Help me make the decision

[Chris859]

Ok, This summer/fall I plan to be doing a major swap on my s13. I have been flip-flopping on the decision of which engine to go with, and figured I would take a vote to see what others opinions are. This isn't a which engine will fit better thread, Which one is cheaper or chevy vs ford comparison... just a simple which one would you choose to see done thread. They all really involve the same (pretty involved) modifications to make them fit - All of which I can do. When it happens I plan to fully document the whole process, and possibly go as far as a complete step by step write-up. I have a couple 302 blocks laying around that are waiting to be built, as well as some other misc mustang stuff to aid in the 302 swap... Where as I will have to actually buy the vg30, or 1jz(A few people owe me some decent cash, so ill pay for most of this swap with that)... Anyways, Thanks for taking the time to read this and vote!

[elwesso]

VH45DE

[Swedish Mike]

VH45DE

Agree, and some boost later on.

[Mr1der]

carbed 302 would probably be the cheapest and more than likely easiest.

cheapest power too.

[Chris859]

Quite a while back I was pondering going the vh45de route... The main reason I got out of that idea is mainly the fact that they only came with auto transmissions - and if you want a manual you have to fork out about what the whole engine is worth to get an adapter to mount a z32 trans. It still isn't out of the question though.

To anyone suggesting the vh45de - I have known of a few up and running in S chassis cars... Has anyone heard anything as to what sort of boost they can handle on stock internals? Or what the weak spots are? Any predictions/knowledge on how much power the auto transmission can handle? When I was still interested in going the vh45de route, I started getting quite interested in a supercharged setup (such as a mustang cobra 4.6l blower, they make 390hp stock).

I dont mind reading, so if anyone knows a good site for vh45de tech info/specs, etc... post it!

[rh4motorsports]

LS13? haha it's a nice swap.

[WDRacing]

There are a ton of FI 5.0's lying around. So FI isn't very hard to stick with, if you want stupid easy then obviously carb is the way to go. It really comes down to preference, there are literally a sh1t ton of people making tons of power with both combo's.

The 350 is also a cheap and viable option.

Another less used ption is the 4.6 mod motor. Only use the one from a Cobra or Lincoln MK VIII so the block is aluminum. They have been shown to handle 800whp on all stock internals in boosted form.

WD

[JustinStrife]

LS1 or LT1 would be my choice.

Or an old ford 302 with a Vortech Supercharger. My buddy use to own a 5.0 mustang with one that ran 9's in the 1/4.

[rh4motorsports]

i think the only issue with going iron block is the fact that it's pretty heavy. the ls1 with t56 combo comes out to be the same weight as the ka. so an iron block like and lt1 or sb, would be a bit over. unless your dragging, then i suppose it wouldn't matter as much but it will hinder the handling significantly. that's kinda why I went ls1.

that 4.6 block sounds nice in alluminum though. i wouldn't go carb either, just go fi. it'll be way easier for you in the long run, especailly if you don't know much about carbs, can be tricky when going on trips, with elevation changes and whatnot, at least fi can adjust itself once setup right. yeah that's just my thoughts...

[mtcookson]

Out of the list, my vote goes for the VG... however, it would be for the VG30ET. I love those VG's.

A VH would definitely be cool too and there is someone doing another adapter plate now that is quite a bit cheaper than John Dixon's adapter plate (mostly because of being in GB) but this new one also doesn't space the transmission out, which would be nice.

As for domestic engines, my personal choice would be an LS1 with a T56, but that would definitely be costly.

[WDRacing]

Out of the list, my vote goes for the VG... however, it would be for the VG30ET. I love those VG's.

A VH would definitely be cool too and there is someone doing another adapter plate now that is quite a bit cheaper than John Dixon's adapter plate (mostly because of being in GB) but this new one also doesn't space the transmission out, which would be nice.

As for domestic engines, my personal choice would be an LS1 with a T56, but that would definitely be costly.

Has to be a non nissan/infinity motor fruity. We all know you're a VG nut...why I have no idea...lol.

[Mr1der]

I'd imagine sticking in a DOHC 4.6 would be much like a VH...big freakin' motors.

though one with a Kenne Belle rotor SC in a 240 would make my pants mucho tight.

and I honestly don't like the idea of V8 240's...can't argue the performance of them though. It's the oldest hot rodder trick known to man.

[WDRacing]

I love the idea of wedging in the most cubes possible into a light weight platform. But I like the old school myself. A prostock looking S14 is my goal. Basically the fastest snow plow in the world

[Mr1der]

I think you need a 400 small block or a 383 stroker with an 8-71 on it.

