NA to TT Conversion (MUST READ)

[Khronik]

Alright so im planning on eventually selling my NA to buy a TT or doing the swap.

Today I got to thinking....
--- Cost to do NA to TT swap majority of people consider a waste of money, sell the NA and buy a TT right?
--- If you went with the swap you're looking at approx $8000 in parts+labor?? (could use more accurate #'s if u have em)

the LIGHT BULB went off........

A VG30DETT costs approx $1500-2500+s/h ?
Now how about a RB26DETT swap? the engine is probably going to cost about $1500 more then the VG, but a Skyline inside a ZX, whats sexier than that?

Now... im guessing this is possible but how much more work would it require than a NA to TT (VG30DET to VG30DETT) swap?

[vulcanrush]

if a vg30dett swap is 9k+...an rb26 swap is gonna be like 3 times as much. lots of customization.

and two, parts are tougher to get.

[es.biggs]

http://www.z1motorsports.com/product_in ... ts_id=1108

The only other thing I would recommend is to have the 120k kit rather than the 60k kit. Just a couple hundred more. RB swap, you're looking at a lot more money. Fabrication is a definite must and THAT is expensive.

[vulcanrush]

in many ways, the vg is superior to the rb.

[CrazedZ32Owner]

in many ways, the vg is superior to the rb.

also the opposite is true to..... man if i were you and you wanted to do the swap if you have money for it i would do it..... if not sell the NA to help pay for a TT thats what i did and i have never looked back

[vulcanrush]

i think rb's get a lot of hype because of the gt-r, etc.

a vg is an iron-block also, plenty strong, and there are z's out there putting out 1,000+hp just like rb's.

and vg's have vtc, which rb's don't.

and it's not an rb swap, there's so much customization involved for it to be a swap. if the op thinks an rb is just 2k+ more, i don't think it's a good idea.

[Khronik]

i think rb's get a lot of hype because of the gt-r, etc.

a vg is an iron-block also, plenty strong, and there are z's out there putting out 1,000+hp just like rb's.

and vg's have vtc, which rb's don't.

and it's not an rb swap, there's so much customization involved for it to be a swap. if the op thinks an rb is just 2k+ more, i don't think it's a good idea.

I figure the engine itself would cost approx that much more, plus whatever modification that need to be made considering its an inline 6 not a V, and also AWD not RWD

But, doesnt the TT swap require fabrication adjustments too? Or are the engine bays the exact same, just different placement? I remember reading somewhere that a TT swap required fabrication because the NA bay is not built the same, maybe that was posted by someone talking without any knowledge of actually doing it?

I havent seen many posts about having a front clip done, most people seem to do the swap or sell and buy the TT.
Just to buy the DETT would cost not too much less than a front clip, ive heard good and bad about importing JDM engines and front clips so im guessing its a flip of the coin to get the good? How much more in cost would it be though?

Guessing front clips do not come with a transmission? So if you figure the engine swap at $9000, versus buying a front clip for approx $2500+transmission+labor, the front clip would be cheaper?

[vulcanrush]

i think rb's get a lot of hype because of the gt-r, etc.

a vg is an iron-block also, plenty strong, and there are z's out there putting out 1,000+hp just like rb's.

and vg's have vtc, which rb's don't.

and it's not an rb swap, there's so much customization involved for it to be a swap. if the op thinks an rb is just 2k+ more, i don't think it's a good idea.

I figure the engine itself would cost approx that much more, plus whatever modification that need to be made considering its an inline 6 not a V, and also AWD not RWD

But, doesnt the TT swap require fabrication adjustments too? Or are the engine bays the exact same, just different placement? I remember reading somewhere that a TT swap required fabrication because the NA bay is not built the same, maybe that was posted by someone talking without any knowledge of actually doing it?

I havent seen many posts about having a front clip done, most people seem to do the swap or sell and buy the TT.
Just to buy the DETT would cost not too much less than a front clip, ive heard good and bad about importing JDM engines and front clips so im guessing its a flip of the coin to get the good? How much more in cost would it be though?

Guessing front clips do not come with a transmission? So if you figure the engine swap at $9000, versus buying a front clip for approx $2500+transmission+labor, the front clip would be cheaper?

no, the tt swap doesn't require fabrication. in addition, the 5-spd tran's are pretty similar, whether na or tt.

when doing a swap, most people will recommend a front-half. it costs the same, whether you go with a front-half or an engine/trans combo...you just have to source the parts for an engine/trans combo. a front-half is just more convenient, imo. it has a lot of the stuff you need already such as intercooler piping's, etc.

a front-half or clip isn't cheaper, it'll still cost 9k+. you still have to do the 120k pack, get new turbo's, upgraded radiator, etc.

please use the search function for more info.

[Khronik]

well you see there is this place called Z1.. im sure you are familiar with no?

a front clip = just under $5k
low swap conv = just under $9k

[vulcanrush]

yes, i'm familiar with z1, the front-half/clip doesn't include labor.

labor is normally around 3.5k+.

[marty1mc]

None of those estimates includes all the other things either. Turbos on the clips are always a crap shoot. I have around $12k in my swap. I bought a USDM motor/trans/all parts to do the swap from a wrecked Z with 68k on it for $3300 including transportation. I still spent another $8K+ on extras (New Turbos, upgraded fuel rail, injectors, new harnesses, Turbo timer, EBC, Radiator, all silicone hose for air/vacuum/PCV/water and OEM hoses for steering, oil, the list goes on and on...) I wanted the thing to be reliable and look good. It can add up fast.

Bottom line, find a clean low mileage TT. Allocate some $$ for 120k kit, save for turbos (eventually, you will need them).