I am doing a engine swap in my 95 GXE. It will be a direct swap. I am taking out a VQ30DE and putting in a VQ30DE. I am looking for advice as to what I should replace while I am doing the swap. Here is my list so far:
-I am putting in a fifth gen clutch kit
-rear main oil seal
-new acessory belts
-new radiator hoses
-new plugs
-valve cover seals, and plenum seal
-PCV valve
-I will also be cleaning a few things (TB, IACV) before the motor goes in the car.

**Please recomend anything else you think should be or must be changed when doing an engine swap. Thanks.

 

you might want to replace the timing chain change oil and new oil filter

 

Replace the water pump. It internal and while you have the motor out thats the best time to do it. Install a brand new one and forget about it. You shouldnt have to worry about it again for a long time.
Also, on the newer motor, check the injectors. They may be dirty and not flow as well as your current ones.
Since you putting in a fresh motor, it wouldnt hurt to throw in a new KS. Another item you can install and not have to worry about it.
While the motors out, inspect the motor mounts. This would be the best time to swap them out as well.

 

clean the egr system and the intake manifold get those jwt cams

 

Yeah I will def. do the oil and filter. I was not planning on doing the water pump or timing chain but I do have a water pump in the blown motor with about 1k on it.

 

This may not be a kind of answer you are looking for because you seem more knowledgeable than I am, but when I had my engine replaced this year, I also had the shop replaced front and rear motor mounts. And in my case the shop had to take out a few fuel injectors from new motor and replace with the ones from old one.

 

I would like to fill my mounts while they are off of the car. Hopefully I can have the x-member off long enough to fill them. As for injectors I may change them over, I may not. I will be on a limited time schedule, and I also have two sets that I know are good if there is a problem.

Another question I have is should I install all my acessories (alt., power steering pump etc. while the motor is out of the car?

 

this guy is pulling his motor out and the advice you give him is "change your oil"? When will you stop talking out of your ***? And why should the timing chain need to be replaced?


Cardana: yes, put the alt and power stearing pump on while the motor is out. Ive been helping my friend put his motor back in over the last few days and we put those on before the motor went back in. Checking the motor mounts is deffinately a good idea, as is replacing hte rear main seal. Make sure you get enough silicon on it.

 

enought silicone on it? the rear main seal? What silicone should I use? Sorry if this is a dumb question but I have never changed a rear main seal. Thanks for the advice.

 

What do you know about the engine that you are swapping in place of the old one? Do you know if a compression test has been done on it? Wouldn't be any good to put in a bad engine in there.

How about:

1) new KS, if you haven't replaced yours.
2) if you are thinking of hp gain, how about a cattman header or just a y-pipe
3) check your ac compressor, turn the pulley and if you hear some bearing noise replace it while the engine is out.
4) check PS pump
5) inspect the rack n pinion for torn boots and other signs of failure. Their easier to get to while the engine is out since the engine sits ontop of it.

 

Depending on what year engine you are putting in, you may want to consider replacing the timing chain tensioner and guide. The 95/96 engine tensioners were updated - so if you have a newer engine, it's probably not a problem. Just something to keep in mind. It's much easier to replace the tensioner with the engine out of the car.

 

It has been tested to be good compression/leak down. It has 70k on it. I just ordered a compressor from a junk yard since mine did not work. I already have a Y pipe waiting to go on. I am not replacing the KS, if its bad then it takes a few minutes (I have skinny hands). I will need to research on what to look at with rack and pinion since I dont know much about it other than its for steering.

 

Just break the KS loose and retorque - that way it's easy to take off in case you need to later. Same applies for any other bolts you think you might need to fiddle with later - hard to predict, but you might think of some obvious things.

 

good point...I had to put a peice of pipe on the end of my rachet to break the last on free (on my 98)

 

Your main concern is to look for signs of leaks. If the bellows are ripped, now is the time to replace them since access to them is very easy without the engine on top of it. If everything looks good, then you are ok.

 

Invalid post.

 

i dont think timing chain needs to be replaced.....u might want to pull the cover and make sure the tensioner is in good shape.......but i wouldnt even worry about that to be honest.....but i would do water pump def.

 

Why would he want to spend another grand on some cams?

 

This may not be a big conncern to you but have you looked into swapping a DEK motor into your car. (2000 or 2001 Maxima motor) Its the same exact motor that will fit right into the 4th gen with no modifications needed....It may be something to look into due to that fact that you can find them with alot less miles then the DE from 95-99 and youll get 32 more hp and a better cooling system than the DE. The DEK cooling system was re-routed. The DEK is a peppier motor as well and its not as involved as the 3.5 swap. The DEK is a direct fit.. ( I know the 3.5 motor fits in, but the DEK is "direct")

Just something to think about.

-matt

 

DEK has variable intake (00vi) which the 4th gen ECU won't support. You'd need to find a way to trigger the variable intake at the right moment. There should be something in the all motor forum stickes for this.

 

read the first post and think about it. the dude already bought a engine.

 

Im soo very sorry..Im just saying its alot of work to swap out a motor, and if your going to do it, might as well make it worth while

Just my .02 cents...

-matt

 

yeah i understand that but the whole point of this thread is to help this guy out and make this whole process easier for him.

 

yeah guys, I already have bought a VQ30DE, I am not getting the DEK. I may put a mevi on it or the 2000VI but not at this point. I already have one maxima with a ton of money in it. This is my "beater". I park my 98 during the winter, so I need to get this one on the road asap, and I will worry about possibly swaping the intake manifold in the spring. I am only looking for advice on doing a DE swap. Thanks for the advice. I do have a new water pump in my blown motor so depending on how hard that is to take out while the motor is out of the car will be the determining factor on whether on not I will do it.

 

any more advice guys? I'm starting tomorrow. Thanks for the advice so far.