Hey, Just bought a 2005 g35 about a month ago and opened the oil pan and found a thin and long bit of metal about an inch long and slightly curved on one side. A couple of smaller pieces but no small metal flakes or bits, oil looked clean but the previous owner probably changed it before selling. The long piece was completely black and very hard. I'm new to cars but my roommate thinks it could be part of a piston ring. He's worked on cars for years now and is fairly knowledgeable. From what I've read online I think it's a gasket that's part of where the head of the piston connects to the rod below it, I think it's called a wrist pin? Sorry for the lack of solid info, I'm new to this.

We've figured I'm gonna have to swap a new motor, I've been looking for engines on eBay motors and they're all newer models of the vq35de, are there any compatibilty problems with swapping in a vq35de from 2009 or later? Where can I find any info or tips on buying/swapping one in?

I bought the car for 5.25k, would it be worth the money for an engine swap? Motors I've found go anywhere from 900 to 1.5k and throwing in some other things I need to fix in total ill probably be spending a lil upwards of 3k. I wanna get into cars which is why I'm somewhat ok spending money like this but I don't know that if I swap a motor and fix the car nicely if it'll be the end of my problems and I'll have a good car for several years or it'll just be a money pit (I'm college-aged so money can be short for me). What would also be some good things to upgrade the engine before I put it in or overall things to do to the car while im already doing the swap. I don't have much experience owning or fixing cars so I want your guys' two cents.

Anyway I'm wondering a couple things

1. thoughts on what the pieces in the oil pan are
2. how long do I have to drive it
3. what's the best way to go about swapping in a new vq35de
4. is it worth it?

 

It's probably part of the timing chain tensioner guide. They are known to crack apart and fall into the oil pan.