3.5L DOHC V6 Engine Assembly for 2013-2014 INFINITI & Nissan • Altima, JX35, Pathfinder

A quick look at your own vehicle makes sure the right engine shows up:

• Confirm that the 4th digit of your vehicle's VIN is 'A' (for Pathfinder/JX35) or 'B' (for Altima).
• Locate the engine ID stamp on the rear right side of the cylinder block (above the transmission mating surface) and confirm it reads 'VQ35'.
• Confirm whether your vehicle is Front-Wheel Drive (FWD) or All-Wheel Drive (AWD/4WD) to prepare for oil pan and bracket swaps if mismatched.

What the install really takes — plan and budget with confidence:

Special tools this job needs:

• Engine hoist/crane and heavy-duty load leveler
• Subframe adapter / engine support bar
• Crankshaft pulley holder tool (Nissan tool KV10117700 or equivalent)
• Flywheel/Flexplate holding tool (Z1 Flexplate Holder or equivalent)
• High-quality torque wrench
• Fuel line disconnect tools

Budget for these consumables at install:

• Engine Oil (5W-30 synthetic or conventional, approx. 5.1 quarts) & Filter
• Engine Coolant (Nissan Blue Long Life Antifreeze/Coolant 50/50 pre-diluted)
• Spark Plugs (6 OEM Iridium-tipped, e.g., NGK DILKAR7B11)
• Intake manifold gaskets (upper and lower plenum)
• Exhaust manifold gaskets
• Thermostat and water pump O-rings/gaskets
• Valve cover gaskets
• Front and rear crankshaft seals
• Serpentine/drive belt
• Power steering fluid (Dexron VI or Nissan PSF)
• A/C refrigerant (R134a)

What your vehicle’s computers will need after the swap:

What’s involved: Crankshaft Position Variation Relearn (CKP Relearn) and Idle Air Volume Relearn

A professional bi-directional scan tool (like Nissan CONSULT-III Plus or high-end aftermarket equivalent) is required to perform the Crankshaft Position Variation Relearn and Idle Air Volume Relearn. No security/immobilizer re-marriage is required if you reuse your original vehicle's ECU, BCM, and keys.

Pro tips for a smooth first start-up — hand them to whoever does the install:

• If your vehicle is AWD and the donor engine came from a FWD vehicle (or vice versa), you must swap the upper and lower oil pans, the passenger-side intermediate shaft bracket, and any transfer case mounting brackets.
• Ensure the crankshaft position sensor (located near the oil pan/transmission mating surface) is not pinched or damaged during mating.
• Ensure the torque converter is fully seated in the transmission pump before mating the engine to the transmission to avoid destroying the pump.
• The VQ35DE is notorious for trapping air in the cooling system. You must use a spill-free funnel or vacuum coolant refiller, and utilize the air bleeder valve on the heater hose near the firewall.
• Be prepared for some non-standard fastener sizes, such as 16mm or 5/8" exhaust manifold bolts on certain model years.
• Ensure all engine and chassis ground connections are clean, tight, and correctly reinstalled to prevent electrical issues.

Easy to get right once you know them:

• Reusing the donor engine's wiring harness and sensors instead of stripping the donor engine down to the bare long block and transferring your original harness and sensors.
• Neglecting to thoroughly clean the original intake manifold of oil and debris before transferring it to the new engine.
• Failing to verify AWD vs. FWD oil pan fitment and neglecting to swap the original oil pan onto the donor engine.
• Skipping the Crankshaft Position Variation Relearn procedure, leading to rough idle or persistent random misfire codes (P0300).
• Attempting to use the donor engine's ECU, which triggers the NATS immobilizer and causes a crank/no-start condition.

Not issues with the units on this page — the manufacturer documented these for every engine of this family, wherever you buy one. Handy for your installer: