87 300zx engine swap?
87 300zx engine swap?
What's up everyone? I'm new to the forum, and I am purchasing an '87 N/A manual Z31, and I'm wanting to get some more power out of it. I'm not wanting to swap to the VG30DETT because they seem to be hard to find parts for and they don't seem to have a lot of potential because of the weak aftermarket following. The swap I really want to do is a VQ35DE, but I can't find any information on the swap. Has anyone here done it before, and would it be extremely difficult?
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evildky
- Posts: 14225
- Joined: Sat Jan 31, 2004 9:23 pm
- Car: 71 Datsun 240ZT
87 Nissan 300ZX N/A-T
06 Nissan 350Z GT
Toyota Tundra TRD RW - Location: Louisville, KY
- Contact:
Re: 87 300zx engine swap?
Welcome to Nico!
You must be quite young if you think the VG30DETT has limited aftermarket and low potential. Not a swap worth doing imho but plenty of 500 whp z32's on stock bottom ends prove their potential on stock internals to be greater than the VQ35's stock internals. Sure the added displacement makes it easier to hit lofty hp goals but the VG30DETT starts with 2 turbo' intercoolers and all you need to make nearly 400 whp. The VQ35 after adding a turbo kit can get about there before the stock internals start breaking.
What would I suggest, VG30ET, it's the stock z31 engine so it bolts right in in place using all OE parts, better yet, sell the n/a and start with a turbo car, if you get an 87.5-89 you'll get the CLSD, the best LSD to come in any Z car from the factory period. Add an intercooler, ecu tune, intake and exhaust and you can get about 300 whp before you run out of turbo and injectors, upgrade the fuel and turbo and you can get around 400 whp before the head bolts and gaskets give way.
Can you swap a VQ in, sure, the VQ has been swapped into earlier Z cars, it's not easy, it's not cheap but it can and has been done, it's just not the easiest or cheapest way to make power in a Z31, or Z32 or any Z that didn't come with a VQ, and for the cost fo the swap you could just go buy a 350Z, turn the key and drive.
You must be quite young if you think the VG30DETT has limited aftermarket and low potential. Not a swap worth doing imho but plenty of 500 whp z32's on stock bottom ends prove their potential on stock internals to be greater than the VQ35's stock internals. Sure the added displacement makes it easier to hit lofty hp goals but the VG30DETT starts with 2 turbo' intercoolers and all you need to make nearly 400 whp. The VQ35 after adding a turbo kit can get about there before the stock internals start breaking.
What would I suggest, VG30ET, it's the stock z31 engine so it bolts right in in place using all OE parts, better yet, sell the n/a and start with a turbo car, if you get an 87.5-89 you'll get the CLSD, the best LSD to come in any Z car from the factory period. Add an intercooler, ecu tune, intake and exhaust and you can get about 300 whp before you run out of turbo and injectors, upgrade the fuel and turbo and you can get around 400 whp before the head bolts and gaskets give way.
Can you swap a VQ in, sure, the VQ has been swapped into earlier Z cars, it's not easy, it's not cheap but it can and has been done, it's just not the easiest or cheapest way to make power in a Z31, or Z32 or any Z that didn't come with a VQ, and for the cost fo the swap you could just go buy a 350Z, turn the key and drive.
Re: 87 300zx engine swap?
Thanks for the prompt response, and I'm 18 so good guess haha. I'm hesitant with the VG30DET only because I don't want to ruin the integrity of the engine with too much boost, so instead I kind of want to change out some of the internals. However, I can't find any internals other than OE parts. Selling this N/A is kind of out of the question for me, the record of it is too clean. Original paint is in perfect condition, no rust, and runs like a champ.
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evildky
- Posts: 14225
- Joined: Sat Jan 31, 2004 9:23 pm
- Car: 71 Datsun 240ZT
87 Nissan 300ZX N/A-T
06 Nissan 350Z GT
Toyota Tundra TRD RW - Location: Louisville, KY
- Contact:
Re: 87 300zx engine swap?
Just to clarify:
VG30E, your stock n/a engine
VG30ET, stock 84-89 Turbo motor
VG30DETT, stock engine from Z32 TT (90-96)
VG30DET is a single turbo variant that came in some japanese sedans
if you want power and you want to keep your car, I'd go VG30ET. You can either find a complete donor as this swap requires changing out the front subframe or get a turbo relocation pipe that usually means deleting the a/c. Add an intercooler, turn up the boost and you'll be amazed and how powerful 300 whp feels. If you still get the itch you can improve form there.
VG30E, your stock n/a engine
VG30ET, stock 84-89 Turbo motor
VG30DETT, stock engine from Z32 TT (90-96)
VG30DET is a single turbo variant that came in some japanese sedans
if you want power and you want to keep your car, I'd go VG30ET. You can either find a complete donor as this swap requires changing out the front subframe or get a turbo relocation pipe that usually means deleting the a/c. Add an intercooler, turn up the boost and you'll be amazed and how powerful 300 whp feels. If you still get the itch you can improve form there.