So my friend and I want to do a FULL 3.5 swap. How do I go about doing this? What do I need from which years? I would also like to put in the newer guage cluster as well. I have a few tabs open with various info on full 3.5 swaps...but its not too much of help. My abilities are not limited, I have basic understanding in most areas. I have done everything but an engine swap. I just want this full swap to go as painless as possible. So lets begin if you don't mind, eh?

- which year engine do I want for the full swap? ecu? wiring harness? cluster?
- do I want the full harness: body and engine? or what?
- do I want to use e-gas?
- can I use lets say some kind of stage 2 clutch with a stock PP? I would like that light pedal feel, if possible.
- exactly how much wiring is there to do to put the full swap in?

thats all I can think of for now, while I acquire hardware.... help me out please. thanks

 

1. 2002-2003 maxima everything. MT ECU preferably.
2. You need the entire engine control harness. The main (dash) harness is optional but helps tremendously. You'd have to hardwire every single connection otherwise.
3. You have to.
4. Up to you.
5. I can e-mail you two spreadsheets basically detailing all the connections that are necessary in a 98 chassis, credit: eng92. I made a seperate spreadsheet detailing the connections required for the gauge cluster into a 99.

 

You really don't mess around.

 

personally using a stock pp would defeat teh purpose of using a stage 2 clutch.

 

thats the exact answer I was looking for!

 

In a way yea and in a way no. He will still get a smooth engagement but the disk will have more holding power then the oem.

 

Sweet, this will definately get me started on acquiring all the hardware. thanks man

 

http://forums.maxima.org/showthread....=full+3.5+swap

he is using a newer NATS system.... I dont have to do this? or do I?

 

I forgot to mention that we plan on using the 4th gen 5 spd tranny. Will that cause any implications with the full 3.5 swap?

 

You pretty much have to use the new-style NATS. Preferably off of the same car you are getting the ECU and key from.

You'll just have to do what eng92 did here...

http://forums.maxima.org/showpost.ph...3&postcount=97

 

So that means that now I will have two keys, one to open the door and another newer one for the IGN switch?

 

The NATS and ignition systems are seperate. You have two options:

1. Secure the 2k2 key such that it is in constant close proximity to the NATS IMMU. This way there is only one key for the doors and ignition. This will effectively bypass the NATS system, however, for better or worse.

2. Transfer over the key cylinder from the donor car.

 

gotcha.

 

This is what I'd get if you have access to a donor car.

1. ECU
2. Key
3. NATS IMMU aka this: http://i95.photobucket.com/albums/l1...y/NATSIMMU.jpg
4. E-gas pedal assembly
5. Complete engine control harness
6. Complete main (dash) harness - You won't be using all of it though
7. Handful of 15A fuses
8. A DPST relay
9. MAF sensor w/ housing
10. Flywheel (if 6MT)
11. Gauge cluster
12.


Sure I'm forgetting something, but that's all that comes to mind ATM.

P.S. I'm assuming you still have the VQ35 timing covers and such, right?

 

this is more than a handful to get started for now, I will report back once all hardware is in my possession. Thanks a lot for now! much appreciated.

 

Keep us posted on the progress. The org needs more of these swaps.

 

My stock keys are so worn out, they hardly unlock the car anymore. So, when I did my swap with the NATS I also purchased an alarm system. I keep a old key with me, just in case, but I don't use it much anymore.

 

yea, Im used to opening the door with either the aftermarket alarm on the 98 or the factory remote for the 99. Hell, I cant think of a time which I last used the key to open the door.... But to keep things simple on my end I'd prefer one key for everything.

 

so you actually did the entire swap? i thought nobody had done that yet?

do does it run like a normal 5/6th gen?

 

5 people have done it so far, AFAIK.

 

I have an e-gas pedal and an A33B ECU for sale.

 

So there's a local guy about 2 blocks away from me(he is my friend's friend). He said he has an engine out of an 04 from what he recalls and it has 3k miles on it. It has everything on it still; auto tranny, axles....

Question is: I think I'm about to buy a bunch of stuff from a parted out 03 manual. I just need someone to school me(make it quick) why I'm limited to the 5.5 gen(02-03) engine only. Thanks

 

External EGR would be the only 'hassle' re: using an 04 engine and A33B ECU. Right nismology?

Now, the other way around, that might be a different story, (CAN/complete software upgrade/BCM/ )

I've never done either so don't pay attention to me.

 

You're not.

When I said 2002-2003 maxima everything, I meant everything but the engine. Ecu/e-gas pedal assembly/gauge cluster/etc. needs to be from a 5.5 gen.

 

Fawkin' A man. Sweet!
So I'm gunna pick up that engine from an '04 and everything else from a 2003.

What's this talk about the EGR differences between the engines?(5.5 gen vs 6th) Will the 5.5 gen ECU run it properly? Will there be any left over connectors or whatnot?

 

Also, what to get as far as headers go, MAF mods, etc...?

 

I'd worry about that after you get things going. That and you should know the answers to that already.

 

I'm still indecisive as to the MAF mods. Headers I was thinking cattman, which year headers do I want, same as engine? or headers same year as my 3.0 exhaust?

 

Damm Goldy, big a$$ project....... Is this going in one of your cars???

 

3.0 headers will bolt up just fine to a 3.5.

 

For what it's worth:

The 2002-03 intake manifolds do not have any EGR ports. The 2004 ( and up a ways) manifolds do have an EGR port, on the same side as the TB. The side opening goes into a tunnel underneath the manifold runners, with small holes up into each runner.

I have both a 2002 and 2004 manifold now. The 2002 is installed on my 3.5, and the 2004 is here for a SSIM mod. If you don't want EGR, then the EGR ports need to be blocked off. I connected my '99 EGR wiring to the '99 EGR controller, and set the controller on the top of the engine for now, just to keep the '99 ECU computer happy. I have no actual EGR functions in my 3.5/'99 Maxima.

My guess is that the 2002-03 Maxes don't have EGR, and 2004 and later 3.5s do have EGR. My 2004 Maxima certainly has EGR.

.

 

So, if I get that 04 engine, I could get the UIM from a 02-03 and block off the EGR opening in the headers and have no complications running no EGR? I can't afford to have a CEL(emission reasons).

 

That would work just fine with an A33B ECU.

 

Excellent.

 

No special reason you can't block off the EGR opening on the '04 manifold, either.

I could take a photo of the EGR port in the '04 UM and post it - maybe tomorrow ???

 

Well, I have a manifold (with SSIM mod)from an 02 altima in my possession already, so it would be easier to swap and drop in than do any blocking? If you could get that pic, it would be a good reference point, Thanks.

 

EGR (04+):


No EGR (02/3)



Aaron (NWP) sells a block off kit.

 

Thanks! - those pix got me off the hook...

 

Yeah , I noticed the hesitation.

I had them (pics) ready to go since I was selling my OEM IM @ one point, so I knew just where to look.

 

Visuals FTW!