Mc's VQ350sx Build

[Emsea]

As there aren't many VQ swap threads around I thought I would try and contribute to the community. I am not sure how long this swap will end up taking me so please try and be patient. (If you can assist me with information as I go along, you will help not only me but anyone else interested in this swap)

Right now I am in the early early stages.

Alright, from the beginning:

My first swap that I had ever done was a SR into my 240, the power felt really good until I blew my turbo . I replaced the turbo and 6 months later bye-bye turbo #2 (It was an eBay turbo... It also turned out my recirc valve is sealed shut....)

So, while saving for a new turbo and BOV I ran into a 2005 Altima SE-R. (Not literally, although from the picture it's fate is still sealed)



After some research on the possibility of the Altima engine working in my car, I purchased the Altima for less than the cost of a turbo. The engine still runs, and the car actually still drives (had to drive it into the garage )

In that time I also picked up another 240 hatch that is in better condition than the other one. (Will insert picture when I get home, I'm at work working hard right now.... lol )

Currently I am in the process of dismantling the Altima but once I have completed that it will be prep work for the swap and other things as well.

Here are my plans:
- VQ w/ 6 speed MT (obviously)
- Silvia front end with 180 side skirts and rear bumper undecided
- I want to paint it a 350z burnt orange with a touch of red added and a black roof (see pic below for color that I found to be close to what I am looking for)
- Altima front seats (re-upholstered to remove the SE-R logo, since the last owner cut the driver side logo out anyway....)
- Altima dash including gauges ( THIS part is going to be interesting, I have no idea how I am going to accomplish this right now, I bet the contour along the windshield will be totally different between the two cars haha, but I want to at least try)
- 05 350z ECU ( May end up using the SE-R ECU and wiring harness, as finding the 350z harness is proving very difficult )
- 300zx brakes front and rear ( I have TT ones from a donor car that my brother and I bought for his TT swap haha)
- 5 lug swap ( I hear the TT rear hubs don't work due to a larger spline, has anyone attempted to attach a TT outer axle shaft onto the 240's to make it work? I'm talking from the outer U-joint to the hub. I have the axle shafts, so if no one has tried it I will inspect the two closely and do a mock-up to see if it's successful)
- Kouki Tails (To me they look amazing, so I can't go without.)


Now, before all you guys call me retarded for doing extra work on the rear hubs please keep in mind that the wreckers up here are so sad, finding parts for Civics can be difficult. So I'm open to suggestions on alternate routes here.

I'll update as much as I can on this thread, but for now, I should get back to work.



EDIT: I have read SpecD's write-up and have also gotten information from Irax, thanks to both of you so far. I'll also put this on the vq666.com forums, since Irax is trying to gather information for VQ's there.

[simmode1]

Good luck! I'm keeping my fingers crossed for this one. Most ppl seem to never finish theirs...

[night240]

yeah I have thought about this swap, but it just too much time consuming, hardly people ever update their progress.

[Emsea]

I've seen that a lot too, I'll try my best to keep things up to date while avoiding posting a bunch of pointless stuff like "look my car without the door attached!" ... lol.

[gigabit240]

Excuse my ignorance but... How are going to put a fwd engine into a rwd car?

[W33Drift3r]

Yeah definitely a build i will look at like every other day because i am interested in doing this swap but could barely find info. I dont know much the physical difference but vq35de are pretty much the same( correct me if i'm wrong) they've been in altimas, 350z, g35s, and maxima. and m35, and murano, and pathfinders. Just sayin =p the difference should be they way they are mounted and its attachments(differentials, mounts, etc) but yeah Good Luck with the build. I shall watch from afar and pray for success

[simmode1]

Excuse my ignorance but... How are going to put a fwd engine into a rwd car?

You need to have new mounts fabbed up, of course. Or get the Mckinney FWD VQ mounting kit. You'll also need the RWD version's intake manifold, headers, transmission and a few other goodies. Other than that, it's not too hard. The block is physically identical to the RWD block, except for the mounting points.

