1992 N/A AT Swap for TT MT

[magnus28]

Hi All,

I always had my heart set on a MT TT, but in my area even ones with 250k KM on the motor goes for $8-10k.

So I came across this deal, Guy wants $2,000 for a 1992 Black N/A AT with 242k km on the engine. He says it has always been well maintained, garage kept, just needs new tires to pass inspection...

It has power everything, 2+2 with T-tops, black paint (nice condition), no rust, Black leather and Suede Interior..

Don't know any more details about the car, haven't seen the car yet, but if it runs ok and checks out, i'll buy the car.

My plan is to buy a a VG30DETT and 5 speed transmission and pay mechanic to swap both.

here is a company that specializes in JDM parts and engines in my area.
The one I was looking at comes with both
http://ontario.kijiji.ca/c-cars-vehicle ... Z527667230.


I'm guessing I could get a mechanic to do the swap for maybe $1000?
I could probably get a buddy to help me rip the old one out, to save costs, but putting it all back together correctly, unfortunately would be beyond our means.

Please give me your honest opinons on what i'm about to do.

IMHO buying a car for $2000 (maybe get it down to $1500) and buying engine and transmission for $2000, and paying mechanic to do the swap is still WAY cheaper to buy one in my area that the body isn't have as good, rims are not as good, doesn't have t-tops or black+black exterior + leather interior. I'd rather pay 5k then 8-10k..

Cheers,

Mark

[nissanfreak12]

Oh my, you have the numbers all wrong. Yes you can get the car for 2k, yes you can get a motor for 2k, but no mechanic in his right mind would do the swap for 1k. It is very labor intensive. On top of that, there are things that MUST be replaced when doing the swap. Thats just for the JDM engine. NOw you need intercooler pipes, intercoolers, ECU, new driveshaft, etc.

I bought my car for $1600, I was also able to get a TT and 5speed for $1500. I got lucky, its a JDM engine, but all the seals were replaced, oil pump, and oil pan. After radiator, new turbos, and bits and pieces I needed to replace, I came out to about 5k just in parts to do the swap. Not including car and labor. I did all the work myself, but in my area the going rate for engine swap was over $2000.00. Thats as long as everything went smooth. Most people have a lot of issues with drive ability after the swap, one guy couldn't get it right for over 2 years.. I still question his abilities.

I know plenty of people to spend $10k+ on this swap, easily. Unless you have sentimental value with the car, just wait for the right TT Z that comes up. Especially since you might not be able to do the work, mechanics are expensive and these cars are like Women, EXPENSIVE!

Read this:

https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&rct=j&q ... 0103,d.aWc

[nissanfreak12]

I love the TT engine and the boost, but personally I wish I would have done the VH45de swap instead.

Just remember, you need to account for issues that come up. Even though the engine is originally in the car, doesn't mean its easy. Rule of thumb, double whatever you think it's going to cost to do the swap. In your case, $6k.

My honest opinion, get the car. Enjoy it if it is that clean, do upgrades to suspension, wheels, cosmetic, etc. If you really want to do the TT swap, do not upgrade anything on the engine unless you can use it on the TT engine. They are fun cars whether its TT or NA, 5 speed just more fun. TT, gonna get you in trouble, fast.

[magnus28]

thx for the reply Nissanfreak,

I asked the guy via e-mail if he was willing to take $1500 for the car, he told me " nah, go buy a rusty civic "

The Engine + transmission that i provided a link for comes with an ECU.
It is also compression tested and comes with full wiring harness.
I plan on using the original driveshaft and AFAIK between the engine that I will buy and the car that I buy, they should have most parts I need.

My Wife has given me $2500 to invest however I see fit however, There are no opportunities in my area to buy a decent shape 300 for under 5k, and a TT for under 8k

[itsa300zx]

the original DS will not fit. Ill bet the wiring harness you get will have LOTS of issues. As said above intercooler, piping, oil cooler rad, AC lines TT fuel pump will add up. Bottom line, if paying some one to do the swap, its not worth it.

[nissanfreak12]

thx for the reply Nissanfreak,
The Engine + transmission that i provided a link for comes with an ECU.
It is also compression tested and comes with full wiring harness.
I plan on using the original driveshaft and AFAIK between the engine that I will buy and the car that I buy, they should have most parts I need.

The ECU will work for the most part, but it is tuned for Japan. They use a higher octane and some other parameters that will cause issues in the long run. You will also need to tune the ECU due to the swap.

How did they check compression? I wouldn't trust those numbers from them, sometimes they add oil to the cylinders to bump up compression.

You will need a 5 speed driveshaft, NA 5 speed will work on the TT transmission. Auto driveshaft is a different length and different yoke.

You can use the NA wiring harness, for the TT swap. I wouldn't trust the JDM harness.

From experience, the following will need to be replaced once you get the engine;

Turbos
Oil pan
oil pump
injectors
120k timing kit
engine mounts

I can keep going but this alone will cost well over 2k. If you think you can do this as cheap as your thinking, I would highly suggest doing a reality check. These cars are expensive to maintain especially the TT, and doing it cheap, you are looking for nothing but problems in the future. Many of us have done this swap and it is ALWAYS more expensive than planning. You need to do research before looking into this project and with the sounds of it, a lot of research.

[nissanfreak12]

if paying some one to do the swap, its not worth it.

^^^^This right here.

[t.mcginley.jr]

I love the TT engine and the boost, but personally I wish I would have done the VH45de swap instead.

Already regretting your swap? lol

[magnus28]

Thx so much guys for providing me with a reality-check slap in the face!

I trust you all here - as fellow 300 enthusiasts, and trust me, your advise is well taken. That's why i'm here - to benefit from your blood,sweat, and tears...

I'm sure many of you know the painstaking, hard work that goes into an engine swap.

I was ready to jump on the car just for the black on black with leather, and the body alone... But I asked myself what are my absolute " must haves " with a 300?

-T-tops
-MT
-TT
-Leather interior
-1990-1996

Instead of dealing with the pain of swapping an engine AND transmission, i've elected to go with a MT, T-Top, and (eventually) swap the motor for a VG30DETT engine. Leather seats and panels can be bought whenever and installed...

One question I have though, How much HP can be gained from adding "bolt on" turbos? I'm not talking about the cheap ones, i'm talking about the $1000 ones you see on ebay that are designed for 300zx 1990-1996

like this one:

http://www.ebay.com/bhp/nissan-300zx-turbo-charger

[nissanfreak12]

Those $1000k are still cheap turbos. Do not get no name turbos. Check out shops like;

Conceptzperformance.com
Specialtyz.com
z1performance.com

Turbos can get very expensive, not only that you need to upgrade the ECU, injectors, intercoolers, etc.. One big advice I would give you, do not go cheap on anything with these cars. They are picky and very finicky. Turbo upgrades are easily $2500+

[nissanfreak12]

Jr., I love this engine and the car, I just have a lot of work to do to it still. I currently have the engine out because I snapped a bolt in the turbo housing for the downpipes. All I was trying to do was replace the O2 sensor, but the damn sensor was seized on, so I figured good time to replace with the better DP's I have. Yep, thats when I broke the bolt. Damn Rust.

Besides, I just love the way the VH's sound, especially what this guy did. Just listen to the exhaust tone. Pure sex.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w3hLQtXRAqU