Hello everyone, I am new to the site and would just like to introduce myself. I have been fortunate to grown up around Nissans, mostly 510, and now I am a current owner of an 88? Pathfinder which I have had for about four years is now pushing 310K miles. The truck is still running great; however, I am starting to look in to updating the engine. What are the best options?? I would like to have something with a little more power than the VG30I. I did notice one member that put the VG33E in his 89’ hard body and used all his VG30 accessories. How much more complicated is it to do with the VG30I that has the different EFI compared to the 89’ VG30E?

A little more back ground about me: One of my biggest interests is Rally. I have also been fortunate enough to grow up around the sport. My dad rallied in the mid eighties and had the opportunity to work on the factory Nissan team when the Olympus Rally came to Washington in 1987. I have been luck to compete in one rally so far (2003 SCCA Wild West, placing 3 in class) and to date is one of the best experiences I have had.

This looks like a great site and hopefully I will be able to learn and contribute a lot.

http://i104.photobucket.com/albums/m189/chad728_040/pf2.jpg

Welcome to N4W. Nice looking Pathy you've got there.

1986.5 to 1989 trucks/pathys use the same TBI fuel injection unit and V6 engine (VG30i). Welcome aboard...

Scott

Thanks for the clarification Scott. I thought the 89's had a different manifold.

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The truck is still running great; however, I am starting to look in to updating the engine. What are the best options??

There are not many options. For the VG30I the best thing you can do is always keep new plugs in her and a good tune-up. Due to the TBI fuel injection it's not worth dropping a ton of money in a handicapped design.

The VG30E you can drop in some cams and a computer, I have yet to do this but I'm sure it will give me some go power. Again, I haven't done it because Cost vs power gains.

Welcome aboard, mate. Nice looking Pathy. I got an '87 with the VG-30 and it takes me plenty of places I probably shouldn't go. Mine's got 207k and just spent about $500 bucks insuring it'll keep on the trail and not go belly up at a bad time. One thing, I replaced the timing belt tensioner when I did the t-belt. Good thing, it was starting to make noise (bad thing).

welcome! i got some decent power out of mine after i installed some thorley headers, hi flo cat and flowmaster muffler. it sounds a little better too

Welcome to N4W.There are a few Rally and Auto Cross nuts on this site.

Welcome, I had a '87 Pathfinder and now a '94. There wasn't much diffrence power wise between the two, but the '94 had a OD which made a world of diffrence. The VG33 is the same block as the VG30 so the accessories should swap over no matter. But if your going to do it, you will need the ECU, wiring harness and motor. I've often thought about putting in a 3.3 when my 3.0 goes, but that will be so far down the road, I will likely just go to an X or something else and not worry about the swap.