my infiniti has suspension problems

[branba]

what i mean is the m30 sucks. when i bought this car it had on like 92k on it oh did i mention that i got it for like $600 usd. my thing is that all for of the shocks are blown and the thing rides like piss because of it. i want to take the vg30e out of the sob cause in my opinion it goes like crazy and i have fun driving it got relatively low miles too. what kind of options do i have as far as engine transplants. give it to me straight i know most of you dont really like the non turbo vg30 but hell its all i got and i like it what types of cars are out there that will take this engine relatively easily.

branba

[nchopp]

Uhh... I'm not real sure what your question is. Are you asking what the best engine to swap into the M30 would be?

[NY94J30]

What you mean is your M30 sucks. Rehab the suspension. It's cheaper and easier than an engine swap.

[nchopp]

And an engine swap won't exactly do much for your suspension problems...

[PBfrEAk]

From what I read I think he wants to junk the M30 and put the VG into another car....but please...no. (unless you get an s12)

Just throw new suspension on the M30...it will be much more fun.

Then turbo the VG!!!

[Dittoz7]

And an engine swap won't exactly do much for your suspension problems...

[branba]

no im wondering what i can do with the vg30e that is in the crappy m30 as far as transplanting that engine into another platform. example.... like putting it into a stanza or something what other types of cars will take the vg30e without to much trouble, and with out having to do any progressive work to get it to work.

thanks for help

[NY94J30]

I think that the answer that has been stated is: nothing that will be easier than rehabbing/upgrading your suspension.

You're going to buy a shell that will need as much if not more rehabbing, plus the labor of the swap. That doesn't make sense

[branba]

okay i like my m 30 but the deal is there arent really any after market parts for the thing as far as body parts go and interior. the other issue i that in the m30's there is an electronic suspension control<stupid nissan/ifiniti people thought they were smart> by doing that as ive researched in i have to put another electronic suspension back in there that can cost anywhere from 700-1500 dollars what they told me i dont really want the electronic crap cause it sucks. but why i wanted to swap and take the vg30e was cause i wanted to put it in a car that is lighter that usually has a four cylinder in it and that has more parts in the way of after market available. i would love to build up on m30 platform but as it sits it seems to be to exspesive just for a strut problem unless you guys know another way but like i said that why i'm here is to get a second opinion from guys who know

thanks

branba

[PBfrEAk]

no im wondering what i can do with the vg30e that is in the crappy m30 as far as transplanting that engine into another platform. example.... like putting it into a stanza or something what other types of cars will take the vg30e without to much trouble, and with out having to do any progressive work to get it to work.

thanks for help

SEEEEEE I TOOOOOOLD you!!!

Anyway...That engine can go into the any maxima before 1994...the s12 (200sx 1989 and before I believe...and correct me if I'm wrong) pre-88 300zx/280ZX/280/260/240Z, the Datsun 510 and such like that.

And probably some more cars as well.

I'd keep the M30 if I were you.

EDIT: Well I think that the M30 is able to use s13 suspension with little modification.

As far as lighter cars....any Datsun 510, 280/260/240z would work but problem is finding a once in nice shape is VERY hard to come by under 1500.

[branba]

ok dually noted everyone thinks i should keep the m30. i thought most of you guys hated the vg30e and the m30. at least that is what i gathered before joining. um..... but my deal is if i am to keep it do you guys know of any places that of upgraded suspension and after market body parts for it. i mean like i said i would love nothing more then to keep it and build it up but i want to also have the ability to find parts. from what i've been told these m30s aren't exactly the most popular and there isn't that many around. oh and its got some body damage quarter panel both sides and the paint is faded in a few spots. oh and its an automatic i kinda would like to have a 5speed but im not sure if there is anything i can do about that you guys let me know.

i am the pupil who wishes to be taught im open to suggestions

edit: ok that sounds good i think they have some s13 at the junk yard not far from here or would you recomend brand new parts. oh i realized i never told you guys what year my car was and all that it is a 1990 infiniti m30 any how am i sol on the body parts like body kits and spoilers and such i read a thread on time that talked about making body kits out of fiber glass by doing self made custom work on the exiting exterior i think that would be pretty hard though for me at least. um on that note what type of suspension tweaks or modifications are needing to be done to get the s13 to bolt up.

again thanks for the help greatly appreciated
Modified by branba at 12:48 PM 1/26/2008

[PBfrEAk]

No M30's are anything but hated (from my view point).

Its just that more people jump on the 240 cuz its easy to mod.

There is stuff for the M30 but like you said its hard to find. And the VG is an amazing engine with enormous potential. Its just not something you google and find parts for thats all.

As far as 5speeds they are out there...you just have to find them...junkyards ect.

If your looking for an easy route for power however...both the VG and the M30 probably aren't for you...

