You could probably drop the xmember about 1/2" and get the hood to close after hacking all the structure out of the underside of the hood, making the oil pan as shallow as possible over the xmember and rack, and maybe a few other small mods. Your suspension will probably be all out of whack but I never investigated it so who knows. You may have to extend the steering shaft but I doubt it, there is probably enough extension in it. I would say it's very possible to do that.
Once I got the mani's bolted up I got the Z flanges to fit and tacked them in place. Then lined up the rest of the Z system to make sure it would fit. Then pulled the mani's back off to weld. I can barely weld as is, let alone laying on my back upside down and sideways around a pipe I can't see. They are pretty tight in there but the mani's were almost meant for the Z. They go around the steering shaft perfectly and have no issues with anything at all. They're just close to a lot which I plan to solve with lots of heat wrap.
I'm working on getting the Z down to my house from my parents so I can put it in my garage and finish all the b.s. in my spare time. I'll get some good pics soon.
As for the mounts allowing the engine to move I don't see them moving that much. I was thinking that if they did I would rig up a nice thick chain to keep it smooth but limit the movement. It runs like butta smooth and that's how I wanted it. A lot of guys are running custom stuff but mine was cheap and smooth. Lots of options for mounts though.
Paging Doctors gs14racer and T45
Re: (T45)
You managed to install the VH with the manifolds bolted up??? I tried that on mine but there was no way to get the engine in with them bolted up. I had to put them on once it was installed and very tight, but they fit like a glove once they're on with the Pathfinder chassis.
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SuperHatch
- Posts: 907
- Joined: Fri Nov 17, 2006 8:20 am
- Car: 96 TLC
Re: (T45)
My appologies to the OP for going off topic earlier.
Wow... you're fighting for 1/2" of clearance? In that case I wouldn't move the subframe, that'll put the suspension geometry way too far out of whack.
I was toying with the idea of modifying the stock intake manifold to gain clearance. If you machined 1/8" off of the bottom of the lower runners, an 1/8" off the top of the lower runners, and 1/8" off the bottom of the plenum you'd gain 3/8" on top. The problem is you'd make everything under the plenum that much more compact, and I'm not sure if the fuel rails will still fit, or if the throttle body would run into the valve cover. I need to take more measurements.
Wow... you're fighting for 1/2" of clearance? In that case I wouldn't move the subframe, that'll put the suspension geometry way too far out of whack.
I was toying with the idea of modifying the stock intake manifold to gain clearance. If you machined 1/8" off of the bottom of the lower runners, an 1/8" off the top of the lower runners, and 1/8" off the bottom of the plenum you'd gain 3/8" on top. The problem is you'd make everything under the plenum that much more compact, and I'm not sure if the fuel rails will still fit, or if the throttle body would run into the valve cover. I need to take more measurements.
Well I probably could have lowered the engine another 1/4" but then the oil pan would have been super close to the xmember and also the mani's would have gotten worse. I just said **** it, I am better at laying glass than I am welding so I just cut the hole and will glass over it when I get time. It's just a hood, and having an engine sticking through it is pretty damn cool if you ask me.
Don't forget, you'll need to cut down the coolant neck on the VH as it sits up way to high and is basically the highest point on the engine.
Don't forget, you'll need to cut down the coolant neck on the VH as it sits up way to high and is basically the highest point on the engine.
