Datsun Roadster Forum-311s.org

I searched and found that some have used a VG30E but not the turbo engine. I suspect the turbo would have some clearance issues with the drivers side frame rail but was hoping someone had at least attempted the swap. My problem is that the VG30ET and transmission are still in my 86 300zxt and it is difficult to measure. The engine had an injector fire years ago but I already have it running with a Megasquirt so I know it's good.

Thankyou for the pics. I was able to do some measuring and it appears the biggest challenge will be the steering shaft if I keep the turbo in the stock location. One possibility may be to swap the turbo to the passenger side by swapping exhaut manifolds but then the crossover pipe would be on the front of the engine. On the positive side the turbo's compressor housing which is the part that is widest, would then be moved rearward where there appears to be more room. I'm probably crazy but I am determined to make this work. Of course that's what everyone thought when put a twin turbo small block Chevy in my son's Ford Ranger Norm

Thanks for another link Alvin. The use of the heim joint was pretty clever. It looks like he cut a little sheet metal but it looks good. As it turns out someone must have been preparing for some type of swap in this car since it already has a few u-joints in the steering shaft. This isn't a super pristine car so cutting a little sheet metal wouldn't bother me too much. The biggest problem in keeping the turbo in the factory location is that it sets rather low so the engine would need to mount faily high to get it above the LH frame rail. You got me to thinking about twin turbos. I think I could use both factory v6 turbo manifolds by swapping sides so they would point toward the front. I was even thinking about mounting the radiator leaning forward like it is in a 300zx to gain space for the turbos.

That's a little more than I would be willing do I wonder if the guy with the TT ever got his completed. It will be easier once the engine is hanging above the frame to help visualize things but I need to get a few other house projects completed. Once I start on this car I know I won't want to do anything else until I have it running.

Don Miller out of Idaho had a VG30ET powered Datsun roadster. The car was a beast, and he had to do a lot of surgery to get the engine to fit (customer headers, center mounted turbo, etc.)

I think I read that he had sold the car a few years ago... not sure where it is these days.

Michael

I'm finally making some progress as in doing a trial fit. I decided I will mount the turbo up front since as some of you predicted, there is no decent way to keep the turbo in the stock location. My only snag is that the 300zx auto transmission is wider at the rear than the five speed so I will need to push the tunnel out about an inch on each side with the porta power so until then the engine is about six inches forward. I looked at some Pathfinder exhaust manifolds with which I am hoping to swap sides and point the exhaust to the front. It also looks like the Pathfinder intake may work if it isn't too tall. I have a couple pics but haven't put them online yet. Norm

I have a couple pics but haven't put them online yet.

OK, that's just not nice, Norm! You can't tease us with a update, tell us you have pics, then not show us! Post those suckers to the 311 album and slap some links up. We want to see!!!

BTW, you're running a single turbo? What turbo is it?

I really need to clean up the engine and bay before I would want anyone to see it. I am still in the process of getting the engine to set farther back. I am beginning to wonder if the stock vg30 starter is going to work since the solenoid sticks out a long way and so far won't clear the frame rail. Hopefully moving the engine back will solve that. Norm

The problem I am running into right now is that if I use the auto transmission from the 300zx, the pan needs to sit on top of the X-frame which raises the rear of the trans as you slide the engine back. So I think I am stuck unlessl I can find a manual transmission for reasonable price. I have considered a couple options. 1. Raise the body up about an inch but even then the engine and trans would need to be slid forward to remove the tranny pan. 2.Modifying the X-frame to make more room for the tranny pan. Any opinions regarding either of these options? Norm

Yeee Haaa! Lift that body up a couple inches and slap on some 33 inch mudders. Where's Evan at? He'd probably want to help you.

I'd vote for modifying the X-Member or finding a manual trans.

I saw this today for sale on northwest nissans http://www.northwestnissans.com/board/s ... hp?t=50432 if I didnt all ready buy a supercharger for a KA24 I'd be real tempted to buy that for mine.

Yeah, Mike is trying to make some space in his garage. Super deal. I'll add the posting to the For Sale forum.