Since I found a junkyard with lots of these things laying around, I decided I'd grab an upper manifold from them. I've decided on doing both upper and lower (and fuel, then, obviously) to make it easier since I don't trust myself to drill the holes. I think I can get a Fed-spec upper manifold, but the only lower manifold available I could find is Cali-spec.

I've even done multiple searches and cannot find the information I'm looking for, and don't remember it off the top of my head (though I remember reading it). What are the differences between the Cali and Fed lower manifold specifically? I know the upper manifold has the swirl valves...

 

No.

Lower has swirl on SOME Fed and ALL cali specs.
Upper, fed will come with the egr guide tube, and cali's will come with the block off plate.

 

The lower has the swirl valves, the upper has the VIAS and power valve.
Edit: Kevlo beat me to it

 

Thanks guys. So I need to make sure to get a Fed-spec upper (to make things easy). If I get the Cali-spec lower, I can remove/block-off the swirl valves, right?

While I have a thread going...since I'm buying the upper and the junkyard is way too far away for me to go look at the thing, am I able to fix a broken VIAS or power valve? I'm not paying much at all for this thing, and it probably works fine, but just in case...

 

Yeah you can remove swirl valves, there is a thread on it in this forum. You can fix the VIAS by JB Welding it, threads in the 5th gen forum. I would get it aluminum welded.

 

Sounds easy enough. I'm getting the upper manifold for $100+shipping (or pickup, but it's pretty far). The people I was thinking of getting the lower manifold from want $200+shipping So we'll see about the lower...

 

Check the 4th gen for sale. And PM Stephen Max about drilling the 4th gen lower IM for you.

 

I'd have to send it to him, though, as well as my 00 upper manifold, correct? I can't have my car sit more than a day or two, it's my DD. He's not cheap IIRC, as well In the end I wouldn't be saving any money, really, aside from the cost of fuel stuff. Although it looks like a 4th gen lower is really cheap, maybe I could buy a spare.

Also, again while I still have a thread open, another question: What about the TB and IACV? I'd prefer to use the 5th gen equipment since it would not require adapters, but how would I connect the TPS and IACV? For example, does the TPS plug right in or would I need to fudge around with wiring and crap? What about the IACV?

 

I think he charges like 75 dolla to drill. I dont think you have to send you upper manifold.

 

The TPS plugs are plug and play with the 5th gen. IACV is a little different you can get an adaptor plate for the 4th gen from Stephen Max for $75. Or check out the thread I responded in and made a short how to with the 5th gen IACV.

 

Alright. So basically just buy a spare lower manifold and send it to him? Why wouldn't he need the upper manifold, I thought both had to be drilled? Or atleast that's what one of the how-to's said.
Good to know it's easy. So I can use the 5th gen IACV if I want? That's good. Do you have a link to that thread?

 

http://forums.maxima.org/showthread.php?t=463248

You can use the 5th but there are some issues people have had using it.

 

Hey, as long as it works.

Still waiting to hear Kev's opinion on that other stuff...

 

I have a spare 4th gen lower i'd sell you for cheap money (i bought a spare one for my vi project, this one is off my 96).

 

5th gen upper is not modded IIRC. He MIGHT make you drill holes on the end of it but I dont know.

 

Ehhh that's not so bad. Good stuff, looks like everything is gonna work out ok once I find a 5th gen TB & IACV.

So 5th gen upper, modded 4th lower, and 5th gen TB/IACV for me. Sounds relatively easy and inexpensive.

 

Yupp, should be. Let me ask my friend if he has another IM laying around.

 

Sounds good. If he has one, I may just have you ship it direct to Stephen Max to save on shipping.

 

Do they have Full DE's and DEK's laying around? Are they pretty cheap on prices or not?

~Alex

 

Yes, some junkyards will have full engines. If you mean specifically the one I looked at, they don't list any of their prices online for some reason...I had to call to get a quote on my upper manifold.

 

im working on the same project, got my IACV adapter plate today that stephen max made, its a real piece of work and worth every cent.

New Zealand Maxima's are running the vq30de-k with of course 00VI in models 2000-2003. Isnt that something ?

I have been working on a photo album to help me get through the swap, you can view it here:

http://pg.photos.yahoo.com/ph/ceasar.../ph//my_photos

Look closely in some of the photos, on the VIAS i believe I put in the webaddress with information on that fix.

Ordered my EU and harness today, still need the Fuel Rail Off-fittings and then off to the wreckers/junkyard for the parts.


edit:
vias fix:
http://www.cardomain.com/ride/763858/5

 

Hey Ceasar, that'll be good info to have should I need it when I get my manifold. I've taken a look at your gallery, and it should come in handy.

 

cool, gathered it all from photos on the org from all the pioneers!

 

sorry Kevlo, but:

ALL 2000 Uppers come with EGR guide tube, regardless of cali/fed spec. some have swirl valves depending on production date and if cali spec.

but ALL 2001 AEs come with NO EGR (blockoff) AND swirl valves. (the hole is still there for the EGR Guide tube to fit, but it's Blocked off with a factory plate)

i can get the full 00VI package locally for about $450

 

So 00cali have egr? I coulda sworn the spare motor I have is an 00. And it has no EGR.

 

Try to get the 5th gen TPS. I'm using the 4th gen now and though I get 0% throttle and 100% throttle while the car is on...When I turn the ignition to the 3rd position (ON) my TPS is reading 3.5%- ~4.3%. I'm still getting 100% though. I think it has to do with the mounting holes on the 4th gen TPS which appears to be different from the 5th gen TPS.

 

I'm likely going to use the whole 5th gen throttlebody and IACV.