VQ35 Piston and Rotating Assembly Installation | VQ35 Engine Build Part 1

Its happening! The build on the VQ35 has started and it all begins with upgrading and bulletproofing the bottom end. Watch as I walk through the installation of new forged Wiseco Pistons and Brian Crower connecting rods along with a bunch of other fun parts.
Here are links to the official ARP instructions for the main caps and the connecting rods
ARP main cap- arpinstructions.com/instructio...
ARP connecting rods- arpinstructions.com/instructi...
Need a Factory Service Manual (FSM) for your own build? Checkout eManualOnline.com for over 2.5 million manuals and get exactly what you need for your project.
Check out Concept Z Performance where you can find all the parts used in this video
conceptzperformance.com/
Video Chapters
Introduction and Background 0:00
Build start 5:37
Measuring clearances 8:02
Rotating assembly 14:41
Piston and connecting rod measurements 21:24
Piston assembly 23:05
Outro 29:04

[@OldDatsun]

I made a mistake in this build! When I torqued the main caps and the connecting rods I applied the torques provided from the Nissan Factory Service Manual (FSM). These torques would be appropriate for stock builds using the stock bolts. However, I used ARP studs for the main caps and the connecting rods which have their own specific torques which are provided by ARP. The torques needed for the main caps are torqueing each nut in sequence in three equal steps approaching 60 ft/lbs. The torques needed for the connecting rods are 30 ft/lbs. Here are links to the official ARP instructions for the main caps and the connecting rods ARP main cap- arpinstructions.com/instructions/202-5801.pdf ARP connecting rods- arpinstructions.com/instructions/202-6006.pdf I will be addressing this and correcting it in an upcoming video but please be advised about this error in the video.

[@denisbassom172]

Good video...was just about to point out the ARP issue! In an ideal world you would use a stretch gauge on the ARP con rod bolts.

[@ADDMEONPSN]

Question when it says "torquing each nut in sequence in three equal steps" do we start at 28 ft lbs all the way around and then bump it up to the final 60 ft lbs? Or do we just jump straight to 60 ft lbs and go around each of them 3 times ensuring we hit 60 ft lbs on each. Thank!!

[@dalklavender1240]

Good lord the music is on point

[@dreednlb]

Holy sh*t, he’s back!

[@BernsteinOmega]

Thanks for taking the time to produce these videos. Its motivation for my rebuild.

[@OldDatsun]

Thank you! I'm glad this can be motivating. Good luck with your build!

[@Chukers420]

Thanks for actually laying it out and showing the whole process I’m looking forward to building a de soon

[@OldDatsun]

Thanks! I hope this can help on your build

[@leomartinez3850]

I seriously need you to upload, great content and explaining, I wish my mentors were so good at explaining 😅

[@OldDatsun]

Thanks! I really appreciate it. Working on the next part now

[@Fearless_Nations]

Very well detailed, much appreciated for those who plan to do this in the near future! Great for referencing thankyou!

[@OldDatsun]

Thank you!

[@beezyrider]

Great video! Thinking about building my VQ soon and your video definitely inspired me!

[@OldDatsun]

Thanks! That's awesome that it could be motivating. Good luck on your build.

[@robmartinez6768]

Will be attempting this build soon. Great video quality and filming

[@OldDatsun]

Thanks! Hope the videos can help

[@irresponzible]

Nice work, man. I've been running a HKS V2 GT on my DE for about 6 months but the intention is to build to run it unrestricted (15psi) over the coming year. I was just recently thinking about how your series went radio silent and then by chance I cam across it today (7 months late). Great to see someone dedicating some time to documenting a VQ build. Keep it up.

[@OldDatsun]

Thanks! Sounds like a cool build you have. And yeah I'm trying to get back to this and posting more often

[@theelf152]

My Skyline GT350 was rated at almost 300hp, I imported from Japan with Impul Chip/ Fujitsubu exhaust. Yours should get much more than 300, especially given stock gets 276.

[@OldDatsun]

I think it will definitely make over 300hp but I'm also trying to not hype it too much. Ideally I'd like 350+ naturally aspirated.

[@Megachad]

Great video man. I have never built an engine before, but I am getting more and more confident about trying it myself.

[@OldDatsun]

That's great! I hope these videos can help out

[@Mcrochev1994]

Did you start?

[@Megachad]

@@Mcrochev1994 I started tearing it down and found a small hairline crack on the block into a water jacket. so now i need to find a block.

[@OakleyOptions]

Let’s gooooo I’ve waited so long 😂

[@jingojanga73]

Adore my vq such a good little reliable mill not too far off of what's pushing Godzilla too is the crazy part

[@ahumm8280]

Great job! Now do mine!

