A few more questions, if I may. =]

[Robstar]

1. Can the stock ECU with the VH41DE be useful with a manual transmission or will I have to get something else, I was told that it's useless because i'm converting auto to manual, what weight does that hold?

2. Would it be recommended to get the engine rebuilt when I get it? Due to the fact it is 10+ years old and most likely hasn't had a good clean before.

3. Mettler (If he reads the thread haha!), were you speaking quite literally when you said the only difference between the VH41DE and the VH45DE are the 400cc? Do the internals from the latter, just simply fit the VH41DE and that's an instant 400cc?

4. I see alot of intake manifolds being custom made, if I was to chase more power N/A or Turbo, does this mean I need to fabricate my own? Does the stock intake just not hold up?

If I have any more questions in the future, I'll just keep them in this thread, I know I'll probably have more and more when the engine arrives.

[craigztoyz]

ECU stands for Engine Control Unit. It controls the engine, yes a few wires go to Autotrans control unit, but yes the ecu is ok to use.

If the engine runs and does not smoke, then it is usable, but once you get onto it and run it, it may need rebuilt. Depends on the quality of your donor motor.

Mettler knows best, but from my research, the answer is no overall

Numerous people are using the stock intake w/boost. A stepup for better flow is to go custom, but you don't have to, untill you are pushing too much air for the flow characteristics of the intake. This intake is great for torque.

Good luck with your swap.

[Mettler]

Craigztoyz has answered most of your questions, but here's a couple of points:

3. Mettler (If he reads the thread haha!), were you speaking quite literally when you said the only difference between the VH41DE and the VH45DE are the 400cc? Do the internals from the latter, just simply fit the VH41DE and that's an instant 400cc?

Yes, you can literally slap the VH45DE crank and pistons into the VH41DE (rods are the same in both engines). This is what I've done with my build, pics of my bottom end rebuild available in a thread around here somewhere. However the motors are only identical internally, but have significant differences externally. These differences do not affect swapping the internals.

4. I see alot of intake manifolds being custom made, if I was to chase more power N/A or Turbo, does this mean I need to fabricate my own? Does the stock intake just not hold up?

The stock intake is pretty good for boosting torque mainly in the midrange RPMs. Tuned runner length & plenum volume lend themselves to helmholtz resonance effect.... Q45tech can tell you more. It's not really restrictive as such, and I'm pretty sure no one's done any actual testing that proves the manifold needs replacing. As far as I'm concerned, it's a mighty fine looking manifold and I'll be keeping it.

Oh also, the stock ECU is pretty good. You can desolder the eeprom and socket the board, romulate your ECU, write new maps, and burn chips for it. You only want to go aftermarket if you want to change to a MAP sensor and start adding crazy extra features to your motor... but if you just want to tune the fuel, spark, and VTC somewhat, the factory ECU will serve your needs fine.

[gianavel]

4. I see alot of intake manifolds being custom made, if I was to chase more power N/A or Turbo, does this mean I need to fabricate my own? Does the stock intake just not hold up?

I think the real reason behind a lot of custom intakes, speaking in regards to twin turbo set ups, is that it is an ease of plumbing. Two turbos, two TBs, two plenums (a'la R390 etc). But I agree with Mettler, they look good standard they flow probably better than they look. Nissan spent big bucks on their VH baby, I don't think they would have got up to the heads finished them said that will do for an intake let's knock off early. I would really like to see a flow test done on them too.

Unless you are going twin turbo or really want to go ITBs then don't worry about it.

The only reason I am going twin plenum/ TBs is the twin turbo thing. And there is a lot of work in them too. I've just started ours (got one set up sold already so I have to) and they are more complex than you think. By the time you've got a prototype sorted with injector mounts (and rails sorted to fit as well) and cross over runners to keep them low in the block, and choose a couple of good throttle bodies too. We now have to get them flow tested to make sure we haven't created a bottle neck etc etc.... It adds up in dollars and time. Throw the cost of the carbon fibre in there and it ain't cheap!

So long story slightly shorted, run it as is unless you have a plumbing issue or a lot of time on your hands and dollars in the pocket

On a side note Mettler (mild hijacking warning) I haven't forgotten the ECUs I promised you either!

[Mettler]

On a side note Mettler (mild hijacking warning) I haven't forgotten the ECUs I promised you either!

Awesome man! Any pics of progress on those two projects ?

[gianavel]

Awesome man! Any pics of progress on those two projects ?

Photos wise, we only have three dummied motors in engine bays at the moment.Having said that the two cars that I am doing have their motors all fitted. Engine mounts made, sub frames modified to accept the VH and her larger front diff. Gear box adaptor done to accept the RB boxes.

We are working now on;-Front drive shafts-Compatible wheel speed sensors to keep the Attessa happy-Exhaust manifolds-Turbo mounting, and all associated plumbing etc.So as you can see we have a lot of work going on in the bottom half of the motor first!The Intake plenums will be a slow a steady job as a mould for these babies has to be good. The moulds will owe me an easy five figures by the time they are done so I can't afford a lemon!

The main points to sort out are;-Flow, lots of it and even-TB size, a lot of guys want big monster ones, that's fine for a Dyno comp motor but if you want to put it on the track and have a linear form of power delivery then stay sensible. So the problem we have here is to build a mould that can do a number of sized TBs.-Cross over design, complex, but needs to be done to keep it low in the vee of the block, so as to keep a lower profile and have any chance of a decent bonnet line.

When we have something to show you'll see it!