Originally Posted by SuperKly

So with this being said a VQ35DE that was in a 06 Maxima with an auto should go right into a 06 Maxima with a manual? No issues with bell housing or oil pan, or anything else?

Originally Posted by aackshun

The basis on fitment for this guide is the 02 Maxima, since that car has the most common compatibility over vehicles, the oil pan has the same bolt pattern as the 95-01 VQ30 Maximas, and even the same bolt pattern as the 350z/G35 Oil pans for RWD applications.

But just because the bolt pattern is the same... does NOT mean the oil pan is the same... You will see a few instances in the list below where I've confirmed the same bolt pattern but the part # changes so I do not know about the depth of the pan in regards to exhaust or crossmember clearance.
RWD VQ35 oil pans are the same bolt pattern but the depth is different...shallower in the RWD application vs the FWD application. This would cause issues with the oil sender (pickup?), which is also a slightly different design RWD vs FWD. Safe to say RWD oil pans are not compatible. (thanks Mreous)

I will not answer any questions along the lines of "I have an 02 maxima, will the 08 motor fit my car?" The answer is right in front of you.

but I will answer questions on how to use this guide, if you're having a hard time using it.

If you find any errors, please PM me so I can make corrections.

Now.....

The VQ35 block on any FWD/AWD Nissan badged vehicle is the same, the key differences between the years are the upper (big aluminum) oil pan, and the intake manifold. Short of that there is not a difference (well for the most part) in the motor. The reason why the quest has the lowest power #'s is because of the tune on the ECU, not because of the cams, valves or whatever BS you have been reading, same reason why the Z makes more power than the maximas, tune (and different exhaust and etc, but most of the power difference is the cam tuning).


Guide to use this chart:

-Full = Full 10 Bolt Pattern, the most common oil pan bolt pattern design, used on RWD applications also.

-5AT = 8 Bolt pattern used on the FWD 5speed Automatic Transmission equipped vehicles

-CVT = I have yet to fool with a CVT Maxima, but the oil pan is different from any other one.

-EGR = This motor is equipped with EGR

-Plastic = The VIAS assembly is made from composite materials instead of metal, the functions are exactly the same and can be used with the older solenoids.

-If left blank, then it's the same as the 02 maxima.

-Bottom: Meaning the crank position sensor is on the BOTTOM of the motor and not towards the front (radiator) as they are on earlier nissans.

Intake Manifold Compatibility:

Maxima
-02-03:
-04-06: EGR
-07-08: Plastic

Murano
-03-07:

Quest:
-04-06: EGR
-06?/07? (I do not know exactly when the cut off is)-09: EGR, Plastic

Altima:
-02-04:
-05-06: EGR

I35:
-02-04:

Oil Pan Compatibility:

Maxima:
02-03 6MT:
02-03 4AT:
04-05 4AT:
04-06 5AT: Bottom, 5AT
04-06 6MT:
07-08 CVT: Bottom, CVT

Altima:
02-04 4AT:
02-06 MT:
05-06 5AT: Bottom, 5AT

Quest:
04-06 4AT:
04-07 5AT: Bottom, 5AT
08-09 5AT: Different Part # as the 04-07's, no idea if it's the same pan or not, or exhaust clearance may be different.

Murano:
03-04:
05-06: Full pattern, but may have clearance issues w/ the exhaust ~not sure on this.

I35:
02-04 4AT:

So now armed with the knowledge of which oil pan and intake manifold fit on which car, everything else is the same (for the most part) on the motor.

It is also possible to change intake manifolds and oil pans to fit the application you need it for too, so if you have a very specific application like an 08 maxima you can use an 03 maxima engine if you change the oil pan.