Hypothetical J30 Build

[starscreamofnazareth]

I wanted to start a thread so that I could get some input on an idea I am considering soon. I am currently away from home and will be for another few months, but I have had some spare time to think about various automotive projects. I'm not very experienced with actual hands on modification of cars, but I have done a lot of research and have access to lots of tools and a few people with experience. I owned a 94' J30 for about 2 years and I loved that car. It had a good amount of power for an almost 20 year old car, and suited my needs perfectly. Sadly, I had to sell it when I left home. Now that I am working on getting myself established, I want to purchase another, this time to turn into a project car.

My goal is to get around 400 horse at the wheels, but be reliable enough to be a daily driver. I likely won't use it as a daily, but that's what I am aiming for. The options I have been looking at are engine swaps. The big 3 are VG30DETT, VH/VK45, and LS1/LS3. I know that any of these would need some modification to get that kind of number. I believe that I'd need to do some chassis/structure modifications so that the car could handle that kind of power.

The input I am looking for is mainly pros/cons of the different engines, what I would need to do on each one to reach the numbers I'm looking for, and which one would be the cheapest. I like the J so much because it doesn't seem like a car that people would do much modification to. It seems like a perfect sleeper for general hooning around. I dunno, the car just left a really big imprint on me and this project is one that seems fairly realistic to me. Thanks much.

[J30tChumpCar]

1 vote VH45de driveline complete then add a turbo

[J30inthe sun]

Around $7000 will get you an entire turn key 300zx twin turbo intercooled swap w/ @50k miles on it at Z-Fever Racing.

http://www.zfever.com/v1/

[nismo212]

Depends on how you want to invest your money man, you'll never end up getting it back. What your asking for is going to cost upwards of $10,000. Lets say you buy a 1993-1997 J30, 100+000 miles for $1500. MAYBE you'll be able to sell it after all that investment for $3000. Up to you. I'd save your money and get a newer car to invest that type of money in.