got a 1996 maxima GLE all stock. it's got a sh*tload of miles (160k) on it and the engine's starting to get a little tired. i really dont have the cash to buy a new car, especially a maxima... im just wondering if it makes sense at all or if i even can buy a new engine and install it and what size can actually fit in my car without significant mods or anything. you people that know what youre doing probably think im a freaking moron but it seems to make more sense than buying a new car bc all i want is a less-tired engine.

 

buy a junkyard engine from a 95-99 will bolt right in, get a good mechanic to do it

 

thats too bad to here your vq is on the outs. i have 130,000 and she will flat out fly !

im not the one to ask but at least i can bump you back up. replacing the engine sounds like a great idea to me at this point. i will have to eventually but i was hoping at around 350,000 miles.

 

It's probably not the engine. (unless a mechanic told you it was) Have you maintained it? There are quite a few maxes with more than 160k running stronger than ever around here...

 

its not like the engine's very weak now or anything, lol... i just wanted one with it's old juice back, possibly something larger with a bit more kick. i personally like my dad's '03 maxima 255hp OC3 engine :-D

and yes it has been well maintained. it just, you know, sounds tired. and i want somethin with some more kick, like i said =). something bigger probably wont fit would it?

and it runs fine, im not saying its gonna die the next time i go drive it, it's just that, oh say 40000 miles ago you could barely hear the engine when you accelerated (which is a good thing to those of us without pipes) but now it's really loud, but not a good loud, sort of a whiny loud

 

my friends 95 se with 160 k miles was a 5 speed and still fast as hell the engine was fine. he just got a gold 02 se 5 speed today

 

ooops i mean 6 speed

 

i guess i kinda want a faster engine because im obsessed with the 350Z and its freaking huge (in horsepower) V6 but will never be able to own one and i want a little more put-you-into-the-back-of-your-seat power in my car. ill probably just have to buy a new car eventually, i just wanted to keep this one for a long time bc its good and just putting a new engine in would be a lot cheaper than a new car, in a way

 

I'm not an expert at diagnosing these sort of things but it sounds like you need a tune-up. Did you ever have your 60k done? Original tranny? hopefully some real experts around here can help you out man!

oh and sorry to be the guy who says this but read the FAQs

 

yeah ive been reading FAQs and going around on those, but i seriously just got the 160k tune up last month. the car needed work. its probably the way i drive it too (ive only put the last couple thousand miles on it... my dad drove it those 7 years until now and put those miles on it but i drive a bit more-- er-- <i>aggressively</i> than he does).

 

 

i think you just have a bit of envy. it is possible for the engine to go ofcourse, but if your not boosted the engine usually lasts longer than the body. a lot of 3rd gens are well into 200k+ and are running good. so, i think your engine just needs a little love. i am afraid you will set yourself up for a big dissapointment if you if you but a newer engine in there and there is not much power gain. if your not already, try using using a higher octane gas and check your sensers. or you could just drive it around like that for another year and save up some money and get a lower mileage 97 or something.

good luck

 

Instead of spending $000s on a new engine, why not improve the one you have?

my suggestions:

1) new head gasket
2) cleaned throttle body
3) new belts
4) get an intake
5) larger Y-pipe
7) new plugs, filters, oils

and if you really have the cash -- TURBO!!!

personally, I think that you should keep the original engine,
just "refresh it" by adding the easy bolt-ons and replacing
the seals that may have worn away.

my $0.02,
FLO_BOY

 

check for code 34 (knock sensor) and make sure you use 91 or higher octane... if your knock sensor is bad, replacing it will make your car feel a bit more powerful.. that's what i've heard at least