Nissan VQ35DE Engine

1. Specifications
2. Overview, problems
3. Performance tuning

Nissan VQ35 engine specs

Nissan VQ35DE engine reliability, problems and repair

VQ35 engine was developed in 2000 and since then it has become one of the most popular Nissan engines. Many times it awarded the grade of the best engine of the year. VQ35DE replaced 3.0L VQ30DE (1st VQ generation).
The question, whether all VQ35DE engines are the same is asked quite often, but in reality, it is not so. The most popular is VQ35 with capacity of 280 HP, but it is not its only version. The earliest versions (2nd generation VQ) had capacity 230-250 HP, and the later were more powerful – 260-300 HP (3rd generation).
The main differences between the early and late VQ are the following: new intake manifold, modified head ports, reinforced cylinder block, less rigid valve springs.
As to the technical characteristics, VQ35DE is equipped with forged crankshaft with 81,4 mm piston stroke and forged connecting rods 144,2 mm long. The pistons are covered with molybdenum. They are 95,5 mm in diameter and piston compression height is 30,1 mm. This engine has two DOHC heads, equipped with variable valve timing system CVTCS on intake camshafts. The camshafts have duration 240/238 deg, lift 9.57/9.57 mm. SUV engines were equipped with somewhat different camshafts: duration 230/232 deg, lift 9.0/9.0 mm. VQ35DE has no hydraulic lifters, so every 60,000 miles of mileage (100,000 km) you should regulate valve clearance. In reality, the engines serve with no need of regulating it for quite longer than 60,000 miles of mileage (100,000 km).
VQ35 has rather reliable timing chain.
VQ35 firing order is 1-2-3-4-5-6.
The engine VQ35DE Rev up was produced specially for Nissan 350Z 35th Anniversary Edition and some versions of Infiniti G35 V35. Its main difference was variable valve timing system CVTC on the intake and exhaust camshafts. The camshafts themselves did not change, they remained the same: duration 248/248 deg, lift 10.59/10.59 mm. VQ35DE Rev up had short intake manifold. These engines had redline on the level 7,000 RPM and they displayed 298 HP at 6,400 RPM.
In 2006 the engine was upgraded and named VQ35HR. It was used on Infiniti mainly. This new engine had variable valve timing system on the intake and exhaust camshafts. VQ35HR camshafts had duration 248/248 deg, lift 10.54/10.54 mm. The engine used reinforced valve springs and valves of bigger diameter. Also height and rigidity of cylinder block were enlarged. For VQ35HR 152.2 mm connecting rods were applied, and also new lightweight pistons. Compression ratio increased to 10.6.
The intake system and ports are quite different, and also the engine is equipped with equal length headers. Its VQ35HR redline is 7,500 RPM, and the maximal power is 306 HP per 6,800 RPM.
Along with this engine, VQ series also includes such as VQ20, VQ23, VQ25, VQ30, VQ37, VQ40.
Since 2007 VQ35HR was being replaced by 3.7 liter VQ37VHR engine.

Nissan VQ35DE engine problems and malfunctions

1. High oil consumption. Why do VQ35DE burning oil? The problem is caused by catalytic converters. They are very sensitive to the quality of gasoline and may get out of order quickly. Once it happens, ceramic powder gets into the bottom catalytic converters. And then it gets into the engine and grinds off cylinder walls. As the result, compression diminishes and oil and fuel consumption increases. It also causes misfire, rough idle, the car constantly stalls and starts badly. If it’s happened, you will need overhaul or change the engine for the new VQ35DE. Besides, purchasing four catalytic converters is also required.
To prevent such troubles, you need to change the upper catalytic converters for high flow cat converter. It will decrease toxicity standard, but then the problem mentioned above will not happen.
In general, this trouble is more popular in the countries, where the fuel is of low quality.
2. VQ35DE overheating. It happens not that often, but still happens to be. And as the result, head gets out of shape. If your engine gets overheated, check the state of the heater to avoid coolant leakiness through it. Also check cooling system air pocket.
3. Rough idle. More often exhaust cam cover is the reason. You should check it and change, if required.
Any other possible problems may happen by human factor. VQ35DE (VQ35HR) itself is as reliable as hammer. And if you serve it regularly and use high quality motor oil, its lifespan will be 250,000 miles of mileage (400,000+ km).

Nissan VQ35DE engine tuning

N/A build

You can use aggressive soft for ECU, it will give about 10 HP, but of course, it is nonsense. To increase the power considerably, you need to purchase performance cams (duration 272/272), valve springs, cam gears, rod bolts, high compression forged pistons, fuel injectors 440 cc, new spark plugs, performance MAF sensor, Kinetix intake manifold, cold air intake, equal length headers, performance exhaust system, Motec ECU (or reflash stock ECU). Upon installing all these aftermarket parts and adjusting ECU, you can gain up to 400 horsepower on the flywheel.
If it is still not enough, you can install individual throttle bodies, more aggressive camshafts, also make port and polish and install big valves. As the result, your VQ35DE will do 8,000-9,000 RPM easily and with no problems. However, it is rather expensive, and it would be more effective to spend this money for turbocharger kit or supercharger kit.

VQ35DE Supercharger

If you wish doing everything for cheap, then purchase VQ35 supercharger kit and install it on your engine. Do not forget to buy block guard also. The maximal pressure on stock internals is about 6 psi (0.4 bar). It is enough to gain 400 WHP. And VQ35HR stock internals may endure about 450 horsepower.
If you want more power, then it is necessary to purchase forged pistons (CR 8.5-8.8), H-beam rods, ARP rod bolts, ARP head studs, Darton sleeves, performance cams (duration 256/256). Upon this you can increase boost pressure and gain 450+ HP.
If to equip such configuration with turbo kit, you will have your own VQ35DET or even VQ35DETT. It will add 500+ horsepower.
Anyway, the most popular and reliable variant is supercharger kit.

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