VG30DE into S13

Post by **EvillE423** » Sun Feb 03, 2008 7:24 pm

I tried searching, but couldn't come up with anything useful. What all is needed to do this swap? And is there a lot of custom fabrication and what not. A buddy of mine has a wrecked Z32 and is willing to part it out to me. I posted in the Gen. section and got smart-*** comments so I thought I would try here. Even though it doesn't look like it gets much traffic. Any help, I would greatly appreciate it.

Post by **PBfrEAk** » Sun Feb 03, 2008 8:00 pm

This place may not get much traffic but the knowledge in here surpasses all.

Alright so as far as a VG30E is concerned...its been done by a few people I believe (namely FoxFire). From what I know, there should be plenty of room in the s13 engine bay for the VG. Width and length is no concern of your's.

What is however is height.

The DOHC is higher which would cause you to have to fab up your own hood or buy a cowl if they make them for the s13.

As far as other major mods...I'd say motor mounts, maybe tranny mounts, and more than likely a custom driveshaft.

That should get you going at least.

Post by **mtcookson** » Mon Feb 04, 2008 7:09 am

Actually the only thing you have to worry about when trying to swap the DE in, fitment wise, would be the width. It'll be shorter and lower than an inline 4 so you just have to worry about the width being that the VG30DE(TT) is extremely wide.

Now... we know its actually been done in the past so width shouldn't be much of an issue.

One problem you'll likely run into is the KA24's had a front sump oil pan (if I remember correctly). The VG-DE has a rear sump pan stock which will likely cause problems. There might be a slightly chance you could use the front sump oil pan from a VG30E as I'm pretty sure the bolt pattern is the same but the pickup tube might not be able to swap from an E to a DE. I'm working on a project right now that might answer that question but it may be a little while before I'll know.

Like Cody said, the motor mounts will have to be custom as well as tranny mounts as you'll probably be using the Z32 transmission. Transmission wise you may actually contact Mazworx (www.mazworx.com) as they do have a kit to bolt a Z32 5-speed to an SR in a S13 and S14 chassis. They may be able to provide you with the parts needed simply for the 5-speed into the S13 chassis (driveshaft, shifter, shifter bracket, transmission mount/bracket, etc.) The only thing you'll need to worry about is engine placement due to where the tranny is... though it should still be closer to the middle of the car than the I4 would be, just depends how far the tranny sticks out.

From there you have to deal with the wiring. There should be a few wires in the VG harness that you'll have to splice into the 240 harness. The tach will need to be modified (I believe you can take it apart and adjust for the new RPM signal to read correctly for the V6).

That's all I can think of at the moment. I've still not seen any good documentation on how to do the swap so a lot of it is stuff you'll have to figure out along the way.

Post by **edgartheace** » Tue Feb 12, 2008 5:06 am

I'm working on the same thing, basically you will need the Oil pan from a J30 since the J's are front sump, You will need to notch the sub frame a bit, and custom engine and tranny mounts, and Drive shaft. Look at what this guy did to get an idea of what it will look like when done.zerothread?id=187589

Post by **PBfrEAk** » Tue Feb 12, 2008 9:52 am

mtcookson wrote:Actually the only thing you have to worry about when trying to swap the DE in, fitment wise, would be the width. It'll be shorter and lower than an inline 4 so you just have to worry about the width being that the VG30DE(TT) is extremely wide.

Ahhh...well thank you for that info. Apparently I need to actually work with a VG-DE before I claim to know lol.

It makes sense though, it would be so much higher as it would be wider because the block IS in a "V" shape being a V6 and all.

Post by **jay-spec013** » Tue Nov 11, 2008 7:47 am

I don't see what so hard about this swap, I mean get a Z32 Xmember which bolt right up to the S13/S14. The think the N/A Z32 uses the the same transmission as the S13 so just do a simple bellhousing swap. We already know the motor fits, apparently better than the Z32. I saw something about notching the frame, but for what the exhaust? I have done a search I found so useful info, but I' am just wondering if the Z32 Xmember is swappable and the N/A trans is identical(internally) what makes this so hard. Please people what I' am I missing here. I know obviously its not that easy or it would be more common. So what I' am I missing guys?

Post by **edgartheace** » Wed Nov 12, 2008 12:33 pm

The tranny mounts are the same if you keep the auto but the manual needs a custom mount, also the Z32 crosmmember is wider than the S13 by about 2 inch's if I remember correctly. It's not difficult to drop in just all the fab work that needs to be done is a real PITA.

Post by **FoxFire** » Tue Nov 18, 2008 2:19 am

Quote »Alright so as far as a VG30E is concerned...its been done by a few people I believe (namely FoxFire). From what I know, there should be plenty of room in the s13 engine bay for the VG. Width and length is no concern of your's.[/quote]thanks i wish i was done

anyways..

a vg30DE will be one hell of a ***** to fit. the heads are huge and there wont be much room to fit the headers. forget a side mounted turbo and think HUGE hood cowl

the vg30E fits with 22inches to spare from the back of the radiator to the front of the crank pully.(with engine 1 inch from firewall)it has about 5 inchs from the side of head to strut tower on both sides. the rear oil pan also fits but comes real close to the power steering rack lines where they go in the rack.

it will fit. do it. but you should be prepared to do a ****LOAD of research, and you should have almost every tool known to man in your garage before your start.

just get drunk and test fit the engine. it will give you an idea on what needs to be done.

Post by **FoxFire** » Tue Nov 18, 2008 2:21 am

and wtf is up with ****** and cuss words? its bullshiet

Post by **PBfrEAk** » Thu Nov 20, 2008 2:15 pm

So how is that project coming along?

Do you have a build thread?

If you don't you should start one!!!

