VG. 33 thoughts.

Discuss engine swap details here!

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Re: VG. 33 thoughts.

Post by greydog »

Damn thing is heavy, i found that out when I put a new clutch in my Z32....
The VQ35HR is sure a nice rev happy engine, in a 2100 lb car it would be a terror.

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Re: VG. 33 thoughts.

Post by Mattk »

Ah hell...figure I’ll chime in here. I’ve got two cents somewhere....anyone got change for a nickel?😜

Tacoma Boy....do it!! Do what you want. Have fun! I think it would be a cool build and probably pretty fun ta boot. If you’ve got the time, green and desire...why not! I know It’ll be fun to see you do it.

I’ve been thinking it would be cool to do a VG30DETT but I don’t quite have your skills nor the funds. I wouldn’t do for the power, I would do it because I think it would be cool to shoe horn one in...I think someone has though (this is where Alvin magically produces a photo🤣). Remember I originally wanted to do a BEAMS motor that is 200hp NA. But my skill set wasn’t there. So I’ll just stick with the KA and maybe do the BEAMS later.

Again just two cents of nonsense!

Cheers
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Re: VG. 33 thoughts.

Post by JT68 »

I don't think there is a prayer for fitting a VG30det (TTz32 version) in there unless you cut away the whole front of the roadster frame and built a tube frame--the VG30det completely FILLS the engine bay of of Z32-It's huge-and a giant mass of intercooler piping and vacuum controls. The Turbos (L&R) would be in the frame-ugh. You would cut-off everything forward of the firewall and basically start over.

I think an LS1 weights less than a Z32 VG30det btw's, a VQ weighs significantly less.

>Damn thing is heavy, i found that out when I put a new clutch in my Z32....
>The VQ35HR is sure a nice rev happy engine, in a 2100 lb car it would be a terror.
word.
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Re: VG. 33 thoughts.

Post by Gregs672000 »

Kinda surprised the VG powered owners on this site have not chimed in. Clearly it can and has been done. They could discuss the pros and cons from their perspective. There's an engine import place local to me and Tacoma Boy that one could call to see what they inventory... is the VQ even available much these days? Used to be you could walk around these places and find all kinds of cool engines...
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Re: VG. 33 thoughts.

Post by JT68 »

I've seen the vg30e (single cam) in a roadster a few times. (photos already posted) also a very ugly turbo vg30e.

I've not seen a VG30det, don't remember a VG30de (z32 variant). The twin cam, 4-valve, Z32 versions have the giant twin intake plenum, big heads, COP, multiport EFI only - no carbs. VVT too. a mile of tubes and plumbing. Everything under ECU control. It was state of the art in its day. 90-96. Rugged too.

I think it is just Z31 and truck single cam versions that have been put in a roadster (at least that I remember).

You might shoe-horn the NA VG30de in there (nice 222HP NA 6, but it would certainly fill up the engine compartment-does weigh a ton.) Almost any engine would be a better fit.
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Re: VG. 33 thoughts.

Post by Alvin »

I resisted the urge to post photos of anything other than what the OP asked for, but since this thread has derailed a bit.... :mrgreen:

All this talk about the VG30DETT and the Z32 reminded me that I have one in my garage! I ran outside to snap a few pics:
Image

As Jim mentioned, it is a massive engine crammed into a tight engine bay in the Z32:
Image
Now, cut that engine bay size in half :lol:
Image
Image
Image

Dave Lum ran this exact motor in his 510...you can Google it to see his "Creative" solution!
And on a totally un-related note, my goodness what a fantastic car the Z32TT is. Pinnacle of Nissan of the 90's. I love this thing.
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Re: VG. 33 thoughts.

Post by Tacoma311 »

charlee0620 wrote: Tue May 22, 2018 5:37 pm Ah hell...figure I’ll chime in here. I’ve got two cents somewhere....anyone got change for a nickel?😜

Tacoma Boy....do it!! Do what you want. Have fun! I think it would be a cool build and probably pretty fun ta boot. If you’ve got the time, green and desire...why not! I know It’ll be fun to see you do it.

