Will a VQ35DE fit in a 280z

[Guest Big Phil]

I have the opportunity to purchase a VQ35DE motor with harness and ECU for $1500 bucks. The motor is out of a wrecked 2001 Nissan Pathfinder and it has less than 1000 miles on it. It is the same motor found in the Altima, Maxima and the new 350z. It is rated at 240hp with 265 ft/lbs of torque and I am sure it would be pretty easy to squeeze 300 hp out of it (new 350z is already rated at 280hp). I love this engine but will it fit between the shock towers or is it too wide.

Phil

[spriso]

Big Phil,

 

Yes, a VQ35DE will fit in a Z engine compartment no problem. I have measured them for a Datsun 510 application, and if you can squeeze it into a 510, then you certainly can get it into a Z! Here is part of an article which I wrote regarding late model enigne swaps into 510s-- but a lot of this will suit your swap as well.

 

One thing to note, the camshafts found in the Pathfinder engine should probably be swapped with versions found in the new Maxima or Altima enigne as the torque curves are different for these engines compared to the Pathfinder...

 

Good luck,

 

Michael Spreadbury

 

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VQ35DE

 

History:

 

Introduced in the new 2001 Nissan Pathfinder, the VQ35DE is Nissans newest foray into the V6 market. The burly son of the VQ30DE found in the Nissan Maxima, the 3.5-liter displacement makes it the largest V6 engine that Nissan has ever offered.

 

The VQ35DE sports all-aluminum construction, micro-finished crank and block, single row timing chain, …. Low maintenance, tune-ups at 30,000 miles.

 

With 250hp on tap, the VQ35DE is a potent package that would surely motivate a 510 to new heights. Without the need of turbochargers or other means of artificial aspiration, the VQ35DE’s stock horsepower and torque numbers are very impressive. Critics have raved about the VQ series engine’s smooth power curves and the VQ series engines have been listed on Wards Automotive top-ten engine list for six years in a row!

 

Install Notes:

 

While we at DQ are not aware of anyone who is currently attempting to install a VQ35DE into their 510, we know that it is just a matter of time before one of these impressive engines finds its way into a 510 engine compartment.

 

The following information is observations made by looking at a 2001 Pathfinder on a dealer’s lot:

 

Starting from the top of the engine, one of the first things that one notices is the gloss black, plastic intake plenum. In a weight savings move, the intake plenum is now made of plastic (which could complicate modifications). The intake plenum is nice and short, and it appears that it will fit under a 510 hood with ease. The engine does not appear to have any overhanging items such as solenoids, or crossover pipes that would complicate installation into a 510-engine compartment. A massive intake throttle body resides at the end of the plenum, appropriately sized for the huge amount of air that this engine must ingest.

 

The exhaust manifolds both have the pre-cats built into them (just like a VG33E found in the 1995-99.5 Pathfinders), so they would need to be scrapped and new exhaust manifolds built. I don't know what the spacing for the intake manifolds is like, so if another OEM manifold would fit would need to be researched. The VQ uses dual oxygen sensors, so careful placement of the O2 sensor on fabricated headers will be critical for the engine to run properly.

 

The thermostat housing design looked interesting, it almost appeared that they had turned the engine around (from a FWD configuration) as it has hard line hoses running down one side of the engine going back to the thermostat housing. I not sure why it is designed that way (especially since Nissan uses RWD versions of the VQ series in the Gloria and Cedric), but perhaps the existing Japanese RWD versions of the VQ have this same feature (I have not seen one of these in person yet).

 

Unlike the FWD (and Japanese RWD) versions of the VQ series engines, the VQ35DE has a narrow, skinny, and VERY deep rear oil sump. Other versions of the VQ series have a front sump design that looks very similar to the SR20DE. The VQ35DE's oil sump has a few peculiar humps in it to clear steering and suspension crossmembers, but it IS a RWD setup, and may be easier to modify than the front sump setup found on earlier versions. The oil sump is made entirely from aluminum, with a small stamped steel plate located at the bottom of the sump (ala SR20DE).

 

There are NO RWD manual transmissions that will bolt up to the VQ series sold in the USA other than the Pathfinder versions. Nissan does sell a 2WD version of the 2001 Pathfinder, so a 5-speed transmission does exist, though it may be difficult to locate. The Japanese market RWD transmission for the Gloria and Cedric is an automatic... The bolt pattern IS different than the VG series (I checked), but the Pathfinder’s transaxle appears like it has the same removable bellhousing (or front half) that Nissan has been using on many of their transmissions since the mid-80s. It may be possible to remove the front bellhousing from the 4WD gearbox and bolt it up to a standard RWD gearbox (the previous generation 4WD trucks and Pathfinders are that way.)