Little Mule

FYI: Here is a picture of my truck taken about 8 years ago. Since I don't have a dyno, I'll find an area when I can test it's 0-60mph time, just to compare to when the project is completed.

A few years ago, I went bungy jumping, and as I stood on the ledge before the big leap, I was white-knuckling the side rails of the platform and looking down considering my possible fate. Then I just thought to myself, "What the hell." And I jumped. Well, now I'm doing the same, except this jump is into overhauling my 88 Pathy, and I'm a little anxious about it's fate. But what the hell. A month or so ago I started a thread about swapping a 350 into my truck. But after comments from everyone, I decided to modify a VG33e, and put it in. Well, today we took a VG33e I bought (see pic), took the valve covers off, and hoisted it off the trailer. I still need to put it on the engine stand (which is brand new, but didn't include any mounting bolts ) I'm sure it is only the first of many trips to get something I need.) Also sprayed a bunch of bolts w/ PB blaster. Currently the overall plan is to take the VG33e apart, send the cylinder heads to lpperformance for porting and polishing. Also send them the intake manifold and TBI from my VG30i to them for porting and modification. Then reassemble the VG33e w/ high performance cams, headers, exhaust, and the original crank from the VG30i. I think I will need to upgrade the ECU too. Add a Calmini lift, Calmini or LP steering upgrade, 32 inch tires and new lighter wheels, rock sliders, warn hubs, replace my bent spare tire carrier with the one I just bought from Slick ( ), fix a few dents, paint her, and add some offroad lights. A few other things in the future like a better front bumper too. That should keep me happy with it for another 10 years. Wish me luck and if you know some pitfalls to watch out for, tell me now.

Yes. Finally hit that damn plane.

Thanks for ruining my productivity today. sssh

Sorry this is late about the speedo cable. But if you are talking about this plastic piece (picture) that connects the cable to the back of the speedometer, mine cracked a couple years ago. You can see the crack in the photo if you look closely. Well, I pushed the cracked piece together with my fingers and took a hot sewing needle and melted the crack together. Put it back in, and it has now lasted 2 or 3 years with no problem. The Nissan dealer would only sell the whole cable instead of this little plastic piece. Screw that.

Oh, hey! I just hit 100 posts. Do I get a cookie?

Okay. I've seen mentioned a short block 33 and a long block 33. I didn't know there were 2 different versions. That would be news to me. Which do I want? I've been looking at different forums and different people seem to do an engine swap differently. Some seem to replace just the block with the VG33, and keep the VG30E heads, cams, crank, etc. Others seem to swap the whole VG33 and machine the crank to fit pulley. But this also requires the whole wire harness and ECU swap. Finally, everything I remember reading about this involves a VG30E engine. I don't remember anyone doing it with a VG30i. (although some don't differentiate between the two.) I've read so many forum postings this week that my eyes are getting blurry and I'm having difficulty remembering what I read where. But, I think this what I'd like to try. 1. Take my VG30i heads and TBI off, have LP Performace do the port and polish, and place them on a VG33 block. Also replace the cams with those listed in Project Pathfinder articles from jimwolftechnology.com. Keep the crank from the VG30i. 2. Place the Doug Thorley headers and cat back exhaust listed in the Project Pathfinder articles. 3. Place a mod ECU. Perhaps from Jimwolftechnology.com, or should I have LP Performance reprogram my existing one? By keeping the VG30I heads and TBI, perhaps if LP Performance gets that supercharger out, I can upgrade to that and not have to wait for them to design one for the VG30E heads. It also saves me from having to find VG30E heads. So, does that sound like it will work, or am I forgetting something? Anyone have a VG33 block laying around?

Okay. Lets drop the 350 idea. I read the series that 88 give the link to above and would more likely try to go a similar route. Since I have the vg30, and not the vg30e, I would need to find the heads from a vg30e and the block from a vg33. I wouldn't want to use my heads because of the different intake and thus I wouldn't get as good of a result. Correct? Second, I noticed that the Catback exhaust systems on the AC website are only for 4 door pathfinders. How difficult would it be to modify to a 2 door?

I assume a VG30e would not require an adapter to fit my 88 tranny. Is this right? If I find a VG30e from an automatic, it will still fit my manual tranny with no problems, right? The VG33 is 1996-2000, correct? What other differences are there between the VG33 and the VG30e? Why not just go with a VG33 and modify it? I'll read that article that 88 linked regarding Project Pathfinder with a VG33. Thanks for the reference. You guys have convinced me that this is probably a better way to go than the 350. Easier is better. 200 hp is adequate. (I do like the 240hp in my 01 Pathfinder, and that is about what I consider as a goal.) If I could get similar performance from my 88 Pathy, I might pee my pants the first time I step on the gas pedal. -bounce- As for the smog, I do need to be concerned with that. I live in metro Phoenix. Up the hill to Flagstaff is just where a lot of people go to cool off in the summer. (Phoenix = 1200 feet and 110 degrees, Flagstaff = 7000+ feet and about 75 degrees.) Its about 2 hours north of Phoenix on a 75mph Interstate. Which means everyone goes 80+ while I have it floored in 3rd gear. :sniff:

No' I haven't considered this. I didn't think that there was a way to get 200hp out of these old things. I know you can put headers on, get the TBI polished, free flow exhaust, a few other things, buy my understanding is that you would only get marginal horsepower improvements. (Perhaps around 25 more.) But I'm listening. Is this true? I also tend to be skeptical when is see "Product X will give you 10-20 more horsepower!" In my mind I think that translates to 1-2 more horsepower. So, I guess I'm asking can you vouche for that?

