Let me start off by saying that I have some mechanical knowledge, just the basics. I’ve done most things on a car mechanical and electrical EXCEPT going inside the tranny and block; clutch and flywheel is about as far as I have gone.

I’m sitting here with some money under my mattress (a rather small amount of money and a rather small mattress) and decided that I would rather try and attempt a motor build than spend money on a few bolt-ons. It is not enough money to really get anything other than a used block out of a wrecked or high millage car and a few basic items like engine stand. I will be upgrading all components here and there as I convince the wife it is a little at a time. =) I don’t want to buy a block only. I would like buy a complete motor and gain some knowledge by stripping it down.

My questions are:

1. I plan on upgrading all components for boost and sending it off to be sleeved. Does it really matter if I get a VQ35DE (from something like a Maxima, Quest, and Passport) or even a VQ35HR? To my knowledge, which is not that great for Nissan, the block itself should be the same other than maybe mounts and the internals?

2. Are there any books specific towards building Nissan motors or motors in general someone would recommend? I’ve done some Google searches, but haven’t turned up anything useful. Right now I only have the rather large service guide that seems like it should like other than covering useful tips on doing certain things.

I might try to squeeze in an automotive class or two with my accounting degree.

 

ok ....first set up a budget....just get a z motor..if ur stock one is a de...dont get a hr...then u have to get a different harness!..only sleeve if u want 600whp+...then figure out what u want to do....there are plenty of guys f1 with stock blocks in u only have lets say 5k to spend...... u can spend upwards of 10k on a built motor so figure out ur budget....if u r gonna "try" and do some of the work...i have and i lost my knuckles because of it....lol jk but our cars r a bit(h to work on so u know....

books? if someone put it together....i can take it apart!

 

Thanks for your reply. I don't really have a budget setup for this. This is more of goal to build my own motor and of more than 600hp. Hopefully I can accomplish that without messing up to many parts. I guess my budget will be determined by how many times it takes to get it right. I'm not going to be shelling out a large lump some money at one time. I'm going to be spending money as I have time to work on it with my tight schedule. I'm looking at a time frame of 1 year or so.

 

Maxima motors are fwd. The block is different due to different motor mount mounting points. Otherwise the blocks are identical.

You dont even need to sleeve the block for 600whp. Not even necessary but yes it's safer. The rods of the vq35 is the weakest part of the motor.

If you are going for a budget build to reach 600whp, use some HR components such as head studs, main studs, valve springs/retainers (double shimmed) HR oil pump and a set of aftermarket rods like eagle rods. As for pistons, i would go with arias ed 9:1 pistons or just the weisco pistons 8.8:1. Cams...its up to you. I would go with brian crower stage 2....hah..this is some what my build that I'm doing.