I just did a quick search, and I can't believe that I didn't find anything about swapping the vk45 from the q45 into the g35. There were actually some posts in the 350Z forum discussing it, but I would think that there would be a lot less room in the engine compartment of a Z than a g35.

The g35 and q45 even have the same wheelbase. I'm sure someone out there has sone this. It seems like the natural match to me. Just like the new Audie A6 moving up to the V-8.

Does anyone know if the 5-speed manual tranny will bolt up to the 4.5 ?

I know that there are turbo and supercharger kits available that crank out pretty impressive peak HP, but in my book there is no replacement for displacement. (Especially when the block is aluminium and doesn't way a ton.) I supercharged an engine before and was pleased by the results, but I also learned that the all motor cars had flatter HP curves than any type of forced induction. An all motor car will be faster than a turbo/sc even if the peak HP is slightly lower. They have more power down low.

 

The larger engine (read heavier) would completly through the balance of the car off. You're better off modifying the stock VQ35 for more power.

 

This is a good point. I thought about this already. Where can I find the front to rear weight ratio for a g35? For all I know the added weight in the front may actually IMPROVE the balance.

Anyway, the block is aluminum so it wouldn't be that much heavier, and we are talking about a rear-wheel-drive car that already weighs more than 3,300 lbs. I don't think it would "completely throw off" the balance.

 

I think it's 52:48

~THT

 

the g35 engine bay is about the same size as the z's. the vk45de has not come with a manual tranny so you might have to spend some serious money there to get it to bolt up (the auto on the other hand is the same in the q45 and the g35). a good sc will have a very broad power curve. plus because of size restrictions in the engine bay...there will not be much room for mods. In the fx45 (same platform as g35 and 350z) the vk only makes 315 hp. Because of the limited space in the engine bay the intake had to be relocated and reworked and that's why it has so much less power.

what kind of power do you want to see? I wouldnt worry to much about the weight difference. fx35awd is 4220 while the fx45(only comes in awd) is 4309. which is 89 lbs. how much weight does would a supercharger and intercooler add?

My only problem is its not cost effective at all. How much do you think this engine swap would run? Not to mention the fabrication of parts to get the manual tranny to work. also if you want more than 310-320 hp...you'll need to make more room under the hood to get a better intake system in there (most likely an aftermarket bonnet should do the trick). even if you do get it up to the 340 hp and 333 lbs of tourqe that the q45 is putting out, the stillen sc/intercooler combo is putting out 370 hp and 346 lbs of torque. And the sc starts kicking in just past idle.

add in a new, more durable clutch along with some mods in the braking and suspension...and you'll still probably come out cheaper.

 

The engines should be almost the same in weight, believe it or not.

Did anyone see Millen's IS430? Millen said that the new engine and tranny (swapping out the I6 and old tranny) only gained 2 pounds. (only 2!) And that's going from an I6 to a V8.

I'd bet the VK engine doesn't weigh much more than the VQ.

Maybe I'll try and find the engine specs somewhere...

 

In the show you are referring to, the i-6 was a cast iron block and the v8 was an aluminum block. This is why the weights were so similar. The vq35 and vq45 are both aluminum, so larger should mean heavier.

Within that show, they also speak of the difficulty of making an engines/cars computer designed for an auto trans communicate with a cars/transmitions computer that is designed with a manual. A feat that is well above my abilities and sounds very costly.

 

Thanks for all of the input.

After some more research I don't think the swap is such a good idea. The main reasons are the lack of aftermarket parts available for the vk45 or a bolt-on manual transmission. I did find a turbo and a NO2 system, but I was more interested in all motor power. You can get great PEAK horsepower numbers with forced induction, but all motor engines will be faster because of the better power down low. Therefore, without any bigger cams or higher compression pistons available for the vk45 it makes more sense just to build up the vq35. Tuning the A/F and timing would produce some significant gains for the vk45, and I could fabricate an intake cheaply, but making the five speed manual work would mean a lot of $$$ plus more reprogramming problems with the ECU.

I still think that the VK45 is a natural for the G35. A car with that long of a wheelbase and weighing over 3300 lbs needs the V8. I drive a lot for my job (and pleasure), and the majority of the miles are spent on curvy country roads that wind through the foothills of the Smoky Mountains. I am constantly turning and downshifting. I need all the torque and low end power that I can get. I can only hope that Infinite will offer the V8 option in the next couple of years. I will probably revisit this issue even if they just start offering a manual transmission for the vk45.

 

From my experience there is no replacement for displacement in regards to power...however there are not many coupes that have a forward mounted V-8 that handle well (note i said forward mounted v-8 the midmounted V-8 in the ferrari or similar cars don't count)...the Vette and maybe the viper (even though it is a V-10) are the only cars that handle well with a forward mounted V-8 (or greater) this is primarily because the Vette has such a wide wheel base and the engine is set back in the engine bay...the reason for a lack of V-8 coupe because it's hard to balance a car with so much weight in the front. It's easier on a sedan (ie the BMW M5 because there is more weight to even out the engine...note the M3...M4 after '06...has never and IMO will never have 8 cylinders for that reason). The best example of this is the Mustang...they can be made to have rediculous power however you throw some curves at them and a honda civic with half the power will own it. So if you want a drag car by all means swap in a V-8 but if you want a car that handles and goes tune the 6

 

I'm not sure what you mean by "faster" but if you're referring to top speed, more HP is what you need. Whether it is produced by FI, increased displacement, cams, etc..., the additional HP gained will give you a faster car.

If you are looking for a quicker car (0-60, 1/4 mi.) by virtue of low-end torque, FI can help. A supercharger or turbo setup can increase low-end torque; especially the supercharger. Matter of fact most mods (cams, etc...) performed to an "all-motor" car increase the power on the top end, not the bottom.

Just out of curiousity, have you actually driven the G35? IMHO, the VQ35 does a great job across the powerband. Add one of the many FI offerings and I don't believe you would be wanting for low-end torque.

 

The Vette also has the transaxle mounted at the rear axle. That helps a lot to distribute weight evenly.