Hmmm. I didn't think about that. How do you go about that?

Thanks for the input guys. Keep it coming.

Yeah, I've known this from the beginning. And if it were me alone, there is no way I'd attempt it. However, my helpers are a lot more experienced than I am. Still I won't attempt unless they are confident that they can help me complete it. (One of them has completely restored a Barracuda, a Charger, and owns an independent autoparts store and shop. He and the other friend are doing the final touches in completely restoring a 1966 Chrysler Satelite.) I've seen their work. If it wer a Dodge/Plymouth/Chrysler, I'd know they would have no problems. I'm just trying to get a solid idea of what it would involve before attempting.

I'll remember that this comes from the man who can figure out how to put a Quest Altenator in his Pathfinder.

Hey All, Sorry I've not been too active on the site for a while. Wife and I had 2 kids (she did most of the work) and I started a new business. It took pretty much all of my free time lately for the last couple years. Now, I'm think I'm at a crossroads with my 88 Pathfinder. It's at the mechanic right now. I suspect it's the transmission. She's at the 190,000 mile mark and she wasn't making a pretty noise. Do I invest in a new truck, or put more money in into my Pathfinder? I'm pretty tired of the lack of power. Not that I want race or anything, but I just about have to redline it in 3rd gear just to go 60mph up the hill towards Flagstaff AZ. Spending 5K on it is still cheaper than a new truck, but what headaches may I encounter? So I did a search of NPORA regarding swapping the engine for a Chevy 350 engine. I found bits and pieces in this thread and that thread, but found no definite thread about it. I also found a few threads from people stating that they were going to do it, but they seemed drop off the face of the earth. Does anyone know of a specific thread that gives all the details of what is needed to be done? Does anyone know someone who has actually done it? Were they happy that they did it, or was it a total nightmare? What I've seemed to pick up about the 350 engine swap is this: 1. You must also replace the transmission with the Chevy. 2. You must get an adapter to connect the transmission to the drive axle. (Where do you get the adapter? Do you need to modify the drive axle?) 3. You will need to get a Chevy computer and all the wiring to connect it to the engine. 4. You will need a 3in Suspension lift, and a 3in body lift for clearance of the engine/transmission, and to support the heavier engine. 5. You will need to modify the exhaust to fit the new engine. 6. You don't necessarily need to change the differential, but there is increase risk of blowing it out due to the increased horsepower. 7. What about connecting to the front (4 wheel drive differential)? Am I wrong about any of the above? And what am I forgetting? If I do try this, belive me I will be posting a lot questions for you guys. My mechanical skills are moderate at best, and I'd be working with 2 buddies who have very good mechanical skills w/ old Dodges/Chryslers, but limited experience with Nissan. Thanks for any help. -alcohol-

The replacement ones I bought came with new ball's that you screwed into the glass to replace the ones left in the old struts. If your new ones didn't come with new the new balls, you might find them at an autoparts store. Or just dremel those old suckers off!

I got all kinds of quotes here for my 88. I called about 6 places and had quotes ranging from $499-$850. Thats here in the Phoenix area.

Another friend with triangular windows! And for $300! Wow! Congrats.

One more quick note. I found my receipt for those little metal clips tonight while cleaning the garage. The part number for them is 68191-51e00. Just in case anyone needs it.

Howdy! And welcome. Nice looking truck!

Quick Post Hijack! How do you reduce the resolution of a digital photo? (Other than reducing it on the camera when taking the photo.) Do you need special software that doesn't come with Windows XP? I got complaints about it on an earlier post, and tried to figure it out. After 20-30 minutes of unsuccessfully trying to figure it out, I decided those with complaints need to get cable internet. This ain't the 1990's. But if someone can tell me how to do it, I'll go low-res.

I wasn't sure. But I agree. I'm working on my own roof rack to replace the flimsy stock one that came with it. It's kinda like putting a puzzle together, but you have to figure out what to use for pieces. Take pics of whatever you come up with. It would be neat to see.

AC sells some. I've don't have them so I can't vouch for quality. Here is the link: http://www.4x4parts.com/public_html/shop/i...3e9e64e8c199673 I haven't made any either, so I'm not much help unless the link above interests you.

And here is a site that sells them for $29.37. Plus $5.05 shipping. http://www.1stnissanparts.com/product_info...2957e27bd94a4e3

I know this is kinda late for the original question. But here is a link for instructions to replace your in cabin air filter. http://www.courtesyparts.com/instruct/inst...0-00003_01.html