Hey all,
So, my brother and I have been contemplating a project car for a while now. After much debate (and much temptation, avoiding rust bucket e30s and alluringly inexpensive 944s) we have set criteria as follow: cheap, plenty of parts, able to reliably take a beating and quick to scoot.
I am trying to make the case that a Maxima is the best idea. We would need:
-Manual (5 or 6)
-LSD (snow and occasional ski trips)
-Relative mechanical simplicity
-VQ30/35 of any variant
I have some experience with Subarus, and we both have experience with outboard boat engines, but simpler is obviously better because we intend to learn to do the wrenching ourselves.
So, what generation of maxima is easiest to find with a V6, LSD and stick? What gen would you recommend as a project car and why?

Budget for initial purchase is $5k and under. We have plenty of cash to sink in but we want to keep purchase price low.

tl;dr: What gen Maxima (V6, LSD and stick) makes the best project car?

 

'00-'01 anniversary edition should fit your bill.

 

6mt swap 4th gen.

 

I would suggest either a 4th or 5th gen. The 3.0 motor is very tough. They take boost and regular beatings without pause or mechanical issues.


The 4th gens are lighter than the 5th/5.5gens.


I have not been able to find too many VLSD gearboxes in my region of the country although you might get lucky if you search long enough.


My personal preference would be to find a 5th gen (2000-2001) with a 5 speed and the VQ30DE-K motor. Its got the variable intake air system and composite IM. They are reliable and fairly quick. Also, a bolt on supercharger kit can be had for roughly $3000 or less. You can reliably make 3-350 ponies with boost and supporting mods.


As with all cars they do have their issues. Most notably the coil packs, IACV/ECM short out problem, MAFs, and other small things. For the most part the motor & trans are pretty solid. Its the peripheral stuff that fails.


There are also a few other configurations such as 4.5gen or 5.7gen swaps. These may exceed your budget by a few grand, but are pretty neat & make very respectable amounts of HP/torque. Also there is now the option to swap a 6 speed into a 4th gen. Fabrication will be required here.


I've been pondering selling mine recently. Supercharged 5mt 2001 with 145xxx miles. I would be asking roughly what you posted as your budget. If you are close to RVA or SWVA and are interested, shoot me a PM.


Do some searching in the all motor section and read through the stickies in the 4th/5th gen sections.


Good luck with your project either way.

 

4th gen
swap in vq35de
6 speed
nOS
forced induction

fastt

 

4th gens and 5th gen 3.0s had 5 speed manuals. I30t 4th gens, like my car, had 5-speeds with VLSD. 5th gen 3.5s had 6-speeds, some with HLSD.
Although I've never searched myself, my sense is that VLSD 5 speeds, although somewhat rare, wont be anywhere near as rare as an HLSD 6-speed.
Hands down the 4th gen. Fixed intake manifold. No variable valve timing at all. There's the 00VI mod which gives the 4th gen VQ30DE the variable intake manilfold, and top end power, of the 5th gen VQ30DE-K. For a project car, the 4th gen simplicity advantage plays out in that if you keep the OEM ECU, less emissions to worry about. Avoid 99 California 4th gens........ALOT of emissions unique to that year alone. Downside to the simpler ECU is you probably lose variable valve timing like in the newer VQ35s
VQ35s to avoid are 2002-2003 Maxima motor. Some of them had pre-cat issues. Pre-cats would disintegrate and get sucked back into the motor, scouring the cylinder walls, ending with early piston ring failure
Download the factory manuals from here...........

http://boredmder.com/FSMs/Nissan/Maxima/

1998. Visually identical to 1999 without the significantly increased emissions components. 1997 is visually identical too, but only 98 and 99s have digital odo and a more modern auto climate control system.....if that matters.

FYI all Maximas/I30s are the same V6 (for that generation) by default. Also, as mentioned earlier, 4th gen body is light. Much lighter than the 5th gen and even lighter than the 3rd gen by 100 lbs. You should look for posts from schmellyfart and 95naSTA. They've done some crazy cool stuff to 4th gens.
Hope this helps.

 

the 1995 ecu took a vq35 3.5L swap easily with a VAFC2, i think the 95 had less complexity than the later 4th gens.

 

1st gen. turbo diesel or RB25 and call it a day

 

Oh yeah the 1st gen were RWD right?

Good luck finding a shell

 

Appreciate the kind words!

 

E30..........