Seems like I read some post warning against this, but I could be wrong. Can anyone confirm? Just a simple auto-to-auto swap, no 5 spd. stuff (I wish)

If not, what modifications need to happen, if any?

 

You are looking at bolting a VG tranny up to a VE engine. I would reconsider.

 

as a search of the forum will confirm a VE trany has not been successfully installed on a VG.

 

there are a couple of reasons this may not work:
1) the starter on ve-auto is on top of the transmission, where vg starters are on the front. there is stuff that would need to be moved around and possible fabrication of new mounts of various components.
2) ve-auto trans computer is probably different than vg auto.

 

no he isn't............

he wants to put the VE auto onto a VG engine.





anyhow, concerning the actual feasibility of this swap.... who gives a crap where the starter is located? if you use a VE auto starter on a VE auto tranny, then all is well. There's plenty of room in the engine bay for the VE starter.. I really don't know why people make such a big deal about "omg the starter's in a different location :masspanic: "... you'd need a VG flexplate off a Nissan Quest for the TC to bolt up. Axle/hubs will need to be swapped also, just like when you put the VE5 tranny on a VG. The main issue is the fact that the VE auto trans has an Overrun Clutch, and the VG auto doesn't... you'd want to use the VG TCU anyhow, all the wires line up, EXCEPT it wouldn't work, because of the overrun clutch issue. I'm not exactly sure what will happen if you don't have the overrun clutch hooked up, but odds are, you'll either have issues with driveability, OR cause damage to the tranny itself, OR both. But if you use the VE TCU, then it's going to assume you have a VE engine, which means it's going to shift at the appropriate points in the VE powerband... the VG rev limiter is 6200, and at WOT the VE shifts at around 6500..... meaning your VG is gonna be bouncing off the rev limiter, and it won't shift.

 

Just to clarify,

I want to drive the '90 gxe auto. The '93 SE is the tranny donor car (has coil packs). I seem to remember something about the starter issue. So if I want to do a good clean swap, I must limit my donor car choices to a 1989-1991 (SE/GXE no matter, just keep to the VG's)?

 

if you are going to a junk yard for a trans, you may want to reconsider.
VGs are HORRIBLY bad at going through transmissions. I would bet that at least 1/2 of the 3rd gens that hit the yards are because of the transmission. if you get a transmission from a junk yard, you should get it warrantied, giving you 30 days (depending on the yard) to return it for another.
you may want to consider getting it rebuilt, instead.

 

My bad...I can't read.

 

I can relate to this. It was not a VG tranny, but a used VE manual. Used transmissions are not the way to go. I double BenStoked advice and say get the rebuild.

 

used m/t isn't usually THAT big an issue.. it's more common for a car to get put into a JY cuz of of a failed a/t than a failed m/t. so if you wanted to go that route, that's not a big deal. and if it were a VE auto at the JY, i wouldn't be afraid to get that either. but i'd never get a used RE4F02A from the jy..

 

IMO scrap the VG and get that VE auto running

 

Better yet, 5 speed swap!

 

 

Dern,

Well, it's like this... I found a lady with a '93 SE (VE?). She says her engine has a broken valve spring and it's $400 to fix. The car's got 210,000 on it, BUT I drove it and it shifted into all gears (did not get it fast enough to go into overdrive) and when I pushed it, it made a horrible clattering sound, so I shut it off. Started back fine, but it lopes, like it's on 5 cyl. She'd probably let me pull codes on it, but I have not. Brand new tires = $300. I'd offer that. BUT if it's going to create chaos to do a swap to my '90 GXE, I'm not sure if it's worth it.

THE BAD: She's slightly crunched in the rear left (teen learning to drive a stick nailed her in the drive way). The noise is on the head closest to the firewall (boo!!!). My car's body and inter. are great, so that's why I want to put the tranny in mine, not just fix her spring. better than a junk yard b.c. I've driven/shifted it. HEY... can I fix a valve spring W/O removing cam/head removing eng. if it's the head closest to the fire wall? Inquiring minds....

 

That's an old tranny. How much more life would that possibly have provided that the fluid was changed religiously?

 

alot. its a ve

 

But I am saying that this one might not have been taken care of as well as an enthusiast. I don't know man. It is still an old transmission that has taken the wear and tear of 210,000 miles. That is just my opinion though.

 

or... if I could be so lucky... her tranny failed before 165K (when she bought it) and it's already been done! Feels good to believe this. But mine, which was maintained, failed at 215,000 orig. Ugh...

Since it let go so calmly, and I'm getting the #7 code ("torque conv. clutch (lockup) circuit"), one shop said if it's just torque conv., they'd do it for $700. But if it's not...

Any thoughts on bolting in a used JDM trans? And just to clarify, I really need to source an '89-91 VG if I want a direct swap, not TCU stuff/starter stuff.

