The offical VG30DETT swap help thread

[naladude911]

Ok, a mechanic I know said he can swap in the VG30DETT for $5KWhat do I need?The engine, where can I get it?Can I use my stock transmition?Can I use my stock wiring harness?Can I use all my stock stuff, or do I need new engine mounts, drive shaft, suspension etc?Can I use an FMIC?Whats my HP gain?

[Jakw]

Woah woah woah...$5k labor? Dude...waste of money if you ask me.You'd be over $10k by the time you got a transmission and a few mods. Especially if you plan on doing suspension/paint.You really wanna stick $10k+ into your J? You can buy a lot of stuff with ten grand...

[naladude911]

http://www.jdm-online.com/jdm-....html

Well I found this engine. And yes, I want to invest the money. I love the J30.

[J30inthe sun]

And yes, I want to invest the money. I love the J30.

I would not call that an investment... but to each his own.

I believe if you put $10k into symbol: UYM it will be @ $40k in a year, that's an investment.

If you swap for the TT good luck!

[kbflip02]

to answer some of your questions...u would probably need to get a TT front clip(front half of the car)which should include the wiring harness...u might be able to get away with stock motor mounts but if i was spending the money id upgrade those too...you will need a new transmission...if your going 5 spd get the TT 5 spd and make sure your front clip was a 5spd...if your going auto go with the TT auto...the engine and transmission will both have to be completely rebuilt unless u by some miracle find 1 in perfect working order...you will need a custom driveshaft...and as far as horsepower gain there will not be much if you keep the motor stock...it will barely be noticeable...if you do go that route you will have to upgrade the ecu which also has to come from a TT, upgrade the turbos, upgrade injectors,cams,fuel pump and regulator, pulleys,custom headers will need to be created because z32 headers dont fit the J due to clearance issues with the steering column....you will also have to relocate the battery to the trunk otherwise where will the turbo for that side go...stock Z32 TTs use SMICs and unfoturnately there really isnt much room for a FMIC on the J...but hey since you can afford it im sure something can be done....plumbing for the intercoolers and turbos is going to be a MAJOR pain in the @$$...suspension will have to be COMPLETELY custom because they do not make any aftermarket suspension for the J...on top of that youll need some sort of turbo timer and boost controller as well as a pod pillar w/ a/f gauges as well as oil pressure, etc....

nala all in all if youve got around 15k youll be happy w/ a J pushing around 400 at the crank....take into consideration the TT motor is heavier than the J motor as well as maintainance is higher/more costly...also your looking at some SERIOUS down time w/o your car...granted this project can be a DIY but thats if youve got LOADS of exp working on cars....also if you are having a shop do the work i wouldnt just go by what they say they can and cannot due because if they have never undertaken such a project theres no tellling what kind of snags theyll run into along the way as well as what might be missed or forgotten....

after months of research and weighing the options that is why i opted against the TT swap and decided going another route...im sure i missed something but thats all i can think of off the top of my head...

not trying to talk you out of it im just giving u the facts....if that what you want and you can afford it by all means go for it...id just hate to see you get ripped off as young as you are and as much as you love the J it would be a shame...

on another note you DO NOT need to be racing on the streets...youve got your whole life ahead of you lets keep it that way k...

any other questions feel free to ask and ill answer to the best of my abilities...happy holidays....

[Infinitiguy19]

Translation: WHY NOT PUT YOU MONEY SOME WHERE ELSE.

Putting money in a car is like throwing it down the drain because you almost never get it back unless your car wins big at the Barret Jackson auction.

I say do that swap when you can afford it, Unless your parents really really love you, even then just buy a TT 300ZX.

[naladude911]

ummm.......... well, lets change this into the offical VH35DE swap thread lol. I think i'd rather buy a 350z then spending all that money. Im getting the same exhaust setup as you KB, except with Borlas. With a VH35DE swap, all you need is the engine, transmission, harness, mounts etc right? Suspension doesnt require modification?

[Jakw]

Any swap into a J is going to cost a metric **** ton more than you're going to want to pay for, especially if you can't fab/figure stuff by yourself.

[kbflip02]

Any swap into a J is going to cost a metric **** ton more than you're going to want to pay for, especially if you can't fab/figure stuff by yourself.

if ur going to swap in a newer motor like the VQ35 its DEFINATELY gonna cost more...the cheapest if your not doing the work is probably the TT swap because u can use the same motor mounts if u want however everything else will have to be changed....

[kbflip02]

and youoll definately be happy with that exhaust setup...are u changing the pipe size of just replacing things...cause if you are doing the entire system from the manifold back make sure the pipe size is the same form the manifolds back...also dont go bigger than 2 1/4 in...thats plenty

[naladude911]

word, prob stock cats, and pipe size. I saw the vid clip, but can you decribe the sound. 60's ford mustang? Honda civic with bee exhaust? in between?