N/A to turbo - Starting with the Basics...

[Firespirit]

Aloha,

Just a couple questions for ingenious minds. I want to know what i need to upgrade my vg30 n/a to a single or if possible TT. Also any advice on were to start with the suspension? Im looking for comfortability and ease of control. I wont be taking this car to the track or doing any "rice" racing. To be honest im just starting to learn the basics of having a "good" car and not some cheap rice mobile.

My cash flow is average so i guess $2000 a month and thats after i pay rent and bills. Any thoughts on my situation? Your guidance is very muchAppreciated

-Mikey

[evildky]

welcome to NICO!I know the market is different when you live on an island but in general it's cheaper to sell the n/a and buy a turbo car, if you would rather swap you'll need the complete engine, harness, ecu and frotn crossmember form a turbo car, the TT swap si possible but very difficult and expensive, satan (thats his user ID here as well as on other boards, search for users and you'll find hime) does make and sell manifolds to run TT's ont he VG30ET

also search a lot, the swap has been detailed and in the link in my sig is my swapped n/a t converted Z31

[AZ-ZBum]

welcome to NICO!I know the market is different when you live on an island but in general it's cheaper to sell the n/a and buy a turbo car, if you would rather swap you'll need the complete engine, harness, ecu and frotn crossmember form a turbo car, the TT swap si possible but very difficult and expensive, satan (thats his user ID here as well as on other boards, search for users and you'll find hime) does make and sell manifolds to run TT's ont he VG30ET

also search a lot, the swap has been detailed and in the link in my sig is my swapped n/a t converted Z31

You don't need the engine or the harness. But you will need the front cross member, ECU, left manifold, injectors, etc.

To the original poster, read all of this site:http://www.redz31.net

[Firespirit]

welcome to NICO!I know the market is different when you live on an island but in general it's cheaper to sell the n/a and buy a turbo car, if you would rather swap you'll need the complete engine, harness, ecu and frotn crossmember form a turbo car, the TT swap si possible but very difficult and expensive, satan (thats his user ID here as well as on other boards, search for users and you'll find hime) does make and sell manifolds to run TT's ont he VG30ET

also search a lot, the swap has been detailed and in the link in my sig is my swapped n/a t converted Z31

Thats the best info ive gotten all week along with Az-bums. Ive been thinking i might just keep the N/A and figure out another way to boost my power and torque. Would this be better? or should i stay on the warpath and do the swap??

Your help is god-like

[AZ-ZBum]

Thats the best info ive gotten all week along with Az-bums. Ive been thinking i might just keep the N/A and figure out another way to boost my power and torque. Would this be better? or should i stay on the warpath and do the swap??

Your help is god-like

You won't get a whole lot with an NA. It can be done, but it gets expensive. Turbo swap is the best way to go if you want to stay "stock".

Otherwise, you could do a V8 swap.

[evildky]

az is of course correct on the harness and engine statement, but when you are tracking down all the bits and pieces I feel it's just easier to swap the whole engine especially for a beginner

as fro your quest for power, if you have to ask that to me further suggests your best bet is to sellt he n/a and buy a turbo model, if you can not find a turbo, then finding a wrecked donor will likely be cheaper than chasing down all the parts, it also simplifies the swap

as for keeping n/a, you can spend a thousand dollars and add 20 whp to an n/a or spend 1000 on a donor and intercooler and add 100 hp

and V8's are boring

[AZ-ZBum]

az is of course correct on the harness and engine statement, but when you are tracking down all the bits and pieces I feel it's just easier to swap the whole engine especially for a beginner

as fro your quest for power, if you have to ask that to me further suggests your best bet is to sellt he n/a and buy a turbo model, if you can not find a turbo, then finding a wrecked donor will likely be cheaper than chasing down all the parts, it also simplifies the swap

as for keeping n/a, you can spend a thousand dollars and add 20 whp to an n/a or spend 1000 on a donor and intercooler and add 100 hp

and V8's are boring

I'd bet that finding a complete turbo donor in Hawaii would be much more difficult than haven't a few key components shipped in from the main land.

[evildky]

easier for someone who knows what they are doing, someone that has to ask on a forum however might have a slightly more difficult time, but yes being on an island does certainly make it a differfent game

[Firespirit]

lol I guess i was a little further away from increasing power then i thought! Well finding a donor car here is close to IMPOSSIBLE so attended a nissan lovers car cruise to figure out my path for more torque and power. Seems everyone had an opinion...but a couple of them seemed to offer a good shop to take my classic to. Maybe ill go with AZ's plan and figure this swap out.

