Engine swap for 2002 Pathfinder.

[Chris.Peterson]

So, I am new to forums so please bare with me a bit. i wasn't entirely sure where to post this..

I bought a 2002 pathfinder with a blown engine (I Believe it was hydrolocked)

I have a vq35de from a 2003 nissan 350 or infiniti g35 (cant remember which one)

I have done SO SO SO much searching online before posting this as i know thats usually the first thing i'm told to do. What i have learned from my research is that there are two variations of the VQ35de. One to support FWD and one to support RWD. Obviously from what i can see, the oil pan is placed differently on my pathfinder than on my spare engine. However, it is still set up as a RWD configuration, but because it is a 4x4, it also runs the FWD configuration. ( i hope that makes sense..)


My question is. Upon removing the engine from my pathfinder, can i switch oil pans to make the vq35de with the RWD configuration work in my pathfinder ? Are the blocks the same ? Can the oil pan and oil pickup be relocated ? Im not incredibly car savvy so im just looking for a bolt up method or a part i can buy online to convert the two.

Thanks for any help.

[EdBwoy]

...two variations of the VQ35de. One to support FWD and one to support RWD. Obviously from what i can see, the oil pan is placed differently on my pathfinder than on my spare engine. However, it is still set up as a RWD configuration, but because it is a 4x4, it also runs the FWD configuration...
...can i switch oil pans to make the vq35de with the RWD configuration work in my pathfinder ? Are the blocks the same ? Can the oil pan and oil pickup be relocated ? Im not incredibly car savvy so im just looking for a bolt up method or a part i can buy online to convert the two.

Thanks for any help.

I referred to these links just to see what the spec differences are on the engines. Seems like they are pretty close in power and torque. Plus they both have variable timing.
http://www.edmunds.com/nissan/pathfinde ... res-specs/
http://www.edmunds.com/infiniti/g35/200 ... res-specs/

that being said, I believe the blocks are the same being RWD. The thing that allows for the 4x4 utility of your Pathy is the transfer case, engine should be the same as a RWD Pathy. Never seen the g35 so I don't know where the dipstick is located. If i recall correctly, the Pathy one goes into the upper oil pan, so it should be easily movable.

I do not know if, and what effect the slightly different engine parameters will have to your ECU, but I have heard of the FWD VQ35 people swapping engines between maximas, rogues, altimas with no reported issues.

However, just confirm the starter locations, upper oil pan and that the transmission bellhousing patterns are the same and all should be well. The intake is also different and I personally wouldn't mind trying a new intake...if all electronics bolt up.
How is the G35 fan ran? How about the a/c compressor, power steering and alternator?

Again, this is just me offering my opinion but never having done the actual swap. Maybe someone else will chime in.

[Hawairish]

Given your situation, either buy an engine from a similar Pathfinder, or rebuild the current motor.

There are several VQ35DE variations. The engine code is for a family of VQ engines, and the two engines you're comparing are different even though they share many parts. Things will be plumbed to different locations/angles, possibly have different harnesses, some bolt alignments will differ. You might be able to swap over the motor mount brackets, but if they're not in the same location, you might be SOL in more ways than one. And even if you sort all that out, you need the 350Z/G35 ECU to properly run the motor...but in swapping ECUs, who knows what R50 systems you'll need to account for, such as the 4x4 system.

In regards to the transmission, not only will the bolt pattern need to be identical, but so will the input shaft. I believe them to be the same.

If you haven't already, I'd spend more time looking at pics of the two engines. A great source is eBay auctions. You'll see many more differences and other things you'll need to account for, but don't forget that physical fitment is only step 1.

[Buzzman]

Just to add to the cautionary tale: I seem to remember reading about the engine differences a few years ago, and I'm 95% sure the heads are different as well.
This will pretty much seal the deal if that is the case.
I wouldn't risk swapping heads from a blown engine to a new block.
There's also the matter of the power valves. Not sure if any other VQ engine has them.
Lots of things to consider, that's for sure.