Nissan Altima 3.5 2003

  • Thread starter Maiden93
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Maiden93

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Maiden93_
I have had a few problems with the engine in this car. Thinking of getting a bigger engine dropped in. Anyone with knowledge able to help me out of what kind, price, specs, etc.
 
How exactly do you plan on getting a bigger FWD engine in there? 3.5 is about as big as they get.
 
What kind of issues? I'm a huge fan of the Nissan VQ engines. Not sure what else you could put in that's better/bigger that wouldn't require tons of fabrication work.
 
Well, the engine is just getting old now and needs to be redone anyway. I was thinking if I could up the power, it'd be worth it. It's a front wheel drive car though. If I didn't get a bigger engine, I'd want to get a completely new one exactly like the old, but hype it up a bit. I want the car to fly. It definitely used to whenever the engine was at it's prime. The engine isn't shot yet, but it can't run like it used to. I try not to run it as hard too.
 
You're probably better off rebuilding the engine altogether than trying to find something like a 3.7-liter. That should add new life to it as well as allow you to place some more performance-oriented parts in it.
 
What kind of prices would I need to look at for redoing the engine? Also, this is a random question, what type of engine does the GTR have?
 
A high compression build on this engine would be killer.

Edit: GT-R is VR38DETT. Your car is VQ35DE. (FWD version) Best to find a performance shop in your town with a good reputation and ask them your questions.
 
If your having problems with the motor sell it and get a G35.

& I really doubt you can afford to put a VR38 in the car, as you will have to custom fab EVERYTHING.
 
Maiden93
Well, the engine is just getting old now and needs to be redone anyway. I was thinking if I could up the power, it'd be worth it. It's a front wheel drive car though. If I didn't get a bigger engine, I'd want to get a completely new one exactly like the old, but hype it up a bit. I want the car to fly. It definitely used to whenever the engine was at it's prime. The engine isn't shot yet, but it can't run like it used to. I try not to run it as hard too.
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Give the engine a tune up and do some cleaning (MAF, Throttle body). You'll be amazed at how much hp you can get back by spending a couple hours under the hood.
 
The engine as it was in the Altima was pretty mildly tuned, too; so the room for relatively cheap power increase are pretty good.
 
I used to have a friend with an '03 Altima 3.5 6-speed with A LOT of goodies installed. He went through 4 different exhausts until he found the one he liked. The car sounded awesome and was fast as hell. During one of our car meets we were cruising down the highway at about 90mph, and he flew past us as some crazy speed. :crazy:
 
I do want to do some tune ups to the engine. I've come to the conclusion that the engine probably won't be able to get much bigger. What is the best thing to do first, in this refurbishing process?
 
R1600Turbo
Why would he get a G35? Same motor, just RWD. Cheaper in the long run to rebuild what he has.
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Not compared to what he is talking about doing. G35 sedan can be had a nice price, easy to mod, 6spd tranny, and rwd. Lot better to mod compared to a fwd.
 
Maiden93
I do want to do some tune ups to the engine. I've come to the conclusion that the engine probably won't be able to get much bigger. What is the best thing to do first, in this refurbishing process?
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How many KM's/miles on the car?
 
I'd start with:

- Complete fluid changes (engine - oil, coolant, trans - oil)
- Spark Plugs
- Spark Plug Wires (and/or coils)
- Air Filter
- Catalytic Converters (with over 200k, these are probably shot)
 
Okay. Thanks a lot. Have any of you gotten the chance to drive an Altima with the V6 in it? It's pretty nice as far as handling. I also looked into just getting another engine altogether. It was just under five grand for a brand new V6 engine for it. Will I end up spending more money tuning this engine up, or getting the new one?
 
Depends on how far you go on the tuneup. I believe it has a timing chain, so that shouldn't need to be replaced. Although I would recommend replacing the tensioner.

You might find a good, low mileage motor for quite a bit less.
 
Okay. So after I get an engine that is decent, I halfway need help finding legit sources, will I have to refurbish it also by doing the little things to it?
 
If I were to buy a used engine, I would definitely change the rear crank seal no matter what, just so you don't have to go in there and change it after the engine is put in. (pain in the rear, requires transmission removal) Do the front crank seal, valve cover gaskets, and maybe some new spark plugs. Depending on the mileage, that should be about it. Not too bad. 👍
 
Anyone happen to know a good website that I could get a good engine from? I didn't have much time to do on foot/drive looking for one.
 
Maiden93
Anyone happen to know a good website that I could get a good engine from? I didn't have much time to do on foot/drive looking for one.
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I wouldn't even bother. I have a G35 with the VQ35, and I know lots of guys on the forums that have 240k+ miles and are still running strong. The list already mentioned is a good starting position, but heres some things that I will add that will really make a difference...

- MAF cleaner (CRC makes a great one, gunk makes one as well, pull it, spray it, and repeat until the wires look clean. You can help clean it with a Q-tip, but be careful not to break the wire, be very gentle. Made a HUGE difference on my car and my friends VQ35 Maxima, made it feel like the life was put back into the car)

- Throttle body cleaning (Again, CRC makes a good one, but theres others out there, just make sure you get one thats good for electrical throttle bodys, and whatever you do, DON'T use carb cleaner. Idle will improve as well as throttle response. Easy to do, just remember if your car is drive by wire, remove the ground from the battery before moving the butterfly valve.)

I'd recommend putting NGK Iridium spark plugs in, they'll last you another 100k with no problems, NGK platinums are also good, but stay away from anything else. Coil packs should be fine unless you're throwing a code, and I believe you have the pre-cat/cats on your car, so unless you're throwing a code for that or have failed emissions, the cats on your car should be fine as well.

As long as you maintain the engine properly with regular oil changes, and never let your engine run low on oil, your tensioner should be fine as well. The VQ will let you know when its gone by the horrible metal on metal sound it will make from the engine.

Honestly, try what I've listed before going out to get a new engine, I think you'll be surprised by how much of a difference it will make.
 
SRV2LOW4ME
I wouldn't even bother. I have a G35 with the VQ35, and I know lots of guys on the forums that have 240k+ miles and are still running strong. The list already mentioned is a good starting position, but heres some things that I will add that will really make a difference...

- MAF cleaner (CRC makes a great one, gunk makes one as well, pull it, spray it, and repeat until the wires look clean. You can help clean it with a Q-tip, but be careful not to break the wire, be very gentle. Made a HUGE difference on my car and my friends VQ35 Maxima, made it feel like the life was put back into the car)

- Throttle body cleaning (Again, CRC makes a good one, but theres others out there, just make sure you get one thats good for electrical throttle bodys, and whatever you do, DON'T use carb cleaner. Idle will improve as well as throttle response. Easy to do, just remember if your car is drive by wire, remove the ground from the battery before moving the butterfly valve.)

I'd recommend putting NGK Iridium spark plugs in, they'll last you another 100k with no problems, NGK platinums are also good, but stay away from anything else. Coil packs should be fine unless you're throwing a code, and I believe you have the pre-cat/cats on your car, so unless you're throwing a code for that or have failed emissions, the cats on your car should be fine as well.

As long as you maintain the engine properly with regular oil changes, and never let your engine run low on oil, your tensioner should be fine as well. The VQ will let you know when its gone by the horrible metal on metal sound it will make from the engine.

Honestly, try what I've listed before going out to get a new engine, I think you'll be surprised by how much of a difference it will make.
Click to expand...

Thanks a lot. Thanks to everyone also. This has helped out a lot. I'm going to start these adjustments Monday morning. Hopefully I'll be able to get this engine running.v like new and then get it a little more powerful after.. exhausts, etc.
 

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