Blown Engine

[la_fx35]

Are you replace with a new rebuilt or salvage one?

 

[porkandbeans]

90% sure it will be a new rebuilt at this point.
When I look at salvaged ones, I get the thoughts that I would want to rebuild that one anyways. And that option is still very alive on the table.

 

[tchuck]

Damn, that's harsh. Sorry to see.

Didn't the m45 use that same engine?

 

[onthemove]

If you still love your fx & have some extra grands your willing to part with, this is not a problem but an opportunity. 220k miles - it's paid for itself at this point. Most flip in & out of new vehicles every 3-5 years which is very foolish financially. Get it built by a pro. perf. shop & wring some n.a. hp/tq out of that thing. FX50 getting high 3's hp/tq. Bet you can come close without spending gobs more cash as your rebuilding anyway.

 

[porkandbeans]

Damn, that's harsh. Sorry to see.

Didn't the m45 use that same engine?

The VK45DE was used in the FX45, M45, and Q45. From all that I've read, there may be small differences in setup. (I think one of them has the starter on the other side, for instance) Since I'm not willing to deal with these possible surprises, I limited my search to FX45 motors. May be shocking, but shopping online is not always truthful. I found countless ads stating "fits FX45" only to quickly discover, "hey, that looks nothing like my motor." I guess one can always use the same argument and stuff a Chevy big block in there and say, "See, it fits!"
So, even though it may be a direct replacement, I did not look at any M engines.

 

[Old Blue]

I’m late to see this but, I’ve had real good luck with LKQ, (Like Kind and Quality ) they have a network of like 800 salvage yards, insurance prices versus Enthusiastic prices.

They deliver what they say. Very reasonable.

It’d be cool to get a 50, will that fit? Anything from 2003 or so, is likely to have higher mileage.

 

[porkandbeans]

LKQ is a good source and I they did have a motor that wanted. (As well as other companies that offered rebuilt and non-rebuilt motors)
In fact, even though I found better prices elsewhere, LKQ was my next best option and I even whittled down to the exact motor I would have wanted. I think the best part about LKQ is there warranty service. My concern though, in my particular situation, is that IF some problem were to arise, there isn't really a backup plan. IF something was wrong, they can't quite say, oops here's another engine.

As far as a VK50... No, I did not consider that option. That opens up more risk and troubleshooting than I am willing to accept.

 

[onthemove]

Spelled BUILD in huge letters using BUILD copied many times. Looked good but didn't come out after I saved it. Oh well. Wasted 5 minutes.

 

[Old Blue]

I understand, I sold my ‘03 FX35, 230,000 miles. At that point it owed me nothing. Still runs great, next door neighbor bought it.

If I had a healthy FX, with mostly reliably new parts, I might be tempted to locate a totalled out twin turbo 400 hp 3 liters. Patience...

That’s going to be the next cool engine from Infiniti.

 

[porkandbeans]

Spelled BUILD in huge letters using BUILD copied many times. Looked good but didn't come out after I saved it. Oh well. Wasted 5 minutes.

Message received as intended, so don't continue to think you completely wasted your time.
.
.
But..... No, I won't be building the motor out unfortunately.

 

[porkandbeans]

I understand, I sold my ‘03 FX35, 230,000 miles. At that point it owed me nothing. Still runs great, next door neighbor bought it.
If I had a healthy FX, with mostly reliably new parts, I might be tempted to locate a totalled out twin turbo 400 hp 3 liters. Patience...
That’s going to be the next cool engine from Infiniti.

I hear ya, but engine modifications on a FX35 and FX45 are very different animals. The VQ engine has many aftermarket options that have been given the gift of proven success over the many years. I don't have any interest in pioneering a completely new custom build. In my eyes, the early FX45's are over-engineered just enough to be the ideal production vehicle. I am very happy with it as factory.

 

[onthemove]

You don't need to go nutz with it. You might not be able to go nutz even with deeep pockets due to lack of support. A little porting/polishing, .30+ over, higher compression, 3.5/4" intake, water injection to compliment the higher compression and I bet you'd have somewhere around 375-400 hp/tq at the crank. That's a lot of time and $ invested and you'd need sustainable motivation though.
Or, find a low mileage fx35 with a salvaged title? Make sure the engine, etc. is good to go & you'll have whatever you need.

 

[porkandbeans]

The standard rebuild would go +20 over, and I will be avoiding even that if possible. Even with all costs aside, the risk / reward is simply not there.
My goal is to get this wonderful machine back on the road and clock an excess of another 220k miles.
But... you never know. I plan to have my old motor retained on a stand in the garage. To be studied?, backup?, built?... anything if anything would be years down the line.

Where has Lance been?

 

[Old Blue]

Their best trick is finding a low mileage replacement. Installing lkq should be plug ‘n play. (Cheapest to install) most of these haven’t been abused, you would be no worse off, and “Riding Again!”, I guess it’s just what you want to “ drive like ya stole”for the next few years.
You have another DD, right?
The lkq warranty is real. Who else would you trust?
Too pretty to be just a yard planter.

LKQ is a good source and I they did have a motor that wanted. (As well as other companies that offered rebuilt and non-rebuilt motors)
In fact, even though I found better prices elsewhere, LKQ was my next best option and I even whittled down to the exact motor I would have wanted. I think the best part about LKQ is there warranty service. My concern though, in my particular situation, is that IF some problem were to arise, there isn't really a backup plan. IF something was wrong, they can't quite say, oops here's another engine.

As far as a VK50... No, I did not consider that option. That opens up more risk and troubleshooting than I am willing to accept.