Heard a lot of bad about it lately. What's happening? higher mileage? How's it hold up compared to the VQ30?

 

I have a 2k2 with almost 37k miles... apart from the Bose and the Potenzas.... absolutely NO problems whatsoever.... not even the MAF with my K&N drop-in for 30k miles and the Berk set-up for a lil under 7k miles....

 

Yeah, I heard about the MAF...

 

I have 55k. No problems. Runs like a champ.

 

just wait till the VTCs start going bad Already seen quite a few go bad on I35s at the dealer next door to my Acura store. Trannies fall apart, 6spd or autos, timing chain rattles, valve covers leaking, coolant passages leaking. As much as I hate to say it, but I reather have a 3.2CL Type S 6spd, and I never owned a Honda in my life, and never thought I would say I would even consider one. 100K miles on my little weak 3.0L with no problems.

 

71k and counting on my 03 auto SE. Like everyone said once I ditched the potenzas and replaced my HU 3x everything has been smooth sailing. (knock on wood)

 

Great... ... Blackbird, you're gonna be getting PMs from me if anything starts coming up.... but till then, I'm gonna enjoy my ride while I can...

 

Controversy... can't we just all agree?

It's either a 3.5 swap for me, or an SC'ed 3.0. And I don't think the SC'ed 3.0 will be as reliable as an NA 3.5...

I just don't get it. It's the same engine, bigger bore x stroke, same block... why would it be less reliable than a 3.0L? Damn.

 

How many Nissans right now have the 3.5 in it??
Hmm....do you really think they would put a non-reliable engine in that many vehicles??? I'd go with the 3.5.

 

If im not mistaken
Nissan Altima
Nissan 350z
Infiniti G35
all contain the 3.5

 

But oh the HP you'd get with the SC... I still dream of selling my 3.5 to get a 3.0 I can do some FI with.... if I had the money and knowledge that is....

Anyways... still gotta love the 3.5...

 

You also forgot the Quest, Maxima (obviously), pre-05 Pathfinder,
Murano. Not to mention the infiniti's.

 

That statement is pure BS, look at Honda. They have whats going on probably the biggest transmission recall ever out of any car manufacturer in the world, over 1 million cars affected, and ALOT of them need new transmissions, you are guaranteed that the tranny is going to fail by 50K miles on a TL, CL, Prelude- automatics. Do You think Honda would put a non-reliable TRANNY into that many vehicles ? You realize Oddyssey, Pilot, MDX, CL, TL, Prelude, Accords are all affected right ? Those cars all combined probably account for more sales than Nissan has sold world wide in 04. There are alot more issues with VTCs, engine knocking, pining, electronics, trannies with the 3.5L engine than the 3.0L. Reality check, most of ya 5.5 genners are not going to keep your cars for a long time- alot of ya are selling your cars lately for some odd reasons. I don't hate or anything, but for crying outloud with the $$$ saved on getting a 3.0L vs 3.5L you can make the 3.0L just as fast and more fuel efficient at the same time. Every time a topic comes up where someone is interested in getting a 00-01 Maxima, the 3.5L guys bug in and start yappn away at how great their car is, but after looking at dyno charts of the most modified 3.5Ls they really aint got much on the 3.0Ls- torque dips drastically with cams on a 3.5L.

 

I really enjoy the 3.5.......It's just all of the cheap crap Nissan surrounds it with that pi$$es me off

 

Add their great customer service (both NNA and their dealership network) and they ain't getting more money from me.

 

acctually nissan passed up honda this year and is now only behind toyota. not trashing your opinion just sayin. go nissan

 

..just from browsing around this site the 3.5L max has fewer problems than any other max. your post reeks of displacement envy.

you might want to cut back on your daily intake...

 

Was this reply a joke?

 

44K miles on my Max and runs like a champ. The only issue I have is I need to replace one rear spark plug chamber seal (drops of oil in one chamber). Knock on wood...

Pedro

 

That largely depends on your driving style and how loyal you perform the maintinence. Is the 5.5 gen made in Japan or in US? The 5 gen is made in Japan as I know. Is that something that should counted in?

 

Blown vq30

 

no

10chars

 

I don't think BlackBird is Hatin'....just giving us info on the world of VQ's as he SEES it.

I like to hear the point/counter point views -- it's FAIR and BALANCED news for all of those Fox news lovers out there!

I think it's all relative here people: we didn't buy Ford Mustangs or Pontiac GT's, with GOOD reason.
Do you think those people are disappointed by the reliability issues THEY're having at the same mileage?? YIKES!

Are we having more issues than we should? Maybe.

Are we still going to drive our maxes like the four door sports-sedans that they are?? HELL yEAaah!

Once again, I MUST reaffirm for us all....it's not a BMW and it's NOT an ACURA.
But I CHALLENGE ANYONE to name ONE single auto that gives more bang for the buck with the same (relative) amount of quality and style that we get from our Maximas at the same price. Go ahead -- try it.