Are you running just a stock VG or did you mod it at all?? I can't remember.

Post by **importdragon240** » Tue Nov 25, 2008 5:09 pm

jay-spec013 wrote:I don't see what so hard about this swap, I mean get a Z32 Xmember which bolt right up to the S13/S14. The think the N/A Z32 uses the the same transmission as the S13 so just do a simple bellhousing swap. We already know the motor fits, apparently better than the Z32. I saw something about notching the frame, but for what the exhaust? I have done a search I found so useful info, but I' am just wondering if the Z32 Xmember is swappable and the N/A trans is identical(internally) what makes this so hard. Please people what I' am I missing here. I know obviously its not that easy or it would be more common. So what I' am I missing guys?

Exactly! I'm doing the VG30DETT swap in mine. Just got the motor today. We already figured I'd need the xmember, so I got one.

Post by **boostedc10** » Wed Nov 26, 2008 6:30 pm

im seriously considering doing this swap. but with a vg30dett.. ive done my fair share of research but havent found anything about the gauges. my car has the hud setup. so what are the chances ill be able to keep my stock speedo and tach?

Post by **mattminer** » Wed Apr 22, 2009 7:09 am

whoomp her eit is

:P

M@

Post by **importdragon240** » Wed Apr 22, 2009 8:08 am

What cross member did you use? We've tried the z32 as well as J30 and know they won't work, so I'm looking for an M30 xmember. I've got the Vg30dett motor that I'm working with.
Modified by importdragon240 at 2:24 PM 4/22/2009

Post by **mattminer** » Wed Apr 22, 2009 8:16 am

modified s13

M@

Post by **importdragon240** » Wed Apr 22, 2009 11:25 am

Ok cool. What all did you have to do? Was it hard to do?

Post by **mattminer** » Thu Apr 23, 2009 3:21 am

I can take some pictures. The way it is now, the TT manifolds bolt right up and clear too.

The Z tranny is mounted in with a modified Z tranny bracket to the stock 240 location. The new mounts or the VG are built off the s13 crossmember. Had to run a oil filter relocation kit due to clearance. Also a new bracket for the alternator had to be built.

M@

Post by **importdragon240** » Thu Apr 23, 2009 4:37 am

Damn lol. Well I'm gonna try the M30 xmember approach. But would still like to see pics if ya got any to share. Btw, where ya located?

Post by **mattminer** » Thu Apr 23, 2009 5:18 am

yeah ill have alot of pics soon, i have a leaky rear main and im goign to replace the clutch so im going to be under there.

in in RI

M@

Post by **importdragon240** » Thu Apr 23, 2009 5:43 am

I found a J30 that I'm buying this weekend thathas most all the parts I need for most areas of the car with the exception of the xmember. Then parting out the rest. May already have someone who wants the motor but not sure.

Post by **SxMachine** » Sat Apr 25, 2009 12:14 pm

importdragon240 wrote:What cross member did you use? We've tried the z32 as well as J30 and know they won't work, so I'm looking for an M30 xmember. I've got the Vg30dett motor that I'm working with.

Modified by importdragon240 at 2:24 PM 4/22/2009

200sx cross mem bolts in2 the s13 i belive.

Post by **cypherbane139** » Sun May 03, 2009 9:02 am

i love projects like these... the car your putting it into had a 4 cylinder right? aluminum block? you'll have to get stiffer springs to support the extra weight i belive

Post by **importdragon240** » Sun May 03, 2009 9:24 am

Yeah it had a ka24. I've already got a full D2 coilover set on. Bought those right after I got the motor. Now I've finally got the J30 here to part out after I use parts off it for part of the swap, and POSSIBLY the 5 lug conversion if it'll work. But I'm still trying to find an M30 cross member.
Modified by importdragon240 at 9:10 PM 5/3/2009

Post by **jonas92** » Sat Nov 14, 2009 8:10 am

how much sp;icing is needed cuz thats about the only thing im worried about

Post by **Wc240** » Thu Nov 19, 2009 7:47 pm

i know this thread is old. but i am dead set on this swap. i cant roll the rb25 anymore becouse i got my smog license. this swap can be smog legal. wich is great news for ALOT of peaple. i did have some questions for the guys who have completed this.1- besides modifying the s13 xmember, did anyone try the m30 one and what didi you find?2- what did you do as regars to the clearance of the steering column?any info would be great.

Post by **importdragon240** » Fri Nov 20, 2009 5:05 am

Dude, I sent ya an email at ur hotmail account. Go check it out. Hit me up when ya can.

Post by **MICRoS13** » Sat Jan 23, 2010 4:37 am

dude send me an email to ! i did most of the research i wanted to see it picture by picture but yeaa... my email is [email protected] my email on this account i don't use anymore

Post by **importdragon240** » Sat Jan 23, 2010 6:23 am

Who u wanting to send u an email? Me?

Post by **MICRoS13** » Sun Jan 24, 2010 4:38 am

Yessir unless you were giving Wc240 non related info to this swap ?

Post by **JDMZ32** » Wed Jan 27, 2010 8:23 am

My friend's MySpace display name is "M@" and his name is Matt Reimer. I saw "M@", looked at your username, and needed a doubletake when I saw "mattminer" haha.

Great project! VG power FTW! NA sucks though, but surely it's better in the lighter chassis...

VG30DE into S13

VG30DE into S13

Re: VG30DE into S13 (EvillE423)

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Re: (mtcookson)

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Re: VG30DE into S13 (FoxFire)

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Re: VG30DE into S13 (importdragon240)

Re: VG30DE into S13 (mattminer)

Re: VG30DE into S13 (importdragon240)

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Re: VG30DE into S13 (importdragon240)

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