My VH45DE(T) S14

[Jeff Taylor]

I haven't visited any Nissan forums in a while, and never realized how many other people are persuing VH swaps into their 240's (I've been too busy working on my own). Needless to say, I am VERY impressed with all the work people have been doing with their VH swaps. Most of the swaps I have seen are much cleaner than mine currently is, however I feel I should post some pictures anyway.

As a disclaimer, the car is driving, but the car isn't even close to being done yet. I always approach projects like these by getting them running first, and then going back and cleaning them up. So, please, ignore the 'ghetto rigging', as it is NOT permanent.

Brief Summary:'96 S14VH45DEGarrett TV7512 turbo (upgrading to TV8101 soon)Rear-mount radiator (needs shrouding/ducting)1-1/2" coolant pipes running under carCustom ECU, Consult interface, Eprom emulation, etc (my specialty)Custom transmission adapter plate (Omega Motive)Custom flywheel spacer (Omega Motive / Streetdynamics)Custom driveshaftCustom shifter / linkageCustom motor mounts / trans mount300zx-tt 5spd transmissionSPEC Stage-5 Sintered Iron Clutch

Upcomming:Air/Water intercooler5" exhaust720cc + injectorstesting the limits of the stock internals :-)







Trunk-mount radiator... Still need to fab ducting and shrouding:

Underneith:

Adapter plate we fabbed:

Engine running w/ open-headers:http://filebox.vt.edu/users/jetaylor/VHStart.wmv

Since all of these pictures / video are over a month old, I'll post more soon.

Jeff

[elwesso]

First let me say WELCOME TO NICO!!!! That thing sounds nasty! Thanks for posting, I appreciate it!

So many questions, so little time.

How thick is your adapter plate? It looks to be fairly thin, and it appears you're using countersunk screws on both sides, instead of having bolts thread into the plate?

What about your ECU tuning? Id be interested to hear how your tune works because I tune VH ECU's as well (well sorta)... since you have a consult interface it looks like you reprogrammed stock ECU. maybe we could work something out if your boost programs work well.

Definitely some heavy fabrication you've gotten into. Very impressive and unique.

What did you have to do to the shifter linkage?

[Jeff Taylor]

Adapter Plate:The adapter plate is 1/2" 6061. If I could do it again I would choose 1" 6061, not because of the additional strength (which I feel isn't needed), but because of the 300zx starter snout offset. With only a 1/2" thick adapter plate the 300zx starter snout penetrates past the engine block plane where the transmission bolts. To remedy this, I machined a recess in the block to clearance the starter.

The bolts securing the plate to the engine are countersunk M10x1.5's. The holes threaded in the block for the stock transmission are M14x1.5. I used a locking threaded steel insert in each M14 hole to reduce it to M10. This was a much easier solution for me at the time than finding M14x1.5 flat-head socket cap bolts of the correct length. I searched for WEEKS for these bolts, without any luck. The cheapest price I received on them was around $250 for 10, custom made.

ECU Tuning:I have not done any extensive tuning on the engine yet, since it is still lacking boost (no intercooler pipes yet). The only adjustments I have made thus far are crude fuel adjustments to get the AFR's back to an acceptable level. The AFR's with the stock tune were far too rich due to: 1. Not having the fuel pump control module controlling the pump, as Q45's have; and 2. Currently having a Walbro 255HP, which outflows the stock VH45 regulator by 10psi. As a side note, the Walbro will soon be replaced by an Aeromotive Eliminator pump.

Once I get the intercooler piping in, and all the bugs worked out of the setup, I'll be diving into some very heavy tuning to maximize power from the stock internals. My goal for this engine is to push it to its limits. After putting down 528whp on the stock internalled KA24DE, I am very curious to see the potential of the VH45DE.

Shift Linkage:I'll post pics later. Basically I used angle-iron to brace an aftermarket 300zx shifter off the back of the transmission.

Jeff
Modified by Jeff Taylor at 5:44 AM 8/8/2007

[elwesso]

Jeff,

Thanks for getting back to me.

Interesting about the plate. Im planning on using 1/4in steel. I assume you are using the Z32 flywheel and clutch. Also, the guys who use the mazworx adapter which makes it bolt flush (and thus no need for a flywheel spacer) didnt have a problem with the starter.... Another guy is using a similar setup to what im doing and no problems. All using Z32 clutch and flywheel, and no one mentioned a recess machined into the block.

Very interesting about the bolts to the engine, i know those things are monsters.

Coudl you tell me what the sizes that mount the plate to the trans?

