The VQ35DE is basiclly an bored-out VQ30DE right? So would it fit in a Max? I mean 240 hp and 265 lb-ft of torque is an big improvement. I know, its a little out there, but I am curious.

 

Or you could just wait for next year's Maxima. Quite a few rumors out there that suggest that engine or a tweaked variant of it will be in the 2002 Maxima.

I think you'd have some trouble retrofitting an actual Pathfinder 3.5L into a Maxima, as the Pathfinder has a pretty tall engine bay. The intake manifold and associated junk on top of it might not fit under a Maxima hood. Don't know if the timing chain cover with the bulges for the variable camshaft timing gears would fit inside the passenger side of the engine bay either.