Much Aloha to all

R/ Mikey

[Firespirit]

Can anyone give me a List on the parts I need (Most important to least important) for an N/A to turbo swap? Id like to start buying them asap.

Mahalo (Thank you)

R/Mike

[Perrenial Badass]

What year is your Z?http://www.redz31.net/pages/turbo.html

Should've listened to the Bum. Anyway, if you want to know what parts you don't need:-downpipe-intake piping-alternator mount if you have an 87-89Everything else you will need, but exhaust and intake piping you can make up. Though is isn't hard to find either, shipping could be killer.

Another thought... thought about buying a front clip from Japan? If you can get a whole front clip of an (otherwise) intact car, it could make the project a lot easier. Search out some importers and check the prices. Could come out to be cheaper then buying everything and shipping them separately from the mainland. Depends on if the importers ship everything to Cali first or not.

[Firespirit]

I have an 87 n/a. Money is no problem for me as i dont pay rent (For now) so why not take advantage eh? Its just me and my older sister living here so my income is pretty high monthly (About 2k). just a simple list would be nice though im really hoping to start buying parts by the end of the month.

[Perrenial Badass]

just a simple list would be nice though im really hoping to start buying parts by the end of the month.

There was a simple list in the link I provided. With the exception of the three things I listed, you need everything in the list on that page. There's stuff you would probably be better off getting new from the dealer and there's some stuff I would swap out while you have the motor out, but the basics are in that link.

Quite honestly can't help you any more than that. Post up a WTB ad in the classifieds for turbo swap parts.

[Firespirit]

There was a simple list in the link I provided. With the exception of the three things I listed, you need everything in the list on that page. There's stuff you would probably be better off getting new from the dealer and there's some stuff I would swap out while you have the motor out, but the basics are in that link.

Quite honestly can't help you any more than that. Post up a WTB ad in the classifieds for turbo swap parts.

Hey Perrenial just thought i'd check in with you guys again.Im going to be crossing out the N/A conversion to turbo just because right now i need a reliable car and a turbo engine might not be the best choice!So im just gonna work on the the stock vg30 and make it run at it's best. Any Suggestions on what i should start with? Im not looking for power just more handling then anything.

R/

Mike

[Perrenial Badass]

Engine-wise, after you do the timing belt and all other maintenance, while staying NA...-headers (zcarparts.com)-"test pipe"-2.5" exhaust (cmperformanceexhaust.com / zcarparts.com)-adjustable cam gears (z31parts.com)

Anything beyond that engine-wise will either result in less reliability, or large amounts of down time. And you probably won't be making too much more horsepower than stock. Suspension wise, get some springs from z31parts.com and some good dampers, or get the Serial9 adapters and go coilover. Zcarparts.com also has 1" sway bars, and the poly bushings set.

[Firespirit]

Engine-wise, after you do the timing belt and all other maintenance, while staying NA...-headers (zcarparts.com)-"test pipe"-2.5" exhaust (cmperformanceexhaust.com / zcarparts.com)-adjustable cam gears (z31parts.com)

Anything beyond that engine-wise will either result in less reliability, or large amounts of down time. And you probably won't be making too much more horsepower than stock. Suspension wise, get some springs from z31parts.com and some good dampers, or get the Serial9 adapters and go coilover. Zcarparts.com also has 1" sway bars, and the poly bushings set.

Thanks man Looking forward to working on those parts. Also what the heck is that on your avatar! lol

[Perrenial Badass]

It is my horse. Look at it. It is amazing.http://shutupwomangetonmyhorse.com/
Modified by Perrenial Badass at 5:35 PM 2/21/2010

[Firespirit]

It is my horse. Look at it. It is amazing.http://shutupwomangetonmyhorse.com/

Modified by Perrenial Badass at 5:35 PM 2/21/2010

Wow... lol

Anyways thanks again perrenial and Zbum. Ive been visiting different shops and i've come across some compatible illuminas that will fit on my car.Should i try this installation by myself? or should i pay someone? i have no exp whatsoever

[Perrenial Badass]

http://xenonz31.com/reference.htmlDownload your year FSM, buy the Haynes manual, and read. It isn't really a difficult thing to do, but the fronts can be a b**** if you don't have an impact wrench, and your car happens to be 20+ years old and exposed to the elements for years. You should be able to tackle the rears without any problems. But read and decide for yourself, you should be able to figure out whether or not you can do it.

[evildky]

if you found illumina's they are for turbo cars, the gland nuts won't fit your housings and your gland nuts won't fit the illumina's but with a bit of machining you cna make it work

also the rear uppers mounts will have to be modified or swapped