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Main Stud Kit - 2002-2008 Nissan 3.5L VQ35 DOHC
PART # SKU XP982
Verified Reviews
Original price
$139.54
-
Original price
$139.54
Original price
$139.54
$139.54
-
$139.54
Current price
$139.54
Availability:
in stock, ready to be shipped
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These are main studs, not head studs. Main and head studs serve different purposes—selecting the right one is crucial.
Why Main Studs?
Main studs provide superior clamping force compared to main bolts, reducing wear on block threads and assisting with main cap alignment. Unlike bolts, which twist during tightening, studs remain stationary, reducing the chance of main cap walking under high loads. They are especially beneficial in high-performance applications where increased stability and durability are required.
Disclaimer: Designed to secure crankshaft main bearing caps. This is NOT a head stud kit.
INSTALL GUIDE
This guide covers installation of the XOTIC PERFORMANCE™ XP982 main stud kit for the Nissan 3.5L VQ35 DOHC. Prefer a printable copy? Download the PDF manual.
Plan the align hone into the job. Going from factory main bolts to studs changes how the caps are clamped, and on an aluminium block that shift shows up in the main tunnel more readily than it does in iron. Measure the bores after torquing, and if they've moved, hone with the same studs, nuts and lubricant you'll use at final assembly, at the specified torque.
Why a VQ35 needs main studs
The VQ35 is one of the great tuner V6s — light, revvy, and enormously popular as a boost platform in the 350Z and G35. What it is not is a diesel: the aluminium block and its bolted-in main caps were designed around a naturally aspirated engine making around 300 horsepower, and a turbo or supercharged VQ makes a great deal more than that. The extra cylinder pressure travels down the rod and lands on the main cap on every power stroke.
Main cap fasteners are what keep the crankshaft bearing bores round and located under that load. Studs do it better than bolts for a structural reason: a bolt is torqued into the block, so it twists and stretches at the same time, while a stud is threaded in finger-tight and stays still while the nut is torqued against it — loading the stud in pure tension. That gives more consistent, more accurate preload, the tensile force in the fastener that becomes clamp force in the joint. XOTIC PERFORMANCE™ main studs are manufactured from our premium XOTIC 7200 steel alloy and backed by a lifetime warranty.
What's in the XP982 kit
- 16 × main studs (XOTIC 7200 alloy)
- 16 × hardened parallel washers
- 16 × nuts
- 1 × socket
- 1 × allen wrench
- 1 × fastener assembly lubricant
Before you start: verify first
Confirm that part number XP982 is compatible with your application before installing any components. Inspect all package contents for damage and clean as necessary to ensure accurate installation. Report any obvious defects or shipping damage to us before proceeding.
How to install main studs on a Nissan VQ35
- Chase the block threads. Clean the threads in the block with a thread chaser prior to installing the studs, to ensure accurate fitment and precise torque readings. The manual specifies the M10 x 1.50 chaser (CS319), available separately.
- Thread the studs in by hand. Screw the main studs in as tight as can be made by hand — no tool necessary, and do not apply torque. Loctite may be used for permanent stud installation, but the fasteners must be fully torqued before the Loctite sets.
- Check stud height with a straightedge. Use a straightedge ruler to measure the distance from the mating surface (deck or main cap) to the top of each installed stud. Ensure all studs of the same length group sit level with each other (within 1 mm / 0.040”). Uneven height may indicate debris or incorrect thread engagement. Properly installed studs will bottom out smoothly and show uniform height across all positions. If a stud appears higher or lower than the others, remove it, re-clean the hole, and reinstall by hand. Do not use tools to force studs deeper. Incorrect stud seating can cause off-angle stress, uneven preload, or stud fracture during engine operation.
- Install the main caps. Set the caps in place and ensure appropriate alignment before any load goes on them.
- Lubricate. Using the fastener assembly lubricant included in the package, lubricate the threads of the main studs and the nuts.
- Hand-tighten the nuts. Thread the nuts onto the studs as tight as can be made by hand.
- Torque in three equal steps. Working in the sequence shown in the manual's torque diagram, tighten the nuts through the three stages below.
- Align hone. Verify bearing bore geometry and clearance after installation, and hone if the tunnel has moved.
Nissan VQ35 main stud torque specs
| Stage | Torque |
|---|---|
| 1 | 20 ft-lbs |
| 2 | 40 ft-lbs |
| 3 (final) | 60 ft-lbs |
A common mistake to avoid: when torquing a fastener, do not stop short of the recommended value — continue in one motion until the specified torque is achieved. If you accidentally stop short, loosen the fastener and re-torque. Stopping short and "topping up" produces unequal preload distribution across the caps and can leave a bore out of round.
Frequently asked questions
What are the main stud torque specs for a VQ35?
20 ft-lbs, then 40 ft-lbs, then a final 60 ft-lbs — three equal steps, following the sequence in the manual.
Which cars use the VQ35 DOHC?
Most commonly the Nissan 350Z and Altima and the Infiniti G35, plus a range of other Nissan and Infiniti models built around the 3.5L V6.
What thread chaser do I need?
The M10 x 1.50 chaser (CS319). On an aluminium block, chasing rather than tapping matters even more — you want to clean the existing threads, not cut new ones into soft material.
Should the studs be torqued into the block?
No. Thread them in finger-tight only. Torquing a stud into an aluminium block risks pulling the threads and defeats the purpose of running studs in the first place.
Other Nissan kits
Building an older L-series inline-six? See our L24 / L26 / L28 main stud guide (CP885).
Need help?
For technical support, email support@xotic-performance.com. All XOTIC PERFORMANCE™ fasteners are covered by our limited lifetime warranty. Finished your install? Tag #XOTICPERFORMANCE on Instagram for a chance to be featured.
© 2026 XOTIC PERFORMANCE™. This installation guide is an original copyrighted work of XOTIC PERFORMANCE™. Reproduction, distribution, or use of this content in whole or in part without written permission is prohibited. Doc ref: 2025.05.20 (web edition 2026.08).
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