 

I bet you that lady didnt drive it like an enthusiast as well....Through what ive heard through the years is ve auto is the better built tranny in the 3rd gens. My ve auto was rebuilt almost 5 years ago. I beat on it pretty hard and it still runs like new.

anyways. that clattering sound your hearing could be the VTC. How does she know its a valve spring? I bet you it has an injector going out, which is why it seems its running on 5 cyls like you said. and the VTC is causing that clattering. just a guess

 

i would fix the VE motor, and do a full motor trany swap. then what ever else you want on the car. good luck!

 

VTC= Valve Timing Chain? As I understand it, The injectors/coil packs are easily replaced on the VE?

I'm not sure how she knows it's a broken spring (unless it was a guess from one cylinder that got a 0 compression reading by her mechanic. I should call him). If it is the VTC and not a broken spring, What am I looking at spending to fix? i do my own timing belts, so...

 

VTC is for variable timing cams, they can be rebuilt for pretty cheap, rebuild kits are like 35 bux x2 than labour, if you can do it yourself, great, the timing chains need to come off when you do it so you might as well do those as well and the tensioners, you can use a press or some people use a big vice ive seen to rebuild the vtc's, im about to rebuild mine soon and do the knock sensor and harness and timing components and a spacer kit if i can get my hands on one, the VE is def worth putting more money into, although maybe its best to just source a better tranny, like a 5spd with relatively low miles

 

sure, you would... and probably, i would too. But Gerg can't (ability, time/space/tools, whatever reason) even replace his own T/C by himself.... how on earth is he supposed to fix and install a whole engine with wiring and all the headaches it causes (esp when his car is a non-Time-Conrol-Unit car cuz it's before 92)? He'd have to have all that work done at a shop... and probably there aren't many shops smart enough to do that kind of work. Hadman just happened to be friends with a Nissan Master Tech.

 

your right, i was a little short with him, but to adapt a VE trany to a VG would be difficult alone, tools, materials, time are all still factors in this mod. the quest flex plate, the VE tcu adaptation would be the most interesting, will the tcu account for a VE rpm band or will it bounce the VG off its valve springs? for this mod i would suggest JWT cams and springs to allow for a better rpm peek. there are Import wiring books that show how Hondaz are convertered to m/ts with out switch the ecu, that may help in adjusting the shift range. plus the age of the trany makes me worried even thou the VE trannys are stronger. this doesnt sound like a week end warrior job. i think the total swap would be less work if the motor is proven ok mainly because you can remove a ton of stuff and mostly bolt the new stuff in. but thats my opinion. a good tree limb has pulled a ton of engines out for me before i got my hoist i understand what your getting at and your right, but to me doing a full swap with the entire parts car in hand would be less brain work and more bolt on work more or less. anyway i still wish him luck.

 

well the VE tcu shifts around 6100 so i've been told which IS within the VG rev limit (6250) but your car will be faster if it shifts at 5800 than it will at 6100.. the tranny is 'just a tranny'.. the shift points should be matched to the engine type, not the tranny type.

 

Hey, no worries. I didn't consider anybody being short with me. I appreciate EVERYBODY'S input on this and taking the time to respond. My girlfriend thinks this is insane... that people actually care enough about a maxima like mine that they'd write back and forth. "You just don't understand, baby".

Crappy thing is... I actually COULD do an engine swap and have access to a 'cherry picker' (hoist), if I had the time. It's evident that I will not have this problem fixed by Feb 28 (my move date). So...

My options are:
1. I found a trans. guy in Charlotte (2 good ref.) who has done these trannys and says that from what he's seen and from the way I describe it (the uneventful nature of it letting go and no tell tale signs of trouble), he'd be able to put a torque conv. in it and do the job complete for $700. But what if it's not just the TC? (insert fear here)

2. Find somebody to help me absolutely rule out any electrical issue that may be contributing to this failure (#7 TCU Code, (think hard, guys... anything you got, throw it at me, PLEASE!). Tranny guy is good at rebuilding... but is he good at diagnosing to AVOID rebuilding? Hmmm...

3. Sell my girl for parts to one of you fine folks. (New timing belt, tensioner, waterpump, ignition stuff and CV shafts, Feb '07, new y-pipe, summer '06), great, even compression too, 2nd owner. great interior, good rubber, BAD SHOCKS, hehe. i should post pics and that movie of the engine running. Not sure how to do that, but will try once i get moved.

Y'all's thoughts? Taking donations, hehe

 

at the age the tranny is...even getting a new TC means that you're on borrowed time on the rest of the components.
if you're going to keep the car then bite the bullet and do the rebuild.
if you're just going to drive the car for a little while longer and toss it then pull a JY one and pray for the best.