How similar is the 3.5 liter engine from a 2002 Maxima compared with the 3.5 liter from a 2007 G35?

Are they enough to be called the same engine?

 

Very different. Dual intakes/throttle bodies on the G35's HR motor. Stonger rods, higher flowing heads, higher redline, etc.

 

the VQ35DE in the maxima is different. The VQ35HR in the G35 is based off the original DE motor but the majority of the engine was redesigned/improved.

 

I have a friend who had the Maxima and keeps questioning things about mine, sometimes acting surprised saying he had the same engine (roughly).

Roughly is the term that throws me. I would say it's really rough...as there's a difference in 50 hp and as you've all said 80% of the engine was overhauled to make the engine behave differently.

 

Not only in mechanics, but overall feel. I, too, had an '02 Maxima and the HR is quite the engine... it's not as smooth as the 35DE (which in itself wasn't as smooth as the 30DE) but still pretty good. Not to mention, the HR is an absolute blast in the high-rpm range where the DE would just run out of steam.

The DE in the Maxima always felt, to me, like a low-mid rpm engine (a.k.a torque monster) whereas the HR is more of a freeway cruiser/sprinter. Oversimplifying, but hopefully you get the point. It's not surprising how the 35DE was, seeing as it was nearly unchanged from the Pathfinder where it first appeared. Although still not officially proven, my initial dyno of that engine, along with some who followed, showed higher TQ ratings but slightly lower HP ratings than what Nissan advertised for the Maxima... incidentally, it more closely resembled the advertised power/tq ratings of.... the Pathfinder.