3.0 vs the 3.5 Which one do you like the most!?!?

[Av10sguy]

Greetings, I currentally have a Infinity Qx4 which i am parting ways with very soon. I have been in love with the Maximas since i can remember and i am looking to settle down with one. I was first attracted to the 02-03 3.5 6 speed manual because of the numbers that car is putting down... but is the 3.0L engine that much slower if you have a 5 speed manual? I am having a hard time finding a 3.5 6 speed so i was going to look at the ones with the 3.0, but i want to know if they seem as quick as the 3.5? My moms I35 pulls way hard for a automatic, what should i expect from the 3.0? I am only looking to add a intake, maybe a exhaust and call it a day with the car. I used to be into modding the heck out of cars, but its a drain in your pocket when you have a house and school payments. So for you guys with the 3.0.. do you like it.. do you wish you had the 3.5 instead? Thank you very much for your help with your opinions and comments! : )

[Darktide]

Don't get me wrong, I love my max but meh. I've got an 00 Max and I'm not impressed. It's an automatic, I wish I had gotten a standard. the 6speeds will toast the 5speeds on the high end (of course) but the 5 speeds were geared differently so they tend to do better on take offs. I personally like the fact that 02-03 had the HIDs and a little sharper look than the 00-01. Get what suits you the best, but I wouldn't waste money or time on an intake. Exhaust would be worth the cost though. Good luck to you, I hope this helped.

[Trav1s]

I like the 3.0 but that's me

Some reading for your reference talking about the 4th/5th gen Maxima and the VQ30DE, VQ30DE-K and the VQ35DE debate.

zerothread/308928

[MattB]

I drove my I30 back to back with an I35 once to get an idea for the real difference. The I35 is quicker, but in real world driving it's not that noticable. The 3.0 is still quick even with an automatic, so as long as you don't expect it to be a 350Z you'll be fine with a 3.0 and a manual transmission.

[blackmax23]

Here's my 2 cents...I have a 99 auto, and I brought it to the dragstrip and ran against an 05 Maxima SE 6 spd. Now, to be completely honest, if you want to get the most out of the 3.0, you really need to get a 5 speed cuz honestly, the auto straight sucks when it comes to putting the power to the ground. With the auto I have now, it really feels like turbo lag cuz 1k-2700 rpm nothing amazing happens, then it hits around 3100 rpm, and it throws your head back in your seat. I've asked NICO about that before, why it does that, but never really got an answer. However, even with my car being an auto and that 3.5 Max being a 6 spd (with intake and exhaust), I was right with him until the 1000 ft. mark, and then he started to pull away. He redlighted me, too, so I would've been closer to him if he didn't pull the trigger too soon, but the point is, I love the 3.0 up until I need what the 3.5 has...top end. It might be different with a 5 spd, but from what I've heard, top end is exactly what the 3.0 lacks. I had my heavy 18's on and stock Y-pipe then, too, so I bet you I could've picked up a tenth or a shade more now with my Warpspeed Y and stick my stockers on.

[Av10sguy]

Thank you very much for your replies. This is all very usefull information! I have somewhat given up on my search for a 02-03 max with the 6 speed manual. I am trying to find the anniv. edition with a manual and those are even harder to find!

[Trav1s]

Good luck in your search... they do show up, but not often.

Travis

[MattB]

top end is exactly what the 3.0 lacks.

Not on the VQ30DE-K found in the A33s...its top end is significantly better than the VQ30DE that the A32s use.

[Trav1s]

Not on the VQ30DE-K found in the A33s...its top end is significantly better than the VQ30DE that the A32s use.

[blackmax23]

Not on the VQ30DE-K found in the A33s...its top end is significantly better than the VQ30DE that the A32s use.

Oh yes, my bad...just talking about our good ol 95-99 A32s!!! Anyone have trap speed comparisons in the quarter, comparing the VQ30DE to the VQ30DE-K? My trap was 85.59 mph in the 1320 (auto w/injen cai, exhaust, jet pcm, hi-flow cat...no y-pipe at that point, and heavy chrome 18's on). Does anyone else have numbers to compare?

[oilerftbll84]

I have a 3.5 and i love it. more power.