vg30dett swap into a 280z

[needmydatsun]

i thinking about doing a swap. it wont be for a while but i like to plan ahead. i already know i will need the engine, transmission, ecu, wiring harness, driveshaft and all that good stuff. i was wondering if anyone has seen it done and could give me some pointers for when i decide to do it. i was also wondering if anyone knows if it will even fit because from what i remember, these engines are really wide.

also does anybody know if you can put hicas on a 280z?
Modified by needmydatsun at 7:55 AM 3/13/2007

[Stealth-Z]

i thinking about doing a swap. it wont be for a while but i like to plan ahead. i already know i will need the engine, transmission, ecu, wiring harness, driveshaft and all that good stuff. i was wondering if anyone has seen it done and could give me some pointers for when i decide to do it. i was also wondering if anyone knows if it will even fit because from what i remember, these engines are really wide.

also does anybody know if you can put hicas on a 280z?

Modified by needmydatsun at 7:55 AM 3/13/2007

I breifly considered the VG30DETT swap into my 78 Fairlady Z. And I do mean brief! The twin turbo's sit to low and do not clear the frame rails without alot of modification. Just my opinion but it seems like you would be better off getting a Z32 if you want the twin turbo and HICAS.

[needmydatsun]

ok thanks. i think i might go with an RB then. any idea of how much an RB20 or RB25 swap would be compared to the RB26?

[NissanSportMag(Z31)]

I've seen prices as low as $1800 for an RB20. A local shop is now asking $2800 for an RB25 motorset and $4000 for an RB26 motorset.

[needmydatsun]

i found a couple sites where they have RB26DETT's for about 3200- 5000. so i think im going to go with that. just to make sure, the RWD transmission from the RB25 will bolt dirrectly to the RB26, correct?

[Stealth-Z]

Do some research here before jumping into the RB swap. Nearly all you questions will be answered in the sticky's.http://forums.hybridz.org/forumdisplay.php?f=85

[Boosted 70z]

I don't see why turbos would be that hard to relocate the turbos if you did the vg30dett swap. You would have to make custom mounts and piping, whay can't you simpy relocate the turbos or even go with a nice single? I've seen a few vg's in S30's and the motor fits, its nice and wide but it does sit further back in the engine bay as opposed to a inline 6.

[evildky]

it's been done, personally I see no reason to do it unless you just happen to have the TT motor lying around, the VG30ET can make about as much power for less money and fits better with less piping, or the L28ET direct bolt in and can still make hige power, the RB's are a decent option if you get the 2.5 or bigger but at a great expence, you got some inheritance burning a hole in your pocket? you can by me some new race tires if you do

[evildky]

and why on earth would you want hicas? most of the people taht have it disable it ro remove it, you must be talking to 240SX guys they are the only ones who like it casue it makes it easier to step the rear out, and the easy answer si to use the complete S15 IRS assy, you'll have to fab all the mounting points and cut out part of the stock floor pan but it can and has been done 9 although I am pretty sure they ditched the hicas in the process)

[needmydatsun]

stealth-z; trust me, before i do any swap, im doing a lot of research. boosted 70z- since you mentioned relocating the turbos it reminded me of the TT Z06 and how the turbos are underneath in the middle of the exhaust pipe. maybe i would be able to get custom headers and bolt the turbos onto that, out of the engine bay.evildky- there are some people around here with TT engines with ecu and wiring harnesses for about 1K. and i know that i can get more than enough power out of a VG30 or an RB26. and if i did have inheritance burning a whole in my pocket, i would have done something to my car already.correct me if im wrong but all wheel steering makes your car handle a lot better, you can take turns a little faster. and i havent been talking to 240sx owners. all the ones in my area arent that smart and they know almost nothing about there cars. i could be wrong but im probabley the only person in my area code that knows what HICAS is, sadley enough i dont think i ever will get HICAS on my car because i think 1 degree of movement isnt worth all the labor that would be involved.

