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Motor swap 3.5?
Posted: Thu Aug 15, 2019 2:28 am
by crispins
The engine in my 2006 is on it's way out.
Burns oil
no oil pressure at idle
Wondering if I swap in the more common 3.5 from a Maxima or 350 would it work fine?
Any real differences?
Would the Pathfinder ECU be ok with it?
Anyone done this yet?
Posted: Thu Aug 15, 2019 7:34 am
by smj999smj
It'd be more trouble than it's worth. You'd be better off just finding another VQ40DE. You can use one from any Nissan truck or van or Suzuki Equator, 2005 and up, so you can find low miles engines for around $1200 if you do a little searching. I would go for one after 2010 so you won't have to worry about the potential timing chain issues of the earlier engines.
Posted: Thu Aug 15, 2019 7:52 am
by crispins
ok so if I get a 2010 or newer 4.0 I won't have the same issues my 2006 has?
Posted: Mon Aug 19, 2019 11:26 am
by crispins
Would love to know if the 3.5 from a Maxima will work.
I can buy a wrecked Maxima for $500
After selling a couple of parts and scrapping the rest the engine will be free.
I would like that as it fits my budget very well.
Posted: Mon Aug 19, 2019 7:06 pm
by smj999smj
crispins wrote:ok so if I get a 2010 or newer 4.0 I won't have the same issues my 2006 has?
"after 2010"...so, 2011 and newer.
Posted: Mon Aug 19, 2019 7:31 pm
by smj999smj
crispins wrote:Would love to know if the 3.5 from a Maxima will work.
I can buy a wrecked Maxima for $500
After selling a couple of parts and scrapping the rest the engine will be free.
I would like that as it fits my budget very well.
Generally speaking as far as Nissans, front wheel drive VQ's can't be swapped with rear wheel drive VQ's because of the block mounting provisions for the motor mounts. The transmission mounting pattern for the front wheel drive VQ's is also completely different than the rear drive VQ's. Timing covers are different, as well. Even though they are both in the VQ family, they are very different engines.
Posted: Tue Aug 20, 2019 4:29 am
by crispins
Thank you for the info.
That all makes sense.
I was hopeful that I could swap in a newer motor cheaply but it is what it is.
I will figure out what I am going to do and come back here.
smj999smj wrote:crispins wrote:Would love to know if the 3.5 from a Maxima will work.
I can buy a wrecked Maxima for $500
After selling a couple of parts and scrapping the rest the engine will be free.
I would like that as it fits my budget very well.
Generally speaking as far as Nissans, front wheel drive VQ's can't be swapped with rear wheel drive VQ's because of the block mounting provisions for the motor mounts. The transmission mounting pattern for the front wheel drive VQ's is also completely different than the rear drive VQ's. Timing covers are different, as well. Even though they are both in the VQ family, they are very different engines.