The valve covers on a VQ engine live in a hot, high-stress spot, and over the years they take a lot of heat cycles. If your covers have started to leak, warp, or just look worn out, an aluminum replacement is one of the more satisfying upgrades you can make to a VQ engine bay.
Why owners replace their valve covers
On VQ35DE engines, the factory plastic valve covers are known to warp, crack, and leak over time. Those leaks often show up as oil around the spark plug tubes or on the sides of the engine. A direct-replacement aluminum cover gives you a more durable part with improved sealing.
What you get with an Initiate Motorsports set
Our aluminum valve covers are a direct replacement for the factory ones. Each set is ceramic painted in the color and finish you choose, using high-temperature paint rated up to 600°F. You can pick wrinkle, matte, or gloss finishes, and we can do color shift and sparkle flakes.
Our kits are pre-assembled and include the valve covers, oil filler cap, gaskets, mounting bolts, spark plug tube seals, PCV valve, and PCV hose, so there's no need to buy extra parts.
Which engines and cars are covered?
We offer sets for two groups of VQ engines:
- VQ35DE: 2003-2007 Infiniti G35, 2003-2006 Nissan 350Z, 2003-2008 Infiniti FX35, and 2006-2008 Infiniti M35. [link: VQ35DE valve covers]
- VQ35HR and VQ37VHR: G37, 370Z, 2007-2008 G35 sedan, and 2007-2008 350Z. [link: VQ35HR/VQ37VHR valve covers]
Always confirm your engine before ordering. If you're unsure which engine your car has, email us and we'll help.
Pair it with other VQ upgrades
If you're already in the engine bay, it makes sense to tackle related jobs at the same time, such as replacing ignition coils or the intake manifold gaskets. For VQ35DE owners, our ported, polished, and ceramic-coated plenum matches well with a colored valve cover set. [link: VQ35DE ported plenum]
How to order a custom color
After you place your order, email your color and finish choice, along with your order number, to Info@initiatemotorsport.com.