Engine swap

  • onefast87
    onefast87
    Senior Member
    • 696

    Engine swap

    Hey guys, in needing to replace my vg with another engine.
    Its not likely ill find an engine from a z31, but a maxima or pathfinder are plentiful.
    What year of vehicle should i be looking at for the easiest swap.
    Not looking to do a vg33, just wanting the cheapest and easiest swap, it just has to last a few months
    http://www.youtube.com/user/onefast87
  • FlyingT
    FlyingT
    Senior Member
    • 1095

    #2
    Why not do a VG33E if the cost is the same as a VG30E? The Xterra had the VG30E until 2005. Some were super charged.
    Restore it, Don't crush it. They don't make them like this anymore.

    Scott
    85 Turbo, original owner, restored
    93 NA Babied


  • FlyingT
    FlyingT
    Senior Member
    • 1095

    #3
    Google is your friend. You should have tried there first. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nissan_VG_engine


    VG30E
    The 3.0 L (2,960 cc) VG30E produced 153 hp (114 kW) and 182 lb·ft (247 N·m). Bore is 3.43 in (87 mm) and stroke is 3.27 in (83 mm). In 300ZX form, it produced 160 hp (120 kW) and 173 lb·ft (235 N·m). On April 1987 the "W" series VG30 was released, adding 5 horsepower but leaving torque unchanged. In 1989, the Maxima received the 160 hp (120 kW) rating, but also used a variable intake plenum improving torque to 182 lb·ft (247 N·m) @3200 rpm.

    It was used in the following vehicles:
    1984–1989 Nissan 300ZX (160 hp/165 hp) 9.0:1 compression ratio for NA
    1984–1989 Nissan Laurel
    1985–1994 Nissan Maxima (160 hp)
    1987–1988 Nissan 200SX SE
    1988–1996 Nissan Homy & Caravan series E24
    1990–1992 Infiniti M30/Nissan Leopard
    1990–1995 D21 Hardbody Truck
    1990–1995 Nissan Pathfinder/Nissan Terrano
    1992–1999 Nissan Gloria/Nissan Cedric (179 hp)
    1993–1998 Nissan Quest/Mercury Villager (modified to become a non-interference design)


    VG33E

    The VG33E is a 3.3 L (3,275 cc) version built in Smyrna, TN. Bore is 91.5 mm (3.60 in) and stroke is 83 mm (3.3 in). Output is 170 hp (134 kW) at 4,800 rpm with 202 lb·ft (274 N·m) of torque at 2,800 rpm. It has a cast iron engine block and aluminum SOHC cylinder heads. It has sequential fuel injection, two valves per cylinder with self-adjusting hydraulic followers, forged steel connecting rods, one-piece cast camshafts, and a cast aluminum intake manifold. This engine is still in production in the Nissan Paladin produced by Zhengzhou Nissan for the Chinese market.

    It is used in the following vehicles:
    1996–2000 Nissan Pathfinder
    1996–2004 Nissan Pathfinder In Australian Models
    1997–2000 Infiniti QX4
    1999–2004 Nissan Frontier
    2000–2004 Nissan Xterra
    1997–2002 Nissan Elgrand
    1999–2002 Nissan Quest/Mercury Villager
    200?–200? Nissan Paladin

    VG33ER

    The 3.3 L (3,275 cc) VG33ER is a supercharged version of the VG33, and produces 210 hp (157 kW) at 4,800 rpm with 246 lb·ft (334 N·m) of torque at 2,800 rpm.

    It is used in the following vehicles:
    2001–2004 Nissan Frontier SC
    2002–2004 Nissan Xterra SC
    Restore it, Don't crush it. They don't make them like this anymore.

    Scott
    85 Turbo, original owner, restored
    93 NA Babied


  • 88sinZ
    88sinZ
    Senior Member
    • 2019

    #4
    FT, i can't remember if OF87 is CAN or US based. But take a look at the scrap yard prices on engines in CAN they're insane.
  • onefast87
    onefast87
    Senior Member
    • 696

    #5
    Originally posted by FlyingT View Post
    Why not do a VG33E if the cost is the same as a VG30E? The Xterra had the VG30E until 2005. Some were super charged.
    Cause doing a vg33 requires more work, swapping oil pumps and pulleys and timing belt
    Thanks for the wiki link, im going to check out the junkyard tomorow
    http://www.youtube.com/user/onefast87
  • Augustus Maximus
    Augustus Maximus
    Senior Member
    • 1739

    #6
    Maxima GXE 1989-93 , Maxima SE 1989-91 are W series square tooth belt. 1994 GXE is round tooth. 1992-94 SE type are VE30de.
    If your car is equipped with an A/B series VG you may have to swap crank or go with a late 87-89 Z31 crank pulley. I used an A/B crank when I did it. Swap oil pickup tube, oil pan, LIM etc…done.
    Cha iro

    enjoy building it yourself.
    if it fails, fuck it.
    at least you gave it a whirl.
  • onefast87
    onefast87
    Senior Member
    • 696

    #7
    I have a w series engine, im reading up on vg33s now.
    What i cant find is why cant i use the vg33s oil pump and factory accessories?
    Cant i just swap oil pans? And be good to go?
    http://www.youtube.com/user/onefast87
  • Augustus Maximus
    Augustus Maximus
    Senior Member
    • 1739

    #8
    VG33e comes from a variety of sources and each one is setup a little differently. The one from the Pathfinder have the desirable short oil filter bracket. Just move the PS pump .5 or so inch forward and if you go with one of those upgraded alternator with the wider serpentine belt you wont need to move it forward. Custom oil pickup tube and hack the oil pan a bit and you're good to go.
    Cha iro

    enjoy building it yourself.
    if it fails, fuck it.
    at least you gave it a whirl.