[@d3adzone414]

Saving liking and subbing

[@Alexbk007]

Beats fire

[@Sleeping_faster]

This video made me subscribe. 👍 nice step by step

[@OldDatsun]

Thank you!

[@irresponzible]

Stock compression ratio for a DE is 10.3:1. 8.8:1 is only really for high-boost turbo applications, which is why you see them as default options at Z1 or CZP. Regardless, the DE never came with that low a CR. Enjoying the series though. Can't wait to see it used in anger in the car!

[@OldDatsun]

You're right! I dont remember where I got 8.8:1 from haha. Thanks for the correction

[@trainman264]

Incredible! I have an FX35 and so I have been trying to study as much as I can about my VQ and one day I may have to rebuild my motor. My question is, how did you learn to do all of this stuff? I’d love to rebuild an engine for fun

[@OldDatsun]

Much appreciated! Honestly alot comes from hands on work and the rest is reading old forums hahaha 😂

[@midnightmoves7976]

Nice vid, doing the same but with eagle rods and Cosworth 11.1 pistons. done HR mod on the block also.

[@OldDatsun]

Very cool! What else do you plan on running? Turbo or NA?

[@midnightmoves7976]

@@OldDatsun Planning on putting in a small single turbo, once she is run in a bit.

[@andrewdebrito3839]

Trying to get into building a de for a turbo set up but don’t know where to get a good short block rather than a whole engine

[@The300ZXGuru]

Concept Z Performance and or Z1 motorsports. is the best part houses.

[@OldDatsun]

Totally agree!

[@antoniodavid872]

Hi, I'm trying to rebuild a VQ35DE engine with the same BC connecting rods. When you tightened the connecting rods, did you torque them to 14-15 ft/lbs + 90 degrees? On the BC website, it says "50 lb-ft - 3/8". Could you clarify this for me? Thanks!! Great video.

[@OldDatsun]

My kit came with instructions and recommended torque specs for the stock rods. The FSM recommends 14-15ft/lbs and then the 90 to 95 degree turn. I followed this and things feel correct. You are correct though that on the BC website they have torque specs. I should have measured the torques against that but I'm wondering if the 90 degree turn gets it in that 45-50 ft/lbs. Just another point, if you do go for the 50ft/lbs torque, make sure to at least tighten it down in 2 steps that way you can ensure a true tightening. Thanks for bringing this up though!

[@dangeristh33]

What's the digital thing you have on the torque wrench called?

[@OldDatsun]

It's a digital torque reader adapter. Here's a link to the one I have from Harvir Freight www.harborfreight.com/12-in-drive-digital-torque-adapter-63917.html

[@2vgod460]

Did u use the arp threader?

[@OldDatsun]

Not the official ARP one but yes a threader to clean out the threads

[@Megachad]

Who did your customer ring sets? Did you have each cylinder measured and order them accordingly? Sorry just learning.

[@OldDatsun]

So I ordered the pistons as oversized (96mm) and they came with the rings. I measure each specific ring to a specific cylinder and test with a gauge if they are in the correct clearance. If the clearance is too tight, you can file them down with a ring file and keep measuring as you remove a small amount of material at a time.

[@Megachad]

@@OldDatsun ok. that makes sense.. did you have your block bored out .020 over or whatever? so you order oversized pistons?

[@OldDatsun]

Mine didn't require much of an overbroad buy the cylinder were more worn in the middle so I had them bored and honed to the 96mm requirement. I also gave a new piston to the machinist so they could verify

[@Megachad]

@@OldDatsun Awesome feedback man. love the channel. Thank you!

[@OldDatsun]

Thanks!!

[@69BigLou]

I thought the DE was at 10.3:1 compression stock?

[@OldDatsun]

It is. I was incorrect when I recorded this

[@stl_kc7184]

i really want to do this but I want to go for boost, any recommendations on where to start?

[@OldDatsun]

I've always read that the weak point are the stock rods (may be good uo to 400hp) which is why I wanted this to be the first upgrade. I know there are some crazy VQ set ups out there running 1000+ hp but they probably have a lot of other components to help keep them together. I went with higher compression on these pistons (from 8.8:1 to 11:1) and I'm not sure how this would effect a boosted build. 10 years ago I'd imagine it would not be a good idea but considering the controllers and other parts you can source today, I'd bet a pretty solid build could be done on low boost.

