My Engine swapped 86 300zx-t

[Kevin.A]

I found it in a field in PA. I swapped a RB20DET. It doesn't have a lot of mods yet. SS o2 housing with separate wastegate pipe3" SS turboback exhaust from certified mufflers w/ custom downpipemishimoto frontmount intercooler and radiatorplazmaman upper intake plenumBlitz blowoff

On order i have a haltech platinum 2000 ecuThis car is a daily, so the engine bay is really dirty. I've started compounding the bay, but have only done about 10% of the left side.

The first two where shot by me, with a cheap samsung phone, the rest where shot by a friend of mine, testing out his new really expensive canon powershot something... he's a professional photographer



I'm really interested in what people have to think.

[vitaminZ]

Nice car!, it must have been a PITA to integrate the digital dash with that engine.

oh and i like the DEPO headlights/ HIDS, it looks very aggressive

Andrew

[TheFilipino1]

Looks bad arse!

Ive got the same idea. I've got a 86 300zx 2+2 that I'm wanting to do the same exact swap.
If you dont mind I would love to know to know how you did it and what you needed to do and get and replace and upgrade.
I found an RB20DET for $1099 and it comes with Complete Assembled Engine Head and Block, intake manifold, exhaust manifold
coilpacks, ecu, wiring harness, turbo, fuel system, alternator, starter, power steering pump, ignitor, cam angle sensor, oem clutch and flywheel, RWD 5spd Transmission ( http://www.jdmenginedepot.com/jdm_engin ... line_GTS-T )

I also like what you did with the pods and would like to know how you installed them too.
Oh and the head lights look awsome, couldnt find those if I tried lol.

I know im asking a lot but i really interested in doing this swap.
thx!

[email protected] is my contact info

[Kevin.A]

ok, lets start.
This swap took me the better part of a year. I got the engine off a louse that owed me money, so i took his engine, but it came from JDM engine depot originally. Things to replace: The clutch, any sensors you can, the Igniter(BIG), z32 fuel filter.
There is a lot of fab work to put this into a z31. i made the engine mounts, the trans mounts, the downpipe, the intercooler(really just modified)
If you don't have an engine level, get a shop to put it in for you. you want as straight a line as you can get between the crank and the diff. everything level, so you don't snap things.

however, i'm a wiring guy, always have been, and i had to call in a friend who runs a shop(slidewayz motorsports) to help me work out some of the wiring. i moved things around in the engine bay.
I had to cut the front rad support out and make a bracket that goes across and holds the rad.(it's further foward allowing for more room between the engine and rad) and use a lowpro fan, and i still can't get the waterpump pull off without taking the rad out.

it's a hell of a lot of work, and it's far from finished. i just picked up parts today to make a real overflow bottle.

The gauges were easy, i took the a-piller off and used the "dash mount" kit to attach them. luckly the a-piller pad has a small sheet of steel in it so they are really secure.
the ones in the center, i wrapped in electrical tape until it was thick enough to shove in the hole and wouldn't fall threw, then i put a little more, and really gave it a good push so it's stuck.

the headlights came from http://www.norcalmr2.com but i have the parts to do a front kouki conversion, so i don't know how i'm going to do that., probably take it apart and try to fit them to the new bulbs.

Where about do you live?

Kevin A

[evildky]

just to clarify for the guy wanting to do the swap, these cars came from the factory with the rb 20 in japan, cutting out the core support is not necesarry

[Kevin.A]

i agree, but i cut it to make room for a bigger rad and ease of maintenance, i reinforced it a little more forward as to not loose structural integrity.

[TheFilipino1]

I'm from Abilene, TX Im an active duty member of the Air Force.
I have to admit, im not the most suave mechanic but doing an engine swap has always been something ive wanted to do myself (with a lil help). I also have a 240sx i want to drop a rb26dett into and i know that one will be a true build lol.

[DoctorRobert]

Not a big fan of those engine swaps as I have a soft spot for the VG30s, but man, that car looks sweet.

I love the guages, too. I wouldn't mind doing something like that, but I feel it might be a little silly in my stock '86 2+2...

[TheFilipino1]

What do you mean by sensors, cause there are many meanings for that.

[evildky]

VG30ET > RB

[1988montecarloss]

RIMS RIMS RIMS RIMS RIMS!

[AZ-ZBum]

RIMS RIMS RIMS RIMS RIMS!

I would think it would be easier to replace the whole wheel. The rims he has in the pictures are one piece and would require cutting and precision welding to replace just the rim.