VH/VK & L28 Questions

[zest2live]

I've had my 79 280ZX since 95 (about 85k on it). It's sat for the last 4yrs. I'm about to finish up a 240SX for my daughter and have begun thinking about what I want to do with the "Z".

I've read a lot of the stuff by "evildky" (and have been impressed) pertaining to converting L28 to L28ET and various best blocks to go with best heads depending on desired compression ratios and so forth. Is this info consolidated anywhere on NICO (what blocks in which years and which heads during what years, etc)?

I like the idea of keeping my original engine (with a head swap) but I can't help thinking I'm losing something by not having a cross-flow head. I actually read that Datsun had made a cross-flow head which was only available in Japan, but if you wanted it over here it was going to cost you $12k (and that was several years ago).

My other thought was, swapping in a different engine. On this thought, I really don't think the hassle of an engine swap would be worth it just to change from my staight six to a V-6 (although I understand I'd be picking up some additional displacement (and technology) as well), but.....dropping in a V-8???? Now that's attractive (at least to my ego)!!! .....and changing the nameplate to "450ZX...I like that!!

Also, I'm looking forward to learning more about engine management systems, so whether I go to an L28ET or do an engine swap, I'll definately be going with an aftermarket engine management system and learning to set that up (I believe???).

So I was wondering.....what's the diff tween the VH and VK. I saw on the engine model table the VH was made 90-96 and then it looks like the VK came on the seen in 02. Were there no Nissan V-8's fm 97-01? I imagine there has to be some kind of significant changes between the 1990 VH and the 08 VK. Even on the KA's I've been working on, half the valve cover and timing cover bolts on my 93 KA were stipped out (M6), where as on the 95 KA, I noticed they fixed this by using a larger (M8) bolt (to name one immediate difference/improvement).

Lastly, the Titan's got a 5.6L right....VK56DE??? I recently saw someone asking a question about that engine, but haven't seen much else about it.

Curious to read your thoughts? Especially looking for a single source to learn more about various L28 specs. And also curious about any potential pitfalls associated with the VH/VK45's.

Thanks

[evildky]

the L6 head isn't much of a problem wtih forced induction, a stroked and bored L6 ( to make similar displacement) with similar turbo's and injectors it makes similar power to the VG's which are of corse V6 with crossflow heads

there is no replacement for displacement but the VH and VK to the best of my knowledge never came with a manual trans which meand buying ot building adapter plates to run the manual trans of your picking

here si a guy putting the VK56 into an S30http://www.flzclub.com/vk56de/

[Q45tech]

VH is primarily pre OBD2 [except 1996] thus can use a prom reprogrammed ecu.VH is more robust [especially for super/turbo charging] and uses HLA wheras VK has bucket valve lifters.