vg30dett

well seeing as everyone on the maxima bored wants to read my post but not throw any info at all my way, i thought maybe id try over here...does anyone know if a vg30dett would drop right in to a 89 maxima? same engine code just w/o the tt (which stands for twin turbo i know) i was just curious as to wether it could be straight dropped in or if the engine mounts would need replacing or moving or what. and the transmission issue, i figure it has the same bolt patteren being the same block. any information or websites would be awesome.

No. The VG in your Maxima is a VG30E, meaning it is a single cam(SOHC) motor. They come with 162hp stock. The VG30DETT is a twin cam(DOHC) motor, and is quite a bit wider. That 'D' in the engine code stands for DOHC, and makes a big difference. This only scratches the surface of the challenges you would face.

The VG found in the 300ZX is rwd, and uses a rwd transmission. It will not fit into your Maxima without an incredible amount of work, including a fwd-->rwd conversion.

You would be better off trying a VE30DE swap. This is a DOHC 190hp/190lb-ft motor from the 91-94 Maxima of the 3rd generation like yours. The swap may require the VE transmission, but it might actually be possible to actually 'drop' the motor in like you want to do.

If you still want to do something hard, try a newer 190hp/205lb-ft VQ30DE from the 4th gen Maxima or a 222-227hp/217lb-ft VQ30DEK(K for 'kaizen,' or 'improved'). If I remember correctly, no one has done that, either. At the very least, the motor is still fwd, and should be easier than a VG turbo swap.

thanks! glad i know that before i tried it! lol

Good answer, man...I applaud thee.

Good answer, man...I applaud thee.

Thanks. My dad has an '89 Maxima SE, so I've been able to learn a bit about it.

That's good. Learn all ya can, man.