Swapping the 370z motor into a 350z
08-19-2009 | 09:00 AM
#25
Having just completed a VQ35HR swap into the Nissan Sport Project T2 350Z racecar, I have some real world experience to speak from. While the mechanical differences between the Z33 and Z34 can be overcome, a VQ37VHR swap still wouldn't make much sense. Nissan's latest electronic architecture is continuing to evolve and is the biggest obstacle to such a swap. The level of sophistication between the two models means "easy" and "DIY" are not accurate descriptions of what this project really takes to pull off.
Every computer in the car (ECM, BCM, ABS, etc) interacts and communicates with their respective sensors and each other. Rewiring and making the systems work in complete harmony is a very difficult task. Mistakes cost both time and money, believe me, I know!
Even making the swap (VQ35DE for the HR) in my '06 Z involved way more than what most people would believe. Let's hope it's worth the effort on the racetrack. I can't say too much more about this, but we'll have more details on this project in the upcoming issue of Nissan Sport Magazine!
David Muramoto
Editor-in-chief
Nissan Sport Magazine
Every computer in the car (ECM, BCM, ABS, etc) interacts and communicates with their respective sensors and each other. Rewiring and making the systems work in complete harmony is a very difficult task. Mistakes cost both time and money, believe me, I know!
Even making the swap (VQ35DE for the HR) in my '06 Z involved way more than what most people would believe. Let's hope it's worth the effort on the racetrack. I can't say too much more about this, but we'll have more details on this project in the upcoming issue of Nissan Sport Magazine!
David Muramoto
Editor-in-chief
Nissan Sport Magazine
09-09-2009 | 10:26 AM
#26
Registered User
Joined: Aug 2009
Posts: 16
Likes: 0
From: oklahoma
although why end there... I bet you can just swap a vq40de in the 03-05 model Z's and use the cams out of the vq35de and the transmission off the vq35hr... after all the vq40de and vq35de have a lot of similarities including similar factory rev limiters... only main issue is the deck height and bell housing design are the same as the vq35hr.... the vq40 even has a stronger bottom end and better cooling designs than the vq35de's, similar to that of the HR's... although the cams aren't as aggressive in the vq40 so trade them for the vq35 along with the plenum and than all you would really need is a new hood and transmission from the vq35hr's
anyone done or heard of this being done anywhere? links if you got em!
does the plenum from the 03-05 Z's and G's fit on the VQ40DE?
proposed:
VQ40DE block and heads
VQ35DE cams
VQ35HR tranny
plausible?
VQ40DE share same motor mounts as VQ35DE?
has no one ever dropped a VQ40DE in a Z or G yet? It's been 4 years! C'mon Swapaholics! get your butts in gear! LOL
09-10-2009 | 01:17 PM
#27
I did not want to jump into this because I personally feel that a 3.5 is way easier to turbo or rebuild and turbo than a swap but with the option of the 3.5 heads on the 3.7 I had to chime in since I've done major frank/mutt engine swaps in the past. Cutting and rewelding tthe valvecover is really the only true "issue" but I do not know what material its made of. If its a metal either aluminum or a ferrous steel it will need either tig or mig welding which will be your only cost. Problem is I don't see the benefit of the work involved with a gain of only .2 liters without the added HR benefits. If boosted the difference is maybe 1 or 2 pounds of boost to compensate ffor the small fraction of displacement gained. It all comes ddown to the law of diminishing returns. .2 is a difference from 2L to 2.2 but not from 3.5 to 3.7, since that is a gain of less than 1%(.95% to be exact). So to me all that money is better spent on upping the turbosystem in some way. So if one is to go through the trouble of the swap that leads us back to swapping the DE for the HR and replacing the electronics the ECU also runs, which still leaves this swap pointless imho
anyone done or heard of this being done anywhere? links if you got em!
does the plenum from the 03-05 Z's and G's fit on the VQ40DE?
proposed:
VQ40DE block and heads
VQ35DE cams
VQ35HR tranny
plausible?
VQ40DE share same motor mounts as VQ35DE?
has no one ever dropped a VQ40DE in a Z or G yet? It's been 4 years! C'mon Swapaholics! get your butts in gear! LOL
does the plenum from the 03-05 Z's and G's fit on the VQ40DE?
proposed:
VQ40DE block and heads
VQ35DE cams
VQ35HR tranny
plausible?
VQ40DE share same motor mounts as VQ35DE?
has no one ever dropped a VQ40DE in a Z or G yet? It's been 4 years! C'mon Swapaholics! get your butts in gear! LOL
09-11-2009 | 10:28 AM
#31
Registered User
Joined: Aug 2009
Posts: 16
Likes: 0
From: oklahoma
Just talking about a VQ40DE (frontier,xterra motor) into a 03 04 VQ35DE non-revup G35 or 350Z. VQ40DE motor = $1500ish and stroker kit = $7500ish
The cams are interchangeable between the VQ40DE and the VQ35DE non-revup motors. can see here: http://www.jimwolftechnology.com/customer_results.asp The S1, S2, and C2 to be exact. so very similar electronics/ECU between the older 03,04 Z's and G's and the frontier/xterra.
....food for thought.
09-11-2009 | 01:15 PM
#32
09-12-2009 | 11:45 AM
#33
Banned
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 2,787
Likes: 0
From: puerto rico
Even IF I had the $$ for a new 370, my 350's only got 23k on it, so, for the time being, it's a "no go" on a 370...And, best of all, my Touring Coupe's turned out to be one reliable Sports car! It's an '04.5 issue model. I guess they had worked out all the bugs in the '03 model out of her! Only thing I've had to invest in, so far, is the driver's side power window motor--went kaput on me. Otherwise, it's a s-w-e-e-t little ride!
09-14-2009 | 12:35 AM
#34
^ contrary to popular beliefs...03s are quite reliable. Only issues on my first Z (03 touring) was tire roar which was fixed with new suspension. When I sold my Evo 9 and got back into a Z, my new car is another 03. Aside from the window motor ($100-$150) and the tire roar (fixes such as alignment or aftermarket suspension) I think 03s are quite reliable!
As for the OPs question...I'd just turbo, stroke the engine, or both!
As for the OPs question...I'd just turbo, stroke the engine, or both!
09-29-2009 | 08:10 PM
#35
Registered User
Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 19
Likes: 0
From: Lexington, NC
If I were going to swap motors, I'd opt for the LS2 or LS3. Probably similar cost and if you go ahead and go with intake, headers, exhaust (of course), and cam it, you have serious power without FI. Someone already did the LS2 and it looks amazing in the 350Z engine bay.
