The 3.5Â L (3498Â cc) Nissan VQ35DE engine is used in many modern Nissan vehicles, starting in 2000. It uses a similar block design to the VQ30DE, but adds variable valve timing. It produces 228Â hp to 298Â hp of power.
The VQ35DE is built in Iwaki and Decherd, TN. It was on the top 10 Best Engines list from 2002 through to 2007. It features forged steel connecting rods, a micro-finished one-piece cast camshaft, and Nissan’s nylon intake manifold technology. It has low-friction molybdenum-coated pistons and the intake is a high-flow tuned induction system.
A modified version of the VQ35DE, called the S1, is produced by Nismo (Nissan’s motorsports and performance division) for the Fairlady Z S-Tune GT. It produces296 hp at 7,200 rpm, a higher rev-limit than that of the original VQ35DE. The 350Z GT-S concept has a VQ35DE equipped with a switchable Novidem supercharger, producing around 377 hp with the supercharger switched on.
Starting from 2001, the Pathfinder engine received the better 3.5-liter 24-valve DOHC V6 engine (model VQ35DE). Same engine is also found in Nissan Maxima and Murano. With plenty of power, good low-end torque and advanced lightweight design, this engine was one of the best in its class. This engine does not have a timing belt; a silent timing chain is used instead. Platinum spark plugs provide longer service intervals. If properly maintained, this engine could last you for a long time without major problems.
Powering the Nissn 350Z was the “VQ35DE” 3.5-liter, DOHC, 24-valve V6 which, thanks to continuously variable valve timing and a relatively high (10.3:1) compression ratio. In truth, though, there was nothing exotic about this engine, as other versions of the this V6 could be found under the hoods of Nissan’s Maxima and Altima sedans, the Murano SUV, the Quest minivan and Infiniti’s G35 sedan and coupe.
Moreover, the VQ35 lacked the characteristic smoothness of both the naturally aspirated and the twin-turbocharged 3.0-liter V6s found in the 1990-’96 300ZX. However, behind the Z’s six-speed manual or five-speed automatic transmission was a super-trick carbon-fiber-reinforced plastic drive-shaft leading (except in the base model) to a limited-slip rear differential.
Nissan says the new engine has been upgraded with a stronger block, a higher rev limit and compression ratio, a twin ram-air intake and variable exhaust camshaft timing. More importantly, this year’s V6 has a broader range of usable torque, with 90 percent of its 268 pound-foot peak available from 2,000-7,000 rpm.
In a nutshell, this is the most relevant information on this engine and it’s variations, necessary to buy an engine for sale. Read more about Nissan engines on our GotEngines.com Blog. If you want to talk to an expert, call GotEngines.com @ 1-888-344-8044..
