How ready would you be to swap in a VQ if more info was public, and cheap kits.

[irax]

Before I really invest money and make a solid business plan I want to know a few things. If the mounts were available to install a VQ30 or VQ35DE into your 240sx and the wiring information was readily available would you purchase it? No core charge, no k-member exchange, using factory motor mount bushings that you can buy at nissan with out having to wait for over seas shipping and a reliable source of information. With prices of good KA's on the rise and SR20DET's are illegal (not interested if your state doesn't care, it is a federal illegal motor) and people getting popped left and right. And If you guys can post any feed back I would really appreciate it. With the prices of VQ just dropping like the stock market and the cost of KA's just doing nothing but rising. If costs are not a factor, then what is ?

[irax]

Please give me any kind of feed back about the idea of doing the VQ swap.

[simmode1]

I would love to drop in a high compression VQ35DE with Nismo cams extrudabody ITB's like 110Octane's and try to get as close to 300hp+ as possible.

But if the cost is in the ballpark of the higher performing and arguably easier LS1 swap , I can't really justify doing it. That's my make or break. It's got to be relatively simple & cost far less than a v8 swap, since it seems like no one who ever starts a VQ swap ever finishes it...

Am I anywhere near ready to pony up and play? Hells nah! But good luck to ya! I'd love to see even more options up for our cars.

[scheffler]

Yeah this would have to be a relatively ez swap. I think that the reason most people don't finish there swap is because it becomes really complicated and the cost is fairly comparable to the LS1/V8 swap and with that swap you get more for you buck. The big thing will be bang for you buck. If it cost as much as a V8 or a RB26 swap then i would take either one over the VQ, but if it is as much as a SR and as simple to do as a SR swap maybe a little more complicated then i think more people would consider it.

[leesredgt]

I would personally rather keep my RB and take my chances with the POPO.

Just my opinion.If i was gonna do another swap it would be a LS1.

[1unar3clipse]

Legality is the major factor for me.

It would greatly catch my interest if the swap was legal and smog-able, CARB is a b****.

[heartofaskyline]

I would personally rather keep my RB and take my chances with the POPO.

Just my opinion.If i was gonna do another swap it would be a LS1.

word! if i ever get rid of my sr, im going turbo ls1

[wantz87]

i agree with 1unar3clipse. the only swap that is close to legal here in cali is the vg/vq. the ref doesn't allow cross brand swaps and they have to be american produced motor. i love the idea of a price efficient vq swap, and soon as i have the cash this is totally going in my car.

[Salem240]

I love the linear power and sound of the VQ. I sooo want to do this swap but don't have the funds yet. I just couldn't shove a chevy motor in my 240 even if it has more power. My 2nd choice of course would be going RB. Other than just sticking to KA-T, I would do an SR.

[heartofaskyline]

I just couldn't shove a chevy motor in my 240 even if it has more power. My 2nd choice of course would be going RB.

im sorry, but you cant beat the power to weight ratio of an ls1. who cares if its a chevy motor

[wantz87]

in cali its not only about power to weight, there's that little bastard called california smog check. frosty the snowman has a better chance in the sahara then an ls1 in a nissan passing smog.

[heartofaskyline]

^^umm... neither of us live in cali

[wantz87]

granted but most states are getting ready to move over to the same standards as cali for gov't money. pretty soon all state are going to have the same standards

[Salem240]

im sorry, but you cant beat the power to weight ratio of an ls1. who cares if its a chevy motor

UMMM.... .... I do. I'm not concerned enough about having a little extra na horses to put a chevy motor in my twoforty .

[Ghast]

Personally i do not care for brand to brand swaps. I like nissan with nissan, honda with honda, chevy with chevy. That being said, i can still respect the time, money, and effort put into projects such as them.

I have never seen a VQ in a 240(that actually runs)..... so i don't what to expect nor know how cool or not cool it may be.

Starting up a business right now is going to be hard, best of luck.

One Love,

Ghasty

[heartofaskyline]

UMMM.... .... I do. I'm not concerned enough about having a little extra na horses to put a chevy motor in my twoforty .

umm... try more like double the horsepower. plus its lighter

[Salem240]

umm... try more like double the horsepower. plus its lighter

350hp/360tq=LS1300hp/260tq=VQ35

More powa yes. Double.....no

Im not saying that I would never do a cross brand swap, or respect it beeing done. Right now I just dont think its that important for my car to have that kind of a swap.

