2004.5 is when they fixed the tire feathering issue. Feb 2005 build date is when they released the final version of the tranny.

SG motorsports has their non-revup VQ35DE up to 327whp (dynapack) without opening the motor. I think there are thin details about a 340+whp motor they're working on. Both NA.

I just got my 05 Track and I love it. It's a great car and a lot of fun to drive. Very different owner base from the 240sx world. Interior is a little sparse. Still attract attention even though the new ones have been out for a while.

 

Thanks for the tips. I couldn't resist a low miles (28.5k on an '05) unmolested z. Epstein, the door sticker is '04, so I wonder if I got the questionable tranny. It seems ok, but how would I know which version I have? The noisy front end is probably the oem tires, but has anyone heard of early wheel bearing failures? Also some engines have oil consumption problems but hopefully not my version.
Other concerns are the 6 spoke touring wheels (aesthetics) and the cd changer which doesn't play mp3's. I'll check with the audio experts, but preliminary research indicates the Bose stuff is somewhat incompatible with aftermarket gear such that it's all or none on upgrades.

 

radio best bet is to just rip everything out and do it how you want. it will go out eventually they all do just like the driver side window motor. you should be ok on the oil consumption issue, that was all but isolated to the rev-up motors, more common in an 06 model . . 2005, only the 35AE with 6MT and the Track model had rev-up motors. as far as the tranny, people were sent something in the mail and nissan quickly had these tranny issues swapped. you are correct on the bose all or none research. bose uses some other non conventional wiring, i believe it is fiber optics and has proprietary/patented plugs/ends and does not comply with conventional aftermarket suppliers.

 

So if I call the dealer that originally sold the car, they could check the status of tranny replacement, if needed, from the VIN, right?

 

Noisy front end is the tires. Mine does it, too. The tires will wear a certain way as they get old, and that makes a ton of noise below 20mph. It's something to do with the alignment, crazy constant-caster geometry, and bumpsteer.

Nissan released a ton of different versions of the 6speed. The feb 05 date that I quoted is an assumption. I know the final version was in the 05 Track and AE, which were released later in the model year. And I know that the earliest build dates on those models are Feb 05 because my father had one on order 5 months before and got the first one locally. If you want to be sure, look for a little sticker on the tranny bellhousing that says CD00#, # being the trans version. CD009 is the last version. Or, if your trans shifts fine, then don't worry about it. People were returning the early ones in the first year.

 

This. They are only capable of producing like ~324whp N/A or without spray.

Spray on the other hand... Built VQ35DEs can live off spray, and make wild numbers.

 

The door sticker should have a date stamp like 6/04 or 6-04 or something of the like. I can't remember what it was on my 03.

With regards to early wheel bearing failures. Yes. I had the front wheel bearing on the passenger side replaced. I started noticing a strange pulsating noise which I thought was related to the tire roar due to the feathering issue, but this noise was different because it was constant no matter what speed I was driving as opposed to the tire roar at slow speeds.

I had a mechanic friend check the tires and he noticed the right front bearing was bad so he replaced it. After that, the noise was gone. He saved me a lot of $$$. Paid him $270. I'm sure it would've been a lot more if I had gone to the dealer.

 

2004.5 did not fix the feathering issue, I own one. I eventually fixed the issue by switching to Cusco adjustable A-arms.

Also the post about not boosting a DE is bullshit. Vortech at 13psi since 2006 and I am not the only one

 

congrats to you. we all know you are not the only one. i too had a 350 from 03 to 08 and could not even count how many engine failures there were. those that kept it at 8lbs on turbo.. and roughly 13lbs on vortech/superchargers stayed ok. IF you actually read my post you would see i wrote 8lbs or less is OK... Vortech/superchargers are FAR less likely to have spikes unless you really have something nuts going on. Vortech is a good fun kit, its the only "supercharger" i would recommend for the 350.. any top mounted blower heat soaks and is useless..