300zx Engine swaps?

[obarrera]

Is there a thread where there's a list of all the swaps you can do on a 300zx?

Im looking for a thread like the one for the 240sx(this one zerothread/277463 ), but need info on the 300zx instead.

BTW, can an sr20 work fine with this car? I don't really know about 300zx's, it's my brother in law's car.

Thanks!

[GAZ32]

It would be completely pointless to swap in anything less than a VG into a 300zx.

[obarrera]

Ok, so a VG? is it the VG30 or something like that? Is there a list of all the engines that work with this car?

Thanks

[J-Mart]

VG30DETT and RB on occasion.

Anything less is dumb.

Anything bigger (V8) I haven't seen personally. Try searching the forum/net better.

[Dru's Pet]

With enough money and time any engine can be made to fit.

How about a VQ35DETT ???

[mtcookson]

The most common swap is the stock 300ZX Twin Turbo's VG30DETT. There's not much else that can compare to the capability of that engine when going all out. The 2JZ and VQ35 are probably its two biggest contenders. The RB26 hasn't even been able to do what the VG can from what I've seen.

All that said... for a decently powered street car your custom options would open up a lot. I personally wouldn't really recommend the SR20 simply because of the general weight of the Z32. Being a heavier car, an engine with more torque, especially in the low RPM range, is very beneficial. Yes you can most definitely build up the SR to make the Z move but not likely ever to the extent that VG can.

Another swap becoming more popular is Nissan's VH45DE 4.5 liter V8. It is an absolute monster of an engine, extremely over engineered making for a great platform for tons of power. Aftermarket support isn't all that great but with some DIY work you can make one insane car with that engine.

Lots of choices out there... if you're looking for a simple way of getting more power in your Z then I would go no further than just putting the VG30DETT in there. Build the engine up a bit while its out for some more power and you won't be disappointed.

[obarrera]

Thanks for the info, im gonna do some research on the VG30DETT & VG35DETT.

I only asked cause I didn't even know where to start.lol

Anyway, thanks again...

[mrflip69]

The RB26 hasn't even been able to do what the VG can from what I've seen.

Care to elaborate?

I hope you're not talking strictly drag times. I know that a member here who runs the site rbz32 is pushing decent times at low boost. I don't think his RB is even built... yet.

If you're going to argue displacement, frankensteined RB30s do exist.

Yeah, that JUN powered landspeed record car is pretty impressive but I think that's a little out of anyone's league here.

And yeah, I've seen the dyno graphs comparing a similarly built RB and VG, and the VG trumps it in overall #s and powerband...

Wait what was the argument again? LOL

Sorry, I know VGs can be great, but I just don't trust them when they seem to be the overall source of complaint for most owners, be it PTU, misc. sensors and connections.. you know

Honestly though, please elaborate!

[craigztoyz]

Check out the VH45 section, there are a number of us, working on swaping the v8 into th Z32. Should be the right motor for the car, lots of low end torque, paired with the Z32's 5spd, it should get the heavy beast up n moving, and smile grinnin

[JDMZ32]

no, not the VG35DETT. that doesn't exist. i think you meant VG30DETT (which comes stock in the Twin Turbo) and a twin-turbo'd VQ35DE (350Z). and, i don't know if you know or not, but the NA motor is a VG30DE. the two t's are for Twin Turbo (just in case you don't know!). what's the difference between the DE and DETT? other than the obvious, the only difference i know is that the DETT has a lower compression ratio. anything else, anyone?

[aidanair]

yes, it also has completely forged internals allowing it to run much higher boost levels. aside from the obvious differences (twin turbos, twin intercoolers) and some misc differences (different lower radiator mounting points, compression, internals, gauge cluster, exhaust) they are identical engines.

[obarrera]

Oh I thought someone mentioned a VG35DETT, but it was the VQ, but yeah I know what TT is, im just new to the 300zx, I own a 240sx, I know more about the RB26DETT, etc, thanks for the heads up though.

[mtcookson]

Care to elaborate?