[@stl_kc7184]

@@OldDatsun if I change pistons and rods I would need to get it machined right? At that point what else should I change out because I'm really looking to run about 500 hp,

[@OldDatsun]

I'd recommend machining to ensure a good quality piston set up and cylinder head fitment. For 500hp I'd bet a turbo set up would get you there with larger fuel injectors. You could probably even use stock camshafts and still hit the 500hp mark.

[@NURsMec]

Hi did you re use all the cam bearing? Just wondering

[@OldDatsun]

Do you mean the cam caps?

[@NURsMec]

Yes the cam caps

[@OldDatsun]

Yes I used the originals. They didn't have any damage or markings so they seem fine to reuse

[@NURsMec]

Got you. Thank for the mssage back

[@elijahcourtney971]

What’s the instrumental that starts at 23:10?

[@OldDatsun]

Causmic- Much Higher

[@TheFakeFatLegitimate]

Did you get the bores re-coated with Nikasil?

[@OldDatsun]

Hmm I'm not sure. I have a really good machinist and was told it was ready for reassembly. I'll ask though.

[@TheFakeFatLegitimate]

@@OldDatsun thank you, I’m looking to build a vq35de myself, and as I am a machinist myself, I can hone my own cylinders, just looking to know more

[@TheFakeFatLegitimate]

@@OldDatsunfinally got it to bits and used a magnet...they’re steel liners, and the VR38DETT uses Nikasil

[@ADChopz]

So if i want to build my g35 with 168k miles i can still build it and boost it ? My goals in mind are around the 450-500 hp mark what would i need bc ik im gonna have to build the motor for that hp goal. I also want to make it push out more torque for the same amount of hp. Example: if the car is pushing 466hp boosted i want to have at least 410-430 tq-lbs how could i make that happen ?

[@OldDatsun]

Off the top, you'll need a turbo setup. There are a few out there between single and twin turbos. The stock internals of a VQ35DE are only good and reliable to about 400 to 450 hp so forged rods and pistons are a must but investing here will be worth it. Along with that, I'd strongly recommend going all ARP like I did especially going to head studs instead of bolts. After that stock cams might be fine but larger injectors and a good tune will probably get you in those 450 to 500 hp and torque will probably match. One thing that should help torque will probably be a different intake plenum, one with longer intake runners I would think might add torque. Another thing to mention is make sure you also budget for new flywheel and clutch setup and wheels to put that power down.

[@DEATHWISHVQ]

you can make 450 whp on a DE with everything stock very easy. BeDistinct has a rev up DE supercharged making around 460 stock cams stock pistons rods etc go check out his build if you want the same goal.

[@theophilusone7]

Turbo rods for a NA build? 👀

[@OldDatsun]

At the moment still an NA build with option of going turbo.

[@slfrules1]

IMO until moving to some kind of deck support system the HR's bed plate and journals aren't that helpful. Not like i have first hand experience but i've read the bores distort from the open decks before either HR or DE see main distortion with rods/pistons. Plus Nisformance has an oil pump with the wider higher flowing HR/VHR gear for the DE so there is no oiling advantage

[@OldDatsun]

I've read this a few times and I'm still not sure what you mean

[@dreednlb]

When is the next video coming?

[@OldDatsun]

Currently shotting it! Cirrently waiting for parts to come back from machining

[@vivianamontoya6552]

y la parte 2????

[@OldDatsun]

Currently being made. I'm just waiting for parts to come back from machining

[@DanielLopez-lk3pd]

Im surprised nothing broke, but nooooo when I do it, something just has to break

[@OldDatsun]

I have learned a lot of patience and when something is feeling off, know to stop hahaha

[@samsoto1155]

Where is the part2 video? I'm waiting. 😂 Lol

[@OldDatsun]

Very soon!

[@felix2uber200]

Where's part 2 😞😞

[@OldDatsun]

Literally half way done haha. I'm currently waiting for parts to get back from machining but I can promise the next part will be a good one!

[@felix2uber200]

@@OldDatsun AWESOME! can't since I'm planning to do something similar soon, although I won't be going for conservative power numbers so all your knowledge is helping me possibly avoid having to buy a new engine xd

[@jayboiee7054]

Everyone together now! I feel pretty Oh so pretty I feel pretty and witty and gay And I pity any girl who isn't me todayyyyy 😂

[@18_DriftBox]

You're trying to look like someone who knows what he's doing. I'm sure your main and rod bearing won't last a few races. You can not tighten the ARP studs according to the factory manual with a 90 degree turn. Factory fasteners have a different steel and, as a result, the yield strength. You have tightened crankshaft and connecting rods Don't thank me for saving you a couple of thousand dollars