So how cheap is it then??? Id do the 3.5 swap, but swapping in a completly different engine means new parts. If the block itself bolts upto the VQ30 heads id do it in a second.

 

The cost of the VQ35 longblock, ECU, wiring harnes.

Tranny optional.


The easy way is just to use the VQ35 shortblock and bolt on the VQ30 front and top end. The comp. will be 11.5 to 1

 

You sure the short block fits?? How hard is that to do? Ive located VQ35 blocks cheap like $300-500. Id do it in a second if its an easy swap.

 

what exactly do you mean by VQ35 longblock & VQ35 shortblock? i'm lost here

 

Long block is the entire engine. shortblock is just the block itself, no cyl heads, manifold, etc.

Can Anyone else confirm the VQ35 shortblock bolts upto the VQ30 cyl heads?

 

Nobody can 100% confirm/deny, since nobody has done it or at least admitted it, yet.

Mardi and I believe Tilley(could be wrong) have both sat the 3.0 heads on the 3.5 block and said they look fine/good. Other then that, seems like everyone is waiting for someone else to make the first leap-of-faith.

 

I'll confirm it if you need independant scientific laboritorical testing.

 

If all I need is the VQ35 short block and nothing else, ill be doing it in a couple months. Ive located a short block w/ 9k miles off of a pathfinder for $500 shipped. If thats ALL i need to do the swap, im doing it soon.

 

You'll at least need a 350z head gasket and I'm not sure which flywheel, since all Pathfinders are autos.

Is it coming with accessories, ie alternator, A/C compressor, water pump, power steering, etc? If not, you'll have to swap all those over, I think.

I'm not sure about fuel/timing and there are probably lots of other small tidbits you'll find out along the way too like hoses/EGR stuff/etc..

 

err, i *think* 3.5 pathfinders come, or came with stick as an option. i think the engine with the stick also got a 5 hp bump. i could be confused with something else though.

 

Looks like you're right, in 2001 SE models, at least.

Bet his is an auto or doesn't come with a flywheel though.

 

Im auto, so why would I need a flywheel then..?

 

Block = BLock
Short Block = Block with crank,rods, pistons assembled.

Long Block, Fully assembled engine, minus a few details specific to the recipient vehicle

 

And if Chase (BlueC) does this, I will be right behingd him, You first though.

 

Haha, so you can learn from my mistakes. Dont worry, It will happen, its just a matter of time.

 

You got it!

 

So a VQ35 block with VQ30 heads gives 11.5:1 CR? That is a significant enough bump in CR that ignition timing might be an issue. A J&S Safeguard might be a good idea for pulling timing if detonation becomes a problem. Or burn race gas.

 

Just came across this in nissanperformancemag.com:

Nissan Motorsports just released a new head which has the VQ30DE chamber volume but the VQ35DE ports and titanium valves which raises the compression ratio to 12:1 if you’re interested in building a naturally aspirated Maxima.

 

You wouldn't...I don't have everyones trannys/mods memorized yet, but I'm working on it.

 

Awesome, so that mean the swap is easier than you thought. Im still waiting to hear back from the salvage yard to get a quote on what kind of condition the short block is in. If it tests out ok, Ill seriously consider doing this. Im also going to contact a couple shops I know and get their opinion on costs.

 

Honestly, I don't have a *CLUE*. As much as I'd like to tell you to go for it, you really should be asking Mardigrasmax what's involved. He knows more about this swap then anyone at this point, I'd say.

 

Yea hes hard to get ahold of. I DID however print of like 5 pages of diagrams comparing the VQ35 on the Pathfinder to the VQ30 on the maxima from Alldata. Looking closely, they are very similar, the cyl heads look like they will bolt up fine, youd just need a different headgasket like you said. Since its just a shortblock being replaced, theres not alot of tearing apart to do. We'll see, Im going to do hours of research before I do anything, but this has major possibilities.

 

I'm pretty sure on the cylinder heads, since I've heard from two different sources they line up. Gasket is a given, but the 350z one has more layers then the VQ35 Max one so it might be a littl stronger. That with head studs should clamp down nicely.

Don't let me deter you and keep us posted.

 

What is the horsepower rating on a pathfinder?