[evildky]

the problem is the hicas only comes on at speeds above 30 mph and with steering imput of greater than 15 degrees, this makes for an unpredictable ride, if your cruising the boulevard or drifting it's ok, but if you autocross or road race it does more harm than good, if the system were more consistant it might be a good thing, unfortuantely it's not, and if you were to swap it in you'd need the sensors and control unit to go with it

[needmydatsun]

the whole 30mph and 15degree thing would make a pretty unpredictable ride. so now that i know that HICAS really doesnt sound that great. thanks for that info

[Boosted 70z]

boosted 70z- since you mentioned relocating the turbos it reminded me of the TT Z06 and how the turbos are underneath in the middle of the exhaust pipe. maybe i would be able to get custom headers and bolt the turbos onto that, out of the engine bay..

But why? The S30 has more than enough room inside the bay to fit the turbos. If it was me doing the swap I would make custom header that face foward and mount the turbos in front of the motor to reduce total distance of piping for better response. The only reasons for placing the turbos outside of the bay is mostly space and an attempt to reduce heat.

[evildky]

I remember when I forst got my Z32 I was taking a turn from a stop at a very large intersection, and with the weight in the rear as I accelerated into the turn and steering tighterning as I apexed the back end just sort of kicked, I kinda played with ti a little but it's kinda hard to duplicate in a predictable fasion, just eliminate it and set the rear to 1 degree toe in

[needmydatsun]

maybe i could have manifolds made so i could bolt the turbos in front of the engine? like kinda by the throttle bodies
Modified by needmydatsun at 11:53 AM 3/15/2007

[evildky]

I think thats what boosted was suggesting, mount them low and in front to keep them cool and the weight low and with less piping, then you can run 2 vertical flow i/c side by side with very litte piping

[needmydatsun]

i think i'll start planning that out, i know there will be enough room. i just need to save the money to do it

[tennisitis]

for the purists, this might sound bad, but why not just go with a sbc or LS1 for greater dependability and far more torque and power for a lot less money.. ?? it's been done a lot, parts and knowledge are cheaper and you get more bang for your buck than anything else???

[evildky]

the V8's are always an option, heck scarab made a business out of it, and JTG still making money on V8 S30's, just a matter of what your comfortable with and what moves you, I think the RB26DETT is an awesome swap I just don't think it's woth the money, and I can get planty of power to suit my needs form the L28ET, the 2JZ is a bargain compared to the RB but it's just wrong

[needmydatsun]

i know but i love the attitude of the VG30DETT's and after this im going to build one with a 427 if it will fit and if not a 350

[needmydatsun]

f*** the 2JZ thats toyota and im mutha f***in nissan/chevy fan and a TT VG30DETT can smoke that 2JZ anyday

[evildky]

not a big toy fan myself but after buying my truck (04 Z71 that I got new!) I'm not much of a chevy fan, honestly I don't know how gm gets any repeat business

[mould_jesus]

you don't have to be a toyota fan to respect the GTE.

it's a beast of an inline-6.

however, the VG30DETT is even more of a beast and although most people don't build them to four-digit power levels like they do with the 2JZ, the VG30 is more than capable if put in the hands of a skilled surgeon.

i think if the money's right, then the VG30 swap is definitely worth it. however, if it's difficult to afford then the sbc swap is probably the cheapest and easiest thing you'll find.

[Boosted 70z]

It makes me sad that the vg30dett is still somewhat underrated, mostly because of the Z32's tight engine bay.

[evildky]

the VG is just a huge paint to work on, that's why my Z32 is stock and my S30 is well.....

[needmydatsun]

well, i do have respect for the 2JZ just because ive seen what those can do and ive seen the numbers they put out, but i still dont like themmoney is an isue right now since i dont have a job but i have one lined up with DBM construction for when i turn 18, they will start me out at 28 dollars an hour, till then i'll probably work at mcdonalds or something. i would also like to build one with a chevy 454 if it will fit or a 350,305 if not but not till im older
Modified by needmydatsun at 1:36 PM 4/10/2007