I have a 1995 4cy (Z24 engine) 4WD 4DR Pathfinder (Manual 5 speed which i want to keep), and I want some more juice.
I was at first thinking to swap the Z24 for a SR20DET.....but some believe the transplant may not be that easy.

The other 3 engines I'm considering are:
VG30-DE DOHC V6, 6 cyl, twin cam, 24 valve EFI 225hp (300ZX, Leopard 1989)
VG30-DET DOHC V6, 6 cyl, twin cam, 24 valve EFI turbo 254hp (Leopard 1990)
VG30-DETT DOHC V6, 6 cyl, twin cam, 24 valve EFI twin turbo 278 hp (300ZX Twin Turbo)

In your opinion, which would be the easiest transplant....?
(keeping in mind, that I'm not upgrading for top-end....just need the juice in the mud when we're rallying......sometimes at good speeds)

Any links or resources you that suggest?

Thanks

Sorry for the delayed response...had too much fun this weekend.

Since we don't get 4 banger Pathfinders over here, this is difficult to answer, but the best bet would be to find a wrecked Pathy that came stock with a VG30 engine and swap the entire engine, trans, ECU, and wiring harness. That way you're getting something that that truck was also made with. It won't have the power of the other engines you've listed, but could be modified from there.


1998 Frontier 4x4 seriously built
2002 Xterra 4x4 still stock
"Conjunction Junction, what's your Dysfunction?"

I've found a VG30-DE locally...(in real good shape as well....)

If I now find the 4WD 5 speed trans, ECU, and wiring harness from a wrecked Pathy that had a VG30 in it, it should work ?????

According to my research...below is a list of Nissan's VG30 series engines, and the respective vehicles that they were made for:

VG30-E 2960cc OHC V6, 6 cylinder, 12 valve, EFI 179hp Gloria V30E (1983), 300ZX

VG30-ET 2960cc OHC V6, 6 cylinder, 12 valve, EFI, turbo 230hp 300ZX Turbo (1983)

VG30-DE 2998cc DOHC V6, 6 cylinder, twin cam, 24 valve, EFI 225hp 300ZX, Leopard (1989)

VG30-DET 2998cc DOHC V6, 6 cylinder, twin cam, 24 valve, EFI, turbo 254hp Leopard (1990)

VG30-DETT 2998cc DOHC V6, 6 cylinder, twin cam, 24 valve, EFI, twin turbo 278hp 300ZX Twin Turbo

VG33-E 3274cc OHC V6, 6 cylinder, 12 valve 168hp Pathfinder, QX4


The stock transmission and diff from a Pathy I assume was made for the VG33-E 168hp engine.

If I use them with the VG30-DE 225hp engine will they hold up ??

That'll be iffy on the manual tranny. The twin cam engines probably use different exhaust manifolds, and I'm not sure how well they'll fit in the Pathfinder. The 12 valve engines are basically the same as what the D21 trucks came with so should bolt in with the correct engine mounts. You'll likely need a larger radiator along with most of the V6 accessories.

It's gonna be a big job doing the swap.


1998 Frontier 4x4 seriously built
2002 Xterra 4x4 still stock
"Conjunction Junction, what's your Dysfunction?"

The VG30DE is DOHC and is a VERY wide engine. The VG30DE should not be confused with the VG30E, VG30I, and VG33E which are SOHC engines.. A VG30DE may require relocation of some components in the engine bay as well as cutting out inner fenders and possible frame modifications to make it work in a truck that was originally designed for the SOHC VG30. It CAN be done, but it depends on how big of a project you want to undertake. The VG30DETT, from what I understand use a special transmission that allows room for the starter to be mounted behind the engine due to lack of room. I dont think this is the case for the VG30DE, but it should be looked into. Those engines are much much wider than your standard VG30E/I.

The VG33 is SOHC and can be dropped in place of the similarly sized VG30E/I SOHC engines.

---------------------------


"I'm just a bill... on Capitol Hill.."

