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)

[ClayPerrine]

I want to ask a curiosity question here.

Why use a WRX transmission? With it you have to remove all the stuff that hooks to the rear driveshaft, and install an aftermarket block off plate. Then you have to make custom axles to use it in a 914 chassis. And you still have to make an adapter plate/clutch assembly to hook it to the Nissan engine. Plus you have to fabricate a cable shift setup.

Why not use a Boxster/Cayman G86-21 transmission? It is 2 wheel drive, so you don't have to do any mods to it, and you can use stock, unmodified Porsche 996 axles in a 914. And it already comes setup for a mid engine cable shifter.

It also appears that the VQ35 starter mounts from the engine side (I could be wrong though), so with the Boxster/Cayman trans, you don't have a big unused open hole in the bell housing.


The prices on the Porsche G86-21 trans are about $2500.00. The Subaru trans is cheaper, but with all the mods you have to do it may be cheaper to use the Porsche trans.

Just my $.02 worth on it.