Well anyways I'm just curious what would be easier/cheaper that would yield good results. Thanks. :ylsuper
V8 or TT?
V8 or TT?
Hi, I had a post a month or 2 ago asking for help on a twin-turbo mod for my J30. Well I looked into prices and such for parts on twinturbo.net and ebay thanks to a very helpful list from Eswift. I found pretty much everything I needed to bolt on turbos including upgrading to a heavier transmission (used from a Q45) and then looked into all the custom work that would be needed. The parts weren't too bad, but the custom piping I would need quickly shot the total price through the roof! In the process of my looking in between work and school (which isn't much time) I have been reading posts on this great forum and I came across pictures and information of J30s in Japan known as the Leopard J. Ferie. So, my question is, would it be much easier and cheaper to buy a VH41DE used online and dropping that into my J? I figure the price wouldn't be too bad because I can sell my VG30DE to help pay. Plus my intentions aren't to make crazy horsepower since the car has become somewhat of a daily driver as of late. I mean, come on, what would the look be on some guys face after he gets punked stoplight racing in his Camaro or Mustang by a J30?! Well anyways I'm just curious what would be easier/cheaper that would yield good results. Thanks. :ylsuper
Well anyways I'm just curious what would be easier/cheaper that would yield good results. Thanks. :ylsuper-
Jeff Williams
- Posts: 3394
- Joined: Fri Aug 02, 2002 4:17 am
- Car: 1994 Infiniti Q45t
2000 Infiniti I30t
2004 Infiniti M45
71, 72, 73, 82 & 2000 Corvettes - Contact:
Well, sure nos will get me going much faster and Qs are badass cars that come stock with V8s but I was looking more along the lines of bragging rights... I've seen quite a few people talk about a twin-turbo J30, but I sure haven't seen one, have you? If speed was my primary objective then I could just as easily sell the J and buy a 300ZXTT or a 240SX, but I think it would be cool to see J30 running along side these high performance sports cars. The idea is pretty simple, its just the damn cost! 
You're looking at a lot of R&D time and high costs.
The stock engine won't be able to handle FI for a long period of time or at high boost. High piping costs aren't the only concern here, think about custom rods, pistons - this stuff can get pricey. Building a turbo system is VERY complicated especially for someone will little turbo experience (generally speaking). There's lots of room for errors and failures.
Think about other upgrades and decide on what you want your car to do. Having a single car as a daily driver that must be worked on all the time isn't fun. Installing a turbo system will not be a weekend project. If you want just a straight line monster, think about drivetrain upgrades like a stronger/rebuilt transmission, torque convertor, differential, and work with improving the engine itself. As mentioned, a properly installed nitrous system can be safe and easily increase power.
The stock engine won't be able to handle FI for a long period of time or at high boost. High piping costs aren't the only concern here, think about custom rods, pistons - this stuff can get pricey. Building a turbo system is VERY complicated especially for someone will little turbo experience (generally speaking). There's lots of room for errors and failures.
Think about other upgrades and decide on what you want your car to do. Having a single car as a daily driver that must be worked on all the time isn't fun. Installing a turbo system will not be a weekend project. If you want just a straight line monster, think about drivetrain upgrades like a stronger/rebuilt transmission, torque convertor, differential, and work with improving the engine itself. As mentioned, a properly installed nitrous system can be safe and easily increase power.
Your absolutely right, which is why I thought installing a VH41 would be easier because theres little custom work that I can think of being that the car came with the bigger V8 in Japan. I wouldnt have to worry about not using the car because It wont be driven that much now that I start school in a week. I know that if i TT it, it would be sitting for a while, but I have the room to store it now because my folks are letting me keep it in the garage. Cost is a concearn, but not a major issue. I won't have to come up with the cash for school because my parents paid the little cost that was left over from my financial aid crap, but it isn't like I have 10 grand to just throw away in my back pocket (although I wish I did)... 
Cost is a concearn, but not a major issue. I won't have to come up with the cash for school because my parents paid the little cost that was left over from my financial aid crap, but it isn't like I have 10 grand to just throw away in my back pocket (although I wish I did)... 
I am unsure if the VH41De in Japan used inb the Leopard is teh same as the domestic VH41 in Q45.Then u also have ECU and TCU issues to iron out.
BUT how about this:get a VH41DE+transmission+rear end+ ECU?TCO combo out of a wrecked 97-01 Q45.
They <should fit and you overcome all compatibility isues in one fell swoop ( check dimension before u buyt o be sure, but those powertrains in wrecks arent that expensive, since the demand hasnt been high)Then put a 100 shot of NOS on that engine and you will have some SERIOUS performance while near stock and reliable daily driver w/o breaking the bank..Fred...
BUT how about this:get a VH41DE+transmission+rear end+ ECU?TCO combo out of a wrecked 97-01 Q45.
They <should fit and you overcome all compatibility isues in one fell swoop ( check dimension before u buyt o be sure, but those powertrains in wrecks arent that expensive, since the demand hasnt been high)Then put a 100 shot of NOS on that engine and you will have some SERIOUS performance while near stock and reliable daily driver w/o breaking the bank..Fred...
Ya, turbocharging a J30 would be much easier to do by just swapping a 300zxtt engine into it, so I figured if that was the easier route then why not just go with the V8. Well, first things first, I better pull the engine out and see if can be sold. Building a NA engine to TT is just too much damn work (and cash) so I'm going to garage it and find either a junked Q or ztt. Anyone looking to buy a VG30DE with trans and ecu with 80k miles on it?
to iron out some questions/comments people had above
1) J30 chassis can handle VH41 no problem, factory option in japan, i have many big pics if anyone is interested in hosting them.
2) biggest problem with VH41 job is actually the wiring harness. dont be suprised if you need a custom driveshaft as well.
3) TT swap - you will run into problems with a direct swap with the exhaust manifolds. still a decent amount of custom piping.
4) stock NA VG engine CAN handle boost for an exteneded time, if it is tuned correctly. differences are squirter aim, pistons (obviously), exhaust valve material. everything else is the same old forged and shot peened junk from the TT. thus limits are very comparable to the TT.
that said, the failure on a TT'd NA engine will be a spun bearing. it is a weakness of the engine, and shows up often on modded TTs. detonation must be avoided at all costs, though, in this high CR application. nothing a good tune cant prevent.
one tank of bad gas though, and the engine is toast.
1) J30 chassis can handle VH41 no problem, factory option in japan, i have many big pics if anyone is interested in hosting them.
2) biggest problem with VH41 job is actually the wiring harness. dont be suprised if you need a custom driveshaft as well.
3) TT swap - you will run into problems with a direct swap with the exhaust manifolds. still a decent amount of custom piping.
4) stock NA VG engine CAN handle boost for an exteneded time, if it is tuned correctly. differences are squirter aim, pistons (obviously), exhaust valve material. everything else is the same old forged and shot peened junk from the TT. thus limits are very comparable to the TT.
that said, the failure on a TT'd NA engine will be a spun bearing. it is a weakness of the engine, and shows up often on modded TTs. detonation must be avoided at all costs, though, in this high CR application. nothing a good tune cant prevent.
one tank of bad gas though, and the engine is toast.