 

240hp...

..

 

Can you post link, I searched but could not find it.

 

One big difference to note that I've found between the VQ30 and Pathfinder VQ35 is that the VQ35 was *CLEARLY* designed with reducing detonation in mind per SAE tech article:

Since you can't use the VQ35 heads and you're bumping compression considerably, you're going to need to worry about this. I'd recommend having the combustion chamber bowl(top-half of combustion chamber) in the VQ30 heads deburred, smoothed, and opened up as much as possible to remove any ridges/areas that could be likely ignition spots and open up a few cc's maybe to help lower CR some. I'd also recommend at a MINIMUM having Swain Tech TBC coat the heads, valves, and top-half of the combustion chamber for $190. You could do exhaust ports and more too.

 

Ok, IceY2K1
What is the difference between the VQ35DE Max engine and the Pathfinder's? Why is everyone viewing the Path's short block versus the Max's?
I really want to try and figure this out. I live in Nebraska, but would be willing to drive to Kansas City to work on this.
Oh, this is an awsome idea. Hope it floats.

 

I don't think theres and differance performance wise between the two when it comes to the short block. It's when you put on the head that there is a differance ie. cams, valves, intake manifold, ect... I hopes this helps.

-Chirs

 

AT LEAST heads, intake/exhaust ports, cams, valve timing, compression ratio, intake, intake manifold, ignition timing, valvetrain noise/vibration reduction measures, silent timing chain, etc..

However, the ONLY short block difference I can tell are oil pan ribs for stiffness/noise reduction ASSuming the compression bump from 10:1 to 10.3:1 was from the top half of the combustion chamber.

At least from what I can understand from the SMALL SAE tech docs I've read, which may not include 100% everything.

 

So the PathVQ35's comp is 10.3:1, eh? if im reading that right. Hmmm.... So look for the 2001 Path SE 5-speed short block. Gotcha.
Im im wrong.... Dogh!
Where can I find data to calculate the new timing?
The PVQ35 short with VQ30DE as the rest.
Right?

 

No, 10:1 on the 2nd gen VQ35.

Latest VQ35s(3rd Gen) like the Altima, Max, Z/G, are 10.3:1.

 

Very nice work, Dixit. I'm wondering if I can do this to my VE30DE.

 

Just look for a Maxima/Altima long block. They're far more abundant in the boneyards.

 

http://www.nissanperformancemag.com/march04/ask_sarah/

At the bottom of the page.

Of course, that is from the same person who wrote:

Turbos use wasted energy from the exhaust stream while superchargers use a compressor, to increase the density of the intake air charge.

 

Thanks man.

 

The only thing you can do to the VE30 is possibly getting a VG33 shotblock and seeing if the VE stuff will bolt upto it. Keep in mind that the VG33 uses the same 83mm stroke as the VG30 and VE30. the only difference is the bore (raised to 91.5mm over 87mm)

 

The only problem is the VE is a chain, while the VG is a belt.
Later today I'll see if the VG30DE crank will fit in the VE. Still, it's a pain because the VE was only produced for 3 years and the only real options so far seem to be using 300zx pistons/rods.

it still owns you


I'll post pics of VG30DE vs VE30DE cranks when I get my camera back. (hopefully tonight)

 

She also wrote this, which is BS:

"However, since the transmission controller is programmed to give full line pressure at wide open throttle"

http://www.nissanperformancemag.com/...r03/ask_sarah/

However her editor admitted finally that it was wrong but it was never edited so people still read that BS and believe it.

 

Anyone know how much the shortblock weighs??? I had some extra time this afternoon, so I looked through the engine bay seeing how much room there is to play with, overall I think if I spent a couple weeks during the summer, the shortblock swap could be done in my garage. Im wondering about the weight to know what tools would be neccessary for the swap. I think this swap is very doable, but it would require a good week or two so I can take my time and make sure everything goes together ok.

I think the first step is 1) Save up $$$

I know im not capable of doing it by myself, but with the help of a couple experienced people, diagrams, part #s list, and a good amount of tools, I think I can accomplish this. Nothing better than tearing apart the engine bay to prepare it for a large raw NA power upgrade.