I have a 2002 maxima 6spd. I've replaced the transmission in the past with a 6th gen non hlsd trans when my third gear went out. It was no problem, just swapped the shifter linkage brackets and it bolted up. I ran the VIN plate on the transmission and know it came from a 2004 maxima.

Now, i need to replace the engine (bad ticking from shim bucket to cam clearance too high, 120k miles, etc....)
So i found an add on craigslist for a vq35de engine. It was listed as a 2004 maxima engine with 21k miles being sold from a local salvage yard. There wasn't any info about the motor (no vin or car to be found), but I took the valve covers off and it was clean and looked exactly like my current engine. Bought it, brought it home. I figured, I have a 6th gen trans, a 6th gen motor should work as well.
So after removing my old engine and installing the new one, Im down to the very last part of connecting / swapping sensors. The problem I'm having is the Crankshaft Posistion Sensor hole on the new engine does not match the 6th gen transmission. Did they sell me a different year motor or one from a different model that uses a vq35?
The sensor hole on the engine is at 6 oclock and on the transmission (and my old engine) it is located at 3 oclock (facing radiator).
First image is at 6 oclock:

Second image is at 3 oclock:

Engine:

 

WTF??? That is extremely odd. The vin stamp is no longer on the engine?

 

Engine's dont come with the car VIN stamp on them, they only have engine serial numbers.
The transmission does have VIN plate on them.

 

Doh that's right.

Sorry for my n00bness but can't you just swap the oil pans?

 

haha, wow, i feel dumb. I didnt think of that yet. I will have to check to make sure that will work. From the picture it looked like swapping the upper oil pan would do the trick. Thank you.
I was going to redrill/extend the whole for the CPS and tap a new thread hole to bolt it in, but that was my last resort answer.

 

Yeah, the pans will swap for sure, I just couldn't remember if the sensor bolted to the block or the pan

 

The engine most likely came from a nissan quest. Ghostmax301 just swapped one in his 4th gen and he said the only difference was the location of the CPS.

 

Interesting. Thanks for all the info guys. I notice the Quest has a lower HP/TQ rating; if this truly is a Quest motor, is that anything to be concerned w/ as far as losing any performance from this swap?

Also, I wonder if I can decode the Engine Serial# to figure out what I really got? Been searching for info on that but not finding much info

 

Nope, your trans gearing and your ECU will make the HP/TQ rating the same.

 

Engines are rated to the flywheel so why would the trans have any effect. They all put out 240bhp anyway.

 

Well guys, I swapped the upper oil pan and it worked like a charm -- she was a little tight at first when I tried to turn the crank w/ wrench, but she loosened up then I primed the lines and fired her up -- she purrRrs! Sounds great and feels very smooth. I need to p/u a new idler pulley after work and change the oil then I will open her up a bit to see how she really runs