Thaniel

SRT-4's may have some HP but they are still FWD and they only have 205 wide tires. How's the HP going to get to the ground? My 140HP rx-7 came with 205 tires on it. Wifes maxima has 215's and its only got 190HP. OH and they are FWD... Did I say that already? My brother bought a 2004 SRT-5 with the limited slip diff to replace his 1989 supra turbo. I just don't get it. It's FWD

Not a VQ. VG33. VQ's in pathfinders didn't start until 2001 and were 3.5 L. See this link for more engine help http://www.freshalloy.com/site/features/tech/engines/home.shtml

Ah, Yes, The VG30 maxima's but who would want that? They only get 153 hp aprox for most years but so most VG30 motors from a pathy. The VQ30's in the maxima made 190hp until 2000 when it went to 222HP with the addition of the variable intake (stock). 2002 they went to a VQ35DE which made 240-250hp. That'd be a nice engine to take. If thinking of grabing a VG maxima engine I'd take the VG engine from the earlier pathys (1990-2001 I think). Much easier to adapt as the intake and exhaust manifolds are better suited to the RWD application. But be careful and don't get an eariler pathy '88 for instance as they have throttle body injection and make pitiful HP. 140 some. But in theory the intake and injection system could be swapped. The VG motors are also Heavier than the VQ motors. VQ30 motors from maximas are dirt cheap. That's why I went that way.

This might be more interesting. The 350z trans bolted to the maxima engine.

Here is a link to a pic of the maxima engine installed in my rx-7

No! 300z trans will not bolt to a VQ block. A 350z will but he oil pan bolts don't line up. A 3.5L pathy trans should be the same but I didn't try that myself. I am using a 2000 maxima motor in my Rx-7 conversion. It isn't a bolt in kind of deal. I am using a 350z 6spd trans, maxima clutch and a 2002 pathfinder starter. There are issues. I had to mod part of the maxima oil pan and the pathy starter to get the pathy starter to fit (could use a 350z starter as well it looked like but they are more $$ and bolt on the other side of the motor, but that's another story). But the 350z trans bolted right to the VQ block. No problems. I am planning to use a 2001 maxima flywheel and clutch. I found that the timimng ring on the maxima and the 350z are different. Long story short I had to relocate the crank sensor to near where the 350z crank sensor was (another oil pan mod). The flywheel and clutch looks like it will work but I will have to make an adapter to get the throwout bearing to contact the pressure plate at the right spot. Some of these problems might be easier to get around by buying a 350z oil pan and putting on the maxima motor, using the 350z starter, flywheel and clutch (looks like you'll need the maxima timing ring). BUT if you have that many 350z parts then maybe use the 350z motor.

No I didn't forget. I am quite aware of the fact. But beware that the pathfinder oil pan hangs between 3.5-4.0 inches BELOW the bottom of the trans bellhousing. In a 4x4 it isn't a problem but in a sports car ground clearance becomes an issue. Other than that it would be a good engine. I expect you could use the z350 oil pan but then you would need a z350/G35 starter. For transmissions the 5-speed pathy's are rare but I expect a z350/G35 6 speed will bolt up (bolted to a maxima engine but no mount for the starter without changing oil pans). Not sure what flywheel you would have to use. I'm starting with a maxima but it may not work. The intake on the pathy is different than the z350/G35 and is lower in HP because of that and the ECU. Still wish I had one though. Anyone got any good pics of the engine mounts?

I'd go with the 5 speed (or 6-speed if you can get one). The only car I have owned that I didn't like was the one with an automatic. Coincidence? Or as my wife says "automatics are for girls" then I remind her she drives a 5 speed.

The interference with the front of the pan could be a big problem. The 350 and the maxima (altima too?) use a front sump oil pan. The pan is cast aluminum and the oil passages to the oil filter and oil pressure switch are cast into the pan. Modifying it would take some talent. The pathfinder pan has a rear sump but the sump is VERY deep. 3-4" below the bottom of the trans. SO for me anyway that is out. My project with the Rx-7 Is having clearance issues but I think I'll solve them by cutting the firewall and moving the engine back a bit. Oh, I believe I read the driveshaft on the 350 is carbon fiber so forget splicing. Just have a custom driveshaft shop make one.

I like your idea. The 350z has a nice engine and a 6 speed. Getting parts could be a proble for awhile. IF you reuse all the engine management stuff from the 350z There shouldn't be any problems. Don't know about fit. Can't help you there. I can tell you that the maxima, pathfinder and 350z all have different oil pans and intakes. Best I can tell The pathfinder engine would probably bolt up to the 350z trans. It also looks like any VQ block will bolt to the z350 trans but the oil pan being different will miss the oil pan to trans bolts (and starter issues). I should know some more about this tonight I don't know why everyone worries about drive by wire. Just get the Accelerator assy from a 350z attach the wires and away you go. The issue rarely mentioned but more of a bite is the KEY. The key has a transponder in it so without the right Key and ignition or some thing the ECU won't run. The ECU can be reprogrammed (by the dealer only) for a new key but some sort of antenna is in or around the ignition switch that would have to be swapped. This started in 1999 in the maxima as well. The motors are extremely light, the VQ30de-k INCLUDING intake, TB, exhaust manifold and engine wiring harness but without p/s, a/c, alternator or clutch is aprox 180lbs. No kidding. 2 people can lift it quite easily. The 6 speed seems pretty typical weight (have a 350z trans on the floor of my garage right now) don't have a weight for it. It may be possible to take a maxima engine instead of the 350z. Intakes are different, oil pan is different, Coolant pipe out the rear of the heads comes out the opposite side. Oil filter is located on the front on the maxima, side on the 350, front angled down on the pathy. The VQ engines do not share trans bolt patterns with the VG's. Pathy 5 speeds are rare and 350z's are hard to come by. The engine is probably easier to get. I'm putting in a VQ30DE-K because it was cheap ($250) but could have went with a VQ35DE for a bit more. I got my 350z trans for $500 (trans has 527 miles on it). I think the swap could be done without dumping a ton of money. Oh, Note that the intake on the 350z and maxima both exit to the REAR of the engine, The 350z does a 180 and comes back to the front. The pathy dups out the side. The pathy starter is on the right, 350z on the left maxima is on the trans. The 350 z trans has bumps that looks like will accomodate either right or left starter. About all I know right now.

If you want to go cheap forget the rotary. Big $$ especially in the HP range you are talking. Yah rotary's are light but there are light V-6's out there too. I'm putting a 2000 maxima engine in my RX and it is as light or lighter than the N/A rotary that came out of it. I'm telling you that nissan engine is all aluminum. The rotary has 3 thick pieces of cast iron in it. Oh an parts cost a premium for the rotary. Don't get me wrong. I like rotaries. Been driving one for the last 9 years. Just the price of parts is starting irritate me.

The maxima flywheel has 124teeth and 316mm O.D. I think it uses a 240mm clutch. I only have the auto flywheel right now. I will be getting the manual one soon. The crank bolt pattern is a 66mm bolt circle. How does that compare to the VG30DET? Thaniel

Is it a VG30 or a VQ30. I know the VQ30de in the maxima's use an 8 bolt pattern on the crank. Honda Bseries engines, BMW, some Toyota MR2 and corrolla engines also use and 8 bolt crank but I am not sure of the bolt circle diameter. Still trying to find that out. Anyone else know?