If you're swapping a VQ35DE into a Nissan 240SX, the mounts are the first part of the build that has to be right, and they set the tone for how clean the rest of the swap goes. The ISR Performance VQ35DE Swap Mounts are a complete one-stop mounting solution for both S13 and S14 chassis, with urethane bushings, a base mount pedestal design, and the weld-in tunnel clearance kit needed to fit the 350Z six-speed transmission into the 240SX chassis properly.
What It Is
The ISR Performance VQ35DE Swap Mounts are a complete engine and transmission mounting kit designed to fit the Nissan VQ35DE engine and six-speed transmission into either the S13 or S14 240SX chassis. The kit uses urethane bushings on both the engine and transmission mounts, a base mount pedestal design, and includes a weld-in transmission tunnel clearance kit to handle the geometry differences between the 240SX chassis and the larger 350Z drivetrain.
What It Does
VQ35DE swaps into the S-chassis platform require a complete mounting solution that positions the engine correctly, supports the larger 350Z six-speed transmission, and ties everything to the factory crossmember without compromising chassis integrity. The ISR VQ35DE Swap Mounts handle all of that as a single engineered kit, including the chassis modifications needed to clear the bigger transmission.
The base mount pedestal design positions the engine at the correct height and location for proper hood clearance, driveline alignment, and accessory fitment. Urethane bushings on the engine mounts keep the engine planted during hard driving while still damping enough vibration to keep the cabin tolerable for daily use. The urethane transmission mount handles the same job at the gearbox.
Why Urethane Bushings
The kit uses urethane bushings on both the engine and transmission mounts, which is the right balance for a VQ swap that's going to see street miles, track days, or both. Urethane is significantly stiffer than rubber, which keeps the drivetrain planted under hard launches, high-RPM driving, and aggressive cornering. At the same time, it's not as harsh as solid mounts that transmit every vibration directly into the chassis. For a daily driven or dual-purpose VQ-swapped 240SX, urethane delivers the control you want without the harshness that makes solid-mounted cars miserable to live with.
S13 and S14 Cross-Chassis Compatibility
The same ISR VQ35DE Swap Mount kit fits both S13 and S14 chassis. If you build a VQ-powered 240SX and later move the drivetrain to a different chassis (a common path for builders who blow up an S13 and switch to an S14, or vice versa), the mounts move with the engine. You're not buying a second mount kit for the new chassis, and you're not stuck with chassis-specific hardware that limits your options if the project car situation changes.
Transmission Tunnel Clearance Kit
This is the part of the swap that catches builders off guard. The 350Z six-speed transmission is physically larger than anything the 240SX chassis was designed to accept, which means additional chassis clearance is required for the transmission to fit properly. Specifically:
- The firewall needs clearance for the transmission casing
- The transmission tunnel where the crossmember mounts needs clearance
The kit includes a weld-in transmission tunnel clearance kit to handle this properly. Do not try to hammer the tunnel for clearance. Hammering distorts the mounting holes, throws off alignment, and creates problems that will haunt the rest of the swap. The included weld-in kit is the correct way to handle the clearance work, and using anything else is a shortcut that will cost you time later.
Optional Shortened Shifter Assembly
ISR offers a separate CD-style shortened shifter assembly designed to pair with this swap kit. The shortened shifter makes installation easier and improves shifter ergonomics in the 240SX cabin once the VQ35DE drivetrain is installed. If you're using the optional shortened shifter, you will need to slightly trim the rear section of the OEM shifter opening in the 240SX chassis. This is straightforward sheet metal work and is significantly easier than working around the standard-length shifter geometry.
The shortened shifter is optional. The mount kit functions without it, but most builders running the VQ swap pair the two together for the cleanest install and best driving result.
Fitment and Compatibility
This mount kit fits the Nissan 240SX S13 and S14 chassis for VQ35DE engine swaps using the RWD VQ35DE engine paired with the 350Z six-speed transmission.
Critical compatibility notes:
- VQ35DE engine only. The kit is designed for the VQ35DE specifically. VQ35HR, VQ37VHR, and other VQ variants have not been confirmed compatible.
- RWD configuration only. AWD transmission or drivetrain configurations are not supported.
- 350Z six-speed transmission. The kit is built around the six-speed gearbox from the 350Z platform.
- Welding required. The included transmission tunnel clearance kit must be welded in, not hammered or omitted.
Who This Is For
This mount kit fits one specific job: a VQ35DE swap into a Nissan 240SX. If you're planning or actively building a VQ swap into an S13 or S14, this is the complete mounting solution including the tunnel clearance kit needed to make the 350Z transmission fit properly. If you're building a swap that might move between an S13 and S14 chassis down the road, the dual-chassis compatibility means the mounts move with the drivetrain. If you've been trying to source individual mounts and brackets and tunnel patches separately, the ISR kit consolidates all of that into a single engineered solution.
These are not the right mounts if you're keeping the factory KA24, doing a different swap (SR20DET, RB, LS), running an AWD configuration, or planning to skip the welded tunnel clearance work.
What's in the Box
- 1x Left motor mount
- 1x Right motor mount
- 2x Base mount pedestals
- 1x Transmission brace
- 1x Transmission mount bushing
- 1x Hardware pack
- 1x Weld-in transmission tunnel clearance kit
Installation Notes
Professional installation is strongly recommended. VQ35DE swap mount installation is part of a larger drivetrain swap that involves engine removal, transmission installation, chassis welding for the tunnel clearance kit, crossmember work, and full driveline alignment. The included tunnel clearance kit requires welding, which is not something every home garage is equipped for.
The single most important rule on this swap: do not hammer the transmission tunnel for clearance. Hammering distorts the mounting holes and creates alignment problems that will affect every part of the build downstream. Use the included weld-in kit as designed. If you don't have welding equipment or experience, this is the step to bring in a shop.
Product Details
Brand: ISR Performance
Product: VQ35DE Swap Mounts
Part Number: IS-240-VQMKT
Vehicle Fitment: Nissan 240SX S13 and S14
Engine Compatibility: Nissan VQ35DE (RWD configuration)
Transmission Compatibility: 350Z six-speed transmission
Drivetrain Compatibility: RWD only
Engine Mount Material: Urethane bushings
Transmission Mount Material: Urethane bushing
Mount Design: Base mount pedestal with engine and transmission brackets
Cross-Chassis: Same kit fits S13 and S14, allowing drivetrain transfer between chassis
Required Modifications: Weld-in transmission tunnel clearance kit (included) must be welded into chassis for proper transmission fitment
Optional Companion Part: CD-style shortened shifter assembly (sold separately, requires slight trim of OEM shifter opening)
Included: 2x engine mounts, 2x base mount pedestals, 1x transmission brace, 1x transmission mount bushing, 1x hardware pack, 1x weld-in tunnel clearance kit
Key Benefits: Complete one-stop VQ35DE swap mounting solution, includes required tunnel clearance kit, dual-chassis S13/S14 compatibility, urethane bushings for street and track duty, engineered as a system for predictable swap geometry