Hi guys, first time posting here. I recently bought an 09 g37x and the water pump and oil gallery gaskets need to be replaced, surprise surprise, lol. The car has 180K on it and surprising the motor and transmission feel pretty solid (good shifts, no oil usage or smoke and has good power still). I tore the whole front end off and was going to just replace the gasket, water pump and the accessories while I have it torn apart.

Then I started thinking that was dumb to do this much work on a motor with 180K. I only paid 4K for the car and it ran strong and is surprisingly clean given the mileage. I'm basically rebuilding the entire drivetrain, suspension and brakes. Ohh and a new front bumper, inner fenders and bumper supports because I destroyed it taking it off. Everything is rusted and seized, I'm snapping bolts off constantly. Finding a nice looking bumper cover has been a challenge also. Looks like the sport bumper from the 08 g35 is my only decent option. It had the basic 09 bumper on it and is probably the least attractive bumper compared to the other years/styles. Any advice on an affordable replacement would be awesome, looking to buy one already painted if possible(K23).

After doing a lot of research I can't seem to pinpoint the differences between the different years this platform was used. What changes are needed to swap in a 2013 engine and transmission? Will the 09 ECU and harness work? Are different sensors needed? tail shaft? mounts? I'm sure there is a way to make this work just having a hard time finding out about what's needed for the conversion.



Thanks,
Brian

 

I don't THINK there any differences among the VQ37s but you an use the board search function to find some info. This subject has been discussed before.

The only caveat I of which I can think is that the ECU and TCU of the 7AT are matched. Swapping them as a pair is probably something you want to do. I seem to recall it's problematic and requires a visit to the dealer if they don't match.

 

Thanks for the reply. I have extensively searched this forum and I have found some info but it is limited. I am looking to use the 09 ECU and TCU currently in the car, just trying to figure out if its plug and play with 2013 engine and tranny....

 

Ecm will have to be flashed, if you're swapping both trans engine together should be no issue less possible minor location of plugs might have to extend possibly

 

Just so I understand correctly. If I swap engine and tranny at same time, no flash is needed. Only if I combine engine and tranny from different years? Extended plugs? Are you saying that the harness wires may need to be extended to reach some sensors? I that is the only mod needed, I'll be thrilled....

 

I am assuming the transfer case is universal for all years?

 

Any VQ37VHR engine will be a direct swap. All of the harnesses/hoses/etc. should line up no problem.

Is there any particular reason- outside of mileage- that you want to swap in a 7AT transmission? Seriously, not many people actually like the 7AT as it is very, uh.... peculiar?

If you want to retain your existing ECU just swap the engine. The TCU is attached to the valve body inside the transmission. The 2 TCU's are not interchangeable due to the 2 entirely different gearsets.

Even if you swapped in a matched pair (ECU/TCU) at the very least you will be required to have your i-keys reprogrammed to match the new ECU. The engine will not run otherwise.

I just did a quick check of the FSM for both the 5AT and the 7AT. From what I can tell the harness for the TCU is identical for both transmissions. There is no mention that I could find indicating that the TCU and the ECU have to be programmed together. Admittedly, I did not read all 330/394 pages.

I am sure the bell housing mounting points are the same whether the car is RWD or AWD as it is the same engine.

 

I didn't think I had any other options other than the 7AT. I just figured that with the car this torn down I should replace the tranny, I can get a low mileage one for 600ish. I don't want to half to tear the car down this far again, if I can prevent it. The current transmission seemed to work fine, not sure what the life expectancy is? This is a daily driver 95% of the time but I want to be able to stab it without concern when I want too..lol.

I could just replace the gasket and water pump, the engine a tranny run good now. I would blow a gasket if I put it all together and then smoked the engine or tranny in a year.... I am on a tight budget so maybe I should just roll the dice... ugh.

 

So if I am understanding correctly, if I change engine or engine and tranny I will have to tow the car to the dealership to get it re flashed? Appreciate the help guys....

 

Maybe it would be easier to just ask what you guys would do. Looking for a reliable daily driver, car has 180K on it and seemed to run good. Water pump and galley gasket need to be replaced at a minimum. I currently have the front of the car completely disassembled. Looking to spend 7Kish total on repairs and upgrading exhaust, suspension, air intake, pulley and tune. I am working in a small one car garage and have no immediate access to a truck, cherry picker, etc. It looks like if I pull the motor I can just lower it down and slide it out the front with the chassis on jack stands. Obviously I will need to figure out some things to make the swap and will have to potentially tow it to the dealer. What option would you do? I am currently not working and have lots of time over the next 3 months to work on this project. Although I have no help, if I need help I was going to pay someone off craigslist to give me a hand, lol. If anyone lives in Pittsburgh I'm willing to pay for some help.....

- just repair the gasket and pump, and hope for the best? This was my original plan and I was going to upgrade the rest of the car now and hope it makes it at least 2 years or so. Then buy a used engine and tranny and take my time and build it with a forged lower end.

- swap in a lower mileage used engine and use old tranny?

- swap in lower mileage engine and transmission?

 

That is something nobody can answer. The oil gasket seems to be the weakest link in these engines and the 5AT seems to have a rather rock solid reputation. That is the gamble we all have to take...

If you change out the ECU- for whatever reason- all of your keys have to be reprogrammed or else IVIS will prevent the engine from starting.

 

Is the 5AT plug and play? Haven't read anything about that swap yet.... Thanks!

 

Same as what you have already so, yes, direct swap.

 

You have the 7at in your 09, its the same as all the later model G's. direct swap. 5at may need a different driveshaft and may not fit wit the transfer case and the TCU may not play nice.

for the bumper, unfortunatly the 07-08 g35sedan/09 g37 sedan sport bumper is in low supply and high demand and never really comes cheaper than the price of a new one...go aftermarket and get it painted...or you can do a full 10+ front end conversion, but oyu need headlights and the bumper to do it...I prefer the 07-09 sport look but I'm probably in the minority...also if you convert to the 10+ look and you have AFS you'll lose it.

If I were you I'd change the waterpump, oil gallerygalley gasket, timing chain (main and cam) timing chain guides guides and sprocket...Z1 sells a kit with al lthe part from OEM for a really good price or you can get an aftermarket kit form rockauto for even less...these engines are super solid to high mileage if these things are taken care of and I'd rather have one I know I sorted than a used one that may end up with the same failures...plus once you have the front end off and the crank pully off you've done the hardest part of the job so might as well wrap it up

 

Appreciate the feedback. Tried taking the crank bolt off today.. unreal. I have a 1400 ft pound impact and it didnt budge. I'll try heat tomorrow... ugh