My S13 VH45dett project (pic intensive!)

[anyotherone]

Well, I decided that I've made enough progress to go ahead and post up some pics. I'm planning on having this project completed by March, so we'll see how things go.

Chassis: '92 S13 SE

Engine: '93 VH45de

Transmission: Manual 5spd a '96 300zx TT

Pics:

Here's what the car looked like when I picked it up

I decided to strip the car down, fill in some of the holes, and repaint the whole thing, so the stripping commenced!



Here's the engine bay, empty after we started filling holes, and prepping

Here is a pick of when we pulled the VH out of my donor car (running '93 Q45 for $700!) and test fit in the S13

[anyotherone]

Passenger side clearance

Money shot!

Here's the passenger side frame rail clearance with the motor just sitting on the subframe... we're going to make an alternator bracket to relocate it since I'm not going to be running the a/c compressor anyways.

Driver's side (might need to use the Z31 brake booster)



5-lug hubs and Z32 30mm aluminum calipers

I'm using a Vertex Aero kit with 20mm front fenders, and 50mm rear wide fenders.



I talked to Mark at Mazworx, went ahead and got their Z32 bellhousing adaptor, shift linkage, and transmission mount.

[anyotherone]

We're going to try to mock up the engine mounts tomorrow... hopefully I'll have more pics then.

[DeXteR]

watching...

[elwesso]

Just out of curiosity, whats different about the shift linkage from Mazworx vs stock Z32?

[anyotherone]

I'll try to get some side by side pics today when we reassemble the transmission. and test fit it in the car.

[slamdbusa]

Just out of curiosity, whats different about the shift linkage from Mazworx vs stock Z32?

The Mazworx one is a solid type, where the Z32 one has joints/bushings.

[elwesso]

ok so the fitment isnt any different...? meaning you dont have to use that shifter in order for it to fit right.

[mtcookson]

Yup, you can use the stock shifter on it if you wanted to. The Z32 bracket swivels so you have to have a rear mount for it to hold it up.

The only downside I noticed with the Mazworx adapter is it does transfer a bit of transmission noise through into the cabin. The eBay shifter I had was overly cheap as well so that may have also been a problem. Will be using the Mazworx adapter in my Z though, I like how much more solid the shifting feels with the solid bracket.

[da-man]

so, am I understanding correctly that you have found an adapter to allow using the Z32 RWD Manual trans with the VH45 motor?

tell me more?

[kingkilburn]

There are a few out there. He is using the Mazworx adapter. If you search here and Google I'm sure you'll find plenty of info.

[da-man]

There are a few out there. He is using the Mazworx adapter. If you search here and Google I'm sure you'll find plenty of info.

Sweet!!! I'll do that! I'm new here, and haven't even properly intro'd myslef yet, but up to seeing this post, I had written off the idea of the VH motor in my project because I have seen MANY discussions (on other forums) indicating that there were NO parts available to put a manual trans on it. I was moving towards the LS1 motor instead.... but the VH is certainly more interesitng to me from a "brand" standpoint.....

thanks!

[anyotherone]

I considered the LS1, but I decided to keep it Nissan for kicks, and after everything is said and done I think its going to be less expensive if I were just doing a stock swap.

Complete VH45de (in a running Q45) - $700Complete running S13 - $500Z32 TT 5spd transmission - $500Bellhousing adaptor, shift linkage, transmission mount, driveshaft, etc. - $900Clutch and flywheel - $1000 (this price can vary)Fabrication of mounts and headers - $1000Various maintenance parts for VH - $600Walbro fuel pump - $100Z31 brake booster - $75

So $5500 for a stock running VH45de in my S13... I know what better deals can be had on LS1's, but if you go by ebay and most places here in the south, just a good motorset/t56 ls1 is going to set me back at least that much.

I'm pretty sure I can make at least $1000 on the Q45 transmission and chassis, and the stock KA out of my 240 too.

I did a "bolt-on" SR20det swap for a guy a few weeks ago that ended up costing about $7000 after we were done replacing parts and sensors that weren't working. I got to thinking, man... SR's are all fine and good but a VH swap would cost about the same!

Anyways, I'll have more pics today... I used dry ice to tear up all the sound deadening inside and fabbed up the mounts.

[darkengineer]

Now if only someone would make a complete list like that for a VH45DE Z32 swap. Would make for a useful checklist, at least.

Or, maybe someone already has and I missed it.

[anyotherone]

I would assume that the list should be very similar if not the exact same.

Only if the Z32 is already manual transmission you have one less cost... if you already have a TT Z32 than you could reuse your clutch and flywheel too I guess. <edit> and the Z32TT bosch fuel pump is sufficient and better quality than the walbro.

[drftard]

i believe there is a Ls1 swapped Z32 & a VH Z but the engine didn't clear & so the hood ha da huge rectangular piece removed 2 let the valve cover clear... i

m sure u can find it on utube sumwhere... it shud b on this site somewhere!

[T45]

If I ever had transmission noise in my cabin I would check the gender of the passenger. However TRANSMISSION noise in the cabin is SEXXXXY!

[irax]

man it would probably be cheaper to make that Q45 into a drift car instead

[anyotherone]

True, but I don't really feel like drifting a Q45...

Sorry about the delay on progress pics. I haven't had a chance to work on the car much over the past few days, too busy with customer stuff.

[Jyon9689]

What do you plan on going with in terms of suspension?

[anyotherone]

I'm working out a deal with a sponsor for most of the multi-link suspension bits... solid subframe and differential bushings, RUCAs, toe arms, traction rods, plus front tension rods and inner and outer tie rods/links. I'm going to stick with stock swaybars with upgraded endlinks for the moment though. I should have pics of all that before too long... I plan on dropping the front and rear subframes and painting them a different color.

I'm debating on either the Tein Flex or Stance GR+Pro coilovers with something in the neighborhood of 5/6k spring rates. I want something with good control but the current springrate offerings aren't really good for street/strip traction. I doubt I'll be drifting this car with this much invested in it! If I want to drift I'll buy a beater and do a simple KA-T setup.

[anyotherone]

A few more pics of the install...

I'm going to have to cut this portion off the block to fit the Z32 starter

Driver's side mount before the support bracket was fabbed

Transmission in place with Mazworks transmission mount bracket and Nismo mount

[tmorgan4]

I noticed that you put the thin plate back in between the transmission and engine that is on there stock.

1) Why? I've never found out what this piece does.2) Did you trim it so it just uses the lower half? It would be a pain to make it clear the VH mounting holes with the adapter.

Main reason I ask is I was thinking about putting that piece back in to cover the opening on the bottom of the transmission once it's bolted up.

Looks good!

[anyotherone]

Actually I just stuck back in for no good reason honestly. It actually cleared the mounting holes with no problem. I will have to trim it and I might just junk it when I put everything together for real...

This is just a test-fit, I don't have my clutch yet but I didn't want to wait for it to start the mount fab!

[drftard]

any updates? this car is gunna b a beast! GL!