I would remove the engine and tranny seprately, and then when it comes time for installation install both engine/tranny together from the bottom.

 

I've done it with removing BOTH an auto tranny and installing one with a manual tranny and it can be done, Oh...and from the top as well. its not that difficult, in fact the angle of the engine/tranny is all you have to worry about. When in the spring you looking to do this? I may be up for helping....

 

i'll do it as soon as i gather enough money for a vq35...the rest is cake..maybe early spring..

Thanks,
-Freddy

 

Pulling the trans off should take like 20-30 minutes what were you doing that it took you two hours lol.

 

Anyone know what's the record for pulling the trans out while it's in the car? (jacking car up, axle, crossmember, bellhousing, ect)

 

I can answer that I took my tranny down 4 times within a weeks time.

This was done with a bike jack and one racthet 17mm 19mm 14mm 12mm 10mm same with wrenches thats it. Best time out of the four: had to be like 15min to 20min because sienfeld came on and was still on when I was done.

I left the wheels on this time much better.

 

Wow, I usually take a lot more time, although I've done it like 5-times yet. Once I had to pull and reinstall the trans 3 times because there were pieces of gear that jammed the shifter rod inside the casing under the differencial. Now I know my trans inside out.

 

I've done it about 15-20 minutes as well. Air tools of course. Hand tools (which I've also done) takes alot longer. I've pulledprobably 8 maxima transmissions now (like 4 in the turbo car, plus other people's maximas).

 

And half of those because it was stuck in reverse? Kidding...

Did you ever get them to solve that problem or have you stored the car for the winter?

 

I assume your talking about me right, well nope they completly raped me and I reported them to the BBB better business bureau. Got my car back and now I'm just gonna part it out. I made my decision that this car has cursed me since June and I've spent over $2k in parts and it's still broken. Everytime I was ready to go drive either to the dyno or track something broke axles, gearing, bearings in tranny.......I have a 2000 max in the fam and it'l be mine next year. For now I'm foucusing on my upcomming business ,SCCA and purchasing my new daily TOY. So something has to go and the poor hybrid was inline.

 

No I was talking to Neal. But you should seriously consider doing your own tranny work. I do mine and it's really easy. I can completely disasemble my 5-speed in about 20 minutes. Both times I blew a gear I purchased a used one for 40$. Hell I even found a complete VLSD differencial for 150 bucks. Only thing you can't do yourself is reasemble all the gears/synchros/ect on the shafts, which any transmission shop will do for about 50 bucks.

 

I would if I had the time, I did the first couple of times. When reverse got stuck on me twice, that's why I thaught you were talking to me. But I would have changed my mind anyways. I'm looking at the bigger picture now that graduation is comming around.

 

Taking it off was the easy part, but aligning it to the engine was the b*tch. I had a hydraulic jack with the contact area of about 3 inches, so balancing the tranny was key. Perhaps I could have used a TRANNY STAND, but I got it on nonetheless. (In the process, one of my friends dropped a 1/2 inch ratchet with extensions and hefty socket onto my other friend's face...lol)

I've done an engine swap on a 1st ge eclipse, non-turbo auto -> turbo 5spd, and that was alot easier, considering the engine and tranny were always together, and we had a cherry picker.

 

hey freddy how much would you charge for a 3.5 install or de-k even .

 

i'm glad you're interesed, but i'll start the "pricing" when I finish my swap. I'd say about 1k, price is negotiable. Make sure everything is ready to be put in, (send the cams to tilley to be drilled, get jwt cam spacers, buy fuel pressure regulator, and T for fuel line) Also make sure you have a sturdy enough clutch for it. I'd recommend the ACT Heavy Duty clutch kit. DE-K is a little easier to install, as everything is pretty much bolt on, just supply me with the rpm switch, and IACV adapter plate, and all will be good. I'll charge less for the DE-K swap, but keep in mind all you're gaining is the 00VI, which I can install onto your stock DE.

Hope this helps.

Thanks,
-Freddy

 

cool now that i know that you would be able to do this i will consider my options and let you know of my future plans. i still have your number so i'll keep in touch. i just bought another 4th gen engine at a great price just to get my car running so i'll most likely sell the mevi and use the income to buy the dek or 3.5 . when you get your 3.5 in maybe i'll have to get a ride in it to maybe make my decision

 

you can pull the engine and tranny out together pretty easily, but putting them back in together can be a bit of a pita because the tranny mount on the frame kinda gets in the way.

 

After doing 2 now I think the easiest way is to remove from the bottom. I did mine with a simple cherry picker hung from a balcony above my workshop outside. After removing everything that needed removing, I put a trolley under the engine and trans and lowered them down using the cherry picker. Then lifted the car up with the cherry picker using the front cross piece under the radiator. Raised the car high enough to clear the top of engine and then just pull the trolley out. Install the same way just put the engine and trans under the car and then lower it. Then lift the engine and trans to bolt up the mounts. Works very easily and simply.

 

I was in the same boat as you, then i drove Krismax's 3.5 4th gen, and I was astonished as to how much power that car put out. After driving that car, my car felt like a slug. And also, keep in mind his car revved to 8k. With this setup, I hope to get into the 13's. I will also have my power steering, and A/C functions. it's still a daily driver. I'll try to cut as much weight off as I can...I already got some pretty light 17's, and grippy tires. I've done the manual swap, and the 3.5 can be considered weight reduction, as it is 40 lbs. lighter than the VQ30. After the 3.5 swap, i'll do a turbo setup, because I caught the boost bug....all my friends have turbos in their cars...and i'm jealous. But my goal for next year is low 13's, high 12's in an all motor VQ, with full interior.

-Freddy

 

did you remove the crossmember before putting the trolley underneath? i have an engine hoist, and that's a creative way of taking out the engine, and also eliminates the fear of having my new 3.5 falling on the floor.

Thanks,
-Freddy

 

No the crossmember was left on, thats what I put the trolley under. My Son helped me the first time, the second one I did all myself, took me less than 30 mins to do the actual removal, of course all the cables, side mounts etc were already off.

 

i think the 3.5 if i do indeed do it will be my last major modd for a while until i finish nurseing school. i pretty much just want my car to beat corvettes and other high priced cars that thnk they are the ish .

 

Most vettes will still own you with a stock 3.5...

 

Not in the snow.

 

not in the snow