I've been searching/reading for hours and now my head hurts, and I have not found any tried and true answers. I have an 03 I35, that is consuming oil and pinging, but never smokes, at least that I've noticed. I'm thinking if I do a compression test, and discover that the rings are good, then my problem must lie in the valve train. If that's the case, then I could likely fix both problems (OC & pinging) by replacing the heads with some other newer VQ35 heads, that would preferrably bolt right up, and be better flowing and have more performance because of more aggressive cams? Is this a good idea, and can anyone point me in the right direction?

TIA.

 

I would re-post this after you do a compression test and verify that the rings good.

Instead of mixing and matching, why not go with the full 09 swap? Adding heads and cams is futile now that the 09 swap is tried and true with far higher potential.


The 09 heads will change the CR, and also have IVT, which you cannot use if you’re keeping the 02/3 ECU. Also, you would need to use the 09 IM because the 02-08 DE heads do not bolt up to the 09 (HR) heads.

You could the 08 Altima heads too, but like I said before, it’s not worth it.

I’d either get a used 05/6 engine or, go with the 09 swap.

 

Cosworth heads but $9k

 

Thanks NmexMAX. To answer your question(s), I'm not planning to keep the car very long, so my main goal, is really just to fix the OC/pinging as easily and cheaply as possible, with possibly getting a little more power as an added bonus. So if it's leaking valve seals, or other problems in the valve train, I figure the cheapest/easiest option, is to throw a set of low mileage direct fit heads on there. The reason I think it's valve train problems, is because it does make some noise in the valve train at certain times, and I'm really not experiencing any significant loss of power as you would expect with bad rings. Oh, and yes, I have tried every other possible solution with nothing really helping at all. So what heads are a direct fit with no mods other than possibly different UIM, LIM? Or is my only option the 02-04 I35 heads and 02-03 MAX heads?

Thanks again.

 

All DE heads are the same, sans rev up G & Z's, whether they came from a Quest, Altima, Murano, 350z, I35, G35 or Maxima.

02-08 Maxima heads are the same as 02-04 I35. Leave this option and get a used engine.

 

Put in a 3L from an 01
and enjoy better mpg and reliability. :P

 

Catch can with a water injection kit..........DONE. Or, do all these other more expensive complicated things that probably wont fix it.