Im interested to hear what the other guys think, because (not to be negative) it seems like a lot of the stuff your doing is harder than what others had to do!

[Jeff Taylor]

Yeah, z32-tt flywheel & clutch. The mazworx adapter may be thicker, therefore eliminating starter-engine clearance issues. Another factor to consider is whether the stock bellhousing of the transmission needs to be machined down for the mazworx adapter? Not sure if this is the case, but if so, it would provide for a nearly stock fit.

Yeah, McMaster-Carr and other fastener distributors will sell M14x1.5 (which is rare), but they definitely don't carry that in a flat head socket bolt.

The bolt sizes between the plate and the trans are M10x1.5, which is stock. However I used slightly shorter bolts than stock b/c my adapter plate only has 1/2" of material to thread into. Perhaps I'll dig up my old McMaster-Carr receipts and find the exact lengths...or measure them when I pull the engine to paint it.

...and yeah, I definitely go the 'hard way' with projects. I could have purchased an adapter plate that was already complete, however I went through months of measuring, CAD drawings, waterjet cutting, CNC milling, etc...(I had help from friends at Omega Motive & Streetdynamics on this)...however by doing it myself I have kept the cost of this project down considerably, and learned so much in the process.

As far as costs go, this project hasn't been too bad thus far...Engine, all accessories, wiring harness, ECU, full shop manual: $152TV7512 turbo: Free300zx-tt Trans: Traded for a KA24 engine headTurbo Manifolds: cut and welded stock VH ones to face forwardEngine/Trans Mounts: Scrap metalDrive shaft: Cut down a 300zx one, and a 240 one, aligned, and welded togetherEngine management: Chipped. Free.etc, etc.

Unfortunately, now I'm coming down to parts that I cannot obtain cheaply, like wastegates, intercoolers, etc.

[gs14racer]

Wow bad *** project

Although it looks like your car is much more of a race car than mine, i wish i wish i wish i could have gone turbo on my swap in my s14.

Looks good, when your done come down to miami and give my friend with his twin 60-1 vq35 in his s14 a run for his money and show him what the vh is capable of.

Once again bad ***

[Mettler]

Wicked mate, I love it!

I really appreciate the 'ghetto style' way of doing things, doing it all at home and trying to save as much $$ as possible!

It's great seeing that the majority of the VH community has some kind of engineering expertise and putting it to good use in our conversions.

That thing sounds brutal with open headers.... wicked!

I'm also running a Walbro 255 intank pump, interesting to know that it supplies 10psi too much pressure for the factory regulator.

I noticed you said regulator, non plural... does the VH45DE run a single pressure regulator? My motor has two small regulators at the end of each fuel rail, I hadn't imagined the 45's setup to be any different? Please clear this up for me.

[gs14racer]

One of them isnt really a regulator, its called the fuel pressure dampner.

[Jeff Taylor]

Thanks for the compliments, despite it looking rather incomplete.

Yeah, like gs14racer said, the other object that looks like a regulator on the fuel feed side is a dampener. They look identical.

gs14racer, twin 60-1's sounds very impressive. I'd like to see that car in person.

Jeff

[elwesso]

you can see how the mazworx adapter works



No starter clearance issues and technically it should be less with this plate than with yours.

Thanks for the info man... this project is cool as hell, i love this stuff!

[gs14racer]

Actually I did have a clearance issue on the back of the block with the starter.

Where the stock q45 starter goes the hole thats left there , has to be notched about half an inch. So that the nose of the z32 starter can fit.

Not to jack your thread , but heres some pics of the twin turbo vq s14 my friend is building

[sijoko]

That is a very cool project. I'm running a TV7512 with a .96 hot side on my Q45. I'm spooling it by 3500 rpm in first gear and at 2500-3000 rpm in the other gears. When do you think that you'll get this car on the road? Also, what is the reason to upgrade to a TV8101? A TV7512 is good for over 900 hp.
Modified by sijoko at 12:19 AM 8/8/2007

[tmorgan4]

Where did you find an engine and accesories for $150!? Haven't been able to find one for less than $700 yet.

[Jeff Taylor]

Very nice VQ setup. Definitely looks to be done right.

Glad to hear the TV7512 spools so quickly. I am running the 1.08 A/R housing, so mine will come in a little later than yours, but that's still fine.

In the future I'll just be swapping the compressor side for the TV8101 housing/wheel for an 88mm inducer setup. Like I said, I want to push this engine to its limits.

Jeff

[USsil80]

Actually I did have a clearance issue on the back of the block with the starter.

