When replacing with new, can I mix and mash brands and still be ok OEM spec wise? I can get good pricing if I split it up.

 

split what up?

These things normally are supplied in a set because they are normally replaced as a set.

 

6 per side, let's take intake side for example - I can get 2 from one brand but the other 4 from another brand. Is it OK to mix brands like that?

I do see they come in a set but if I split it up, I can get these particular parts for practically nothing.

 

do not mix brand names, stick with one brand name. they don't make anything the same way. tie rods are ok to mix but do not mix and match internal engine components. stick with with one brand on any given part especial valves

 

Sorry but I fail to see the logic in that statement - if, based on experience, you were to have said to stick to Nissan original stuff only then it would have made sense, but I don't see how mixing valve stem seal brands is detrimental to the rebuild process .................

 

different fatigue rates for one also some vendors use different rubbers. seal power uses viton on the exhaust and RBB on the intake, other vendors may or will use different grades of material. 3 cheapos mixed with a few good brands makes no sense either. besides why wouldn't you by all the same brand in one shot, seal powers on rockauto are $.88 per seal for the exhaust and $1.33 for the intake. also felpro has a full kit for $24. i feel that as a goo rule of thumb for and engine rebuild dont mix to many brands. hardware and seals are obviously different but you wouldnt buy to different head gaskets would you? things that come in pairs and set should be used that way

 

Eh, I am not the one wanting to buy different brands .......... fatigue rates for different brands indeed is a factor, but I don't know of any reputable source to furnish research results to show brand X is better than brand Y when used under the exact same conditions. Are you aware of such a comparison where one brand outlasts the other by a factor of say close to 10+ or so that would possibly warrant extreme care in selection? ............ alternatively how do aftermarket stem seals compare to original Nissan stuff on the VG?

Personally I don't remember ever seeing a VG with really "bad" valve stem seals - even after 16 years on the original seals ............. so I would actually argue its one of the better designs and possibly less of an issue than on other motors - especially when I compare it to my Ford Essex V6 motor that can barely make a set of OEM valve-stem seals last but 50K km before starting to show the classic "smoke on throttle close" symptoms

 

i would buy seals based on reputation and go with seal power.
but i don't recommend mixing valve stem seals, mainly i don't see any advantage to it even in the cost. they are cheap enough. dont skimp on seals, your engine will love you long time for it