The Nissan VQ35DE is a 3.5 l (3,498 cc, 213.45 cu.in.

) natural aspirated V6 60° 4-stroke gasoline

engine from Nissan VQ-family. The engine is producted on Nissan’s Iwaki Plant (Fukushima
Prefecture, Japan) and Decherd Powertrain Plant (Tennessee, USA). The VQ35DE engine was
honored by Ward’s 10 Best Engines list from 2002 through to 2007 and again in 2016. In Renault
production line VQ35DE is called V4Y and used on the Vel Satis, Latitude, Laguna and Espace
models.

The VQ35DE (V4Y) features a lightweight aluminum block with a fully balanced four-bearings
crankshaft and two aluminum heads with two camshafts (DOHC) and four valves per cylinder. The
Nissan VQ35DE engine is equipped with CVTC system on intake valves, multi-point fuel injection
(MPFI) and NDIS (Nissan Direct Ignition System) with individual coils on each spark plug.

Cylinder bore and piston stroke are 95.5 mm (3.76 in) and 81.4 mm (3.20 in), respectively.
Compression ratio ratings are various: 10.0:1 or 10.3:1 on early versions, 10.6:1 on later versions.

The Nissan VQ35DE engine produces from 231 PS (170 kW, 228 HP) to 315 PS (232 kW, 311 HP)
of maximum power and 334 to 371 Nm (34.0 to 37.8 kg⋅m, 246 to 274 lb⋅ft) of torque depending on
the year and vehicle model.

Special versions:

 VQ35DE S1 This version was produced by Nismo for the Fairlady Z S-Tune GT and
produces 300 PS (220 kW, 300 HP) at 7,200 rpm
 VQ35DE Rev-up This engine was produced for Nissan 350Z 35th Anniversary Edition and
used on some versions of Infiniti G35. The Rev-up engine has variable valve timing system
(CVTC) on the intake and exhaust camshafts (eVTC), short intake manifold, enlarged oil
pump gear and the camshafts with duration 248° on intake and exhaust sides. The valves lift
are 10.59 mm for both sides.
 In 2006 Nissan Technical Centre Europe (NTCE) unveiled the 350Z GT-S. The Nissan 350Z
GT-S was equipped the VQ35DE engine with radial flow supercharger. It raising maximum
output to 388 PS (285 kW, 383 HP) and 425 Nm (43.3 kg⋅m, 313.3 lb⋅ft) without modifications
to the engine components.

VQ35DE Rev-up 

The Rev-up engine produced more horsepower by adding variable valve timing to the exhaust
camshaft. Also added was a different ECU, slightly different internals, and a different intake plenum.
All of this added up to the 300 horsepower it produced.

The breakdown of the engine code is as follows:

 VQ – Engine Family

 35 – 3.5 Liter Displacement
 D – DOHC (Dual Overhead Camshafts)
 E – Multi Point Fuel Injection

Its pistons are coated with molybdenum

 Engine Specifications
Engine code VQ35DE / V4Y
Layout Four stroke, V6
Fuel type Gasoline (petrol)
Production 2000-present
Displacement 3.5 L, 3,498 cc (213.45 cu in)
Fuel system Sequential multi-point fuel injection (MPFI)
Power adder None
Power output 231 PS (170 kW, 228 HP) to 315 PS (232 kW, 311 HP) at 5600-6400 rpm
Torque output 334 to 371 Nm (34.0 to 37.8 kg⋅m, 246 to 274 lb⋅ft) at 3500-4800 rpm
Firing order 1-2-3-4-5-6
Dimensions (L x W x H): –
Weight 313 lbs (142 kg)

The VQ35DE-V4Y has an aluminum cylinder block with a four-bearings crankshaft supported
system, forged steel connecting rods, a micro-finished one-piece forged crankshaft. The crankshaft
journal diameter is 60 mm (2.36 in), the crankpin diameter is 52 mm (2.04 in).

