So I've been working on this for a while and we finally got it started up 2 days ago with the help of Frank at Hills Garage. I'm not going to go into to much detail but its basically a 2002 maxima engine in my girlfriends 1997 maxima. For all the details on the swap you can go here http://forums.maxima.org/all-motor/5...ss-thread.html or ask questions in this thread. Alot of these pics need captions but I'll add them later. I'll just let you all enjoy the pics and vids of our journey from start to finish.

 

Hearing it start up was one of the greated feelings in the world. We had no idea if it would even work since we arent mechanics and never done anything like this ever. We actually set the timing correctly the first time around! After all of this work we only have 2 issues which I consider small. We need a new radiator and we have a leak coming from the timing cover that we'll have to reseal. We ran into some other issues that we needed a shop to fix for us so we took it to Hills garage and had frank take care of it for us. My girl cant wait to bring out to some of the meets.

 

looks good.

you bringin it to asian or gb tonight?

 

That looks pretty dope, I wonder how quick it'll be

 

Naw I'll be working on fixing the leak tonight. I got to drop the oil pan and remove the timing cover then reseal it all.

 

Most swaps run around 13.8-13.5@102-105.

 

Wow thats sick! Well done, nothing like doing something yourself and seeing the rewards...

 

Great Job!!! Definitely take it up to the track and post some times.....Any idea how much that year maxima weighs?

 

Yeah man not to mention all of the stuff we learned by attempting this.

 

I have the same model max as hers and mine weighed 3140lb with me in it so hers should be right around there. I dont think I've ever seen any solid track times from an swapped automatic maxima so hoepfully we can get some good times out of it.

 

Nice job man. Will it be ready for the Maxima meet?

 

We're hoping it will be. We're going to be working on it every night for the next couple of days until its done.

 

well lets hope.. i know alot of time was spent on it on mon and tues by frank... i hope to see it all cleaned up. and at the maxus show.. maybe with all that power you can slap a set of wp pro brakes on there next .. 6 pots all the way around great low price..

 

Nice. That setup should be a lot of fun. I used to have an 6spd 02 max and it was definitely a fun fwd car. The 97 max should be even lighter than the 02 IIRC so you should have a blast with it.

 

Yeah those brakes are nice. I'm sure she'll consider them after her winter project is complete.

 

Yeah its going to be alot of fun. We cant wait to get it to the track. I'll have to teach her how to handle the torque steer.

 

Great job man esp for never having done this before.....congrats.

 

Thanks man.

 

Kudos to you and your buddies doing this outside in the dirt. Maybe the Maxima will be ready for the next Import vs Domestic day at MIR?

 

Great project, but FWD FTL!