[branba]

as far as easy power i am alright with not achieving it easily, i mean in my mind the car as i drive it everyday seems fast enough. guess i just got frustrated when everyone is all up on the skyline and the 240 tip. my thing is if im going to do it if im going to turn this into a formidable street rod does anyone know of any places to begin.... buying parts from,upgrading what,just all around having some fun ect..ect... any ways this car is my daily drive so if anyone knows i would like to find out where to begin in the way of sites or contacts that some of you might have

thanks pbfreak

[branba]

as far as easy power i am alright with not achieving it easily, i mean in my mind the car as i drive it everyday seems fast enough. guess i just got frustrated when everyone is all up on the skyline and the 240 tip. my thing is if im going to do it if im going to turn this into a formidable street rod does anyone know of any places to begin.... buying parts from,upgrading what,just all around having some fun ect..ect... any ways this car is my daily driver so if anyone knows i would like to find out where to begin in the way of sites or contacts that some of you might have

thanks pbfreak

[Dittoz7]

Nice Intro Now Pics...

[PBfrEAk]

No problem man.

As far as the engine itself...take a look over at the VG setion of the forums.

There is a good amount of info on them in their.

As far as NA power...you don't get a whole lot of bang for your buck. Cams from the 300zx are your best bet. They sell them at thezstore.com

You could go the route of boring out your engine to a 3.3 liter but you don't get much increase in power there.

SATAN has an amazing VG setup in his 300zx. He makes custom turbo exhaust manifold and I think he made a custom intake manifold as well.

The cheapest way to get power is to turbo the engine. I think you can get upwards of 350-400 horse's on stock internals.

EDIT: Definitely look at mtcookson's posts. They are VERY informative and if you email him he'd be glad to get you headed in the right direction with the VG. He has turbo'ed one so he knows the ropes.

[nchopp]

Good info, Cody. Just shot ya' an e-mail, so check that when you get a chance.

[mmm240]

Don't get too discouraged. You bought a car for 600 bucks and it still sounds like you got a deal

[mtcookson]

Like Cody said, feel free to email me. I absolutely love the VG30E and could give you tons of info on it. I also own an M30 as well and have swapped a 90-96 300ZX 5-speed into it so if you're thinking about going the 5-speed route I can help you out there as well.

As far as the VG itself, for NA power you'll definitely want cams. I'd personally stay away from the Schneider cams offered at MSA (Motorsport Auto - The Z Store). There have been some people recently finding they are having major quality control issues (Schneider, not MSA). Basically the cams are in the specs they're supposed to be (durations are off, lift isn't right, etc.) I'd consider going the JWT route or possibly Isky. I've heard some good things about Isky in the past.

Boring wise, there isn't much to gain there in the VG30. There isn't much material for boring so you want to avoid that. The VG33 actually has a slightly different casting moving the oil/coolant passages further from the bore to allow the larger 91.5 mm bore giving the 3.3 liters. This wouldn't be attainable in the VG30.

Boost is the absolute best way to get power of the VG30E. The member here by the name of Satan (mentioned above) has made a turbo manifold for the Z31 that has actually been used in an M30 with good success. The downside to that setup is that you have to remove the A/C as that is where the turbo gets located.

The VG is a wonderful engine as far as strength is concerned. They are quite reliable and handle a good deal of power on the stock internals. They are also easy and cheap to modify compared to other engines. I can keep going on about it so if you're interested just let me know.

As far as the 5-speed goes I've found the magic setup for the 90-96 300ZX (Z32) 5-speed to be a 89-91 Maxima flywheel, Maxima or 84-86 300ZX Turbo clutch kit (Z clutch route is good for higher capacity clutches), Z32 throw out bearing, and Z32 or M30 starter.

The stock auto transmission mount bolts right to the Z32 5-speed. You will have to do some slight modifications to the transmission tunnel for the 5-speed to clear. There is some metal in the tunnel that hits the plate above the shift assembly, you just simply cut it out or beat it in a tiny bit with a hammer and the transmission will fit fine. From there you have a couple options for the shift linkage, you can use the stock Z32 shift linkage, which will require slightly more material to be removed from the same area in the tunnel and you'll need a rear mount to hold of the linkage (a spring or similar), or you can use the Mazworx solid bracket. I'm using the Mazworx bracket but one thing you need to be aware of about it is that if your transmission is excessively noisy (worn out) the noise does get transmitted into the cabin rather well. The shift feel is great though. For a quite ride but with the 5-speed, I recommend just using the Z32 linkage.

You'll need a custom driveshaft as well. The differential flange is the same between the NA Z32 and the M30. If you were using stock dimension Z32 u-joints front and back the length of the shaft from center to center of the u-joint ends is 47.25 inches. If you can have a shaft made with serviceable u-joints definitely have that done as the stock ones are not making for a headache when they go bad. Be sure to note that using different u-joints might throw off the measurement but the driveshaft shop should know how to make up for that if that is the case.

Suspension wise I know quite a few guys have used 240SX suspension parts. I never got that far on mine but can find the info for you. I believe the front does require the use of 240SX suspension arms but I think the rear only requires some minor drilling if memory serves. Let me know if you'd be interested in going that route and I'll get you the info needed.