240SX crossmember for Z32 swap??

[SeanDean]

I dont know a ton about the Z32 300ZX, but I think the front crossmember is one of the few that Nissan made for an engine to sit mostly behind the front axle line. I am wondering what you guys here with Z32 swaps have done for oil pan clearance.

I wanted to let you know that I am pretty sure the S13 and S14 crossmembers bolt right into the Z32 and I know for a fact that they fit the VH oil pan perfectly, just need mounts. Also a thought is that the J30 was available with a VH41DE and perhaps that crossmember would fit the Z32 better, especially because both cars originally have the VG30DE....


Modified by SeanDean at 8:25 PM 11/23/2007

[T45]

I didn't have access to a lot of parts or money so I made a pan from the Q and Z pans.

Took the rear of the VG and put it on the rear of the VH and then put the rear of the VH on the front. Cut out a piece for the pickup tube from the VG and put it in and then had to make a rear sump.

It was truly a pain in the *** and my welding is comparable to kindergarten finger painting but it worked beautifully. Take away the shoddy welds and it's perfect. It fits like factory around the rack and you won't be able to get the VH any lower in the Z without other mods. This also allows the transmission to be in the stock location so really the only mods I had to do was weld bellhousings, oil pan, pickup tube, motor mounts and exhaust.

[Carl H]

only issue i see with the xmember swap is the steering rack placement...altho ive not been under a z32 enough to know if this would affect it or not.

[mtcookson]

I think the main problem is the Z32 crossmember is too far forward. Even if the S13/14 crossmember would bolt it, the engine would have to sit pretty far forward in the engine bay to clear it.

I looked at trying to get the Q crossmember in and realized even if it bolted up, the location itself is all wrong.

I'm going to do a custom pan for mine.