Engine Removal Difficulty

Akrobatik · 07-06-2015, 09:13 AM

How hard is it to remove the VQ engine? For those who have done so.

Looking for a DIY thread, but no luck.

Trips · 07-06-2015, 10:03 AM

a DIY? Lol

Take it to a shop IF you have NO knowledge/space or the correct tools as this is something a person with no experience should be doing without some knowledgable/physical help.

But if you're going for it? Be warned it's going to be a PIA.

Moving forward make sure you disconnect EVERYTHING thats attached to the engine from body before you decide to yank the motor out including last but not least?

The motor mounts/exhaust/bell housing to the transmission.

Tag and take pics so you have a reference and reverse the procedure when you're installing.

Again seriously if you have no clue or the right tools get someone that does.

This is not a typical DiY project.

JARblue · 07-06-2015, 10:26 AM

It is just as much of a pain in the a$$ to remove as most every other engine out there

There is a DIY in the Factory Service Manual which you can download from links found on this forum

jpkirk · 07-06-2015, 10:33 AM

I dunno. I used to be able to get the engine out of my El-Camino (1968) in about two hours.

Course, as Trips has indicated, I had the knowledge, tools, and location.

Chuck33079 · 07-06-2015, 10:34 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JARblue

It is just as much of a pain in the a$$ to remove as most every other engine out there

There is a DIY in the Factory Service Manual which you can download from links found on this forum

The level of "pain in the ***" is a factor of how high you can lift the car. The guy who put my turbo kit in tells me that he can have the motor/trans out as a unit inside of 1 hour. Granted, he just unbolts everything and lifts the car off the subframe with the motor/trans still attached to it.

If you're considering doing this on jack stands, you might want to reconsider.

JARblue · 07-06-2015, 10:45 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Chuck33079

The level of "pain in the ***" is a factor of how high you can lift the car. The guy who put my turbo kit in tells me that he can have the motor/trans out as a unit inside of 1 hour. Granted, he just unbolts everything and lifts the car off the subframe with the motor/trans still attached to it.

If you're considering doing this on jack stands, you might want to reconsider.

Yeah, I was just assuming that the guy asking for a DIY on engine removal does not have the tools or knowledge to properly attempt the project. For someone with no experience removing engines, it's going to be a pain in the a$$ even if you have the tools to lift the car off the subframe.

I did a transmission drop on jack stands with knowledgeable help. No fun. At all. I can't imagine how fun it would have been to take the engine out

onzedge · 07-06-2015, 11:19 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Trips

a DIY? Lol

Take it to a shop IF you have NO knowledge/space or the correct tools as this is something a person with no experience should be doing without some knowledgable/physical help.

But if you're going for it? Be warned it's going to be a PIA.

Moving forward make sure you disconnect EVERYTHING thats attached to the engine from body before you decide to yank the motor out including last but not least?

The motor mounts/exhaust/bell housing to the transmission.

Tag and take pics so you have a reference and reverse the procedure when you're installing.

Again seriously if you have no clue or the right tools get someone that does.

This is not a typical DiY project.

EVOHUNTER · 07-06-2015, 11:25 AM

Its actually really easy, if you have a hoist.

It took me 5 hours to droped it out.

remove exhaust, leave headers on.
remove drive shaft.
Unplug everything on the trans.
go up top, remove your fuel line, vaccum lines etc.
remove everything up top.
Remove bolts from top engine mounts.
go back underneath, separate ball joints from spindles on the lower control arms.
Remove the outer tie rods out of spindle, aswell as the lower shock bolts.
remove the sway bar end links.
go back back to the transmission, undo the support bracket.

lower the car, postion 4 jack stands under the subframe and 1 jackstand under the transmission.

Remove the 4 bolts out of the subframe.

The subframe should be sitting on the jack stands.
Start slowing lifting the car on the hoist, make sure nothing else is attached.

Like I said, if you have a hoist, proper tools and some knowledge. it isn't too bad to do.

SouthArk370Z · 07-06-2015, 01:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jpkirk

I dunno. I used to be able to get the engine out of my El-Camino (1968) in about two hours.

Nowadays, it will take longer than that just to disconnect all the wiring.

One of my buddies had an El Camino SS (w/454) when we were in college. I wish I had a dollar for every time I've heard him say "Never shoulda got rid of that car" over the last 40 years.

ByThaBay · 05-31-2018, 03:31 AM

I just uploaded a very comprehensive video overview of the engine removal. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VGEL...ature=youtu.be

B&W_Evader · 05-31-2018, 08:57 AM

Taking it out is the easy part... Lets wait for him to try to put it back in, wondering where all the hoses and wires go.

And... if you're going to do it. I would first try to get engine and tranny out together. Take lots of pictures and mark all connections before you disconnect them.