Where the stock q45 starter goes the hole thats left there , has to be notched about half an inch. So that the nose of the z32 starter can fit.

Not to jack your thread , but heres some pics of the twin turbo vq s14 my friend is building

umm did i miss something.. where did that intake mani come from... if another thread please let me know... sorry about thread jack... car looks awesome... guess you are going to louver the rear deck to allow for air flow..

[T45]

Awesome build! I love the flames coming out of the headers. I think you should dump the exhaust after the turbo through a front fender or something...lol.

GSracer, how is your VH holding up against other street cars? Has anybody outran you yet?

[Jeff Taylor]

Where did you find an engine and accesories for $150!? Haven't been able to find one for less than $700 yet.

I bought the engine two years ago, apparently it wasn't worth as much back then.

[Jeff Taylor]

Awesome build! I love the flames coming out of the headers. I think you should dump the exhaust after the turbo through a front fender or something...lol.

Yeah actually, I don't think I have much choice. 4 to 5" pipe is difficult to route. :-(

[Jeff Taylor]

sijoko - Sent you an email about your setup.

[sijoko]

Glad to hear the TV7512 spools so quickly. I am running the 1.08 A/R housing, so mine will come in a little later than yours, but that's still fine.

In the future I'll just be swapping the compressor side for the TV8101 housing/wheel for an 88mm inducer setup. Like I said, I want to push this engine to its limits.

Jeff

Your hotside plumbing is shorter than my setup so the turbo should hit around that time. The key is to wrap the piping.

The 88mm upgrade is the one from Majestic Turbo, correct? The TV8101 is not the compressor wheel that they use since it is only a 85mm. The 88mm wheel is from another Garrett turbo. I think a TV83 something.

The main reason that I chose the TV7512 was the potential for the 88mm upgrade. I saw the dyno sheet of a 302 Ford with the upgrade and it was sick with over 1100 hp.

[Jeff Taylor]

Definitely. I always wondered about the advertised inducer size of the TV8101 being 85mm, despite mustang guys saying it is 88. But, you're probably right, the 88mm wheel must be from a larger size.

By the way, where did you get your vband flange from? Also, what size OD is it? The vband on my 1.08 turbine housing has an OD of 5.16", and I'm having a hell of a time finding a flange to mate to it. Any suggestions?

Jeff

[sijoko]

Definitely. I always wondered about the advertised inducer size of the TV8101 being 85mm, despite mustang guys saying it is 88. But, you're probably right, the 88mm wheel must be from a larger size.

By the way, where did you get your vband flange from? Also, what size OD is it? The vband on my 1.08 turbine housing has an OD of 5.16", and I'm having a hell of a time finding a flange to mate to it. Any suggestions?

Jeff

There's a lot of misinformation floating around on the net, especially car forums. I know the measurement of a TV8101 because I have measured the inducer myself. The compressor wheel from the TV8101 is not compatible with a TV7512 anyway because of its different back profile.

[nistangclan727]

im actually lookin to do the same swap once i get my new s13. any advice? im tryin to contact zfever about it right now. i would need ALOT of help. mostly wiring

[Mettler]

Just out of interest, what is actually the correct fuel pressure on a typical VH45DE with the stock 370cc injectors?

[tmorgan4]

I believe (off the top of my head) the manual says 43psi.

[ZX2NV]

Gee thats expensive for the M14 x 1.5 bolts at $250 for 10.

I am getting 100 made up locally here in Australia M14 x 1.5 around 35mm long for $350 AUD or $3.50 AUD each which is pretty good. I can get amy type made up and just about any grade. We tend to deal with metric sizes more so than imperial here and as such have better access to this type of thing.

GS14Racer that friend of yours building the TT VH45DE. I am interested in finding out more about his pretty smick looking intake plenum. Is it custom made or adapted to suit the VH45.

Cheers

J

[tmorgan4]

Those are some expensive bolts! What's so special about them that they must be custom made?

[ZX2NV]

Ju

Those are some expensive bolts! What's so special about them that they must be custom made?

They are an odd size being M14. Hex head bolts are fine but countersunk hex socket bolts just aren't mass produced here and have to be custom made. The first quote I got was $9.50 AUD per bolt yep per bolt minimum 100 what a joke

[SeanDean]

GS14Racer that friend of yours building the TT VH45DE. I am interested in finding out more about his pretty smick looking intake plenum. Is it custom made or adapted to suit the VH45.

Cheers

J

Thats a VQ35 V6 with that plenum, not VH.

and hey Jerry, tell me that's Angels new ride..... heh

[gs14racer]

yep thats angel he should be done with it in a few