Thankfully, guys like Irax have documented the swap pretty well, so not even all of the VQ35's crazy wiring issues are so intimadating anymore. I would do this swap too, but I'm already stuck on the VQ30DET as my motor of choice...

[night240]

Excuse my ignorance but... How are going to put a fwd engine into a rwd car?

You need to have new mounts fabbed up, of course. Or get the Mckinney FWD VQ mounting kit. You'll also need the RWD version's intake manifold, headers, transmission and a few other goodies. Other than that, it's not too hard. The block is physically identical to the RWD block, except for the mounting points.

Thankfully, guys like Irax have documented the swap pretty well, so not even all of the VQ35's crazy wiring issues are so intimadating anymore. I would do this swap too, but I'm already stuck on the VQ30DET as my motor of choice...

I personly was debating to go vq or just simply rb25det since Mckinny had the parts. I guess I'll continue to run KA until I find a wreck g35.

[simmode1]

VQ35DE prices do seem to be leveling out on ebay now... But consider now whether you want to go with forced induction in the future. Turboing the VQ35 is like turboing a KA... really easy to blow up if you don't know exactly what you're doing. Both the N/A and Turbo version of the VQ30's have been found to be stronger, simpler and cheaper than the VQ35's.

If I were go with a VQ35, I'd keep it N/A. Forged internal rebuilds are just too expensive.

[CRyan]

VQ35 built for 10k rev. That would be what I'm looking for.

Just saying. Or the 45 v8

[night240]

VQ35DE prices do seem to be leveling out on ebay now... But consider now whether you want to go with forced induction in the future. Turboing the VQ35 is like turboing a KA... really easy to blow up if you don't know exactly what you're doing. Both the N/A and Turbo version of the VQ30's have been found to be stronger, simpler and cheaper than the VQ35's.

If I were go with a VQ35, I'd keep it N/A. Forged internal rebuilds are just too expensive.

well see how the economy effects in year. Then I might have a chance to snatch a VQ ohh... simmode u could help me out too.

[simmode1]

well see how the economy effects in year. Then I might have a chance to snatch a VQ ohh... simmode u could help me out too.

Sure man. Finding a VQ is the easy part. Just gotta be ready to pay for it. I got me a lead on a rare-azz VQ30DET that I'm saving for right now. If you just want the common place VQ35DE, you can find those tons of places, even locally. But check this out:

you-are-not-going-to-believe-this-t469024.html
Cheapest VQ35 prices I've seen so far.

For install help... hell... just take it to German at GSMotorsports...

VQ35 built for 10k rev. That would be what I'm looking for.

Just saying. Or the 45 v8

Go ask the guys in the 350Z forum what they think about that idea. Just be sure to wear your flamesuit though.

I would soooo pull the trigger on a VH45 swap if I wasn't so turned off by it's weight. Great motor, but it doesn't conform to my idea of 'complete balance'.

[car nut]

I would soooo pull the trigger on a VH45 swap if I wasn't so turned off by it's weight. Great motor, but it doesn't conform to my idea of 'complete balance'.

You do know they weigh about the same as a KA right?

OP, you wouldn't happen to be Jeff's brother would you?

[simmode1]

You do know they weigh about the same as a KA right?

OP, you wouldn't happen to be Jeff's brother would you?

Nah, KA is like 380lbs... VH45 is like 509 lbs. Comparatively, VQ35's weigh 330 lbs. ultimate-engine-weight-thread-t425965.html

I don't know Jeff and his brother personally, but I know he's got a build thread around here that seems like it ain't been updated in ages...

[car nut]

Dude I lifted my VH WITH a trans on it on a 1/4 ton hoist easily. It even sat on the hoist for a good 12 hours without bleeding down or anything. It took a good 100 pounds off the front of my NA. There is no way it weighs more than 450lbs.

