How involved would it be to install a 3rd gen engine, from a 91 GXE into my 2nd gen car? I have found a great deal on an entire 91 GXE that's been wrecked, with low milage, and a brand new tranny. How difficult would it be to swap it all over?

 

What kind of engine is it? If it's the 190hp VE30DE, it won't fit in your car to begin with. If it's the 160hp VG30E engine, it'll fit, but there's alot of differences between that engine and the one in our cars. I'm not sure how difficult it would be to install it, as I don't know anyone who's ever done it.

What you should do is contact NIC International. A member from the Second Generation Nissan Maxima Club got an engine with under 50K miles from there and is having it installed in his car after some performance work is done to it. You can find the link to the site by visiting the club at: http://clubs.yahoo.com/clubs/secondg...onnissanmaxima I think that he paid under $700 for that engine.

-C-

 

The motor bolts right in however there are some issues. You would have to use your old intake manifold/plenum and then you have to modify where the oil filter is mounted. I'm sure the crankshaft pulley is different also. Other than that it shouldn't be that bad.

 

Well, it's still a possibility, but due to the extent of the swap, and the fact that I can't afford to farm out the install work, I think I've determined that I'd be better off just having a little work done to mine. I know it needs a valve job, so I've got a quote for a good, 3-angle valve job with VERY light porting, and a ring/bearing replace for $800, if I R/R the engine. Almost a rebuild, and it'll tighten up the engine some, and improve the breathing a little.

I may still consider buying the 91 GXE, and just rebuild the front end...it was side swiped, and it took out the driver side fender, side marker, outer tie-rod end, outer CV & the driver side front wheel. It looks like pretty simple body damage (I've done some basic repair like this before on an 87 Mustang), and the car only has about 113k on it, with a brand new auto tranny about 3 months ago. He's wanting $800 for it.

 

That sounds like a pretty good deal for that 3rd gen. As long as the frame isn't bent, I'd get it if I were you. It shouldn't be too expensive to get those parts, probably under $600.

 

Well, turns out the frame was bent pretty good on that 91...too bad, also, woulda made a good second car...

Also, the right rear door did not seat correctly at the top, as if the door frame was bent also, and there was a pretty good sized crease on the roof that I hadn't noticed before.

I passed on it...only body shop in town that I would trust with a frame project estimated about $3000 to straighten the frame out.

 

Like Charles said their is a whole lot of differences between the VG for the 89-94 vs the one for the 85-88. you can just look at the 2 side by side and see alot of the external differences, not including the internal ones!