Been a while since I've looked at the figures, but I'm pretty sure the VQ is more compact than the VG's (98SEblackmax?) and of course having an alloy block, is a good bit lighter.

A mate has perfectly good VG30DETT sitting at his house atm from his Z32 parts car. Ohhh if only I had the money!

Originally posted by Datto-Zed

Been a while since I've looked at the figures, but I'm pretty sure the VQ is more compact than the VG's (98SEblackmax?) and of course having an alloy block, is a good bit lighter.

A mate has perfectly good VG30DETT sitting at his house atm from his Z32 parts car. Ohhh if only I had the money!

Ok the VQ engine is 100mm narrower and 30mm shorter than a VG30. Its a 60 degree V6. Also the VQ block weighs 30 Kg less than the VG block does. Also the crank,rods, and piston assembly is 5 Kg lighter than a VG30 and the valetrain is 9 Kg lighter. Overall the VQ is 20% lighter than a VG30. This is from a promotional video from Nissan released in late '94. They dont mention the VG in the video but they say a "current Nissan production V6 engine" most likely the VG and not a VE.

As far as potential goes the VG30DETT can produce 600~700 WHP on with better internals and it can take twin turbos. As it stands now there are no readily available internal parts to beef up a VQ30.

From what I've heard, the VQ30's aren't capable of as much power as the VG30's due to flex in the alloy block. Of course we are talking big figures here, higher than you or I are likely to ever be shooting for. If I remember correctly the VQ35 block was made quite a bit stiffer. I'm sure that could make some bulk HP with the stiffer block and the extra displacement.

Originally posted by Datto-Zed

From what I've heard, the VQ30's aren't capable of as much power as the VG30's due to flex in the alloy block. Of course we are talking big figures here, higher than you or I are likely to ever be shooting for. If I remember correctly the VQ35 block was made quite a bit stiffer. I'm sure that could make some bulk HP with the stiffer block and the extra displacement.

Yeah the VQ30 block is definitly not as strong as VG30. IIRC the VQ30 can goto around 560 BHP then the block splits. The VQ35 block may be more strong, im not sure. I believe JUN racing has built a 750 HP twin turbo VQ35 race motor for a 350Z, so thats probally true. As far swapping a VQ35 block its been done by one Maxima guy I know of. He put a 2k2 Maxima VQ35 block into his '98 Maxima using VQ30 cylinder heads and manifolds. It may be possible to get a junked 350Z and swap the block with VQ30DET heads and manifolds.