Where to buy New Engine & What to do with Old?

F

FX OG

Member
Location
Atlanta, GA
Car
fx 35
currently i have an -v6 -AWD FX35, year 2003, i have a gasket issue which begins at the end of this thread <----click there if you care to read...


my question is where/how should i go about looking for an engine (sites,people,salvage yards)?


& what should i do with my old? is it worth anything? would anyone anywhere want it??

& about the gasket leak, is it worth replacing just gasket & paying for labor when i already have 120K miles on car?
 
BrO I read your post and that sucks!!!! they sell engines on ebay at times since the vq is quite popular but I would look for a one at a junk yard or take it somewhere else besides infiniti to get it done, obviously they don't have a clue wouldn't think all of that overheating could be good for the block and just doing the head gasket might not fix your problem for good.
 
You can buy a built VQ35DE short block or long block with new head gasket for much less than a new engine. The key is finding a shop that will core swap your engine - that is, they build one up for you and take your motor in exchange for some "core value". I paid $4400 for a built longblock - that is forged pistons & rods and all the valve seals were refreshed (recommended on higher mileage motors). They shipped the motor to my shop and the shop shipped my old motor back to them.


You can also have somebody rebuild the engine you have. As long as the engine internals - rods, pistons, valves, springs & cams are in good condition, new bearings and seals and a general rebuild to spec would still be cheaper than a new motor.

Both of these options will require you to have your FX in the shop for weeks, if not months (depending on the shop). If you don't have anything else to drive for the downtime, this might not be the best value for you.

From what you explained, I don't think you have any lasting damage done? It sounds to me like you just need a new head gasket and a coolant flush and oil change.
 
jumbosrule said:
The key is finding a shop that will core swap your engine - that is, they build one up for you and take your motor in exchange for some "core value".

From what you explained, I don't think you have any lasting damage done? It sounds to me like you just need a new head gasket and a coolant flush and oil change.
Click to expand...

how do i find a shop? would a RWD drive engine work in an AWD car?

i dont have any other damage except the gasket as of now, i turned it on today to drop off at dealer, ran 100% for 45 miles til i got to dealer, no problems....but it already spewed out loads of fluid the night before. They have given me a 2010 G37, with 8k on it. They are looking into problem, im just getting ready so that i dont waste too much time with dealer.
 
Hopefully this is still under warranty? The dealer should be able to fix it right as long as they diagnose it properly. It doesn't sound like a dying engine. Keep in mind the dealer will try to sell you some other maintenance items "while they are in there". A new timing belt and tensioners could be good at your mileage (that's about when I did mine). Totally up to you.

The shops that do that kind of work will be known in your local forums. Find an Atlanta import forum and just ask around. Local knowledge is usually best when it comes to shops like this.
 
FX OG said:
how do i find a shop? would a RWD drive engine work in an AWD car?

i dont have any other damage except the gasket as of now, i turned it on today to drop off at dealer, ran 100% for 45 miles til i got to dealer, no problems....but it already spewed out loads of fluid the night before. They have given me a 2010 G37, with 8k on it. They are looking into problem, im just getting ready so that i dont waste too much time with dealer.
Click to expand...

Obviously they are diagnosing it. It should have been towed there though to prevent any further damage. I honestly believe that at minimum what jumbo said is true. If anything more the heads would need to be resurfaced. Either way it is cheaper than a whole used motor, that is unless you are doing the swap yourself and can handle the dowtime. BUT with any used motor, you're not going to be sure what you are getting and it will need to be prepped a little (at minimum fluid changes), compression test, and leakdown tested.
 
Your FX does not have to be down for weeks. Downer of AWD is your upper oil pan is different so a straight swap with a junk motor from a G or Z is not possible.

You're in ATL, hit up Sharif at forged. See if he has any core motors coming in that aren't trashed. Get a new upper oil pan so they can prep before the FX even goes in and swap engines.

I've had motor in and out in a weeks time before. Just time it right.
 
rookie said:
Your FX does not have to be down for weeks. Downer of AWD is your upper oil pan is different so a straight swap with a junk motor from a G or Z is not possible.

You're in ATL, hit up Sharif at forged. See if he has any core motors coming in that aren't trashed. Get a new upper oil pan so they can prep before the FX even goes in and swap engines.

I've had motor in and out in a weeks time before. Just time it right.
Click to expand...


finally some progress, never knew about forged performace, ill call them see what they can do...thanks.
 
Sharif is owner, Sandy is his girl/office boss. Upper oil pan will absolutely need to be swapped unless you find a AWD engine. All over accessories will transfer over as long as the engine is a non-revup. If you get a new upper oil pan the oil pressure relief valve at the oil filter is not part of the assembly and needs to be purchased.

http://www.forgedperformance.com/
 
rookie said:
Sharif is owner, Sandy is his girl/office boss. Upper oil pan will absolutely need to be swapped unless you find a AWD engine. All over accessories will transfer over as long as the engine is a non-revup. If you get a new upper oil pan the oil pressure relief valve at the oil filter is not part of the assembly and needs to be purchased.

http://www.forgedperformance.com/
Click to expand...


so i called forged today talked to someone who was not the owner but a senior tech, told them about my issue & they said i can do a number of things, but mainly if it is a gasket problem they are able to do work like that & possibly do some other upgrades considering the whole engine will be coming out.... As far as the engine, they dont really have to many in my VQ coming through there, but they would easily be able to work on one i have & if i wanted i could purchase whole new engine & get one of those that produces like 500hp+, which i was amazed to hear as i am not heavily knowledgeable about that world.
i purchased my car in sept '03 with 26miles on it, the car still looks like it came off the lot, due to being in garage for those years & winter not being issue on this side of country & the interior looks spotless, the rear dvd system has been used twice, i can say its amazingly new looking....so i have decided to spend a decent amount of money & keep the factory conservative look it already has, but do some engine mods to make it worthwhile.....
theres no way i am purchasing a new car, the fx is a timeles car.
 
Be cautious with sales guys. Building an engine is not cheap, going for naturally aspirated is overall not worth it. Some mods here and there is fine, but a high compression motor is not worth it (power to weight ratio).

If you go boost, keep it simple or you will end up spending a lot more then you initially expect to. Anything offered or proposed by the shop think it over. Consider your downtime as well. Yes they can rebuild/build up the motor, yes they can make good power. How much is that all worth to you in time and money.
 
I'm not sure which would be cheaper. R&R (removal and reinstallation) varies since the engine needs to come out for the head gasket, assuming only the headgasket needs to be replaced the parts are not that expensive.
 
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