Swap Or Not?

[TrumpetRhapsody]

Previously I was looking at getting a 240sx and dropping a rb25det into it, but the body style of the 300zx has won me over and i'm wondering where to go from here. I don't yet know much about what can be done to these cars, so I'm left wondering a few things:

My goal between 400-500whp, so can that be accomplished with the stock engine, or (if it's even possible, i have no idea with this car) should I still think about the rb25det swap?

Judging by my powertrain goals, would it be easier to just find a N/A and add the mods to it, or start with a good turbo and do any mods to it?

Is there anything about these cars I should look for or shy away from when looking for one to buy?

I look forward to learning everything I can about these beautiful Nissans, thanks for any expertise!

[AZ-ZBum]

What year 300ZX are you talking about? 84-89 or 90-96?

[TrumpetRhapsody]

Sorry, should have specified. I'm looking at the 90-96 model.

[evildky]

yes the stock VG30DETT with bigger turbo's is capable of 500 whp, the stock turbo's max out right about 400 whp

[TrumpetRhapsody]

If i'm going to do a turbo upgrade I might as well start with the N/A right, save some money? Or is the turbo a better base to begin with?

Is it true that the N/A has a slightly bigger bore than the turbo, like 10cc?

[evildky]

you're not gonna get that kind of power without the turbo. the N/A and TT blocks have the same bore, stroke and dispacement, the tubo motor uses lower compression pistons to allow for running boost

now if your building ground up, with stand alone managment and custom exhaust manifolds then you can start with the N/A but most people start with the turbo and upgrade components as they go, and with your goal being so achievable you don't need the stand alone or custome manifolds, you can get just about 400 whp with just intake exhaust, remapped ECU and boost jets, beyond that, it's time for bigger turbo's, injectors, and intercoolers and a propperly remapped ECU or a piggyback like VAFC, AEM or other

[TrumpetRhapsody]

Awesome, sounds good. I'll try to find a TT, and do those upgrades. Thanks for the input!

Just wondering though, if I ever feel like going higher is the rb25det swap possible with this car, as far as size and compatibility goes? As a last resort what about the 2jz-gte?

[evildky]

the RB25DET has about the same power potential as the VG30DETT, you can get in the 600whp range before the stock bottom ends give up, you could swap but there is no real benefit, it would cost you more and be more work, thats why you don't see many RB's swapped into the Z's, not sure why you'd consider the toy motor, it would be a lot more work to get the same result

[TrumpetRhapsody]

Ok, good, so stick with the stock engine, good to know.

So the concensus is for around 400-500whp the TT with upgrades is the better choice, and for above 500whp I could start with the N/A (tempting for the cheaper insurance) and build it up?

[evildky]

you might be supriesed to find how close the insurance cost is, in most cases it is very similar, I highly recomend you start with the car that is closer to your intended target, if you were prepared for the extra effort needed for the swap you likely wouldn't be asking these questions

[TrumpetRhapsody]

Lol, true. I know what it would take to swap into a 240sx, just not this car.

So with the TT engine, stock internals will take about 600whp, then above that you have to start upgrading internal stuff, correct?

[0wn3r]

i think it was the supra i was looking at, where you would be wasting your time trying to run a turbo setup on an N/A. somewhere it said that basically rule #1 and rule #3 were both, BUY A TT.

can't speak for 300's tho cuz i haven't researched them enough. although, i was looking to buy one while looking for a 240.. 300's are just still so damn expensive tho.

[evildky]

Z's are getting cheaper all the time, you can get clean Z31's cheap and even single turbo stock internals are good to 500 whp, the problem is they came with no I/C so you have to add one right off the bat and the stock single turbo is only good to about 300 whp, and the injectors also give up at about the same point

[TrumpetRhapsody]

I'm actually looking for a Z32 to start with

[evildky]

yeah, but when budget is tight, the Z31 is cheaper to build, by all means build the car that moves you because it's not an investment, it's an expensive hobby, you should enjoy the fruits of your time energy and money

[0wn3r]

we officially have PictureRims as an advertisement below from google. wow.

[nsrZ32]

start with a TT and stick with the VG30DETT, its a great motor.

[NSR_s30]