Hi everyone! I bought a 2000 Maxima brand new in 1999. I had the car until i took the engine apart and then sold it for $1000 a few years ago. I really miss having a maxima so I was hoping for updated information on swapping either a vq30dek or a vq35de. I found a nice Maxima with a blown engine that i am considering buying.

I have done the research on what is involved in these swaps except those notes are from 8 years ago. I am leaning towards a vq35de since you can get those motors with less mileage. From what i was reading, it seems the 3.5 swap is more extensive and difficult while the dek is nearly a drop in.

I live in California and want my swap to be smog legal. I wont be modifying the engine other than an intake and exhaust. Which engine do you recommend for me in caifornia? Is it to tough to get these engines smog legal in my state? Are there any shops or people near sacramento that can do this swap for me without problems?

 

I think you need to do more research because the 2000 Maxima came with the VQ30DE-K stock. Or are you saying you bought a 1999 Maxima in 2000? Either way, your beginnings are confusing.

 

Whoops. Bad start.

I had a 2000 Maxima that I loved. I want a 4th gen this time and possibly swap an engine in.

 

OK that's better. The 98 Maxima was the most modern 4th gen without the most extensive emissions upgrades. The most significant differences between a 98 and 99 are the chipped key (NATS) and emissions. Other than that, 98 and 99 are identical. They both have digital odometers and the newer, more reliable auto-climate control system. The 97 4th gen, even though it also looks virtually indistinguishable from the 98 and 99, is very different. 97 has analog odometer and many of the exiting wiring of the 95/96es.

Assuming you get a 98 and keep the 98 ECU, any additional emissions of the newer motors can be ignored/removed while still remaining street legal. For example like the swirl valves. A VQ35 would probably make the most sense about now. You want to look for 2004 or later VQ35 FWD motors (Altima, Maxima etc) as a significant number of the earlier ones suffered from disintegrating pre-cats issues.

That should get you going for starters. Hope this helps.