Help! VG30DETT into 240SX

[D2180SX]

Hi! I am helping a friend do a conversion for a VG30DETT into a 240SX. Anybody here know of someone or of a good "how-to" section on this conversion? The current engine is an SR20DET and before that, the KA24E.

Any help in this project on what to look out for, mod or splice in would be of great help! We have the VG30DETT and the current engine and peripherals is coming out this coming week.

[inthawind2]

nah i cant find nothin....it's a different kind of swap....i wanted to go for it but the guys at heavy throttle said it was gonna be very expensive and the motor weighted 2 much....if ur friend has the money maybe he should look into a RB motor...

[D2180SX]

We talked of it (RB swap), but he just wants to be different. Some guy in Australia has done it, and it's a crazy car. My friend doesn't car about the cost. It's nice to be able to think that way (wish I could).

[inthawind2]

hey then he should definetly go for it....i'd love to drive that beast 2.....wats he tryin 2 build a drifter, drag or autocross?

[AZ-ZBum]

If he needs a step-by-step instruction manual, then he probably shouldn't be doing it. The VG30DETT motors are a handful for even some Z32 owners to handle, and that motor was an option for their cars.

[D2180SX]

You are missing what I'm asking. I'm asking for anyone who has put the VG30DETT into the S13, not an opinion on who should or shouldn't do it. We're both competent mechanics with access to great tooling and fabricators. I'm here to ask if there is anybody who has done the swap correctly and what were the areas to look out for, etc.

[evildky]

well this is the z section so most likely noone here has done a S13 swap, honestly I'm not sure why you'd bother, I find the twin turbo to be much more expensive than just getting the power from a KA or SR or even the VG30ET, they can be had cheaper, have less plumbing and wiring and are all physically smaller adn easier to fit, you might try digging around the 240sx areas it's been done just not very much and I'm gonna say there is a reason

[D2180SX]

well this is the z section so most likely noone here has done a S13 swap, honestly I'm not sure why you'd bother, I find the twin turbo to be much more expensive than just getting the power from a KA or SR or even the VG30ET, they can be had cheaper, have less plumbing and wiring and are all physically smaller adn easier to fit, you might try digging around the 240sx areas it's been done just not very much and I'm gonna say there is a reason

We've already run through the KA and we currently have the SR (2nd engine) and now we want to do the VG30DETT for the sake of doing it. It's not the only car we own, for we have our daily drivers, drag and drift. We just want to do it. We already have a Miata with a VG30DET. Money is not a factor

Anyway, thanks for the input, and once we get things going, we'll be posting to show what we're running into, what had to be modded, costs associated, and with pictures, of course. Anybody who has any knowledge to impart- input is definitely appreciated.

[nsrZ32]

I don't think anybody on here has done it, and just ignore the people who feel the need to lend an opinion on what motor they think you should use rather than help. Some people need to sit on their hands.

I know the swap has been done in an s14 in the states as I have seen pictures of it around the internet over the years. It sat behind the cross member and gave amazing weight distribution. They also had to fab up custom turbo manifolds and move them in front of the shock towers. If I can find the pictures I'll post them up.

Either way good luck with it and keep us posted with pics and information.

[AZ-ZBum]

blah blah blah. All I hear is "I'm a whiney little..." never mind.

Try http://www.hybridz.org or http://www.twinturbo.net

But I still say that if you have to ask, you're out of your league. If you need step-by-step instructions for an obscure motor swap, you have no business attempting it.

I've seen the VG30DETT in a Z31, S130, S13, and a 510. In the case of the S130 guy, he said he'd never attempt it again.

[D2180SX]

Thanks for the encouragement, and since it seems like the scale is tipped in the direction of difficult, even better to do it and show it.

[D2180SX]

blah blah blah. All I hear is "I'm a whiney little..." never mind.

Try http://www.hybridz.org or http://www.twinturbo.net

But I still say that if you have to ask, you're out of your league. If you need step-by-step instructions for an obscure motor swap, you have no business attempting it.

I've seen the VG30DETT in a Z31, S130, S13, and a 510. In the case of the S130 guy, he said he'd never attempt it again.

You've missed the whole point of my question again. We know how to do a lot of things. I'm asking for pointers on what to look out for. The hard points. Apparently, you don't believe in sharing (you saw one in an S13?). Better yet, are you going off of group consensus or are you a person who has done it? So, reading your reply, this applies to anybody doing any engine swap, whether it be an SR into a former KA or an LS1 into a 300ZX, they have no business doing a swap if they have to ask for help. If people didn't need help, then why is it we have forums? To share info, if I'm not mistaken.

Thanks for the links, though.

[AZ-ZBum]

Meant S30.

What to watch for? Same thing as with any other motor swap. Make sure you have clearance for the steering column. Make sure you line the shifter up or can line the shifter up with the hole. Make sure you have adequate clearance for everything. Since you've done engine swaps before, you'll have exactly the same things to look out for.

The hard points is going to be getting all the wiring hooked up properly. I'm assuming you're going to be dropping a modified motor into the car, right?

And no. I haven't personally done the swap. But, if you read twinturbo.net, you'll find that anyone who buys an NA and wants to make it a TT is told to sell the NA and buy a TT as it's not worth the effort. How is that for concensus?

Share information? Okay. What part specifically are you stuck on? The more specific your question, the better the answer. The more vague your question, the more opinionated and open-ended the replies will be.

[D2180SX]

We have the DETT not an NA, and yes, that goes for SR20DE, as well.

Apologize is my thread started off as vague.

The current engine and drivetrain is getting taken out tonite. We have found out that we will need the J30 oil sump pan and will need to notch the current subframe. Since we'll be using the stock turbo configuration, we'll have to make a custom exhaust manifold to clear the steering column, as well as hide everything behind the firewall since space is very limited. I'm recommending Tilton and some other stuff from Pegasus Auto Racing for the aftermarket replacement pieces. For a transmission, we are using the ECR33 RB25DET 5 speed.

The goal is to retain all functional features, such as AC, power steering, heater. We've got some of the best artisans who can fabricate most anything from stock sheet metal and bar stock.

I'll keep you all posted with pictures and progress on this hybrid.

Again, I apologize for any vagueness, initially. I just want to make an active contribution to the community with this VG30DETT which will have a second life powering a car it was never intended for. Besides getting it in and running correctly, I want to do a tutorial on the project so that anybody in the future can do what we are about to do without the a$$-aches.

[evildky]

well if money isn't a factor you can pass some my way if you really want to do it I wonder abotu swapping the entire front subframe onto the s13 chassis? I have no idea how close they are diminsionally but I'd think it's be easier than fabing mounts and everything else needed, and it's gets you the Z32 lugs and brakes in one fell swoop

[D2180SX]

The Z32 front clip is wider than the S13. We want to retain the "flow" of the S13 chassis. Z32 front hubs and brake parts- we already have them on the car.

BUT, your idea of the Z32 front clip welded into the S13 mid-section is appealing for another project. Make it even tighter with swapping out the rear subframe with a Z32 or a GTR and doing a complete body makeover with wide-body S13. The rear chassis would be a tube frame. It would definitely look like a JGTCC car. Thanks for the suggestion!

[AZ-ZBum]

since you have both parts in front of you, measure frame widths and see if the subframe mounting holes are similar. I know the Z32 and S13 share a very similar design in suspension, so you might be able to use just the Z32 subframe and keep all the S13 control arms and other suspension components.

[D2180SX]

Thanx, bro! Yeah, Robbie S. has done some fantastic work with these two pieces. I noticed he hid everything on the S13 firewall, but left the S14 intact. Pretty nice work!

Thanx again!