I recently became the new owner of a 2003 350z, 2 VQ35's, and a bunch of other random parts. I'm going to be using the better condition VQ35 to power the Z. I've decided to go ahead and order a full gasket kit since it looks like the motor was partially disassembled by the previous owner.

My question is, what else should I do while the motor is out of the car? The car will be my daily driver so reliability is my primary concern. Examples of things I've been looking at are: rev-up oil pump, intake plenum spacer, eliminating idler pulley, oil pan spacer, etc. I'm not looking to make big power with boost or build some kind of N/A beast. Basically I want an engine setup that I'm not going to have to worry about if I decide to add some power down the road or run it hard at a track day once in awhile.

If I can provide any more helpful information let me know.

 

Id probably replace the clutch and flywheel, and maybe the motor mounts depending how many miles/how hard it was driven previously.

 

Clutch and flywheel appear to have plenty of life left in them but I'll probably have them looked at just to make sure. Motor mounts are in perfect shape. Is it worth the extra money to replace them now? Supposedly the motor only has around 500 miles on it but it has been in storage for at least 3 years.

 

Sup, Trap?
I'm in Roswell, where you at? mb able to help out. lmk pm if you want some help.

 

I'm located in Kennesaw. Used to work in roswell though. Are you on any of the local forums?

 

I would also like to get some advice on coilovers. Something thats somewhat comfortable, has lots of room for adjustment, and doesn't totally rape my bank account.

 

Did you look at the main seal when you inspected the clutch? The only proper way to replace it on these cars and not cause more problems is to do it with the motor out. I'm not suggesting you do it just because, but search around a little on it and then make sure you inspect it and make your own decision...

 

Everything you mentioned in your first post can be replaced with the engine in the car. Get some OBX longtube headers

 

LS Swap

 

clean the engine bay while the motor is out...

 

I second the motion for longtube headers, also replace starter possibly will be easier with motor out, water pump, ac condenser, upgrade to lightweight pulleys maybe. Just some ideas, will be easy to replace with it out, though it seems as if most of what I've mentioned is probably in working order...

 

remove all those brackets on the motor and wire tuck...

 

Modding an old worn, out engine that's barely hanging on makes as much sense as putting a string bikini on a 80 year old women and then make her do gymnastics What to do?? There are several options and I'll let you exercise your brain instead of give you the answers.