I'm starting work on my project truck (a 3.3L Crew Cab Frontier). I decided to work from the inside out and the first thing i'm attempting is an engine swap to the VG33ER off of an 04 S/C Frontier. I've searched for almost 3 days on this forum and haven't found a DIY or threads regarding it. I'd appreciate any help in this matter and yes I am a noob.:crikey::crikey:
Engine Swap 01 Frontier VG33 to VG33ER
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Hopefully you bought the whole donor vehicle. It's going to be a lot of work and many trips to the dealer/bone yard if you didn't. I have an '01 factory SC, you can hit me up if you need me to look at something on mine for you. @houdini I love your truck some day I'll get mine SAS'd and be able to play with the big boys.
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i switched mine just this summer... well i just added the charger, not a whole engine swap... but if i were you i would definetly spend the extra $200 and get the whole engine. check out all the salvage yards in your area cause it will definetly be worth the extra change. if i could go back and do it over i would cause right now im only pushin 3psi. long story short GO WITH THE ENGINE SWAP!!! if you do choose to just replace the charger i can tell you all the parts that i have used so far and i can give you tips. just pm me or keep on pposting on this thread.
heres my thread...not very detailed but i can help u if needed. supercharging my se
heres my thread...not very detailed but i can help u if needed. supercharging my se
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it's 190hp verses 210hp, at least in the 2004 models, n/a vs. s/c
with the fine print note that you have to run premium fuel.
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with intake, headers, exhaust, and a custom tune i bet you will get over 210hp at the flywheel and using 87 octane at that, plus with the k/s issues with the vg33 engine i bet you won't get the full affect of that s/c. the s/c would be nice if it performed better than your average N/A v6.
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There is a very noticable difference in the way the S/C drives vs a NA 3.3
Neither one of them have alot of power but you do feel the 40hp advantage as well as the 46 additional ft lbs of torque with the S/C.
44 ft lb advantage over 03/04 NA models
Its a 30hp advantage over 03/04 NA models.
The S/C power is what the 01/04 truck should have had WITHOUT a blower.
While the S/C is not fast and definently sucks on the top end like its NA brother, low end and midrange power feel much better around town ,and it dosent feel like its working hard.
The NA 3.3 feels and is a little underpowered.
At the end of the day I dont think the gain is worth the work of installing a blower.
I still like the 3.3 because it has proven very reliable in my dads 01 S/C with 206k.
Neither one of them have alot of power but you do feel the 40hp advantage as well as the 46 additional ft lbs of torque with the S/C.
44 ft lb advantage over 03/04 NA models
Its a 30hp advantage over 03/04 NA models.
The S/C power is what the 01/04 truck should have had WITHOUT a blower.
While the S/C is not fast and definently sucks on the top end like its NA brother, low end and midrange power feel much better around town ,and it dosent feel like its working hard.
The NA 3.3 feels and is a little underpowered.
At the end of the day I dont think the gain is worth the work of installing a blower.
I still like the 3.3 because it has proven very reliable in my dads 01 S/C with 206k.
I agree. If I didn't already have an SC I wouldn't put one on it. I love the torque, but hate the lack of topend. Plus the premium fuel is expensive. I need to relocate the KS but otherwise it is a great truck.
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Not sure about any other models besides the Desert Runner, but the big reason why they have no top end is because the rear end has 4.11 gears! I wondered why it sucked for top end so much when I got the truck. I'm personally still on the edge about getting a S/C engine, but from what I've heard from this thread I'm leaning towards not.
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If you are going thru the trouble of swapping a VG33ER, why not build the motor and run a standalone ECU management system? It will give you more power and probably better mpg to boot. Yes it will take some time, knowledge and research but is completely doable.
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while you have the engine(possibly tranny) out, you should clean the frame and use a rubberized protectant on it.
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i swear if you slap a supercharger on a vg33e you will end up with more power than a vg33er. 20 hp doesn't get you over 2 seconds in the quarter mile. and i'm only pressing 3psi and i knocked off 2.2 seconds on my time. im running 33e injectors too. just something to dwell on.
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you need to get the boost pressure fixed, then you'll really feel the difference.
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Personally I would say that it would not be worth it. If you are going through all that trouble why not place a pathfinder engine in there (if it fits). The pathfinder engine should have at least been an option for the CC LB.
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ER runs lower compression then a E, so yes, of course you get more power.
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