Just a lil knowledge share on VQ engine Info for Nissan Maxima’s. I know many probably never new what the “K” stands for. VQ30DE, VQ30DE-K, VQ30DE-T, VQ35DE.
VQ –– Engine Family 3.0/3.5 –– Liter Displacement D –– DOHC (Dual Overhead Camshafts) E–– Multi Point Fuel Injection
————————– K –– Kaizen (Japanese word which translates to “improvement”. It was only applicable to 00/01 5thgens. Basically an improvement over the 1995-1998 VQ30DE. The firewall plates did not specify the “K” in the name plate. So you will still see VQ30DE.)
————————– T–– Turbo Version of Engine. Mostly JDM vehicles.
Year: 2002 Model: Maxima Color: Majestic Blue Pearl (BW9) Transmission: Manual 6-Speed Trim: SE
This feature is dedicated to Marcos Chavez who went viral and became instantly famous in the world of racing after beating a Porsche 911 Turbo in his 2002 Turbo Nissan Maxima. The currently video has over 4 Million views on YouTube! Chavez has definitely made a name for the Nissan Maxima community. The car made 562.25 WHP / 592.97 TQ @ 17PSI.
He’s Juanhell of a driver that knows how to drive a Manuel Nissan Maxima.
Marcos is a very humble and quiet racer from Chihuahua, Mexico. He has a passion for the track. He took racing to the next level with his Nissan Maxima and proved how fast and quick you can make them. Marcos has also beaten many other cars such as Shelby Mustang’s and late model Corvette’s. He is definitely not a one-hit wonder. He’s also an active member of the my5thgen.org Facebook community and continues to race. We hope you enjoy this feature!
Dyno Numbers: 562.25 WHP / 592.97 TQ @ 17PSI
The Driver Behind The Machine…………….El Chavez!!!
The video that made Marcos famous (over 4 Million Views):
Quick Interview with Chavez
02′ Maxima Turbo vs 12′ Supercharged Camaro
02′ Nissan Máxima Turbo vs 16′ Chevy Corvette
Full Mod List / Specs:
Built/Sleeved VQ35DE Motor
Wiseco Forged Pistons (K605M96AP)
Eagle Connecting Rods
New Turbo: Precision 6262
Old Turbo: Holset HX35/40
Cometic Headgaskets
ARP Bolts & Studs
AEM Digital Gauges (Wideband, Controller & Oil Pressure)
This is “version 2″ of my manifold. The previous design had the inlet coming in from the side and my car made 260whp with that setup. I re-designed it to have the inlet come in from the rear for better flow. I haven’t dyno’d the car on the second version of the manifold but the MAF voltage is slightly higher in the upper RPM’s indicating better flow.
The manifold is made from 1/8″ aluminum, all tig welded by a friend. The piping is 3.5” all the way. The throttle body flange is for a 2009 throttle body. This throttle body will work on the 02-08 as well, you’ll just need the harness. The 09 throttle body is better because it is 75mm as opposed to 70.
This fits on my 2002 perfectly and clears everything. I had to re-route some vacuum lines (obviously) because of where I made the vacuum ports. As far as throttle body placement, it works in my car, but PLEASE COMPARE PICTURES TO MAKE SURE IT WILL CLEAR EVERYTHING IN YOUR CAR. I had to move my battery to the trunk for the filter to fit. You could probably get away with a silicone bend right before the battery though.
So I’ve had my “new” 5th gen Maxima (actually same as an i30 here in new Zealand) since last Thursday and based on the information on this forum I’ve attempted the ECM protective measures that many of you discovered with considerable time and effort (pain?), for which I am very grateful.
I am not sure if I have done it correctly, but the car seems to be running fine with no leaks. I couldn’t reuse any of the old hoses (or couldn’t figure out how to do it) so I just got a new section of coolant tube and cut it to length and just connected it to where the lines lead back to from the IACV , though I am a little concerned about whether the bend is too tight, being a piece of straight tube and all. I damaged the old hoses anyway, I hate those clips that are used to secure them and it took me quite a while and a few expletives to get them off, in the end I just cut the line directly under the IACV it was damned near impossible to get pliers on the clips in that section.
I disconnected the electronic engine mounts (I think I got the right ones) and taped over the connectors so no friendly mechanic can do me a “favor” later on, then replaced the 15A fuse with a 7.5A in “ENG CONT1”, so hopefully I’ve reduced my exposure to the cooked ECM issue. I will get an IACV replacement at some point, but they are horrifically expensive, an Australian company is selling them in NZ (OEM) for a cool $500.00.
I also replaced the drive belt which was pretty stuffed and noisy, then attempted the power steering pump belt which was not a success, I think I might have stripped the adjuster screw trying to get it off, I realized too late that there is a pivot bolt that must be released first and no amount of trying could get my hand and a spanner in there, so I just tightened the adjuster as best I could and locked it down again, hopefully it holds! that one might be for the mechanic.
After I put it all back together the car runs very quiet (I didn’t realize how noisy a worn belt can be) and at lower idle than before, I think that is because the airbox was not firmly secured/tightened to the throttle body and there may have been an air leak, so that is a bonus.
The car has done 161,000km (100,000 miles) and is exceptionally tidy for it’s age, so I think I’ll plan on keeping it for a while, but I’ll be sad to see my 4th gen go, I’ll have to find a good home for her.
Some pics of what I did below, sing out if I’ve done something wrong, there are many more knowledgeable people here than myself and I’d rather be called an idiot and learn something than kill my car with kindness.
Photos of coolant bypass (and circled engine mounts connectors) and a pic of the car that the previous owner sent me, I could post some more pics if anyone is interested in what the NZ version of these cars is like.
Huge congrats to NISformance on breaking the record for the fastest NA VQ in the 10’s. Not every day you see a 10-second Maxima at the track. The car did 10.97 @ 126 MPH on December 7th, 2019. New milestone for the VQ community.
