How do I put VVT system into a 96 NA vg30de

[jimbear84]

I have a 91 300zx with a 96 engine. Is it possible to put the variable valve timing system into my 96 engine? If so, how do I do it? If not, should I just buy a 96 ecu?

[z32loverboy]

Well you have to swap cams, cam sprockets, buy the cylinoids that go on the back of the cams, get a wiring harness that has the plugs for the system. I think. You'll have to compare the part numbers on the FSM to find the differences between 95 when it had it and 96 when they got rid of it. It's a good bit of money and work so I would just get the ecu and sell the car for as much as you can and buy a OBDI earlier model (90-95).

[jimbear84]

I'll put it to you this way. I bought this car for $800 and I'm more than willing to drop another $1200-$1500 into it. My goal is to turn it into a stock showcar. Now, like I said previously, the car (ecu, wiring harness, and chassis) are all a '91. As a matter of fact, while I doing my investigations to figure out the wiring situation, I noticed I had 2 extra plugs and nowhere to plug them in. And tada, there are my vvt solenoid plugs. Now, I'm doing the majority of my shopping for parts on eBay. I've found almost everything as far as I know. My real concern is figuring out the finer details. Thank you for your response, by the way. I know now that I definitely need to look for the right camshafts. As for the sprockets, they look identical except for the spring (which I do not have) inside of the intake cam sprockets. Any more input would be greatly appreciated

[z32loverboy]

Yeah those springs and caps that go in the cams were what I was talking about with the sprockets. Just couldn't get the words out lol. Honestly if it was me, I would just buy the complete heads and swap the heads over. And while you're at it replace the knock sensor and harness, head gaskets, timing belt, idler pullys, idler pully studs, water pump and thermostat. But that's just my .02 cents. If you do just swap the cams, whatever you do... keep the cam caps in order, they're only supposed to go on one way.

[jimbear84]

If I can find complete heads cheaper than just the camshafts, I'll do that. And I've already got my mind set on doing the 120k mile maintenance, as well as replace the main and rod bearings. Maybe the Pistons too, depending on the amount of wear.

[NolimitZ32]

If you are getting that deep just do a full rebuild with OBDI bits, no point in going deep enough to replace the pistons and not spending the extra couple hundred to do the machine work.

[jimbear84]

Yeah. That's what I was thinking. Now I found some tt cams and sprockets for $150, is that safe?