[Andy4106]

theres no way it weighs less than an alm v6. it mass man, and it has more. so its going to weigh more. end.

the swap itself is just like any other. the only reason it takes so long is people have lives and a lot of kids on here try to cut corners.
you talking about moving basically the entire interior to the 240. and right there, to many multiple projects. start with the motor first. then move on dont try to do that all at once.

[ReX2SX]

Subscirbed..i was thinking about doing this at one point.

Good luck w/ build

[Emsea]

I would soooo pull the trigger on a VH45 swap if I wasn't so turned off by it's weight. Great motor, but it doesn't conform to my idea of 'complete balance'.

You do know they weigh about the same as a KA right?

OP, you wouldn't happen to be Jeff's brother would you?

I am aware of the weights of the motors as well as the transmission weights, and I agree with Sim, I prefer have a better weight balance, I've driven nose heavy cars and it feels pretty gross to me. I like that the motor is lighter than the KA while the transmission is heavier, betters the center of gravity.

And no, I'm not Jeff's brother, does this Jeff fella live in Saskatchewan Canada?

theres no way it weighs less than an alm v6. it mass man, and it has more. so its going to weigh more. end.

the swap itself is just like any other. the only reason it takes so long is people have lives and a lot of kids on here try to cut corners.
you talking about moving basically the entire interior to the 240. and right there, to many multiple projects. start with the motor first. then move on dont try to do that all at once.

Not the entire interior, but basically the hardest parts. I don't intend to include functional airbags, but I want to wire up the electric seats and get all the gauges functional ( minus the fuel mileage gauge). If I find it to be over my head I won't continue with it. Getting the motor in and operational is the main concern here.

I appreciate the advice and relate with what you say, I don't want to end up with a half finished car because I went too deep. Keep in mind that this is not my dd, so time is on my side.

Finding a VQ is the easy part. Just gotta be ready to pay for it. I got me a lead on a rare-azz VQ30DET that I'm saving for right now. If you just want the common place VQ35DE, you can find those tons of places, even locally. But check this out:

you-are-not-going-to-believe-this-t469024.html
Cheapest VQ35 prices I've seen so far.

For install help... hell... just take it to German at GSMotorsports...

Cheap is right, I picked up the Altima SE-R for 750 CDN (~700 USD) and got the transmission for 600 USD shipped, so 1300 for both and I can part out the rest of the Altima. So there's money back for the airbags, transmission, calipers, and whatever I can part out. I also am sitting with better seats, speakers (my donor car's stereo has been stripped) and possibly dash, gauges. If not, I'll sell those too.

I also have an SR motor that I can sell and another 240 or I can piece those together for a good drifter. My options are there, I'm just deciding which course to take. Money wouldn't be an issue but I'm getting laser eye surgery done on Friday and that is a costly operation.


I realize I forgot to throw up that pic of my other 240 last night, hopefully I add it tonight. That's low priority for this thread, so I'm not so keen on getting on here asap, if you really want to know what it looks like, picture a stock 240 hatch in silver lol.

I took pics of all the wiring connections in the Altima bay, I want to trace all the wires to identify them, maybe the Altima forum could use it, not sure.


I also want to let everyone who reads this know now that I am no Nissan Tech, so the really technical question about NATS or BCM, I'm not likely I'm going to have the answer. I also may do things that are wrong or stupid. Hell, I've only been working on cars for about 6 years, I never grew up working on the old man's car or anything so I'm a bit late in the game. I will however, let you know of the stupid things that I have done in attempt to prevent others to do the same. I'll also nag as many knowledgeable people I can to get the information I lack on here haha.

[Andy4106]

nats and bcm actually wont be a huge deal. kinda but not really.
for you going with rwd and diff trans ect you will need to do a piggy back comp.

but with keeping the interior ect, you will be keeping the bcm and nats should accept that its still think its a altima still. again back to the trans im not sure what the computer is going to think about it.

