VG. 33 thoughts.

[JT68]

Seems you have already made up your mind.

Before any V6, I'd recommend a hotU20, SR, KA or even SR20det -far more doable and more than enough power for any level of insanity.

There are literally pages of reasons why V6 and V8 swaps are not-so-popular in the Roadster. j

[fj20spl311]

If you want a challenge, do a QR25DE or T

[Alvin]

Seems you have already made up your mind.

Before any V6, I'd recommend a hotU20, SR, KA or even SR20det -far more doable and more than enough power for any level of insanity.

There are literally pages of reasons why V6 and V8 swaps are not-so-popular in the Roadster. j

I get that Mike's title for this thread may hint at a possible "thought exercise", but the vibe I got from his initial post was that the VG is desired. Regardless of power.
He even states an understanding that it may be a "step back" in the hp department:

Most, and my self included will say it's a step back for a moderate hp. gain. In my older eyes, I just feel that the clean look it can potentially give would almost make it look period correct so to speak. Or. I'd like to think that an engine swap form the "70"'s would somewhat resemble the look I'm after. Nissan V-6, sohc heads, big valve covers, 6 plug wires, carbed intake, distributor. Not much more than that.
I'll probably struggle a bit to even find the 200hp mark with this configuration and I know that. We're all individual and our needs and desires sometimes change.
Mike

Which brings me to me to an often overlooked point: People don't perform engine swaps into these cars only for more power!

[JT68]

Why people do engine swaps and whether it is a good idea is a never ending debate on this forum. Lots of people consider newer engines an abomination that ruins a perfectly good chassis.

I was just pointing out there are probably much better engine choices than VG for roadsters IMHO. This is not a new idea.

Here a rough statistic I've observed over the years:

6 and 8 cylinder swaps OFTEN result in a scrapped/parted out roadster.. I'd estimate 3 or 4 get scrapped at least for each v6/v8 success. Success rate for U, Ka,SR, CA, FJ, L is WAY way WAY higher. There are many good reasons for that.

[greydog]

I really like the appearance of that carbed VG sitting in the yellow roadster.
Kinda reminds me of my Tiger (long gone now).
I think the VG doesn't get the love it deserves because of the car it was introduced in. The first gen 300ZX gets little respect, even amongst "Z people".
I don't know that there's that much more actual work to do this than to drop in an SR. The main advantage the SR has (stricktly from a physical work standpoint) is that Spriso has been generous with information and has made the process almost simple. Where would the SR gang be without Michael's jiggy and alternator mounts as well as his generous detailed information?
Go for it....you're not likely going to run into two or three others at the next DROPS meet.




Dan

[Gregs672000]

The reason I didn't do it is because I lost interest and garage space. I chose the VG because it was cheap, decent power potential, probably within my abilities with help, low miles, reliable, available parts and computers. Not my favorite engine, but had been done NA and turbo (though ugly turbo, was a race car with a front mounted turbo and exhaust to match, yuck). The engine was bought by a couple guys in Oregon who planned to put it in a truck (?).

[Tacoma311]

I pick up what your putting down JT but as stated In my earlier post, in stock form it's probably only a 30hp again against my pretty well built ka. However. Researching some of the ongoing builds of these engines looks real promising in terms of hp. What's been the latest fad so too speak for some auto enthusiast? The rat rod. These folks do this for a look. They are aware that their flat head Ford, Buick nailhead or hemi won't be the big power grabber that some garden varity modern chevy or ford power. Its the look, the sometimes raspy sound of strait pipes or the enjoyment of not having what everyone else has. Anything below a 10:1 hp weight ratio is good with me. Have I absolutely made my mind up on this engine.....no. I wish I had access to the early v-8's that Nissan had. That would be worth while. Dan is about spot on with the last line of his response. Now days. Why be the norm? I want to say that this thread is going just as hoped and thank you all for commenting. Hmmm. QR25DE.

[greydog]

There are other, kind of less tangible things too.
I love the sound of the VQ in my 300ZX. It's smooth at idle and will just howl to 6500 rpm. But that sound doesn't compare to the sound of the glasspak exhaust on the '59 Corvette I had.
I'm gonna go have a beer in toast to those guys who want something a little different, maybe a little less civilized.
Dan

[Vinnyz]

Here's to that toast! Cheers!

As my shirt proudly stated at Solvang this year......"Life's to short to stay stock!"

I had a stock hooded VG30det (turbo) in my 68' SRL car and while the amount of custom stainless intake/exhaust work was extensive and the multi-point steering was tricky......it was smooth steering and was the sleeper of the century for me!

[JT68]

Yeah, the steering mod is a bit of a mess.

Don't get me wrong the VG is a great/rugged motor. I worked with them for a decade. Still have lots of parts. You can make a ton of HP even with the single cam if you try. That skinny transmission becomes the failure point. The Z32 trans is way tougher-same with Z33--but the z33 trans can have some issues from what I hear. Either way I'd go VQ instead if it had to be v6, no doubt. Either will be more than fast enough....

[Tacoma311]

Thanks for the heads up on the trans. JT. I 've yet to do much digging yet in that direction. No question on the VQ performance. A solid proven platform that will probably be around for years to come.

[JT68]

How about RB or 2jz? I think if I was going to do a 6, I'd seriously consider them too. It still would not be easy in any way, but probably easier than VG/VQ. The 2j is such a nice engine- talk about smooth&trouble free....

I did pick up a maxima VQ30 a few years back that had some minor damage. Those "little" 3.0's REALLY rev. While not as much torque or power as a 370Z version, still more than "enough". They say (I have not confirmed) if you swap the upper oil pan to 350Zstyle, the FWD Maxima VQ will bolt up to the 350z trans.

[Gregs672000]

As noted, there are 2 different manual transmissions that came with the VG. I got the stronger one, but it was many yrs ago and I don't recall how one differentiated them... check google!

[greydog]

An RB would be pretty cool Jim. I've been watching the fellow put a L26 in his roadster. He put the fan in the back of the car to gain enough room. Looking at the pictures, he needed all he could get.
If I remember correctly, the RB26 is about 8" longer than the VG30 so I'd think there would be significant issues with pan and front to rear clearance. Probably nothing that can't be overcome with sufficient time, skill and money tho.
I see S130's with SR engines in them once in a while. Looks kinda goofy but puts the weight back nicely.
There are quite a few 510s and pickups with VG30's, even a few with VG30DETT's. I don't remember thinking "boy, he really had to hack that to get the engine in". I don't remember seeing a VQ tho so if a guy was wanting something truly different but not insane (like the guy with the 440 Mopar in a roadster I saw a couple years ago) that should provide enough challenge for most anyone.

Dan

[JT68]

I think Alvin or someone else put up some VQ roadster pics a while back. 2J as well.

The VG is a heavy pup (so is an RB or 2J) which is another reason I prefer the VQ (mostly AL).

You are certainly right about the length issue with the straight 6's. Any 6 is going to be a TON of custom fab.

One detail on that VG transmission issue, I don't think the truck or z31 VG30e will bolt to the big Z32 VGde(tt or NA) trans just going from memory, so you may be stuck with the z31/truck version.

That Z32 trans has been used behind Monster Rotaries, 2J's, LS, RB even VK and VH-- its a hoss, Collins adapters I think?