Jdm Engine Swap

[Chris_himself]

Hey, whats happenin guys. I am new here so i am just getting a feel for all the people in this forum. everyone seems pretty cool so far.Anyways im gonna get straight to the point. about 2 and a half months ago i picked up my NA 300 z from my aunt in vegas. it has lots of little things wrong with it. but it is just one of my project cars. i was coming home on my lunch break the other day and i had noticed the belts were squeaking. i knew the power steering pump was going bad so i thought it was just that and planned to change it the next day. when i got out i noticed some smoke coming from under the hood. when i opened the hood it smelled like coolant and it was coming from under the throttle cable cover...or that general area at least. so i dont think its coming from the radiator. i checked the oil and the color was still normal. also i heard a hissing comming from somewhere in there. Does this sound like a blown head gasket or what? i got one of the head gasket teters from my co-worker....but its a little difficult to judge the results. well anyway this engine and transmission have been giving me problems. so i was thinking about buying the vg30. Are there any differences between the JDM and USDM engines....and would it be difficult to make it Smog legal? Thanks guys i appreciate any input.

[nsrZ32]

If you want to just install another Non-turbo engine its not going to be any problem swapping in or smogging a JDM motor.

If you want to swap in the VG30DETT (twin turbo motor) its a lot more involved. Its been covered a lot of times on here, and I really need to make a sticky tread that gives all the info, but if you search you'll find a list of what is needed. Best bet if going TT is to buy a front clip.

Anyway, welcome to NICO and post up some pictures of your Z

[freakonaleash1187]

There really isn't any difference between the USDM VG and the JDM VG, the only major difference is that the JDM VG30DETT had smaller turbos than the USDM VG30DETT. But if you are going to just swap in another N/A motor, like nsr said, you shouldn't have any problems.

Welcome and thank you for restoring another Z.

[Chris_himself]

Thanks Guys. i guess ill will probably just go with the normally aspirated.

[DustinZ]

The JDM has the same sized turbos as the USDM. The auto TT's have smaller Turbos. What you have going on with your car are some of the coolant lines that feed the throttle bodies are bad. You will have to remove the upper intake to change them. If you are not a very skilled mechanic then I would shy away from this job. If you take it to a shop to do then normal labor hours should be about 6. That means you should pay about 350 +/- for the labor and 7.99 for a new gasket from nissan plus the price of new hoses and clamps. The hoses are a small diameter 3/8"? I think. Let me know if I can help. My email is [email protected]

DustinZ

[Q45tech]

Gotta be careful about $60 Alabama labor quotes vs California $100/hr...even Atlanta is $85 now.

[freakonaleash1187]

The JDM has the same sized turbos as the USDM. The auto TT's have smaller Turbos.

Where have you heard this? I have always been told by other Z enthusiast on 3ZC that the JDM TT's have smaller turbos than the USDM TT's, which is why when somebody wants to do a TT swap on their N/A, they try and find a wreckd USDM Z instead of importing a JDM TT front clip.

[phanatikz32]

I really need to make a sticky tread that gives all the info. Best bet if going TT is to buy a front clip.

the sooner you make that sticky tead the better im also looking for that information!

also what is included in a front clip, ive heard ecu engine transmission, turbos, side mounts, and turbo manifolds, but ive also heard that a front clip is the entire front end of the car cut just behind the dash....? im confused!

[freakonaleash1187]

A front clip IS the entire front end of the car. They just literally cut off the front of a wrecked Z and ship it to you. Sometimes it includes headlights, sometimes it includes a dash, it all depends.

[evildky]

I wouldn't rush into an engine swap, there is a coolant tube that goes under the intake, you could have a simple leak, you need to determine the actual problem before you start throwing parts at it