CauzinDrama

iTrader: (13)

OK so I've located a 2002 i35 with 162xxx miles. The engine doesn't leak or make any noise. The seller claims it only burns about 1 quart of oil between changes.

The car was rear ended so from the rear doors forward are in good shape. He's got it lowered on eibachs too. Interior is 6 of 10 for the front and 9 of 10 for the rear. But I don't care about the interior tho.

My car only had 148xxx on it before the oil burned too low and something is now shaving itself down.

The seller is asking $750 obo. I know I could offer 450 and take it. My plan is to send both cars to the mechanic and have em do the swap and keep the rest of the i35 as payment for the labor.

I'm hoping this works out!

DennisMik

iTrader: (2)

Good luck. I think you biggest challenge is to get the mechanic to do the work for left over parts.

dfj240

iTrader: (1)

This.

As a mechanic who runs such a shop, I can tell you, it would have to be a LOT more valuable than a rear ended I35 with no motor and a 6/10 front interior. Mainly because I would then have to go through the work of parting the car out which would require more labor and time and I really wouldn't make my money. There aren't nearly enough high demand, exclusive parts on the I35 (rear window shade notwithstanding).

The swap isn't much trouble though, cut and dry really. So it shouldn't be ridiculously expensive to have done, depending on whether you decide to install new mounts, and replace things like water pump, and tensioner and other such parts which is a good idea while the engine is out of the car. Also, new valve cover gaskets are a good idea on the VQ35.

Child_uv_KoRn

iTrader: (7)

Headers Headers Headers Headers Headers Headers Headers Headers

Don't make me repeat it more

If you have an auto, keep the I35 tranny.

4th gen maxi

iTrader: (1)

I would do the swap for you for as low as 100lbs of gold and 50lbs of carbon titanium.

dfj240

iTrader: (1)

Sounds legit. Lol.

The Duke of NY

iTrader: (5)

What color is the interior? If black, i will take the rear seats so you can recoup some of the $.

maximasicilian123

See how much they offer to junk the rest of the car.

I junked my j30 for 600. I just wanted to get rid of it.

CauzinDrama

iTrader: (13)

its a beige interior, if it were black then it would make its way in my Maxima...lol.....The mechanic that would be doing the work has his garage in the back of his house and is always junking or restoring cars......right now hes sitting on 4...yes 4 GTOs and its possible 1 is a Judge.....I know he has the contacts to make the money back on the rest of the car.

CauzinDrama

iTrader: (13)

OK so the mechanic is dodging my calls so I'm thinking he doesn't want any work at all cuz I also offer the cash.

I might be looking to tackle this on my own. Question is if I were to pull the engine and Trans from the bottom, how high am I going to need to get the body off the ground? I don't have a lift.....

Child_uv_KoRn

iTrader: (7)

The engine is pretty tall. Just get a cherry picker (harbor freight one worked fine for me). Use a balancer on the picker to make it easier to level in the bay. Take off the hoses, radiator, IM, harness, mounts, axles, etc, of course, then dip the drivers side down to drop the tranny off (support it underneath by w/e).

After the new engine was in I used a tow strap to pull the tranny up by a bolt in the starter hole (didn't have any hooks for the chains LOL). Reassemble and yay.

This car is ridiculously easy for disassembling the mechanical ****.

dfj240

iTrader: (1)

I agree. After removing the hood, there's plenty of room to get it from the top, probably much easier too. Idk about the VQ35 but I've pulled and installed a VQ30 in a 5th Gen with the transmission still attached. It just took a little maneuvering to clear the transmission side. One way or another, Korn is right, it's pretty simple overall. Good learning experience too if you've never done anything like it before.

Child_uv_KoRn

iTrader: (7)

Yeah, as far as I could tell, it's pretty hard to get it out with the auto tranny. There was just a little bit that wouldn't clear without disassembling some more stuff. Out the bottom she went. The 1st time we did it my buddy didn't believe me that the tranny would fall off the block once the bolts were out. We started raising the motor and the 6 speed fell to the ground

dfj240

iTrader: (1)

Haha. Nice. Yea, the 5th Gen I replaced the motorset on was a 5MT and I had to angle it out to clear the transmission side, but I think that auto is a bit bulkier, so you're probably spot on. Either way, yea, that transmission will come right off easily enough anyways. Lol.

CauzinDrama

iTrader: (13)

Thanks for all the good advise.... I've done simple engine swaps in some of my old Blazers in the past..... But fwd engine pulls are foreign to me.....just nice that it's not my DD so I can take my time on it.

dfj240

iTrader: (1)

Yea, no sweat for you then. At least it's not a Cadillac. Lol. The Maxima falls into the category of simple engine swaps for me.

CauzinDrama

iTrader: (13)

My buddy has a 01 sts.... I hate when he ask me to help him work on it..... That Northstar is a monster!

dfj240

iTrader: (1)

Please, please, please don't get me started. Haha. Our most regular customer has had nothing but Cadillac until very recently when he decided to get a Lincoln. I've done way too much work on Cadillac's. Hate them. Lol

svillegas2253

Is there a difference between the Maxima and I35 tranny?

CauzinDrama

iTrader: (13)

Questions.....How hard would this engine swap be if I were doing it on a non level driveway......?

dfj240

iTrader: (1)

How out of level is it? Are we talking steep slope or slight grade? Obviously the flatter the better.

If you're facing downhill trying to pull the motor, you run the risk of the hoist rolling into your bumper and possibly causing damage. Not to mention have to pull it uphill to get it clear.

If you're facing uphill, you run the risk of the hoist trying to run you over while the engine's on it's way out.

Can it be done? Of course. It just brings in an added element of difficulty to contend with.

Child_uv_KoRn

iTrader: (7)

No, but automatics suck, so a backup is preferable. He already has one, so why get rid of it? Tranny swap on this thing is cake.
If he puts on headers/guts the cats the car will long outlast the original tranny.