Project 914n6 -> the infamous Nissan V6 swap, new motor buildup Options

[Chris914n6]

Logic, according to my brain...

In 2000 I installed a Nissan VQ30, 3.0L from a 97 Maxima. 190hp 205tq and it was great. Then things happened (rusted battery tray). Then it sat for a decade (recession). The engine now overheats the cooling system like a bad head gasket. Likely from aluminum erosion from sitting too long (other signs). Fixing that requires complete disassembly down to a short block.

Soooo....

I decided to move up to a VQ35, 03 Maxima 3.5L +80hp!!! (that's 42% more)

Here's the rub. To get the VQ30 to fit I moved everything forward 1.5". Renegade sbc trans blocks, shortened shift rod, small hole in the truck. To fit the VQ35 as-is I would need to move it back, likely to stock location, to clear the variable cam timing stuff. That means a new cross mount, new shift rod, redo exhaust, plus new harness and ms3pro ecu ($$$$).

Turns out the gearheads at Maxima.org like to upgrade too. They created a VQ30/35 hybrid. It's a VQ35 engine with VQ30 ecu, harness, timing components and accessories. I lose the variable cam timing but I get to reuse all my custom swap bits, which saves a bunch of time I don't have before RRC22. But it requires some new custom parts.

If one or more of our great fabricators has time and tools I'd love to toss email money your way. @mueller @tygaboy @mb911

First is the Throttle Body adapter. Replacing the factory e-gas with cable. I currenly have this partially drawn in CorelDraw and design is not absolute (still searching hardware). 96mm x 99mm. TB (red) bolts to piece_1 (blue) which bolts to piece_2 (green) which bolts to IM (yellow).

(IMG:http://www.914world.com/bbs2/uploads_offsite/live.staticflickr.com-431-1658826257.1.jpg)

Second is cam gear adapters/spacers in steel. I need 2 @ 178* and 2 @ 180*. 4 total cuz 4 cams of fury. 6mm dowel pins look to be readily available.

(IMG:http://www.914world.com/bbs2/uploads_offsite/live.staticflickr.com-431-1658826258.2.jpg)

Third is a pair of aluminum block-off plates for the VVT cam adjusters. 1.5" x 3.5" Also drawn in CorelDraw, which can be exported as .ai or .dxf. Actually I might make these by hand.

(IMG:http://www.914world.com/bbs2/uploads_offsite/live.staticflickr.com-431-1658826258.3.jpg)

Gratuitous PartsFinder pic

(IMG:http://www.914world.com/bbs2/uploads_offsite/live.staticflickr.com-431-1658826258.4.jpg)

[Chris914n6]

A rare moment of easier than expected.

The 3.5 FlywheelPS is 4mm longer and the oil pan is 4mm thicker at the mounting location to accommodate. The guide lists options as grind down the 3.5 mount or swap the 3.0 oil pan. The only other differences with the oil pan is an extra hole for the compressor to mount directly instead of with a bracket -- and extra internal bracing.

I feel the bracing is important... so some quick FSM reading and, no surprise, the sensors function the same.

Luckily this part of the harness is a separate segment and it just happens to use the same pins (unlike the injectors) and it wasn't removed from the motor before I got it. Presto change-o connector replace-o (IMG:style_emoticons/default/santa_smiley.gif)

(IMG:http://www.914world.com/bbs2/uploads_offsite/live.staticflickr.com-431-1661359218.1.jpg)(IMG:http://www.914world.com/bbs2/uploads_offsite/live.staticflickr.com-431-1661359218.2.jpg)

Spent the rest of the time cleaning and de-gasketing and making my neck hurt.

I also need to up my pace (IMG:style_emoticons/default/poke.gif)