Last fall I bought a VQ35 from a wholesaler of lost freight shipments - CargoLargo, in Kansas City, for $100. A couple of weeks ago, I mounted it on my engine stand and began taking it apart. Yuchhh... it was a greasy mess inside, full of oily sludge. But since I only wanted the short block for a build, OK.

The oil intake strainer - a mess:
http://i48.photobucket.com/albums/f2...8/DSCN0613.jpg

My plan is to have the lower end tanked, forged pistons and rods (Wiseco and Carrillo) installed and the rotating assembly balanced. Heads will come from Cosworth (stage 3), cams from JWT, and the usual pile of upgrade parts and gaskets. I plan on having at least 500WHP when finished (thanks to nitrous). Yes, really, 500WHP... it's doable.

My question is: what year is this engine, or how do I tell? What I do have is photos of internal parts that might help. Reference PDF, head gasket, head bolt, oil pump, pistons, tensioner piston, and anything else you might want...

JWT:
http://www.jimwolftechnology.com/wol...HEAD_BOLTS.pdf

Head gasket:
http://i48.photobucket.com/albums/f2...8/DSCN0651.jpg

Head bolt - note NO DOT:
http://i48.photobucket.com/albums/f2...8/DSCN0652.jpg

Oil pump - made in Mexico starting when?:
http://i48.photobucket.com/albums/f2...8/DSCN0650.jpg

Pistons-rods:
http://i48.photobucket.com/albums/f2...8/DSCN0658.jpg

Tensioner:
http://i48.photobucket.com/albums/f2...8/DSCN0625.jpg

Stripped short block, ready for the machine shop's evaluation of bearings and block:
http://i48.photobucket.com/albums/f2...8/DSCN0647.jpg
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Any opinions or thoughts?

 

Might be an A34 motor.




And you should contact HeadGames regarding headwork.

 

I'll check 'em out, but Cosworth seems to have a complete CNC-ported package that's been performance-proven in many engines - plus they use new castings - but you know that...


Thanks..


Oh, I'm sure it's an A34 motor - just which year? I think 2004 because of the no-dot head bolt, but ???


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What's the ESN stamped on the block? Does it have a VIN plate on the block too (keep forgetting whether or not the VQs do, most other manufacturers do it)?

 

VQ's have the VIN stamped on the block right near the bell housing. 8th digit from the end determines the year.

 

You learn something new every day - I'll get numbers off the block tonight. I know there are several sets of them.

Thanks to both of you.....

 

and yes that engine was nasty, not very well taken care of FTL, but for a $100 you can't argue

 

The inside was full of sludge that stunk bad - nasty stuff, but if I can use the block, it's all good. Here's a shot of the inside of the lower oil pan.



Photos of numbers on the block:








Any thoughts now about what year this motor was manufactured?


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I would guess 2005 cause of the "5" (counting 8 Digits after VQ )

 

You do realize that at 500WHP in the maxima, traction will be a never ending nightmare for you, and you will have to run RETARDED wide tires on the front

I pray this is for a track car

 

I've got 405WHP at the moment - check my sig for car details...... check closely.

 

I LOL'ed @ CaTalyst.X while reading his post as he described your setup

 

It's Christmas - and also the "be nice to noobs" season as well.

Although it's so durn cold here that flaming the noobs would feel pretty good..... but that's not the way to keep the new guys, is it? He'll get over it - or not.

 

Better idea: Keep your 405whp and build me this motor. I'll even drive out to Topeka and help you install it.

 

Funny man - but the 405 will be surplus after I install the new motor........


The new one will cost $8k - $10K to build, it appears... still interested ??

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Lol sure, let me sell my car to help pay for the motor. Oh wait...

I've never been out to cargolargo. Should I?

 

Nope - it's a eBay-access company and not a store you can shop in. They're in the caves near Independence, just south of a major land fill off some east-side highway - maybe 291 ?

Try here: http://myworld.ebay.com/cargolargo/