The cylinder bore is 95.5 mm (3.760 in), piston stroke is 81.4 (3.205 in) mm and compression ratio
rating is 10.0:1, 10.3:1 or 10.6:1. The Nissan VQ35DE motor has two compression and one oil
control rings. The connecting rod’s length are 144.2 mm (5.66 in)

Cylinder block
Cylinder block alloy Aluminium
Compression ratio: 10.0:1, 10.3:1, 10.6:1
Cylinder bore: 95.5 mm (3.760 in)
Piston stroke: 81.4 mm (3.205 in)
Number of piston rings (compression / oil): 2/1
Number of main bearings: 4
Cylinder inner diameter (standard): 95.500-95.510 mm (3.7598-3.7602 in)
Piston skirt diameter (standard): 95.480-95.490 mm (3.7590-3.7594 in)
Piston compression height: 30.1 mm (1.1850 in)
Piston pin outer diameter: 21.989-21.995 mm (0.8657-0.8659 in)
Connecting rod bushing inner diameter: 22.000-22.006 mm (0.8661-0.8664 in)
Connecting rod big end diameter: 55.000 mm (2.1654 in)
Connecting rod center distance: 144.15-144.25 mm (5.68-5.68 in)
Crankshaft main journal diameter: 59.975 mm (2.3612 in)
Crankpin diameter: 51.974 mm (2.0462 in)
Crankshaft center distance: 40.36-40.44 mm (1.5890-1.5921 in)
 Engine oil capacity, L (qt.) 4.7 (5.0)
5,000-10,000
Oil change interval, km (miles)
(3,000-6,000)
Normal engine operating temperature, °C (F) 90 (195)
Engine lifespan, km (miles)
-Official information –
-Real 400,000+ (250,000)
Tuning, HP
-Max HP 400+
-No life span loss ~350

Fuel consumption, L/100 km (mpg)

-City

-Highway

-Combined for 350Z

16.8 (14)

8.8 (27)

10.7 (22)

CYLINDER HEAD
The cylinder head is made of strong, light aluminum alloy which gives it good cooling efficiency. The
engine is equipped with hydraulically actuated CVTC (Continuous Variable Valve Timing Control) for
intake cams. This mechanism hydraulically controls cam phases continuously with the fixed
operating angle of the intake valve.

The camshafts are driven by single primary and two secondary chains. The primary timing chain
transmits the rotational movement from the crankshaft to the intake camshafts, the secondary chains
connects intake and exhaust sprocket on each head respectively.

The intake valve diameter is 37.0-37.3 mm (1.45-1.46 in) on early versions or 36.6-36.9 mm (1.44-
1.45) on later versions and the exhaust valve diameter is 31.2-31.5 mm (1.22-1.24 in) on early
versions or 30.2-30.5 mm (1.18-1.20 in) on later versions. The VQ35DE motor does not have
hydraulic lifters, so special valve lifters are used to adjust the valve clearance.

Cylinder head
Block head alloy Aluminium
Valve Arrangement: DOHC, chain drive
 Cylinder head height: 126.3-126.5 mm (4.97-4.98 in)
Valves: 24 (4 valves per cylinder)
1: 230°
Intake valve timing 2: 238°
(Intake valve timing control-OFF): 3: 240°
1: 232°
2: 240°
Exhaust valve timing: 3: 240°
1: 37.0-37.3 mm (1.456-1.469 in)
INTAKE 2: 36.6-36.9 mm (1.441-1.453 in)
1: 31.2-31.5 mm (1.228-1.240 in)
Valve head diameter: EXHAUST 2: 30.2-30.5 mm (1.189-1.201 in)
1: 96.12-96.62 mm (3.7842-3.8039 in)
INTAKE 2: 97.13 mm (3.8240 in)
1: 93.65-94.15 mm (3.6870-3.7067 in)
Valve length: EXHAUST 2: 94.67 mm (3.7272 in)
INTAKE 5.965-5.980 mm (0.2348-0.2354 in)
1: 5.945-5.960 mm (0.2341-0.2346 in)
Valve stem diameter: EXHAUST 2: 5.962-5.970 mm (0.2347-0.2350 in)
1: 46.52 mm (1.8315 in)
INTAKE 2: 43.85 mm (1.7264 in)
1: 46.52 mm (1.8315 in)
Valve spring free length: EXHAUST 2: 43.85 mm (1.7264 in)
№1 25.935-25.955 mm (1.0211-1.0218 in)
Exhaust camshaft journal diameter: №2, 3, 4, 5 23.445-23.465 mm (0.9230-0.9238 in)

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).

