Converting a 2000 R50 to a 3.5lt VQ35DE engine

[Ingall]

Hi Everyone ,

I'm seeing how hard it would be swapping my 2000 Pathfinder ( Australian Model )3.3 engine for a VQ3.5DE out of a Skyline maybe , and what pit falls there might be.

[Buzzman]

If it's out of a skyline, then the engine is probably not exactly the same as what you would find in a Pathfinder.
Not all VQ 3.5's are the same. Depends on what vehicle they are used in.
The block will be the same, but the heads/manifold etc will likely be different.
The other issue to investigate is the transmission.
They also made changes to the transmission when they went to the 3.5. The increased horsepower and torque necessitated internal changes.
Your transmission may not be able to take the extra load for long.
I've read other threads on this subject over the years, so try a search and maybe you'll find more info.
This is about all I can think of at the moment.
Good luck.
Edit: one other thought is in regard to the electronics, sensors and most importantly, the ECM.
The ECM controlling your old engine will probably have to be replaced, or at least reprogrammed.

[barnaclebob]

If it were me, I'd just buy a pathfinder with a 3.5 in it already...couldn't be that much more expensive and would have a lot less headaches.