NOTE: Im searching and reading to learn as much as I can that way so dont think Im not trying to help myself.

like it says big noob! i have a spare motor and 5spd tranny from my totaled 4th gen that I will be getting back soon. what can I do with this thing, i want to learn more about cars by actually working on them. so I have this motor and i want to learn about it but i also want to improve it and make it better.

is it dumb for me to get someone to start helping me take it apart and teaching me how to do it and all that?

if thats a good way to learn, then where do I go from there with the motor? what can I do to a stripped down motor? should I just put it back together the way it was to learn?

I want to learn first then expand my knowledge on how to improve this motor. if that can be done at the same time than great.

Like my thread in the suspension area, you wont get any "know it all comments" from this guy. I know nothing but want to learn as much as possible. if this is the right place for my questions that great I cant wait to learn. if anyone wants to help me learn in person even better.

B

PS-if this is the wrong spot for my thread Im sorry!

 

I learned most of what I know by hanging out in the all motor section then attempting a 00VI swap. Another way to learn about the motor without even touching it is the FSM. If I were in your situation I'd read the FSM.

 

Read read read. Get a haynes manual and start tearing things apart on it. Take pictures along the way. Research the web. If I were you I would basically tear down the motor and put it back together. If you plan on using the motor, replace the gaskets and pumps while you're there for learning experience.

 

You need a book man or to do some online research. I don't know what you want to learn, but there is a ton of engineering that goes into every aspect of a motor. If you want to know where parts are located and how they are held in place, or a visual understanding of how the pieces of the motor interact, I guess tearing it down would help. But you aren't going to take it apart and just find something that needs refinement ESPECIALLY on a VQ.

So, I dont think its necessarily a "good idea" for learning purposes, but don't let me discourage you from satisfying your curiosities.

Also, if you don't have a good amount of tools, I think you are going to find it frustrating, if not impossible, to do some of the work.

 

I can send you the 1997 factory service manual if you so wish.

 

excuse my noobness but im drawing a blank on FSM

B

im dumb. i figured out what it means

 

thanks! mine should still be in my car but i will let you know

B

 

thats understandable. I only made the suggestion because im a visual as well as a hands on learning. its like with math: for me i could read the theory and look at the work in a book all day long and not be able to understand it but give me some one that can wrote it done and show me each step and i will remember it forever

B

 

I can almost guarantee that you don't have an FSM. You're probably referring to an owner's manual, which contains basic information.

 

I'm the same way, and I even thought the same things when I started getting interested in motors and automotive stuff. I took stuff apart a few times and it does help, but that was really only a foundation for when I REALLY learned stuff by reading books and online. There is SO much to know that has to do with math and physics etc that you won't figure out by taking apart and putting together a motor.

 

lmao, you got to it before I could.

 

oh ok...well than yes id like one. I have a haynes manual for sure i know that.

B

 

search for Jimes and DandyMax's threads. They have extensive all motor mods.

 

FSM=Any car bible

You should read anything about anything(All Motor) when you get bored doing whatever.

I have nothing to do oh ill go look at the FSM

I have nothing to do oh ill go search some old Build threads. ECT ECT





If you were to get another 4th gen to replace the bad one.
A: Take off timing components off the 3.0
B: Do some research
C: Buy a 3.5
D: Have fun

 

^ That's what I was going to say.

The only thing that would be really beneficial to have an extra VQ30 for is a) cam swap and b) 3.5 swap. 00vis go on easy, bolt-ons you can do with the motor in the car (although headers were a bit difficult, there would be no extra downtime if you used your original motor).

You may not want to tackle this just yet, but get an engine stand if you don't already have one, get an FSM, tear down the motor and put it back together (don't bother rebuilding it just yet).

In the meantime start reading up on a 3.5 swap, maybe find a low-mile VQ35 and swap the 3.0 timing components over in your spare time. Then you'll have a motor ready to drop in when you get the time to do so.

This is all in fairyland though where mechanical noobs attempt successful 3.5 swaps.

 

that all sounds like so good fun to me and I got nothing but time.

side question: I heard that you can swap stuff from the 35 to the 30 ie: heads, cam etc...cant remember where i heard this but is it true? it was talked about as if it wasnt to hard...true? just a question (is that what you meant when you said cam swap above)

Ill get the FSM and ill get to reading. as for the motor stand thats a ways out a pallet will have to do for now. how much are stands by the way?

B

 

as for another 4th gen...i think i will step up to a 5th gen, like the body style and would like something newer. my 4th gen was fun and I had some good plans for it but cant fine a decent one in my neck of the woods but i found a 5th with 88k for a good price.

thanks for all the help

B

 

Yes you can swap cams from the 3.5 onto the 3.0. You'll need to redrill them and you may need spacers (don't really remember, and I never did it). IIRC most of the cams people put on 3.0s were actually 3.5 nismo knockoff cams.

If you're going to get a 5th gen, then don't bother with the 4th gen motor. Just get a 5.5 gen with the 3.5 already in it, no point in 3.5 swapping a 5.0 gen.

 

Great advice.

When I joined, I didn't know a damn thing. Hell, one of my first threads was how to check a fuse.

Since I've joined, I've read just about everything I can find around here, and I'm all the better for it. Same with the FSM, when I get bored I look through and always learn something new. I watch a dozen or so videos everyday on YouTube about replacing this or that on various cars, have accounts on over 3 dozen different car forums where I lurk to learn new things, many more I haven't registered with.

When I have a question I search, and I ALWAYS find my answer. Not just the org, search Google, YouTube, etc.

Spend a lot of time reading around, you'll be surprised how quickly you can pick things up.

 

Ive been trying to do that but everyone Ive found is either 200+ miles away or or way to much money (found a 2002.5 3.5L 6spd but the dude wants 10k for it and it has 109k. Im pretty sure thats over priced)

B