2009-2014 Nissan Murano 3.5L CVT Transmission JDM VQ35DE

About this unit

Transmission Specifications

• Transmission Type: Xtronic Heavy-Duty Continuously Variable Transmission (CVT)

• Drivetrain Layout: 2WD (Front-Wheel Drive / FWD)

• Engine Compatibility: 3.5L DOHC V6 (VQ35DE)

• Application Chassis: Second Generation (Z51 Platform) Murano

• Origin: Authentic JDM (Japan Domestic Market)

Vehicle Fitment & Drivetrain Notice

This automatic 2WD transmission is a direct drop-in replacement for North American front-wheel-drive crossover layouts:

• Nissan Murano (S, SV, SL, LE trims): 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

• CRITICAL AWD COMPATIBILITY NOTE: This unit is configured strictly for 2WD (Front-Wheel Drive) vehicles. It does NOT feature the secondary output casing mounts required to split power to a transfer case for All-Wheel Drive (AWD) setups. Please verify your vehicle’s drive layout before completing your purchase.

CVT Transmission Installation Notes

CRITICAL SERVICE ADVISORY: Heavy-duty V6 CVT gearboxes are highly sensitive to thermal spikes and fluid contamination. To protect your investment and secure your parts warranty, your installer must follow these precise instructions:

1. Transfer USDM Electronics & External Sensors: JDM core wiring harnesses are configured for right-hand drive architectures and Japanese body control modules. You MUST swap over your original vehicle’s transmission wiring harness, external neutral safety switch, and input/output speed sensors.

2. Mandatory Transmission Cooler Flush: When a V6 CVT fails, it sheds microscopic metallic debris directly into your radiator cooling loop. You MUST thoroughly hot-flush the transmission cooler lines or replace the auxiliary cooler entirely before installing this replacement transmission. Failing to do so will wash old metal flakes into your clean JDM unit, destroying its internal valves instantly.

3. Seating the Torque Converter: Ensure the transmission’s torque converter is fully slotted into the internal pump engagement splines before sliding the bellhousing against the VQ35DE V6 engine block. If forced together when misaligned, you will warp the internal oil pump gear.

4. Change Out External Seals: Replace the driver and passenger side differential CV axle seals along with the torque converter input seal while the unit is resting on the shop floor.

5. Strict Fluid Requirements: Never use standard automatic transmission fluid (ATF) or lower-spec CVT oils. Refill the unit exclusively with Genuine Nissan NS-3 CVT Fluid (or NS-2 if working with early generation 2009–2010 model years per factory specifications). Using aftermarket generic fluids will break down under temperature variations, cause immediate belt slippage, and void the warranty.

What is included

You receive exactly what is pictured. Engines are supplied as a long block assembly with the components visible in the photos. Accessories such as the alternator, starter, intake manifold or sensors are included only where you can see them on the unit, so check the photographs before ordering and ask us if anything is unclear.

Before you order

• Confirm the engine code against your own vehicle, not just the model year.
• Japanese market units can differ from the US version in intake, loom and sensors.
• Replace the timing components, water pump and seals while the unit is out. It is cheap insurance on an engine this age.
• Keep your original accessories until the swap is finished and running.