I am a proud owner of a 00 max. I love it every part of it. It is by far the best car I have owned. I am coming to a crossroads do I seek a 00-01 max with low miles and build my car or go for a 3.5. I have heard that 3.5 sometimes come under suspect of reliability issues compared to the trusty 3.0. I have heard though the motors are quite different in torque etc. What I am looking for is getting close to 280 all motor hp with suspension and other goodies. Is that achieveable in both cars? Also I know sensor wise and VAIS wise the 00-01 are different than 4 gen cars but can some parts still fit the engine in the 00-01 models? I am looking for a good base to built a great sleeper car. I know this is kind of a prefference question but input is welcome just please try to back it by facts. Also keep in mind I am still pretty fresh in the max world.

 

280 HP from a 3.5 is easy as hell. Headers and you're there. 280 from a 3.0L requires quite a bit of mods.

 

280 @ the wheels?

 

I completely agree. To the wheels is a little harder than just headers. But 3.5>3.0

 

He's probably referring to crank. All the mag racers do.

 

Mag racers FTL.

 

I am talking about to the wheels.

 

There is nothing suspect about the 3.5. There was a poll done on oil consumption and may 3 people on the org had the problem. I've owned 2 5.5 gen, an auto and now a 6 speed and neither had the problem. The 3.5 is superior in everyway over the 3.0 . I have only driven a auto 3.0 and in my opinion it was pretty slow.........Now the auto 3.5 is a beast but still not as sweet as my 6 speed

 

I have heard MAF are substancial weaker in 5.5's Perhaps I am thinking of another car though.

 

........As compared to?????????

99-00 were 'weak'

and so were 02's...03's are said to be 'stronger' as well as 01's.

 

the 01 to 02-03.

 

... so 01-03?
READ my post

 

sorry 01 compared to 03. I know though the 5.5 gen ones are quite a bit more expensive.

 

But you can use 01's in the 02-03... S T I C K Y S are our friend

 

My fault then. As stated I am pretty new to the Max world. Sorry for the ignorance. What would you recommend NmexMax 3.0 or 3.5?

 

The other guy was probably referring to the crank.

 

3.5l

...............

 

If you can afford the newer car go for the 3.5. Of course you will come across bias answers b/c most of us 3.5 guys will tell you to get the 3.5 and vise versa.

 

I have a 3.0L (DE w/MEVI) and a 3.5L...

I still vote 3.5L.

 

Oil consumption issues have affected more than just 3 people here. It's at least a dozen, if not more, based on what I've seen. Both engines have their ups and downs. The 2002/03 has a lot of goodies that the 00/01 doesn't. 6CD changer, HIDs, more power stock, better looking rims, Navi, TE package (2003 only), nicer cupholder, among others.

Of course, if you plan on really putting money in the car -- then all of that is moot. If you want all out power, get a 2000/2001 (or hell, try to find a 2001 Anniversary Edition 5spd), get yourself some Cattman headers, Cattman b-pipe, Berk w/Apexi intake, Apexi SAFC2, ECU, and then? Blow it. Supercharge the ***** with a V2 and throw a little bit of a N20 for good measure. Get some light weight rims (17-14lbs per rims), some nice sticky and lightweight tires, and you're set. You'll have one stupidly fast car (don't forget the suspension work too).

Then you can do whatever you want to the interior. Of course, most people aren't that ambitious and I doubt you'll want to do that much to a car. So, having said that...if you do indeed want to go ***** out modding a Maxima -- get an 00/01 (since superchargers don't exist for 3.5L Maximas). If you want to do some light performance modding (headers, etc.), get a 2002/03.

I personally wouldn't drop that much cash on modifying a Maxima...and a 3.5L with headers would be plenty fast for me. So my vote is for the 3.5L.

 

That sums it up nicey.

 

So 12 makes it a wide spread problem. Come on. Its still less then 2%. The only advantage the 3.0 has over the 3.5 is smoothness. Common sense is to buy the 3.5L. F*ck what you heard its heads and tails better and more powerful.........

 

The 3.5 (VQ35de) is....
-lighter
-more technologically advanced
-more efficient
-more powerful
-more modify-able (more tuner parts available)
than the 3.0 (VQ30DE)

This is terms of just the engine and not the vehicles.

EDIT:
The 3.0 (VQ30de) is...
-more rev-happy
-boost friendly (stout stroke)
than the 3.5 (VQ35de)

Obviously there are holes to pick at in the argument, but you get my point. In a nutshell, unless you are limited to a certain displacement size due to racing, the vq35de is superior to the vq30de in terms of performance.

 

Fuel efficient?

I thought they were pretty much equal.

 

3.5 Definitely! Easy Hp Gain from the 3.0..

 

My 00 SE has a 6 CD changer

 

Engine efficiency. The head design, combustion process, etc. I think the VE in the 350z is past 100%

 

100% what?

 

That's more a function of the 350Z's intake manifold design in conjunction with the VTC than the engine's design. However, i do agree that the 3.5 is more technogically advanced in general terms.

 

100% volumetric efficiency. It actually peaks at 105%.

 

Does the 350Z IM fit on the FWD 3.5 chasis cars (i.e. 5.5 gen Maxima)?

...I wonder what kind of gains can be had w/ it?

 

Okay, I haven't been on the org for a while so here is my biased opinion since I own "the 3.0 Show". I am very weary of the 3.5's electronic throttle control for many reasons, I would rather pay $100 for a MAF than $450. And about that comment about the 3.5's being lighter?, how so, or by how much? The only Cons i have with the 3.0's is the intake manifold (damn plastic). Well, there's my two cents. Let the flaming begin.

 

What is wrong with the plastic manifold?

 

Absolutely nothing. Bandwagon FTL.

 

Oh noes! The nawz melted my intakes!

 

I have an 01 and trust me I have never driven a 3.5 but one day going north on the Florida Turnpike.. I saw a 3.5 going by a truck and the sucker push so fast that I was thinking ... Hum I need to get me one of those......

 

what really attracted me to the 3.5L one was the nice front end and the hid headlights. it looks very nice but i'm sure you can swap the bumper and headlights to the 3.0L version. for me, i'm really happy with the 3.5L it pulls like a ****...only thing i don't really like is it eats gas like crazy lol but it's a fun car to drive

but like others say people are going to be bias just like i am haha but i haven't driven the 3.0L before and to be honest if the 02-03 came with a 3.0L i would still get it because i love the front end a lot...plus all those other stuffs that the 00-01's don't have hah

 

You forgot to mention the difference in horse power. Most people would consider having 35 less horses to be a con as well. Add to the 3.0 cons list the weak coils @ around $60.00 each and the VIAS issues. Both motors have the potential to cost you some money. Neither has a reputation for major issues.

My wife drives a 3.0 (great car) and I have the 3.5 6-speed. Big difference right out of the box. If you're trying to get the most power without forced induction the 3.5 is the way to go. Even with all the bolt on parts the 3.0 MIGHT be as strong as a stock 3.5 car.

 

Trust me, a full bolt on 3.0 is much faster than a stock 3.5...

I personally know this and I dont even have "all" the bolt on's, just most of them.

 

If you do alot of stop and go driving, the 3.5 is for you. 3.5 low end > *