VG > VH Series wiring

[tmorgan4]

With all this talk of swapping VH engines into factory VG equipped vehicles I'm considering the swap myself. The biggest problem is that I've got plenty of confidence in being able to get the engine mounted and sitting comfortably, but not quite sure about all of the wiring and electrical parts.

Has anyone published a list of what sensors/wires/pieces can be completely eliminated? I'm not planning on running AC which should simplify things a little.

It seems like the easiest thing would be to run an aftermarket engine control unit like Megasquirt that controls all the engine functions and I can leave the rest of the wiring harness in my Pathfinder alone. Has anyone run Megasquirt or a similar engine control setup on the VH engines?

[tmorgan4]

Forgot to mention that I will be using a 5-speed out of a Pathfinder which should bolt up to any of the Z32 transmission adapters.

[RichZilla]

Z32 trans uses a different starter motor position. i.e. it is on the gearbox itself. I think you might have to drill a hole in the Z32 trans adaptor for the starter.

As for wiring, I don't know why people find it so difficult to connect a factory ecu up. I much prefer to do that.

[gs14racer]

Yea its less than 10 wires for it to work.

[elwesso]

The trans adapters have a hole cut in them for the starters....

OBDII is going to complicate things more, but basically the ECU is almost a standalone. Everything basically works by itself, you just have to give the ECU power and wire up a few other things to make everything work (like temp gauge, speedo, speed sensor input, start signal, etc)... I would think though that all you have to do to get the motor running is give the ecu power and tell it when your trying to start the car, and it should be fine.

[tmorgan4]

Sounds like hooking this engine up isn't as difficult as I had imagined it would be. The biggest probem is the fact that I have 7 days to get the car running (leaving for school) so I'm afraid I'm going to have to put in another stock VG33E replacement.

To those of you that have had Maxworx modify your bellhousing to fit a 5-spd on the VH45, how long did it take to get the parts back? That's the biggest concern at this point

[elwesso]

I dont think you'll have it back by 10 days.

BTW im going to be putting out an adapter plate fairly soon that will be about 1/2 the price of the mazworx one.

[T45]

Thanks Wes, looks like you're going to get even more of my hard earned money...haha.

[elwesso]

Thanks Wes, looks like you're going to get even more of my hard earned money...haha.

you got your ECU, right?

[tmorgan4]

When you say soon, how soon are we talking? Any chance you already have the design and could make one quick?

I can start another topic for the other questions I have on this swap, but I have a feeling most of the guys read through most of the threads anyway.

Mostly what I'm needing to know is exactly what else is needed to be changed when converting from a VG to a VH. What about all of the stock vaccum lines? Is the stock radiator adequete? Is the stock fuel pump large enough?

Really I'm wanting to know exactly what else I need to plan on changing once I've got my motor mounts built and the transmission bolted up to get the thing running. It would also be great to get a list of what the 10 wires needed to get the engine running are.

Thanks!!!

[elwesso]

Soon I'm thinking a month or so before im ready to mass produce.

Most of the vacuum lines are contained within the Q. The VH is a little simpler as far as vacuum lines and if you wanted you could consolodate/eliminate some of the emissions stuff. EGR might be worth keeping, but you could probably eliminate the carbon canister and stuff like that.

I would think the stock radiator is OK, i wouldnt focus on getting another one until you get it running nad show that it overheats.

I think with the fuel pump, worst case you could probably swap out a Q45 fuel pump for the stock fuel pump. The Q45 pump is also the same as twin turbo Z.

[T45]

you got your ECU, right?

Yes I did. It's been gracing my workbench for a month now and I can't wait to get this puppy rollin. I'm pretty set on swapping the VH into a 300ZX I picked up a few weeks ago. I was going to do the truck but the truck runs good and the Z's VG is locked up. After the Z swap is done I may look into fitting the old Q pistons into the VG30DE and some cams, then put it into the truck. I won't gain much but it will be sweeter than a stock VG33.

[tmorgan4]

Another question...those of you who chose to keep the 5 speed, were you able to keep your stock transmission mount? I would guess that this engine would be long than the stock VG so I'm hoping the transmission mount wouldn't have to be moved back too.