After thinking about all the great advice you guys have given me...I have decided....to just buy an entire front end from a scrapyard.....ENGINE, tRANSFER CASE, AXLE dashboard.etc..

This way...IO figure I'll just swap the engine...(VG30-E..or VG33..i'm not sure what'll be in it yet).....I'm gonna look for a manual one...so I'll use the transfer case etc.

And then I'll swap the front axles as well...so that I can put on the front lockers ..!!

Are you sure you need to swap the front axle? If you have the R200, you're set.


1998 Frontier 4x4 seriously built
2002 Xterra 4x4 still stock
"Conjunction Junction, what's your Dysfunction?"

She's by the mechanic right now putting on the 2.5" lift from AC....he's gonna check the front axles for me one time...so I should know exactly whats under there by today...so I'll let you know...

He also has to drop the gear box to see exactly how much damage I did to it last weekend......
we were in a track with about 6-12 inches of mud...(a track we regularly rally through...tons of fun)....and some clown got stuck...and I blew my gearbox while pulling him out..so it's possible I may have to just change the gearbox as well.....

P.S....she came out of the track with no clutch...Direct Drive..! hahaha
..........Pathfinder Power !!!

wayne not to discourage your plans so far, but all the engines you first listed had power. I have the v6 that comes in pathies and I hate it. Everybit of it. It is soo underpowered, slow, and not what I want. Yes it will last a long time, gives decent torque, and is a good engine, but if you are looking for somethign more "peppy" than I wouldn't get it. If you are gonna do it, go all out and get something out of a tt 300zx or something better. Atleast the 3.5 out of a newer pathy if they make those there (240hp)

------------------------------
92 Pathy Se-v6
3in body lift

Hey Bryant..thankx alot.....although your reply was basically what was worrying me......

Now I'm stuck again.....

Will the newer 3.5 V6 ..fit ?

hmmmmmmmm .....mo power ...mo better,,,hehehehe !!

Thanks

p.s did my Bsc in Austin Tx for 5 yrs....had a friedn from Garland Tx...cant remember his name though.......

The Nissan VQ series:

Example
Power
BHP/Torque Example Car Application(s)

VQ30DET: Gloria/Cedric (Japan)VQ30DET
280/285

VQ25DD: Cefiro (Japan) VQ25DD
210/200

VQ30DD: 1995-200x Maxima VQ30DE
240/227

VQ30DE: 2001+ Pathfinder VQ35DE
222/217

Pathfinder 2002+ Maxima VQ35DE
VQ35DE:
240/265

Maxima 2002+ Altima
VQ35DE:
255/246

Altima 2003+ 350Z VQ35DE
VQ35DE:
240/246

My question again is.....will the VQ30DE...or the VQ35DE fit in my 1995 Pathy ?

Not without fabrication. The VG series engines came in pathfinders and you can get engine mounts, etc. for them from any dealership. The VQ engines never came in that platform to my knowledge.

Anything is possible with enough time, money, and work, but why not stick with the VG engines. It'll be a much easier swap.


1998 Frontier 4x4 seriously built
2002 Xterra 4x4 still stock
"Conjunction Junction, what's your Dysfunction?"

I just noticed something...why would the same engine(VQ35DE) be rated at different hp in different cars...it's the same engine, right?

The 35 in my ma's Pathy is nice. I would love to steal it and drop it in hehe

Mr. Will

|1992 SE-V6 4x4, 2001 LE 3.5|
http://www.netsnapshot.com/pcw/pickalbum?W92PathSE

Hey get a Infinty Q45 engine if you can. Who couldn't use a extra 240+ HP...

Black 95 Pathfinder XE
2" PA Body-Lift
1.5" Ball Joint spacers
77 Bronco 2.5" lift coils
Rancho 9000's
32x11.50 BFG AT KO's
Rock sliders
Rack lights etc etc..

Homepage: http://www.cardomain.com/id/shadowman2k