Datsun Roadster Forum-311s.org

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.

Dan

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

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.

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...

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.

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

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:


As Jim mentioned, it is a massive engine crammed into a tight engine bay in the Z32:

Now, cut that engine bay size in half




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.

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

That's the spirit! Why do we do things like this? Because we can. And to sometimes fill a creative void, to not be the expected. We're all ok with the creations we've already completed. But what's next? I sometimes find my itching for anything to wrench on. I purchased a 240z out of Portland area a few years back. A project like what many of us had possibly started with. Began purchasing components for suspension, brakes and such. The car sat in my garage until about a month and a half ago when I got a hair across my arse and sold it on CL. Why sell it you ask. I just came to realize that I still had unfinished business with the girl already in the garage. Sometimes I think we are a work in progress as much as our car's can be I'm feeling more and more like I'm gonna pull the trigger on this. Few small fires in the iron but I'm finding direction along the way.

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?

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.

.

Totally unrelated, when is someone going to stuff an RB25 in a roadster?

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.

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

VG30E in roadsters:

Lenny Sprague's:




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


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:


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.

Didn't you post a VQ photo 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



and of course Todd Green's monster VQ35HR:


[youtube][/youtube]

That VQ sure fills the hole