Ok, so as title sudjests, im entertaining the ideas of different engine swaps when my car is completely paid off, and natually i want travel a road least travelled, as i am wanting to swap to a honda J32A2, or A3 or possibly one of the J35s or even a J37. Only reason i entertain these is 1, fuel economy 2, much more out of the box power, 3, parts availability, 4 much more reliabilty, 5 of course is unique factor.
Now my question is, what are things i would need other then the engine, and harness bear in mind the lady will be getting a massive update (obd1 to obd2), and the car engine would be mainly stock, probably basic upgrades (next size up injectors[for the engine], intake mod, upgraded rad, headers/full exhaust, light weight pulley and flywheel.) I also would like to keep the z32 trans, possibly update it to a later model one. Im guessing engine custom mounts and bell adapter plate, but what else?
Engine swap ideas
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z.Leinbach
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DCaff300ZX
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1993 CRP TT- Modified - Location: Tacoma, Washington
Re: Engine swap ideas
Wow Zach, you sure are an ambitious one!
My best suggestion is looking up various builds and swaps looking for as much info as possible these people may share or did share in build threads, along with possibly trying to contact anyone interesting for more input.
Each swap and build is unique and honestly, yours are far up the ladder on the difficulty and cost factor which adds $$$$$, and often for that person to already have enough prior experience with other swaps and projects to be able to see their way through that type of project given the fab and modifications often necessary to suspension, mounts and frame, cooling, fuel, ECU, etc. Generic answers to your question really aren't possible here in this type of environment given the plethora of possibilities plus the semi-known cost factor, plus the reality factor.
My best suggestion is looking up various builds and swaps looking for as much info as possible these people may share or did share in build threads, along with possibly trying to contact anyone interesting for more input.
Each swap and build is unique and honestly, yours are far up the ladder on the difficulty and cost factor which adds $$$$$, and often for that person to already have enough prior experience with other swaps and projects to be able to see their way through that type of project given the fab and modifications often necessary to suspension, mounts and frame, cooling, fuel, ECU, etc. Generic answers to your question really aren't possible here in this type of environment given the plethora of possibilities plus the semi-known cost factor, plus the reality factor.
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z.Leinbach
- Posts: 504
- Joined: Thu Aug 06, 2015 10:08 pm
- Car: 1990 Nissan 300ZX NA T-top
- Location: Kennewick, Wa
- Contact:
Re: Engine swap ideas
Haha fair point, maybe a far stretch. A vq37hr with that vvel lol even that's a super far stretch.. Ill probably try and coax more mpgs and power out of my engine and her miles that she is at
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DCaff300ZX
- Posts: 4202
- Joined: Sun Jun 14, 2009 8:18 am
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1993 CRP TT- Modified - Location: Tacoma, Washington
Re: Engine swap ideas
It's kind of one of those tough things where the best-working options become the most common, and therefore less interesting so people keep looking for something different...and I was/am one of those as well.
My original wish was a simpler RB swap but even that is pretty elaborate in a Z32 without an RB donor car and being able to do much/most of the work yourself. My Z guy quoted me around 20k for a complete and higher end swap (engine refresh/power add, all details) and less depending upon how much I could bring to the table in parts, etc. I also had a woodie for a VK V8 but the engine height and other factors made that pretty much a no-do unless wanting a cut up hotrod basically, like those VQ swaps and the infamous SB Chev mashup with the snorkel out the front. I still would love to do something with my NA, even thinking of electric power for the too-near future when we can't afford or use gas.
However, I can tell you though that after the recent refresh and upgrade of my TT it's more than enough for me, and with plenty more room for powah if I was so inclined (read have lots of extra $$$$ to throw at it for a 100 or more HP) and really, I haven't found a way yet to even open it up to it's current potential. Too much traffic usually, and even open roads you come upon others far more quickly with 400+ to play with than you realize, and makes it not much fun having to jack your speed around and play it cool so often.
So my advice would be to find a TT block and maybe even donor car for swap help and start refreshing the motor, and be looking for budget-conscious buys from people parting out their wrecked projects or even liquidating them as I've seen here and there on craigslist. I was able to save a ton on my turbos and a few other high-cost items through my Z guy as well, but still the whole thing went north of 10K quickly unless you can do it all yourself and even then plan on 6-7 easy, if you want as you should to build something that lasts for your time, money, and efforts.
My original wish was a simpler RB swap but even that is pretty elaborate in a Z32 without an RB donor car and being able to do much/most of the work yourself. My Z guy quoted me around 20k for a complete and higher end swap (engine refresh/power add, all details) and less depending upon how much I could bring to the table in parts, etc. I also had a woodie for a VK V8 but the engine height and other factors made that pretty much a no-do unless wanting a cut up hotrod basically, like those VQ swaps and the infamous SB Chev mashup with the snorkel out the front. I still would love to do something with my NA, even thinking of electric power for the too-near future when we can't afford or use gas.
However, I can tell you though that after the recent refresh and upgrade of my TT it's more than enough for me, and with plenty more room for powah if I was so inclined (read have lots of extra $$$$ to throw at it for a 100 or more HP) and really, I haven't found a way yet to even open it up to it's current potential. Too much traffic usually, and even open roads you come upon others far more quickly with 400+ to play with than you realize, and makes it not much fun having to jack your speed around and play it cool so often.
So my advice would be to find a TT block and maybe even donor car for swap help and start refreshing the motor, and be looking for budget-conscious buys from people parting out their wrecked projects or even liquidating them as I've seen here and there on craigslist. I was able to save a ton on my turbos and a few other high-cost items through my Z guy as well, but still the whole thing went north of 10K quickly unless you can do it all yourself and even then plan on 6-7 easy, if you want as you should to build something that lasts for your time, money, and efforts.