1998 frontier vq35de swap

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kojikintex
Posts: 1
Joined: Sat Jan 26, 2019 9:59 am
Car: 1998 nissan frontier

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I want to build the meanest '98 frontier xe sleeper, don't want to upset any g35, 350z, skyline, gtr owners, but I am going to put the driveline and suspension out of an early, non rev-up g35 . I know, lots of cutting and welding, just wondering if anyone knows of any kits out there that might give me a jump start. I've had my frontier since 300 miles, I love the ka24de, most dependable 4 cyl ever, 235000 and only problems, altenator and vibration damper pulley blew apart. Just want more power. :chuckle:


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Desert Rat
Posts: 1969
Joined: Wed Jan 17, 2007 11:57 am
Car: 2014 370Z M6 Base Coupe
2017 Frontier 4.0
2007 Dodge Ram 2500 Cummins Quad Cab 4x4
1977 F150 4x4 Shorty BUILT
2008 Boulevard C90T
Previous owner of a bunch of Nissans
Location: Mesa, AZ
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No kits. Your biggest challenge is the width between the frame rails and getting the engine to sit down low enough between them. Years ago a friend of mine working for Nissan R&D converted a WD22 Xterra to a VQ. The custom exhaust manifolds he had to hand fabricate were works of art, and they were necessary to get the exhaust between the frame rails. A VQ is a very wide engine, hence the difficulty. If you can solve that, it's just straight up engine swapping from there.

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PapaSmurf2k3
Site Admin
Posts: 23998
Joined: Thu Nov 21, 2002 3:20 pm
Car: 2017 Corvette, 2018 Focus ST, 1993 240sx truck KA Turbo.
Location: Merrimack, NH

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Yeah VQs are wide and pretty tall (although not as tall as the VK V8s). I too have seen many a custom exhaust and intake manifold just to get them to fit. Definitely doable though.


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