[WDRacing]

Think rat motor on boost and you'll be close

[harangatang]

VH45DE

+1!!!!

go to google videos and search for vh45de. freakin sweet. weighs less then a fully dressed SR!! (my sr was 600 lbs, the vh45de is 450lbs!!) and like 400whp stock.

[mtcookson]

Has to be a non nissan/infinity motor fruity. We all know you're a VG nut...why I have no idea...lol.

Hey now, he had the VG option in his poll and I consider a hybrid any non-stock engine.

VG's are one of Nissan's best. The Electramotive GTP race car had a VG30ET that was making upwards of 1200 hp in qualifying trim and over 900 during race, stock block and head castings with custom internals. I believe the highest power I've seen in a stock internal VG30ET was 700 hp. Not likely to last very long but very impressive. I know of numerous guys making 400 and 500 whp on stock internals though, some driving daily. :biggin

[Chris859]

Thanks for all the replies! How about more info about this new adapter plate for the vh? Who, where, when, and the big question - how much?

[mtcookson]

Adapter plate - about half way down zerothread/235624

[harangatang]

how much you ask? I went to a junkyard a few weeks back, and they had a vh45de on a pallatte, asked him ho much and he said like $800. Fully dressed block. so Im sure you can find them for relatively low prices.

[cnichols]

...and like 400whp stock.

Nope...try about 250-280 rwhp unless there's some mods and it's going through a manual...then you MIGHT eek out 300.

[elwesso]

guy who has the VH in S14 is running 275 WHP out of his, only mods is headers and exhaust (which you have to make or modify headers to fit it in the car). No ECU, stock motor pulled right out of a Q.

OH yea, and the motor has 225k miles.

[cnichols]

If you plan on staying N/A, it would be better to avoid the VH/VK due to the small aftermarket support.

A small block Ford/ LS1 will give you numerous head/cam/intake options that will easily outpower the VH/VK series.

I'm not saying the VH isn't a great motor because it is...but unless you want to have damn near everything custom made from scratch, stay with the domestic V8s. They will also fit a little better and be easier to work on with the extra space. I'm also not a big fan of cutting my hood. The LS1 doesn't even require you to notch your hood.

Somebody correct me if I'm wrong about the VH aftermarket.

[Joe]

If you plan on staying N/A, it would be better to avoid the VH/VK due to the small aftermarket support.

and theres the exact reason the VH/VK swaps are impractical.

[WDRacing]

If I could, I'd drop the VH right into my S14...but the aftermarket IS scarce. I love the VH45. Any DOHC V8 that will turn to 7500 all day everyday is simply a kickass motor. But the transmission has no support, the motor has no support and the pricing for a motorset is actually comparable last I checked...

[cnichols]

If I could, I'd drop the VH right into my S14...but the aftermarket IS scarce. I love the VH45. Any DOHC V8 that will turn to 7500 all day everyday is simply a kickass motor. But the transmission has no support, the motor has no support and the pricing for a motorset is actually comparable last I checked...

You could always destroke an LS7 and rev it to 8K all day everyday.

[Joe]

if anyone destrokes a ls7 just to rev to 8k ill personally go to their house and kick them in the testicles.

rpm does not equal horsepower.

[cnichols]

Katech actually sells it as a motor option. I don't know...

I've given this some thought. When you think about it being in a light chassis like the S14, putting down the power becomes an issue above 400 rwhp I'm guessing. I have a hard enough time planting 312/325 w/ 275mm Drag Radials.

So, you want to move the torque curve upwards in the RPM range so it's easier to plant down low. Let's be honest, this motor makes so much damn torque everywhere, you'll never go too low to where you can't get out of the hole.

Say you could rev to 8K though and put in a 4.36 or even 4.63 gear....I think it would be a pretty neat combination. Still have 346 or so cubic inches putting down 500 or so hp, but you can use that gearing, still plant, and carry it out much longer before shifting. For the street, it would be a tough combination to beat. With a 100 shot of nitrous, I don't think anything would ever be able to get the jump on you.

[WDRacing]

.

rpm does not equal horsepower.

Actually it does...just not as much of a gain as increasing the displacement. But both points are mute if you add boost.

[cnichols]

Actually it does....

+1

...just not as much of a gain as increasing the displacement. But both points are mute if you add boost

I'd take a 500 N/A hp + 100 shot car w/ gears revving to 8K over a boosted 600 hp car revving to 6500 ANY day given the same chassis/suspension/tires. The nitrous car would get the jump everytime and hold it.

Shall we set it up? Get you an LSx motor and let's do the damn thang.