Mike - Bromance Racing

I believe we have spun bearing in our engine. I hope to fully diagnosis the problem over the winter. Until then, I want to consider my options and learn more about this platform. I still learn more and more about this engine all the time, and the members here have been a great resource. So I come to you again to ask some questions, and bounce some ideas off of you.

The most important note about all of this, this car is used for Endurance Racing! It's not a daily driver, or just for autocross. This car is for running events up to 24 hours! Which BTW is super awesome!!!

Rebuild Option:
I have rebuilt 2 Ford V8 engines in the past, and I have seen 6spd_Hayes amazing post covering his rebuild in great detail. He quoted the same thing I was thinking, it looks very intimating. On top of that, rebuild kits are not cheap! 1900 bucks for this level 3 kit that includes most everything I would need to complete rebuild. Anyone have links to other kits or options?

Salvage Engine Option:
Using car-part.com to find an engine to just replace our current one. I found an engine near by with 80,000 miles for under $1400.

NON Maxima VQ35DE salvage engines in other cars:
I guess this can include 350Z's but I found a Quest engine with 90,000 miles for $900 bucks near here. It showed up in a search for 05' Altima's.

Swap in 4.0, VQ40DE?
I own a 05 Frontier and it is scary how nearly identical these 2 engines are. I have found a few motors near by that are under 100k miles that are priced at $2000 and lower. I keep thinking I could replace the engine, but I am not sure how the existing ECU would handle it. I've been looking up specs, firing order, etc. And it seems like it could work on paper, but that is why I come here, to find out if this is a crazy idea. I personally like the higher torque numbers with a lower RPM, great for pulling the car out of a turn. I might have to use the 3.5 intake, but I could use the larger throttle body from the Frontier.

Swap in 3.7 VQ37VHR?
Now this one seems a bit more crazy, but just like the 4.0, it seems virtually identical as the VQ35 block. I found a few with super low miles for under $2000-2400 within a few hundred miles of where I live. But how compatible is the sensors, electronics with the 02' Maxima?


Thank you everyone for your continued help, I look forward to your ideas and positive feedback!

oldngivout

iTrader: (8)

You can cross all the RWD variants of the VQ engine series off the list.

None of them will bolt up to the FWD chassis. Sure, anything is possible -they could probably be made to work, but it would be a great deal of effort.

VQ40 is actually the worst candidate for the swap, since the bellhousing mounts are in no way compatible with any FWD transmissions.

I like your thinking though. Hopefully some others will offer advice as well.

Mike - Bromance Racing

Thanks for the reply and notes about how the RWD's are not an option. Looking at FWD cars, I looked up the 06' Altima and Quest. The Altima MT is 260hp, AT 250hp, and the AT Quest is 240hp. Why is the quest slightly lower? Isn't it the same inside and out?

oldngivout

iTrader: (8)

Small differences in the HP ratings are due to the ECU tune and intake/exhaust plumbing specific to each vehicle. The engines are exactly the same mechanically.

Mike - Bromance Racing

Using car-parts.com I found a 2013 Quest engine with under 30,000 miles for 1600. Would everything bolt up and plug in correctly?

Same question goes for newer Pathfinders, JX35, QX60, Murano, Altima and Maxima's. Example I just found a 2012 Maxima with 11,000 miles for under $1100!

oldngivout

iTrader: (8)

Well now that's a different story. Nissan made some significant changes to the VQ35 over the years, and it starts with a different year on each model.

So, as far as I can tell, here's the breakdown of engines that will directly interchange with your 02 Maxima. Longblock only, not upper intake or exhaust.

Altima 02-06
Murano 03-07
Maxima 02-08
Quest 04-09

Hope that helps.

Mike - Bromance Racing

Thanks for the list oldngivout. And as far as the intake and uppper/lower oil pan I can swap them out with the current motor since most likely it has a spun bearing. And since this is for a race car, I sort of don't care how it works, as long as it works.

But OMG! $1100 for a 10,000 mile 12' Maxima VQ!!!! I WANT IT HARD!

I have been doing a bunch of looking and I found several posts that have been very helpful. Here is a copy of the links I save just in case someone else finds this post down the road.

• https://maxima.org/forums/5th-genera...03-maxima.html
• https://maxima.org/forums/5th-genera...-vq-5-5-a.html
• https://maxima.org/forums/5th-genera...o-5-5-gen.html
• https://maxima.org/forums/5th-genera...est-3-5-a.html