You listed a few of them but basically what I meant was that the VG held most of the records as far as power, drag, top speed, etc. Though... currently the VQ35DE powers the fastest drag Nissan.

Also, in the JGTC R34 Skyline, they switch from the RB26 to the VQ30DETT (could have 3.2, can't remember) but anyway... due to being light and much more compact (lower and close to the center of the car) it made for a much faster car.

Basically my biggest issue with the RB26 is it is held as some sort of godly engine when other Nissan engines are a better choice... like the VG30DETT (in my opinion). The RB26 isn't a bad engine, we know can make tons of power, and is easier to modify but for me is definitely not my personal preference. Its tall and long (like all inlines) but is also quite heavy being iron block. I think the one RB that would take on the VG is the RB30 with the DOHC head mated to it and one or two turbos. That could potentially take on the VG quite well. Could possibly even make more torque due to having a longer stroker if memory serves. I'd bet that if the RB30 were a more common engine (and available over here) we would see it likely take on or even beat the VG in many areas. It will still be quite heavy and have a taller center of gravity and set the weight further forward potentially making it handle worse than a VG equipped car (basing off the assumption that the RB30 would be swapped into a Z).

The DETT definitely as its issues and can be a pain to work on but most high performance engines are going to have issues when you start making a lot of power. I personally think if you're looking for peak performance... the DETT is definitely not one to pass up, especially considering it already comes in these cars.

yes, it also has completely forged internals allowing it to run much higher boost levels.

Negative... it does have forged rods and a forged crank (just like the VG30DE) but does not have forged pistons. The heads are also different between the two. I know for sure it has different valves (inconel exhaust). It may have different ports but I'm not positive on that one, the veterans will know more in that area than I. It does have lower compression pistons to handle the boost better.

[aidanair]

oops... what said

[ShadowKnight006]

Not trying to threadjack here but this seemed like a good thread for this question. I too am new to the 300zx arena (I don't even own one yet) but have been into the 240sx for a while. Based on this info:

yes, it also has completely forged internals allowing it to run much higher boost levels. aside from the obvious differences (twin turbos, twin intercoolers) and some misc differences (different lower radiator mounting points, compression, internals, gauge cluster, exhaust) they are identical engines.

Would it be possible then to turbo the N/A VG30DE by replacing the pistons with those of the VG30DETT to lower the compression(or a special head gasket) and then use parts designed for the VG30DETT in a similar fashion as turboing a ka24de? I have heard that the NA version would not handle being boosted due to the high compression as-is so to speak.

Again I am a complete noob to the 300zx/VG scene but have done research into turboing my ka24de. Any input is appreciated and hopefully beneficial to the OP as well.

[aidanair]

the vg30dett doesnt have forged pistons.. my bad

[mtcookson]

Not trying to threadjack here but this seemed like a good thread for this question. I too am new to the 300zx arena (I don't even own one yet) but have been into the 240sx for a while. Based on this info:

Would it be possible then to turbo the N/A VG30DE by replacing the pistons with those of the VG30DETT to lower the compression(or a special head gasket) and then use parts designed for the VG30DETT in a similar fashion as turboing a ka24de? I have heard that the NA version would not handle being boosted due to the high compression as-is so to speak.

Again I am a complete noob to the 300zx/VG scene but have done research into turboing my ka24de. Any input is appreciated and hopefully beneficial to the OP as well.

You definitely could use TT pistons to lower the compression and that would likely help out a lot. You do still have the head differences between the two but the pistons would definitely help out a lot when adding boost.

[Milo (San Antonio)]

Usually the norm is the VG30DE or the VG30DETT.

The LS1 conversion seems to be getting popular as well, lots of possibilities, but not my taste.

The RB conversions have been done as well. RB25DET and the RB26DETT.

VH45DE... seen it done a few times. Pretty kewl.

Apart from that, not really much more than these.

I thought an SR20 dropped into a Z32 would be nice, but the Z32 would have to damn near gutted completely to take advantage of the full benefit of the quick revving/quick spooling SR20. Don't forget the lack of top end. It would probably only be competitive in drifting. But seems like to much trouble for end result.