Engine Swap Forum

Fred,

Just curious why after all the work you decided to get away from the MS?

I read through quickly but found no explanation.

Drew

*cough cough* I think it was some crap about ultimately adjusting the ultimately adjustable so he ultimately adjusted his preference... But I'll let him chip in with the facts...

Go ahead Fred. Please fill us in...

Kurt

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Argh... guess I'll stick w/ the plan...

Ok here goes.  I have nobody local (it seems) that can tune this car so I was left trying to tune it myself on the road.  I have no experience doing that so it got frustrating real quick and I just decided that since I had all the hardware here to try the OEM Maxima ECU that that would be a good idea.  I wasn't really going to be out any money (only time) to try it so I did.  It's proven much harder than I thought because it turns out my OEM ECU has bad ground circuits inside on the circuit board.  So, after trying to work around those circuits for a while and sending the ECU and harness to my friend Mark (VQ35 powered S13 project) to be tested I've kinda given up on the OEM ECU in frustration.

So where am I now?

Now, I'm trying to decide between going back to the MS and searching until I find someone who can help me tune it (Kurt, I'd love to take you up on your previous offer but I have no truck or trailer to haul my car around right now)or pressing on with the OEM ECU route (will have to buy another Maxima ECU to replace this damaged one).  I'm leaning toward the MS at this point but only if I can get it tuned on a dyno OR if I can get some nice MS maps from someone who is using it on a VQ35DE (fat chance, I think I'm the first and only at this point ).

Nothing worth doing is ever easy!

And, on the side I really really want to build a shop to work out of at home, tired of being here at work after hours.

So, that's where I stand

 

Fred

 

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Instrument Cluster and Speedometer Repair

drews240:

Fred, Just curious why after all the work you decided to get away from the MS? I read through quickly but found no explanation. Drew

 

Drew, I saw you're now making almost 300 hp!  Wow man that's really good, I wonder what a stock 3.5L will do?

 

Fred

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Instrument Cluster and Speedometer Repair

Fred Allen Burge:

...Kurt, I'd love to take you up on your previous offer but I have no truck or trailer to haul my car around right now...

I'll put up $50 for u to rent a Uhaul or a dolly to get the car down here.

No excuses.

Kurt

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Argh... guess I'll stick w/ the plan...

Yes the last runs with the race car were complete adrenaline. I think stock 3.5 with no emissions tuned accordingly will do 300WHp for sure.

I am re building a VQ3.5L right now but i am going to do a twin set up with new cams and CP Pistons. This is for my 300ZX. In this car
I am looking for 400HP. I will appreciate that power with a lighter package. The VG was a heavy pig dog!!!!!!

Drew

What's the redline on your race car? 

You won't have any trouble hitting 400 hp on your turbo motor!

 

Fred

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Instrument Cluster and Speedometer Repair

With the nismo Grand am cams 8000 RPM.

Yes I figure 400 reliable

Drew

Read the sport compact car article long ago. Still have the mag. I am wanting to do this swap, but use the 3.0 from the '95 maxima according to the mag. I will try and extend the mounts the 3" needed to install, and hopefully keep the stock manifolds. I will more than likely be going to the army next month so i will not get anywhere fast, but once i am stationed i will be able to have my car shipped to me, as long as it is not Iraq. I will be a 63Bravo mechanic so i will have access to tools and a shop on my off days. My question is, can i follow this as a guide without all the electronic bugs since the '95 uses no such keys? The single cam motor in my '90 240 started to tick and i do not think it is valves. Thats where the v6 comes in. My '92 supercharged 240 project is hold for this because it is apart and not drivable and non insured until it is rebuilt. I need a car, I hope it doesnt blow before i get it to where i am going. I can tell you are busy so any help on info or advice will greatly be appreciated. GREAT WORK by the way. Maybe if i extend the mount i will not have to cut the transmision either?

I'm not sure what the 3" is your referring to.  For the shifter linkage?  Are you saying you want to mount the engine 3" farther forward than me so you don't have to modifiy the shifter linkage?  If so, that won't work because of clearance with the oil pan and steering rack and sway bar.

If you're using the 3.0L ECU you'll not have to mess with any security systems, it has none so it will be easier in that respect.

 

Fred

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Instrument Cluster and Speedometer Repair

fred dont A33 2000 / 2k1 have immo, stuff ?

Ya, I think the immobilizer system was introduced in 2000 for Nissans.

 

Fred

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Instrument Cluster and Speedometer Repair

Fred Allen Burge:

Hello and welcome to the site!  I guess the folks with subscriptions are starting to get their copies, unfortunately my subscription ran out and I haven't even seen the finished article yet. 

The FWD VQ engine mount bolt holes on the block are toward the rear of the block, by the tranny actually, not hard to get to at all really if you have a ratcheting wrench. 

My total investment is somewhere around the 1800-2000$ mark plus 2250$ for the car.  Keep in mind, I got the motor for basically free after selling the FWD tranny that I bought with it.  I was able to sell the original 4cyl motor and tranny  for about 5-600$ so that subtracts from the total too.  I've been blessed to have access to tools and equipment as well as a proper shop to do most of the work in for no cost and that makes it all possible.  Major thanks to my employer Forty Three Auto, www.43auto.com and JR for the use of his tools.

I don't really expect to spend any more money on it to get it "done" (daily drivable), all that's really left is tuning.... although I do need a couple power steering lines but they won't cost too much.  

 

Fred

 

 

Lol. 

Fred, I've been keeping up with this stuff since I read the article back in August or whenever it came out.  I've been meaning to ask you where in Missouri you live, I'd love to see the car or get a ride when it's done and hang out and talk and stuff.  I'm currently reading these old posts of yours and I just read this post...you live in Joplin.  Rofl.  I live in Joplin too.  What a small world.  I'd like to come by Forty Three sometime and say hi if you don't mind.  In the meantime, I'm going to keep on reading.  Later.

That's funny!  I'm suprised it's taken this long to meet someone local actually.  Come by any time if you like, i keep the car there (it's in a pretty embarassing state right now though, not much to look at!).  I usually take lunch at 11 and work some Saturdays until about noon.

 

BTW, if anyone wants to talk on MSN Messenger I'm usually on there, you can add me with turbosforsale(at)hotmail.com

 

Fred

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Instrument Cluster and Speedometer Repair

Fred Allen Burge:

Ya, I think the immobilizer system was introduced in 2000 for Nissans.

 

Fred

Actually the last 4th gens(99's) had a chip in the key.  It was probably a very early version but I know it was there.

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Creator of the first VQ Powered S13 Coupe