Please, convince me why I shouldn't put a VH in my Slicktop...
7:57 AM 6/23/2008
To make a long boring story short, I have a 92 slicktop that I've been babying engine issues since the day I got it. I've done a complete tuneup, timing belt, 120k maint, etc. etc.... bottom line is, lots of money spent on a motor I never intended to leave in the car. The car now needs injectors, and that job alone, with gaskets, seals, hoses, etc., can't be done for under 750 as best as I can tell.
I have a perfectly good running VH45DE sitting on a pallet in my garage. The Maz adaptor is less than $500, and everything else required to get the motor in is fabrication, which I can do myself. I have spare oil pans, I can make mounts very easily, the clutch in my car is good, I really don't see what else I would need to buy. A radiator and electric fan is it. I don't have much desire to get into another project while my S14 still isn't finished, but I also don't want to dump more useless money into the Slicktop.
Maybe I should take the insurance off the car and let it sit til the winter, then swap the VH in at that time. I'm just at my wit's end...
Well, I just figured out it is the injector for sure... so a plenum pull, a set of injectors, all the hoses, and anything else that needs to be replaced. Or swap in this VH. I'll make up my mind in a day or so.
Well, I just figured out it is the injector for sure... so a plenum pull, a set of injectors, all the hoses, and anything else that needs to be replaced. Or swap in this VH. I'll make up my mind in a day or so.
Steve,
Not sure what all the financials are for your car (money you have in it, etc.), nor if its a TT, but I know the the TT slicktops are very rare. With this rarity comes a premium price. So in your situation you may want to consider fixing it and selling it to take advantage of the premium. Then find a donor with a good body/interior and a blown engine that you can get for next to nothing and use it as your base. The rest of the money you can use to get it where you want to without any additional expenditure on your part as the sale of your current Z would finance the rest.
Like I said I don't know what the $ situation is, but this is an alternative scenario you may want to consider if it makes sense to do so.
Nick.
1993 300ZX Twin-Turbo soon to be 450ZX Twin-Turbo (Oxford Gray) 2002 BMW M3 (Imola Red) 2008 Honda Odyssey Touring (Hey the kids have to ride somewhere!)
Not sure what all the financials are for your car (money you have in it, etc.), nor if its a TT, but I know the the TT slicktops are very rare. With this rarity comes a premium price. So in your situation you may want to consider fixing it and selling it to take advantage of the premium. Then find a donor with a good body/interior and a blown engine that you can get for next to nothing and use it as your base. The rest of the money you can use to get it where you want to without any additional expenditure on your part as the sale of your current Z would finance the rest.
Like I said I don't know what the $ situation is, but this is an alternative scenario you may want to consider if it makes sense to do so.
Nick.
Nick,
Thanks for the advice. It's an NA Slicktop, I don't believe TT Slicktops were ever available in the states. Believe me, I've been considering a TT conversion instead of the VH for that very reason. It would make the car highly desireable if I ever decided to sell it. I could pick up a TT front clip from Z1, swap all those timing belt and tune up type parts I just put on this car over to it, and be on my way. However, the slicktop is already a lightweight, and swapping in the VH is cheaper and will also make the car lighter. It's also much more unique than a TT conversion, and I think it would make the car better balanced and more fun at the track.
I'm going to keep crunching numbers, but it's looking like a VH conversion is in this cars future. If anyone has a since NA Phase 1 injector they want to give up so I can get it back on the road for a bit, that'd be sweet...
Thanks for the advice. It's an NA Slicktop, I don't believe TT Slicktops were ever available in the states. Believe me, I've been considering a TT conversion instead of the VH for that very reason. It would make the car highly desireable if I ever decided to sell it. I could pick up a TT front clip from Z1, swap all those timing belt and tune up type parts I just put on this car over to it, and be on my way. However, the slicktop is already a lightweight, and swapping in the VH is cheaper and will also make the car lighter. It's also much more unique than a TT conversion, and I think it would make the car better balanced and more fun at the track.
I'm going to keep crunching numbers, but it's looking like a VH conversion is in this cars future. If anyone has a since NA Phase 1 injector they want to give up so I can get it back on the road for a bit, that'd be sweet...
Steve,
There were some TT Slicktops sold in the US but they are few and far between - I've only seen 1-2 for sale in the past I don't know how many years, and that's what makes them very rare. Converting your NA to a TT will add some value but not nearly as much as a factory original (analogous to a Hemi Cuda conversion to a Barracuda)
So in your NA situation it would make more sense to go with the VH as you've (and everyone else) has concluded. As Wes said more power/less weight; the reason I'm doing it to mine which started out as a TT.
you do know that the only reasons why I haven't started my VH swap into my Z are:
A. Waiting til I get out of college (been in college for 7 damn years) so I can fund the project. B. My 2+2 Z is too beat up and heavy. C. Ideally want to make it a Slicktop VH
So in the spirit of charity and goodwill, I think you should donate your spare VH and your Slicktop Z to me
you do know that the only reasons why I haven't started my VH swap into my Z are:
A. Waiting til I get out of college (been in college for 7 damn years) so I can fund the project. B. My 2+2 Z is too beat up and heavy. C. Ideally want to make it a Slicktop VH
So in the spirit of charity and goodwill, I think you should donate your spare VH and your Slicktop Z to me
Well in spirit of good will I'll do the swap and take in car video so you can see what it will be like when your car gets done!
Sorry, best I can do. But this swap is going to happen. I finished the stoker motor for this customers Evo last weekend and I'm picking up his built trans tomorrow. The car goes back together this weekend, gets out of the garage, and makes room for my slicktop so it can go under the knife.
I'm going to modify the crossmemeber instead of modifying the oil pan. I'll take as many pictures and measurements I can so that people can duplicate my efforts if desired.
As an aside, why does it irritate so many individuals to have the octopus showing through the hood? I think it looks somewhat nifty.
I figure retaining the factory windage baffles and oil capacity is a plus. On top of that, by modifying the crossmember I can integrate a skid plate to protect the pan and get th motor to sit low enough to clear the hood... which leads into your second question.
As cool as the spider looks, I don't like the elements having easy access to the engine bay. Plus the valley on the VH has a lot of water capacity and I don't need my knock sensors underwater every time it rains. Add in the vandalism/theft issues in Jersey... the list goes on and on.