I’ve been thinking it would be cool to do a VG30DETT but I don’t quite have your skills nor the funds. I wouldn’t do for the power, I would do it because I think it would be cool to shoe horn one in...I think someone has though (this is where Alvin magically produces a photo🤣). Remember I originally wanted to do a BEAMS motor that is 200hp NA. But my skill set wasn’t there. So I’ll just stick with the KA and maybe do the BEAMS later.

Again just two cents of nonsense!

Cheers
Matthew
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Last edited by Tacoma311 on Wed May 23, 2018 1:34 am, edited 1 time in total.
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Re: VG. 33 thoughts.

Post by Tacoma311 »

Gregs672000 wrote: Tue May 22, 2018 9:32 pm Kinda surprised the VG powered owners on this site have not chimed in. Clearly it can and has been done. They could discuss the pros and cons from their perspective. There's an engine import place local to me and Tacoma Boy that one could call to see what they inventory... is the VQ even available much these days? Used to be you could walk around these places and find all kinds of cool engines...
U.P. Auto. Is usually where I end up in the end for a brain pick session. Greg. Do you happen to recall what trans you are referring to. Z32?
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Re: VG. 33 thoughts.

Post by RCMike »

Alvin wrote: Tue May 22, 2018 10:50 pmAnd on a totally un-related note, my goodness what a fantastic car the Z32TT is. Pinnacle of Nissan of the 90's. I love this thing.
Screen Shot 2017-11-05 at 10.31.21 PM.png
.

Totally unrelated, when is someone going to stuff an RB25 in a roadster?
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Re: VG. 33 thoughts.

Post by Gregs672000 »

Just to be clear, the JDM VG30ET I had was a 1997 single cam engine mated originally to an auto trans, came out of some car in Japan that I could never find. The 5 speed i sourced locally was from a 300zx, and my understanding was that this was the stouter of the two 300zx options, kinda like our Borge warner vs the Porsche sincro boxes that came in Roadsters. I suggest a 300zx site to gather more detailed info on the different transmissions and how to ID.
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Re: VG. 33 thoughts.

Post by JT68 »

Hi guys, I've owned 4 z32's--Still have one and have a bunch of parts -

The 90-96 z32 trans (NA or TT) is totally different from Z31- radically different cars-I think virtually everything is different. As I recall, you can make a z32 trans fit the single cam block, but the bell housing is different, have to swap bell housing and starter/clutch/FW?? I think it is a bit of a mess, but can be done. I think.

Obviously I love the z32 too. Awesome cars, the TT is a blast to drive.

I've thought about this (vg30de) swap a lot. Honestly, the VQ (super availability) or even RB would be better in most ways. Cheers. Jt
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Re: VG. 33 thoughts.

Post by Alvin »

VG30E in roadsters:

Lenny Sprague's:
Image
Image


DanR's:
viewtopic.php?f=27&t=15413&sid=9bedc101 ... 084c0c08b4
Image

I have a few more cars I can post tonight.
RCMike wrote: Wed May 23, 2018 2:47 am
Totally unrelated, when is someone going to stuff an RB25 in a roadster?
There was an RB25DET powered Datsun 510 at Shasta ~2005, I will post pics from the show tonight.
It was wrecked years later:
Image

But yeah, like "mlWebb" and his L24 engine swap you might need to relocate the cooling system to the trunk or have a funky hood. It is a long, heavy iron-block engine.
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Re: VG. 33 thoughts.

Post by JT68 »

Didn't you post a VQ photo Alvin?
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Re: VG. 33 thoughts.

Post by Alvin »

JT68 wrote: Wed May 23, 2018 12:27 pm Didn't you post a VQ photo Alvin?
yes, there's Jeff's:
viewtopic.php?f=15&t=29600

Image

and of course Todd Green's monster VQ35HR:
Image
Image
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Re: VG. 33 thoughts.

Post by spl310 »

That VQ sure fills the hole
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