I have a euro spec 1995 maxima qx with a vq20de engine and 5 speed gearbox. I wonder if a VQ30DE would be an easy swap with my current gearbox.

Thank you in advance.

 

Should be a pretty direct swap. Feel free to post photos of your current engine (sensors, manifolds, etc) and I can see if anything sticks out that might need some modification to install a 3.0.

There's a good probability you could also install a 3.5 converted to 3.0 timing if you care to go down that rabbit hole.

 

I've taken the chance of some reparations and I've taken some pics of my engine, tranny, maf... Just in case someone notice any difference

 

It's not much different than a US 95 and nothing that would be in the way. Where can you get a VQ30DE from?

Your car has an oil cooler (we didn't see that until the VQ35), no cruise control, mechanical EVAP (95 only) and the variable intake we call the MEVI (the 00-01 VQ30DEK intake, AKA 00VI, is better but a load of extra work).

What I have never seen is the metal thing bolted to the trans. Any idea what it is?

 

It's breather according to nissan4u (i thought it was another mounting)

I can get a VQ30DE from another euro 4th or 5th. Although it's obviously easier to buy one of those cars avoiding all the work of the swap, maybe I can use my current trans which I guess is shorter, and spare vq30's from the junkyard are pretty cheap currently.

Also, I can get a VQ35DE from a murano or a renault velsatis, but all of them were attached to auto/cvt trans and it seems a more complex project.

Thank you.

 

Thanks for the photos! Can you take a photo off the VIN plate? Should be on the firewall, feel free to blur out the VIN - I just want to see the engine and transmission codes.

As JSutter mentioned, should be a darn near direct swap.

Is that a filter assembly that attaches to the transmission breather line?

If you get your 3.0 from another euro I have a hunch it will likely have the same intake manifold and probably an oil cooler as well.

• If you get the 4th gen 3.0 it will be just about direct swap.
• If you get 5th gen 3.0, itll have some more power (due to improved intake manifold), but youll need to do some rewiring and hose routing for the new intake manifold.

If you could share pictures of the 3.0 you get that would be great. I'd love to see if it also has an oil cooler and if that coolant line runs to the thermostat.

VQ35DE swap with stock 3.0/2.0 ECU will bolt up to the 5 speed trans but it is definitely a complex project and more expensive than the 3L route.

 

This is my VIN

 

VQ30DE pics from a local junkyard, it seems it has oil cooler also.

 

Looks like youve got a direct swap on your hands!

 

Thank you very much. I'll be posting my progress right here, but it's gonna be a loooooong term project

 

Good luck! Looking forward to seeing progress.

 

Looks like a cool project, keep us posted!