Sorry guys, I am all over the place trying to collect information.

Back in 2005 I did a VQ35 swap using a 2002 engine, and all of the VQ30 timing/sensors/ECU stuff..

I recently blew that engine up.

Today I looked at a 2008 Altima engine, with the plastic intake. Good price on it, but one of the valve covers was cracked. The engine looks VERY different than mine. The valve covers from my 2002 are not the same, so if I buy this engine I will need to replace that. But it has me concerned that my intake (from a 350Z) will not fit. I am guessing the heads were changed between 2002 - 2008? I can't reuse my old heads because I think the valves in that one cylinder are also damaged.

Just by looking at replacement part cross reference;

The intake gasket set for a 2002 Altima is the same as a 2006 Altima, and 2007 Maxima. I know my 350Z intake fit on the 2002 Altima, but if the gasket design was changed for 2008 I am assuming the head design was changed and my intake will therefore not fit. Can anyone Confirm/Deny?

2002 Valve Cover gasket will work up to 2006 on Altima, and 2007 on Maxima. I could clearly see the valve cover on the 2008 Altima was not the same. If this is the only difference, then I can get a replacement for the cracked one on this donor..

Exhaust Manifold Gasket goes up to 2006 Altima, and 2007 Maxima. So, will my exhaust not fit the 2008 heads?

I am guessing some significant change was made in engine design in the 2006-2007 time frame? Does anyone know what (if any) impact that will have on the standard VQ30 -> VQ35 swap.

Maybe I should instead search for a 2007 Maxima engine. it seems like a safer bet... Your input is requested, and encouraged!

 

OH, and (asking again, just in case) Does anyone have a proper procedure for drilling the cams? A template maybe? In 2005 I had Tilly drill my cams, I watched him do it freehand and did not think anything of it, however I have since found that the compression on one side of the engine is 190PSI, while the other is 170PSI. I am thinking maybe one of the cams is off a few degrees? That may have helped to blow up my engine?

 

2008 altimas have HR heads as we told you earlier, the HR heads have square ports in the heads. If you wanna use your manifold, get another 02-08 maxima motor or 02-06 altima/quest/murano motor

 

Sorry, must have missed that.. It has been a lot of information overload this week. Reading way too many threads on here..

Any ideas on drilling the cams?

 

na hopefully someone else will chime in on that

why not just use the stephenmax spacerS?

 

Dont know what they are (will google it in a second). I have the JWT spacers.

 

http://forums.maxima.org/all-motor/2...imensions.html

 

That UIM should be one of the main selling points for a newer VQ, even over a z UIM (atleast N/A). I'm interested in this too but the FSM hasn't been very helpful, apparently the pulley/accessory setup is different, so my main Q's were for the timing cover/exhaust manifold fitment - but apparently it's been done on an A32 ecu, sooo.....

Can you measure up/photograph the motor you checked out?

 

The UIM may be nice, but I just spent a crap load of time and money installing a blower on this engine, and used a modified Kenetix UIM. I don't know if the Altima UIM is better than the Kenetix, but without some reason to believe it is, I don't want the extra work to replumb the intercooler and intake.

I took 2 photos of the valve cover, but did not have time/tools to take any measurements. Sorry! It was a low mileage (under 20K) engine for $550, if someone in New Jersey area wants to experiment I can pass the lead along..

Meanwhile, I put a deposit down on a 2007 Maxima engine.