First of all, let me thank the .org and especially the pioneers of the 00vi mod, i was able to pull it off this past weekend with all of the good info available in the threads on this site and the hard work of others that have already done this mod. Took me a few weeks of prep (parts ordering, research, and drilling/prepping the manifolds. I have the following setup:

- 4th gen lower drilled for 1/4-20 threaded rod for middle rear bolts (using existing front middle M8 bolt holes with drilled out upper brass tubes)
- 4th gen tb w/adapters
- 4th iacv remote mount w/adapter
- 00vi fed spec w/5th gen egr tube
- baker electronix ARWS rpm window switch set to 4600

After working on/off for 4 days, it started right up and hauled butt on the first test drive. the power valve is definitely working correctly judging by how easy it is to hit the rev limiter now My only issues have been:

- boneheaded incident of iacv assembly moving into and binding throttle cams at WOT (fortunately in 3rd gear, shut it off and pulled over safely to fix boneheaded problem).
- my base idle is way high (1200-1500 rpm) and its hunting from 1500-almost 2k while coasting, making for some jerky driveability in traffic. I notice many have had this issue and i'm going to try to sort it out this week.

All in all, it wasn't overly difficult for the first-timer with a (relatively) level head and moderate mechanical skills. A very worthwhile mod for less than $500 total investment and a few days of downtime...

 

congrats..

 

thanks... update i just fixed the high/hunting idle. It seems like it was just the cold idle cam (i bypassed coolant to TB). I screwed it in all the way and then screwed in the iacv adjustment screw and everything seems normal now (actually maybe a tad low).

 

congrats, I am lagging man. I have my vi sitting on the floor of my room just waiting for me to install him lol. i just need minor things. I am also going to use the 4th gen lower, but im going to use a helicoil instead of your route. What bracket did you use for the throttle cable? cuz my vi dosnt have the bracket on it.

 

I used what i had - the 4th gen cable bracket with just one bolt. Its temporary until i either get a 5th gen bracket or make up a small secondary bracket to pick up another mounting boss. I'll probably just do that, it will only be a short peice of aluminum with 2 holes in it (one goes to 4th gen bracket, another picks up nearby threaded boss on manifold). Its just one of many "sorting out" type things I am left with after this swap.

 

Congrats man. You should hit the track with me this friday. Are you 5speed?

 

Wow ... that is inspiring. Makes me want to do the mod even more. The only problem is that I have problems justifying the install when a DEK swap is just a tad bit more. I think we need to do a comparison between the two. In other words (and I SERIOUSLY doubt this), would the lighter VQ30DE with VI be better off then a DEK swap since the DEK weighs more?

The scariest part to me about the swap is removing the upper intake manifold and drilling the lower. Of course you can pay someone 75 bucks plus core swap ... but forget that.

 

Who said the DE-K weighs more?

 

Great to hear you got everything on with out a hinch. Working on the final steps of doing this myself. Doing as much prep work, b/c I plan on having a day and half of down time only.

 

Since when does the DE-K weigh more? It's the same engine, practically If anything, it's lighter than the USIM-equipped DE since the upper manifold is made of lighter materials. Either way, it's negligable.

 

00vi is pretty heavy to be composit plastic. I say they weigh the same.

 

how fast did it make your car?

 

Who will drill the lower part of the manifold?

 

TomV great to hear about the swap. I have been thinking of doing this sometime this summer. Where did you get all of the parts to accomplish this? Also did you buy a 2nd lower manifold in case you messed up the drilling?

 

I couldn't tell you from where, but someone weighed them and it is 36 pounds heavier or something.

 

36 lbs heavier than the 3.5 maybe...

 

http://forums.maxima.org/showthread....ight=DEK+weigh

I am mistaken.

 

Seems to me that a complete DE-K swap is the way to go:

- engine will probably have lower miles
- slightly improved internals
- 5th gen injectors and everything

 

My sweet DEK is going in, in about 2 weeks Just waiting for parts.

8,500 miles
Progress...

 

Nice!

Aside: does anyone know if the front valve cover on all DE-Ks hs the two big screw holes, or was that just to hold the 2001 Anniversary Edition monster plastic engine cover?

 

This motor is a 2000 DE-K.

You could always swap a DE Valve cover to the DE-K if you wanted but then would have to use DE Coil Packs for the front.

-matt

 

Yeah, I polished my VC so when I do the swap I will swap the VCs. I'm surprised the DE-K coils don't fit they look the same and so does the DE-K VC.

 

95-99 Coils = 2 screws
2000-2001 Coils = 1 Bolt

-matt

 

Ah I see that in your pics now, thanks for the info.

 

Congrats, Good to hear you got it done with not too much down time.
Did your DEK come with various sensors cut, coolant tubes cut, and other carious things cut? My DEK came with the headers but cut and with the o2 still in there.

 

Yea that first pic is how it came from the Salvage yard, but thats after cleaned. The Headers were there, but no Y-pipe. I got the O2 sensor on the front bank and all the hoses for the coolant were Cut. No Main Harness cut though

-matt