07-06-2015, 09:13 AM	#1 (permalink)
Akrobatik Base Member Join Date: Apr 2013 Location: Attleboro, MA Posts: 75 Drives: 2011 370Z White Rep Power: 12	Engine Removal Difficulty How hard is it to remove the VQ engine? For those who have done so. Looking for a DIY thread, but no luck. __________________ Fast Intentions LTH \\ Ark Grip Exhaust System \\ K3 Project Wheels \\ Stance Super Sport Coilovers \\ Mines CF Wing \\ Full Seibon CF Ground Effects Kit \\ Evo-R CF Diffuser

07-06-2015, 10:03 AM	#2 (permalink)
Trips Administrator Join Date: May 2009 Location: Disneyland, Ca Posts: 8,728 Drives: 🔰 Rep Power: 10	a DIY? Lol Take it to a shop IF you have NO knowledge/space or the correct tools as this is something a person with no experience should be doing without some knowledgable/physical help. But if you're going for it? Be warned it's going to be a PIA. Moving forward make sure you disconnect EVERYTHING thats attached to the engine from body before you decide to yank the motor out including last but not least? The motor mounts/exhaust/bell housing to the transmission. Tag and take pics so you have a reference and reverse the procedure when you're installing. Again seriously if you have no clue or the right tools get someone that does. This is not a typical DiY project. Megan370z, onzedge, JARblue and 4 others like this. __________________

07-06-2015, 10:26 AM	#3 (permalink)
JARblue A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Mar 2011 Location: Austin, TX Age: 43 Posts: 36,449 Drives: 11 Z34, 98 E36 M3 Rep Power: 2684440	It is just as much of a pain in the a$$ to remove as most every other engine out there There is a DIY in the Factory Service Manual which you can download from links found on this forum onzedge, GaleForce and Jap**Vet* like this. __________________ 2011 370Z 6MT Sport Gun Metallic \| ARC \| CJM \| Ecutek \| FI \| Fujimura \| R2C \| SPL \| Stillen \| TWM \| Z1 \| ZSpeed \|

07-06-2015, 10:33 AM	#4 (permalink)
jpkirk A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Jun 2012 Location: Merry Land Posts: 5,515 Drives: '14 MidBlu ST MT Rep Power: 3375	I dunno. I used to be able to get the engine out of my El-Camino (1968) in about two hours. Course, as Trips has indicated, I had the knowledge, tools, and location. GaleForce likes this. __________________ intake \| exhaust \| wheels \| tires \| suspension ... um ... stock, do speed stickers count? intake \| exhaust \| TE37 SL \| RE-11 \| suspension ... um ... do speed stickers count? Signature under construction

07-06-2015, 11:25 AM	#8 (permalink)
EVOHUNTER Track Member Join Date: Jul 2011 Location: Edmonton, Canada Posts: 681 Drives: BOOSTED3-7-0 Rep Power: 14	Its actually really easy, if you have a hoist. It took me 5 hours to droped it out. remove exhaust, leave headers on. remove drive shaft. Unplug everything on the trans. go up top, remove your fuel line, vaccum lines etc. remove everything up top. Remove bolts from top engine mounts. go back underneath, separate ball joints from spindles on the lower control arms. Remove the outer tie rods out of spindle, aswell as the lower shock bolts. remove the sway bar end links. go back back to the transmission, undo the support bracket. lower the car, postion 4 jack stands under the subframe and 1 jackstand under the transmission. Remove the 4 bolts out of the subframe. The subframe should be sitting on the jack stands. Start slowing lifting the car on the hoist, make sure nothing else is attached. Like I said, if you have a hoist, proper tools and some knowledge. it isn't too bad to do. __________________ Last edited by EVOHUNTER; 07-06-2015 at 11:30 AM.

05-31-2018, 03:31 AM	#10 (permalink)
ByThaBay Base Member Join Date: Aug 2011 Location: Bay Area, CA Posts: 237 Drives: 2015 370z Rep Power: 6724	I just uploaded a very comprehensive video overview of the engine removal. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VGEL...ature=youtu.be YYZ likes this.

05-31-2018, 08:57 AM	#11 (permalink)
B&W_Evader Track Member Join Date: Aug 2011 Location: CA Posts: 972 Drives: slower than before Rep Power: 386	Taking it out is the easy part... Lets wait for him to try to put it back in, wondering where all the hoses and wires go. And... if you're going to do it. I would first try to get engine and tranny out together. Take lots of pictures and mark all connections before you disconnect them. Rusty likes this. __________________ \|RIP\|6spd-sport\|OSG-LSD\|XP8\|RBF600\|Eibach Sways\|RE-71R\|FI-34Row\|Gen3-CAI\|Yaw P.S.\|

Similar Threads
Thread	Thread Starter	Forum	Replies	Last Post
Engine removal cost	zefaulter	Engine & Drivetrain	16	06-29-2015 11:43 PM
Pop up Engine Hood indicator - After bumper removal	AH370Z	Nissan 370Z General Discussions	15	06-13-2011 11:01 AM
Difficulty shifting from 2nd to 3rd?	Z-WHIZ	Nissan 370Z General Discussions	5	10-09-2009 09:16 PM
Lower Engine Panel Removal Opinions?	CCCLXXZ	Nissan 370Z General Discussions	5	08-25-2009 07:36 PM