Interested in a Z31 VH45DE swap

[i r teh noobz]

I'm gathering ideas for a V8 swap into my 88 Z31 NA. I've read about the VH and its stock capabilities, so I'm very interested (and I get to keep it Nissan).

I've read through a few Z32 writeups, but my biggest question is this: how much different is the z31 from the z32? Will I still need to reverse the oil pan sump? Can the Z31 NA manual transmission be used? Does anyone make an adapter?

There is a '96 Q45 in my local junkyard with 150k on it. I can get the engine, bellhousing, harness, and mounts for about 300 bucks (flat rate yard). I've heard that the '96 isn't as good. Is it so much worse that I'm wasting my time, or will I just lose VVT and a few horsepower? Could I upgrade to different heads down the road? Is 150k too many for the VH (the car is wrecked)?

Another thought that I had was using the Q45 crossmember in my Z31, but I'm assuming its too much different or still won't clear the front sump. Could anyone confirm its dimensions?

[Stinky]

I'm working on a z31 vh45 swap at the moment. You should be able to use a z31 87-89 turbo trans with the adapter as they are basically a z32 trans. The oil pan will need to go rear sump unless you do major mods to the crossmember. Depending on how low you are willing to let the oil pan sit below the crossmember you might need to do something with the hood so you can raise the engine and get clearance for the pan. Alternator will fit in stock location if you notch the frame rail. Ac will not fit. Power steering pump wil probably need to be altered. Brake booster requires a slight modification to the valve cover assuming you keep the engine low enough to clear the stock hood (and dont mind the oil pan sticking down low). Manifolds will need to be modified or remade unless you dont mind trimming the framerails. I think thats about it. I'd suggest going with anythign pre96. The 96 uses different sensors and crap and if you need parts it wont be as easy to find in my opinion. 90-94s are always in the jy around here.

[i r teh noobz]

I'll look around for an older VH, but it might take a while. I have access to a good welder, so custom exhaust manifolds aren't a problem. Is there any hope of saving the stock gauge cluster (I love that 80's sports car look)? Do you have any pictures of your install thus far? Have you modified the pan yet? Could I build custom brackets for the stock AC and power steering? Is there any room for a turbo setup in the future? Did you buy a transmission adapter or make one? Does the stock intake clear the hood, or will I have to cut it? Do you know if the '96 harness is in any way compatible with an older motor? The one in pull-a-part is only 10 bucks, so I'd like to use it if possible.

I'm interested in any bits of info you can give me. I don't have a VH lying around to test fit, so I need to know as much as I can before buying an engine (money is a tad tight until I finish school). Pictures are worth a thousand words in a situation like this. Thank you and good luck with your swap!

[Stinky]

I will tell you this...if you don't have your own welder and lots of tools to do metal work I would suggest having a shop do the swap. It's far from a direct bolt in. I'll tell you about mine but no pics until it runs.

Stock intake manifold fits if you keep the engine low enough but then you run into oil pan depth issues. My solution is to go drysump which im still working out. Im also trying to keep the ac so I'm in the process of mounting a different compressor using a custom bracket to clear the crossmember enough to work. There is room for turbos behind each headlight if you do things right. I made a trans adapter but a mazworkz adapter should work just fine. gauge cluster should work but you'll need to figure out something with the tach. Dont bother with the 96 harness. They changed sensors and therefore connectors between years.

It's a tight fit and far from bolt in so be prepared to do plenty of fabrication.

[dr_boost]

I'm in the midst of gathering some info on this swap as well.It'll be done on my 84.My first big dilemma is whether to rebuild the Z32TT 5 speed transmission I have laying around, or to use the Z33 6 speed that my buddy is offering my for a decent price.Which is going to be a stronger unit?And any other shared info on doing this would be greatly appreciated.I'm a machinist that currently has some smaller equipment available to me for fabrication if need be so thats not a problem for me.

[Mettler]

Use the Z33 6 speed... they're pretty badass gearboxes.

[Carl H]

make sure its a 'newer' box...nissan has quite literally 7 different versions of that box.

[dr_boost]

Is the difference in the gear boxes denoted in part numbers on the boxes themselves?If so, which is the one(s) that I should be looking for.And are there any to be sure to avoid?One thing that I'm looking at in deciding this, is price efficiency.I have the Z32 transmission and the Z33 would cost me $700.If I could get the gear set and parts necessary to build the Z32 box stronger for around that price I'd be more apt to go that route with a Mazworx adapter kit.Which would also greatly decrease my time in getting the engine and transmission bolted up(flywheel, starter and all), allowing me to move on to bigger things like creating dual throttle body intake manifolds and working on R&D on a twin turbo setup.

My other question is...Does anybody know if the S13 engine mounts and the Z31 engine mounts are similar on the chassis side?Just pondering that S13's were KA's, Z31's were VG's and Hardbodies came with either or depending on what you bought.It would just be another time saver, if I could use/modify Mazworx mounts for use in my car.I e-mailed them and they have never checked into it.

[Carl H]

s chassis and z engine mounts are drastically different due to front and rear sump arrangement.find out where the z33 box came from, i wouldnt pay anything for a recalled one.

[dr_boost]

Ok.Thanks alot for the info.I'll go find out about that transmission and go from there.