'Nuff said. Now get out there and enjoy the ride!

gr

 

yes.

the 6th gen is the first domestically (US) manufactured max iirc.

 

JDPower Top 10 VQ30 AND VQ35!!!!!!!!!!!!! It actually is a great engine surrounded with not so great parts. M35 AWD will be my next car if the VQ in my max last to 125k without significant probs.

 

Just wanted to mention in addition to the tranny issues (not the VQ35's fault directly!) the VQ35s suffer from the SAME problems as the 30 (MAF, coils (to a lesser extent,) o2 sensors, ECU glitches) -- the fact that they have the same problem areas as the VQ30 does NOT make the VQ35 a LESS RELIABLE ENGINE! *bonk*

Change the oil every 2500-3000 miles, don't get stupid, and I can see the engine mechanicals doing 200k+ easily.

BTW -- Surprised no one has mentioned the dreaded butterfly valve screw "ingestion" problem -- this to me would be my #1 overriding concern about the VQ35DE vs the VQ30s. Nissan needs to seriously consider a recall on this issue.

BTW #2 -- The average buyer (even an enthusiast) keeps their car about 2-3 years.
Therefore it should not be surprising to see so many of us trading or selling.

 

Why not keep the 3.5? They're working on a head/IM upper end that should give about 360HP N/A for Z's, as much as a stock SC. Get Cattman headers to get an output similar to the Z. Then, find a used VQ40 bottom end in two years, drop it in, keeping your 3.5 upper end= much more torque and higher compression and you get something in the high 300 area with monster torque.

That's what I was planning on doing in my 1995. Lightest maxima ever, with some weight reduction I plan on getting the weight down to 2850 pounds... 2850 pounds + 5-speed limited slip manual + 300+fwhp = and be able to brag about it being N/A and put 3.5 badges on my car.... or not.

Okay whatever... what about that butterfly valve problem? Throttle body swallowing stuff it shoudn't? Never heard of it.

 

Outside of the MAF sensor early on and maybe the brakes, I've never had a problem with my 02 Maxima. Only time will tell if the VQ35DE motor is problem prone but the short term answer is 'NO'. I totally cant attest to Blackbird's claims but that's just HIS experience.

 

Can't put a VQ40 in a Max, the block is too tall, its going ot send the heads through the hood. I don't see how the intake manifold is going to fit with the raised deck, unless ya use the 4th gen intake manifold- that would limit you on power considirably. I'm really thinking of the HKS induction system check this out !

Thats a VQ30DE

VQ35DE- tunned by HKS

 

I don't think there's really that much of a difference. The piston travels 92 mm instead of 81.4 mm, big difference. That's what people said with the VQ35's 81.4 mm versus the VQ30's 73.3 mm= it won't fit under the hood. And it did. What makes you think the block is too tall to fit? Ever tried it? Got dimensions? I was more worried about whether or not it would work in a FWD car than its height.

Where'd you get this?

 

I have my sources, I didn't feel like looking for pictures on the HKS site for ya. HKS has gotten the VQ35DE up to 400HP already without any turbos. Being friend with a Nismo Engineer helps too As far as deck height on the VQ40DE, I can measure the block and heads on the new Pathfinder- but lemme asure ya, the deck is taller than you might think. The 4.0L would need to be bored out some as its really long stroke is not going to make the VQ as rev happy as the older 3.0 and 3.5L motors, you can't spin that motor as high as the older one. I don't have access to a blow 4.0L motor yet, but I'm sure few will fail- normal with any engine, once I get my hands on one I will see if the crank will fit in the 3.0 and 3.5L block, maybe a cheap stroker kit.

 

Dude, I asked this in another forum, I never found the reply. BlackBird tell me that is not you in that clip in your signature?

 

what did you ask in another forum ?? No thats not me in that clip, but I find him cracking me up every time I look at him !

 

That statement is purely BS as Nissan overtook Honda last year behind only I think Toyota as far as sales. And really, thats the kind of thing that assures me that I'm never buying a Honduh. Is it really a suprise that they did something stupid like that. As far as Nissan goes the 3.5 is a solid engine. Matter of fact, I'm pretty sure its in the top 10 list of most reliable engines somewhere. The engine itself, which is what the questions was about, is very reliable. And FYI, I plan on keeping my car to at least 200,000miles.

 

Been meaning to say this too...!

It's TOTALLY annoying, and yet hilarious at the same time.
PRICELESS uni-brow on that boy.....PRICELEss!

gr

 

i haven't had a single problem with my 02. i have no doubt in my mind that the 3.5 will be very reliable. people with the 3.0 need to stop bashing the 3.5. if you have love for the vq then you have love for both..........stop this reliablity crap. both great engines.......