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]

After RRC I wasn't in a hurry anymore... and I discovered Link now makes a plug-in 350z ecu... so I started rethinking the plan. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/idea.gif) I have a vq35de harness hidden somewhere. Nissan makes a floor mounted e-gas pedal. The 3.0L ecu will run the 3.5L but things will be a bit off so a new ecu was on the list anyways.

Plan the work. Work the plan. Change the plan. Spend more money. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/dry.gif)

But luckily for my wallet I was motivated to work on something else. Plus it gets cold in my north facing garage.

The infamous 1988 Nissan Partsfinder is pretty much worn out @233k. It's fine for local needs but sucks for touring and can barely get it's own butt up the Baker grade - forget towing a 914. I was looking into a newer Pathfinder (one with the vq35de (IMG:style_emoticons/default/biggrin.gif) ) when circumstances offered a likely better option.

The next door neighbor's 2004 Chevy Blazer broke again and he was ready to move on. He took good care of it and I did most of the previous fixes, so I couldn't say no.
BUT, what I thought was a bad spark plug wire and broken motor mount was actually a leaking injector and hydrolock damage (IMG:style_emoticons/default/sad.gif) So it sat for a while, because, frankly, Partsfinders don't break. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/aktion035.gif) Eventually I scored a 61k engine & trans from a wrecked 2001 S10. Last winter I finally committed to fixing it. I got it put together and running again by this summer but there were some other issues.

After the 16 hours of driving for RRC I was motivated to finish the Blazer. Still a few little things but at this point it's practically restored reconditioned. Will I unintentionally also drive this Partzfinder for 15 years? (IMG:style_emoticons/default/confused24.gif)

(IMG:http://www.914world.com/bbs2/uploads_offsite/live.staticflickr.com-431-1670051447.1.jpg)