Thread: VQ swap in progress

So i got a vq from a 350z n also all the wiring harness n ecm i want to drop it in to my spec-v but im not sure if i can still use the harness, i also know that i need to replace the intake on the motor, i would love if i can get some feedback from the b15u community on what stuff other stuff i may need, thanks u

Its probably the wrong section to post it in... BUT I believe a 350z motor will not work, a motor from a maxima or altima will do it

Welcome, I live in Las cruces, what are you going to do with your old motor?

damm its cool to have some more people close to home in the forum sharkey, to answer your question about the motor, i would sell it but where the rear motor mount n the axel mount go its chipped i was in an accident a while back n the motor mount broke off the block n on Christmas the cv axel snapped n it broke the mount on that as well

i know the motor will work, but im curious if i can use the 350z wiring harness and ecm as well

sorry if i put it on the wrong thread

Travis from FI-R, is the resident expert on these matters, [i have one of his swaps]
350z ECU In 3.5 Sentra?

2jr racing pulled off a vq swap using a 350z ecu and modified harness
its a race car though no a/c or street stuff
2J Racing

5er has a long thread on his vq swap experience, loaded with info
look here
350v

i believe you will need a block from a front wheel drive vq to make ths work

caution
it has been my experience, that putting the motor in the car is fairly easy

the burn comes, when you go to wire it up

solve the harness problem before you begin
imo

you can use the ecm but none of your gauges will work. Everything will need to be replaced with aftermarket stuff. Switches to turn everything on like fuel pump. 2j does this and thats how they explained it to me. It would be easier going with what works. fwd maxima and altima stuff

we used switches so we could key the car on and leave certain things off, like a fuel line and not spray fuel everywhere. The 350Z ECU will run things like factory if you wire it up to do it.

it seems like its all in the harness would it be possible to fuse both harnesses together n ill still be able to use my gauges? i saw a while back that somebody in the b15u community does this but with the maxima harness

The 350z engine will not work. The block is completely different in terms of mounting points, and axle carrier bracket. Also, the front dress is different.

You need a 02-08 VQ from a Maxima, Murano, I35, or Quest van. 02-06 Altima will also work. There are 2 options for wiring.. 350 and 04+ Maxima/Altima ECU/harness.. Or, 02-03 Altima/Maxima harness and ECU. I use 02-03 stuff, and sell a 100% complete, plug and play harness with ECU, MAF, etc. Basically, plug it in, and you're done. Nothing to wire up, or modify.

But, for starters, you need a FWD VQ. RWD will not work at all.

Travis

I agree, Trav4011 is the resident pro and knows what he's talking about. I haven't met anyone as knowledgeable on the VQ swap as he is.
Just beware of ordering parts from him. Sometimes he gets them to you quickly, but he's so busy that a lot of times he procrastinates and puts you off for months at a time with no replies.
I've been waiting 5 months on a part from him. He said he received it by Nov 30th from Nissan but still hasn't sent it. For the time being, he has my $318 and I am forced to just hope he sends it before I decide to sell the car.

Originally Posted by Specvi

I agree, Trav4011 is the resident pro and knows what he's talking about. I haven't met anyone as knowledgeable on the VQ swap as he is.
Just beware of ordering parts from him. Sometimes he gets them to you quickly, but he's so busy that a lot of times he procrastinates and puts you off for months at a time with no replies.
I've been waiting 5 months on a part from him. He said he received it by Nov 30th from Nissan but still hasn't sent it. For the time being, he has my $318 and I am forced to just hope he sends it before I decide to sell the car.

Not the place to air your issues. Handle it elsewhere plz.

Go Tarheels! Go Panthers!

so all i really need is another block from one of the mentioned cars n ill be able to use all the 350z internals, wiring harness, and computer. i just gonna be sure cuz getting a block shouldnt be that hard at all.

Originally Posted by juice14

so all i really need is another block from one of the mentioned cars n ill be able to use all the 350z internals, wiring harness, and computer. i just gonna be sure cuz getting a block shouldnt be that hard at all.

If you go that route, you'll need different upper oil pan and lower oil pan for sure too. Not sure, but there may be timing cover accessory mounting issues (PS Pump/Alternator). For the ecm you'll need to make nats happy, and depending on year of your car you'll be re-wiring or replacing gauges with 04-06 sentra gauges that should work over the CAN system. If you have the whole 350z it would be nice to get the wiring harness for the entire car. The body control module controls fans among other things, depending on what you do. Also you will need a 350z/g35 gas pedal and cruise control switches. It's a lot of fun.

Another thing... VAIS does not exist on the 350z intake so if you're doing a fwd aluminum maxima intake you get to delete that stuff and perhaps install a nwp block-off plate. Personally I'd like to see the 350z intake manifold work, and would try it, but that's just me... Hint (vent hood with spacers / custom strut bar)

having the 350z motor just seems pointless, its better if i get the fwd motor complete n computer, if so whats the best ecm to use, to be able to keep my stock gauge cluster n body control module? oh n 5er ur car is really badass, well put together.

yea i would really like to see that motor on there too, to be really sincere i havent seen exactly what i do have with the whole wiring that i have, its all in storage with the engine, but one thing i do remember is that i have the gas pedal for sure

Well Thanks juice... It's not done yet, but I'm having fun. You know that a good 350z motor should fetch more money than a fwd motor typically if you decide to sell and buy. The popular swap is a non-can 2002 maxima ecm... to be codeless... and you still need to make nats happy, and some tach adpter thingy...

my spec-v is an 02 as well, that helps any, that motor is badass, but for mounting purposes im gonna have to get the fwd, try to use the 350z heads n maxima crankshaft so i dont have to get another oil pan, or just try to trade the whole damm thing n get some cash on top, this is just straight up getting complicated, but like u said gotta have fun, cuz if not its not worth it, n this is damm worth it period lol

The heads and internals should work, assuming your engine is pre-revup and pre-HR. The fwd oil pan has to do with crank sensor positioning only. It's got to be off a 02-03 6 speed car or 4speed automatic fwd car 02 up to some year that I forget lol... there's a lot to learn and figure out forget and remember. ANyway that's my experience... some guys just get it done lol. Fortunately I've written about it, and people can judge, learn, ignore anything I have to say. Because you're an 02 you have no can system... the easy way to go would be a no can swap. FIR (Travis) swap in a box... or piece it together if you like that kind of thing the harder way. Good luck with your car man!

How much is the kit for the swap? I can't seem to find any info on this. I'm in the market for a 04 spec, but I can't even find out where to get all the hardware: swap kit, harness... What ever else I need. ??