Head tightening procedure and torque specs:

 Step 1:  98 Nm; 10.0 kg·m; 72 ft·lb

 Step 2:  Loosen all bolts completely
 Step 3:  34.3 to 44.1 kg·m; 3.5 to 4.4 kg·m; 26 to 32 ft·lb
 Step 4:  Turn all bolts 90-95°
 Step 5:  Turn all bolts another 90-95°
PROBLEMS AND MALFUNCTIONS
The Nissan VQ35DE is reliable and durable, but sometimes the following problem can happen:

 High oil consumption. The VQ35DE has a catalytic converter and they are very sensitive to
the fuel quality. They produce ceramic dust, which damaging the cylinders sleeve and piston
rings. As a result, the engine has low compression, high fuel and oil consumption. Such an
engine requires repair or replacement. To prevent this problem, you need to change the upper
catalytic converters for high flow catalytic converter. 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 It will decrease ecological standard, but this problem will not
happen. The Rev-up version is known for excessive oil consumption. This issue affects the
standard VQ35, but not nearly as often.

 Poor tensioner: Many owners complain of a loud rattling noise on startup which is typically
the factory timing chain tensioner. The tensioner is known for not being the best quality and
can cause major engine damage if ignored for to long. The poor tensioner can cause
excessive timing chain wear causing it to fail prematurely.

 Weak Connecting Rods. Unfortunately, the VQ35DE is limited to about 400whp due to
weak connecting rods. However, with a built internals the stock block can take 700whp or
more if you’re crazy enough

The engine has three timing chains, their service life is about 150,000 miles of mileage (200,000-
250,000 km). The valve clearance needs to be adjusted every 60,000 miles of mileage (90,000 km).
The Nissan VQ35DE is the best motor in VQ-series and life expectancy is 200,000 miles of mileage
(300,000 km), and sometimes more than 500,000 km.

MAINTENANCE DATA
Valve clearance (HOT)
Intake valve 0.304-0.416 mm (0.012-0.016 in)

Exhaust valve 0.308-0.432 mm (0.012-0.017 in)

Compression pressure
Standard 13.0 kg/cm2 (185 psi) / 300 rpm

Minimun 10.0 kg/cm2 (142 psi) / 300 rpm

Compression differential limit between cylinders 1.0 kg/cm2 (15 psi) / 300 rpm

Oil system
Oil consumption , L/1000 km (qt. per miles) up to 0.5 (1 qt. per 1200 miles)

Recommended engine oil 5W-30, 10W-30, 10W-40

Oil type API SG,SH or SJ, SL

 With filter change 4.8 l (5-1/8 US. qt., 4-1/4 Imp.
qt.)
Without filter change 4.5 l (4-3/4 Us. qt., 4 Imp.
Engine oil capacity (Refill capacity) qt.)

Oil change interval, km (miles) 8,000 (5,000)

Idle speed: More than 98 (1.0, 14)

Oil Pressure, kPa (kg/cm 2, psi) 2,000 rpm: More than 294 (3.0, 43)

Ignition system
Standard: PLFR5A-11 (NGK)
Hot type: PLFR4A-11 (NGK)
Spark plug Cold type: PLFR6A-11 (NGK)

Spark plug gap 1.1 mm (0.043 in)

Spark plug tightening torque 19.6-29.4 Nm (2.0-2.9 kg⋅m, 15-21 ft⋅lb)

Valve clearance adjustment data

Calculate the thickness of new adjusting valve lifter so valve clearance comes within specified
values.

R = Thickness of removed valve lifter

N = Thickness of new valve lifter
M = Measured valve clearance

Intake:
N = R + [M – 0.30 mm (0.012 in)]
Exhaust:
N = R + [M – 0.34 mm (0.013 in)]

Valve lifters are available in 27 sizes to range from 7.88 mm (0.3102 in) to 8.40 mm (0.3307 in), in
steps of 0.02 mm (0.0008 in).

Example (exhaust valve):

R = 7.90 mm
M = 0.52 mm
N = 7.90 + (0.52 – 0.34) = 8.08 mm, so we need a valve lifter with identification mark 808.
Cold Hot

Intake 0.26-0.34 mm (0.010-0.013 in) 0.304-0.416 mm (0.012-0.016 in)

Exhaust 0.29-0.37 mm (0.011-0.015 in) 0.308-0.432 mm (0.012-0.017 in)