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you guys all forgot....350z-rwd...maxima-fwd.....the engine swap should come from the altima ser or the maxima se...

Nissan Maxima Engine Swap

I think it would work. Only if you check the 350Z automatic trans flex plate to the Maxima torque converter. If your using a manual trans I would reccomend a 6 speed unit out of a newer 2001 or 2002 Maxima. The crank shaft posistion sensor should be in the same location so check that too. There will be several interface issues you will need the correct 350Z engine wiring harness and several days of service manual and reaserch into signal wires so you can make the temp Tach and speed sensors all work when your done. Almost always there will be something that will cause a real nightmare like coolant hoses and locations height of the motor to hood clearence and that one pin in the bell housing that won't allow you to bolt up the 350Z motor to the Maxima. Don't expect this to be a week end job it may take months getting everything sorted out. I know you really want a rear drive sports car. It may be cheeper just buying a 2003 350z

i would do a vq swap from the altima se-r it would fit in ur car better and less work to put the motor in. have to change the computers and tranny its a 6 speed and u would have to do the same on the 350z engine to.

what about the current 3.5L maxima motor?

its pretty much just a detuned 350z motor as it is and you wouldn't have to convert your car to rear wheel drive.

i don't know for sure if it would fit, but if it will you could look at a half cut so you get the trans and ecu with it.

turning front wheel drives into rear wheel drives is rarely worth it in my opinion.

Get an RB26 best engine Nissan made :)