This thread is a how to for the VK56 engine swap. I have taken info from various places and FSMs as well as information shared by forum members.
Anyone who attempts this swap takes full responsibility for their swap, I am not liable for any and all mishaps that may occur. Continue at your own risk!
If I have missed anything please feel free to add!
What I have learned:
The best way to pull off this swap is to get a Engine, Transmission, wiring harness and ECM from the same type of vehicle. It doesn't have to be from the actual vehicle but it has to be for the same type of vehicle if that makes sense. So for example if you have a 2004-2006 VK56DE, that did not have the flex fuel or VVT option, that engine wont work with a 2007 ecu or wiring harness that has flex fuel or VVT. If you get a engine with flex fuel you not only need a matching engine harness and ecu but you also need to purchase a fuel pump control module and a dropping resistor that you will have to wire up. This is covered later in this post so read through to find that info. You also want to source a engine wiring harness for the type of drivetrain you have (2wd or 4wd). A Manual conversion I believe is very possible and probably easy as the ECU does not appear to be married to the transmission as the transmission control module is actually in the transmission and not the vehicle or ECU.
Part 1: What you need for the swap.
Part 2: Wiring Identification
Part 3: Wire Harness Conversion
Part1:
What you need: (All of this information below I give a big thanks to AndrewVK, ElLlanero and NissanAZ form the Xterra forum.)
***You will 100% need my conversion adapter harness to do this!! It works in conjunction with the stock Titan engine harness*** Contact me for details!
2004-Present VK56DE and the obvious accessories like fuel injectors, starter, power steering pump etc...)
2004-Present VK56DE Transmission 4wd or 2WD depending on your application. (You can convert a 2wd Titan transmission for 4wd application but in most cases its cheaper and easier to buy one already for 4wd)
2004-Present VK56DE Flexplate and Torque Converter
2004-Present VK56DE (ECM) Engine Control Module (Applicable to your engine type)
2004-Present VK56DE Engine Harness (Applicable to your engine and drive train type 2wd or 4wd, transmission harness is built in)
2004-Present VK56DE Engine to Transmission Bolts
2004-Present Titan Engine to Motor Mount Brackets
2004-Present Titan Engine Mounts
V8 Pathfinder or Titan High Pressure Power Steering Line
Titan clutch fan, fan blade
V8 Pathfinder Fan Shroud #21476-ZS20A and #21477-ZS20A (2 Part Piece) or Convert to Electric Temp Controlled Fans.
V8 Pathfinder upper radiator hose or Titan upper radiator hose part #21501-ZS20A (v8 pathfinder)
Titan lower radiator hose (may need to trim to fit) or V8 Pathfinder part #21503-ZS20A and part #2104-7S000
Titan or V8 Pathfinder Water Pipe part #13048-7S000
4cyl Frontier heater core fitting part #92410-EA000
Titan heater core hoses part #14056-7S005 & #14056-7S001 (2 Hoses may need to trim some)
Titan exhaust manifolds and b pipes, aftermarket headers and b pipes work as well
Optional:
Keeping A/C?
2004-Present VK56DE AC Compressor
V8 Pathfinder AC Compressor Low Line Part #92480-ZS21A
2004-Present Titan AC discharge line
*If you are 4wd and staying 4wd you can use your existing transfer case with the Titan transmission.
*You can also use your existing driveshaft
*You will want to use your current alternator as the Titan is wired differently
*Will have to use existing alternator/starter harness
*Will have to have a y pipe made to reconnect to the cat back
*Can use existing trans mount
Ok If your taking on this swap the the nuts and bolts of removing the engine and trans and swapping in the VK56DE should be pretty straight forward, engine and trans mounts are the same etc for the VQ40.
Anyone who attempts this swap takes full responsibility for their swap, I am not liable for any and all mishaps that may occur. Continue at your own risk!
If I have missed anything please feel free to add!
What I have learned:
The best way to pull off this swap is to get a Engine, Transmission, wiring harness and ECM from the same type of vehicle. It doesn't have to be from the actual vehicle but it has to be for the same type of vehicle if that makes sense. So for example if you have a 2004-2006 VK56DE, that did not have the flex fuel or VVT option, that engine wont work with a 2007 ecu or wiring harness that has flex fuel or VVT. If you get a engine with flex fuel you not only need a matching engine harness and ecu but you also need to purchase a fuel pump control module and a dropping resistor that you will have to wire up. This is covered later in this post so read through to find that info. You also want to source a engine wiring harness for the type of drivetrain you have (2wd or 4wd). A Manual conversion I believe is very possible and probably easy as the ECU does not appear to be married to the transmission as the transmission control module is actually in the transmission and not the vehicle or ECU.
Part 1: What you need for the swap.
Part 2: Wiring Identification
Part 3: Wire Harness Conversion
Part1:
What you need: (All of this information below I give a big thanks to AndrewVK, ElLlanero and NissanAZ form the Xterra forum.)
***You will 100% need my conversion adapter harness to do this!! It works in conjunction with the stock Titan engine harness*** Contact me for details!
2004-Present VK56DE and the obvious accessories like fuel injectors, starter, power steering pump etc...)
2004-Present VK56DE Transmission 4wd or 2WD depending on your application. (You can convert a 2wd Titan transmission for 4wd application but in most cases its cheaper and easier to buy one already for 4wd)
2004-Present VK56DE Flexplate and Torque Converter
2004-Present VK56DE (ECM) Engine Control Module (Applicable to your engine type)
2004-Present VK56DE Engine Harness (Applicable to your engine and drive train type 2wd or 4wd, transmission harness is built in)
2004-Present VK56DE Engine to Transmission Bolts
2004-Present Titan Engine to Motor Mount Brackets
2004-Present Titan Engine Mounts
V8 Pathfinder or Titan High Pressure Power Steering Line
Titan clutch fan, fan blade
V8 Pathfinder Fan Shroud #21476-ZS20A and #21477-ZS20A (2 Part Piece) or Convert to Electric Temp Controlled Fans.
V8 Pathfinder upper radiator hose or Titan upper radiator hose part #21501-ZS20A (v8 pathfinder)
Titan lower radiator hose (may need to trim to fit) or V8 Pathfinder part #21503-ZS20A and part #2104-7S000
Titan or V8 Pathfinder Water Pipe part #13048-7S000
4cyl Frontier heater core fitting part #92410-EA000
Titan heater core hoses part #14056-7S005 & #14056-7S001 (2 Hoses may need to trim some)
Titan exhaust manifolds and b pipes, aftermarket headers and b pipes work as well
Optional:
Keeping A/C?
2004-Present VK56DE AC Compressor
V8 Pathfinder AC Compressor Low Line Part #92480-ZS21A
2004-Present Titan AC discharge line
*If you are 4wd and staying 4wd you can use your existing transfer case with the Titan transmission.
*You can also use your existing driveshaft
*You will want to use your current alternator as the Titan is wired differently
*Will have to use existing alternator/starter harness
*Will have to have a y pipe made to reconnect to the cat back
*Can use existing trans mount
Ok If your taking on this swap the the nuts and bolts of removing the engine and trans and swapping in the VK56DE should be pretty straight forward, engine and trans mounts are the same etc for the VQ40.