[heartofaskyline]

350hp/360tq=LS1300hp/260tq=VQ35

More powa yes. Double.....no

Im not saying that I would never do a cross brand swap, or respect it beeing done. Right now I just dont think its that important for my car to have that kind of a swap.

meant more power than a ka. my bad.

[RustspecS13]

Im doing a VQ35 swap in my clean 240 shell this year, taking it slow and doing it right, and fabbing all the parts my self. Then later once its sorted I want my daily 240 to have VQ30 or 35 in it as well, just stockish. I really think I can get a solid 30-35mpg with a q45 ring and pinion.

One of my goals was to consolidate alot of the info thats out there. One negative and yet positive is theres so many ways you can go with the management. Standalone, VQ30 ecu, FWD VQ35 ecu, RWD VQ35 ecu, all good options and mean totally different results.

All in all though, the demand will go up once more people finish their swaps and more info becomes common.

~Alex

[sancosys]

i agree with 1unar3clipse. the only swap that is close to legal here in cali is the vg/vq. the ref doesn't allow cross brand swaps and they have to be american produced motor. i love the idea of a price efficient vq swap, and soon as i have the cash this is totally going in my car.

Hey not to be rude but get your facts straight before you start posting them. You most certainly can cross brand engines to vehicle and have it legally done. No tricks, no gimmicks. You just have to know the laws and whats correct. Trust me on this...There is a reason that I have the person that runs the program on speed dial.

Aaron

[irax]

please leave the LS1 talk out of my thread, if you never want to swap in an VQ35 then just check the "not interested in swaping in a VQ35" and go on your way please.

[simmode1]

One negative and yet positive is theres so many ways you can go with the management. Standalone, VQ30 ecu, FWD VQ35 ecu, RWD VQ35 ecu, all good options and mean totally different results.

~Alex

I have heard, and this is a big issue for me, that using a standalone management system will disable the motor's variable valve timing system, robbing both power and gas mileage. Almost makes the swap pointless.

I heard that if you send a '96 Maxima ecu to JWT, they will reflash it so that your vq swap retains full functionality. This is the only way to go IMO.

Now, I could be wrong about this, but this is what I mean about more info needing to be more readily available...

[hungryjoseph]

the motor will have competition with the vh45 swap, and the advantged of the vq35 will be its age and weight. and not having to pull apart the transmission.

[irax]

I have heard, and this is a big issue for me, that using a standalone management system will disable the motor's variable valve timing system, robbing both power and gas mileage. Almost makes the swap pointless.

I heard that if you send a '96 Maxima ecu to JWT, they will reflash it so that your vq swap retains full functionality. This is the only way to go IMO.

Now, I could be wrong about this, but this is what I mean about more info needing to be more readily available...

new standalones out there can take advantage of 100% stock componants. It is kind of silly to modify the VQ30DE-K ecu to think its a VQ35DE ecu. Its like using your Super NES to emulate your Wii games..

[Onizuka]

In my mind, the only thing that will make the VQ35DE a viable swap replacement for the SR20/CA18/RB20/RB25/turbo-ing the KA24 are three primary criteria. One, no modification to chassis or crossmember, you already addressed this. Two, piping solutions; available exhaust and intake kits would go a very long way. Three, wiring: There are mail-in wiring services available for a range of motorswaps in the nissan family except the VQ swap.

Basically, it has to be an affordable, bolt-in affair or it will be a difficult to compete with the other swaps.

[irax]

well number one and two are not going to be a problem. Number three won't be a problem as all the information i have accrued will be shared for free.

[DMan II-40]

One, no modification to chassis or crossmember, you already addressed this. Two, piping solutions; available exhaust and intake kits would go a very long way. Three, wiring: There are mail-in wiring services available for a range of motorswaps in the nissan family except the VQ swap.

One: Agreed.Two: Not really that important. Exhaust shops can do almost anything.Three: Agreed+Four: Already stated, but that is engine management.

[wantz87]

i wanna know about the ballpark price you are thinking for the kit.

[TheFallOfJeffrey]

If I had the funds to do it, I would in a heart beat. I think it would be aweosme to do beause so many people don't finish it. It would be really cool to have one that was completed and runs.

I agree, figure out a ball park price for your kit and everything.

[burntricer]

i agree, the possibilities are there, but really if you have to buy the motor, plus a swap kit, the market is very limited

i mean, i cant rationailise buying a motor, swap kit, and wiring serivce....i personally would stick with the sr, for ease of swap, ease of power etc...