[Emsea]

nats and bcm actually wont be a huge deal. kinda but not really.
for you going with rwd and diff trans ect you will need to do a piggy back comp.

but with keeping the interior ect, you will be keeping the bcm and nats should accept that its still think its a altima still. again back to the trans im not sure what the computer is going to think about it.

Yeah, that is a concern that I have no answer to as of yet. I have no idea what triggers a fail state with these new ECU configurations either. Not having the airbag sensors or control unit plugged in may flag some errors as well.

I guess I'll find out when my RWD transmission gets here.

[Andy4106]

just do a stand alone and bypass it all.

[Emsea]

just do a stand alone and bypass it all.

Tempting, but I haven't the slightest intelligence of tuning a standalone right now, nor do I trust any performance shop in my area. Plus, doesn't even professional standalone tuners struggle with programming in all the variable valve timing?

[Andy4106]

not at all. and trust me, once you get into nats, you will want a stand alone.
there are plenty of vq cars out there running perfect with stand alones.
if you wanna spend a higher dime you can buy one ready to plug and run.

[simmode1]

. It took a good 100 pounds off the front of my NA.

Yeah, because that tank of a motor, the VG30DE weighs EVER MORE! It's 610 lbs! So yeah, a VH45 would be a 100 lbs weight cut. I just think it's insane genius that the LSx, which is much bigger than the VH45... weighs like 85 lbs less. I still wouldn't do an LSx swap though. Don't like interbrand swapping...

nats and bcm actually wont be a huge deal. kinda but not really.

Yeah, if this were two years ago... NATS and BCM would be a problem. Ppl have pretty much figured out how to turn it off now... Thank God. Fortunately, the VQ30DET doesn't even have NATS and BCM issues so I'll never have to deal with that.

[Andy4106]

i have a vk frontier, and im going to ls my 240sx.
ls swaps are becoming easier and cheaper. ive done one. and it was simple and it cost me about the price of sr drivetrain

[Eion]

I want to see some progress in this so bumpp.

[CRyan]

I also have an SR motor that I can sell and another 240 or I can piece those together for a good drifter. My options are there, I'm just deciding which course to take. Money wouldn't be an issue but I'm getting laser eye surgery done on Friday and that is a costly operation.

What would you sell your SR engine for? Figured I'd ask in the case someone was in the lookings for one.

[Emsea]

Yeah, sorry about the lack of updates. Between the new job that's running 4 10 hour days, really crappy weather, and eye surgery, I haven't gotten much done. Still tearing apart the '05 SE-R. Transmission is finally here, I'll throw up the pics of it later, looks clean, bought it from NICO here, so I imagine I can expect it to be in good condition.

If anyone knows someone that needs Altima parts, let me know. I'm trying to get all the wiring apart without cutting anything, it's almost done dismantling it. I've captured most of the wiring on camera, hopefully I can throw up an illustrated diagram of the car for the Altima guys, if they don't already have one.

What would you sell your SR engine for? Figured I'd ask in the case someone was in the lookings for one.

That's hard to say, I can't decide if I want to keep it yet or not. If I decide to sell it, I can msg you but I really couldn't tell you when, or if that would be. I'm not really in the situation where I have to decide if I should keep it or not.

[Emsea]

The 350z6 speed.

I picked it up last Friday and still haven't even fiddled with it yet haha. Altima is completely apart now, but forgot my camera so a picture of the stripped mess will come this weekend. I have some partial pics of progress two weekends ago. I took the time to get all wiring harness clips out without damaging a single one, it was painful haha. I realized most of them are pretty boring and non-descriptive at the moment, but I wanted to capture the wiring placements as best I could in that car.


There's also my SR Swap pics and my 720 Before & After's of what the body looked like when I bought it.

[Emsea]

So my truck died....... surprise surprise, start working on a project and the dd dies. Work commences on it this weekend, but I should still have time to start ripping apart the VQ. Going to replace seals, o-rings, gaskets, etc. and give it a one overo sense skimping out since the motor is already open.