VH45/41 in First Gen Mazda MPV

[Q45-MPV]

Wish I could post pics but at this point it's all in my imagination. Needing to have a few questions answered...

My van is a 4WD model. The best scenario is for me to use the stock transfer case and to leave it right where the factory put it. The good thing is that transmission is an RE4R01A transmission. The only difference from those used in Nissan applications is the Mazda specific bellhousing. My understanding is that I can swap a Nissan/Infiniti bellhousing and be good to go with various Nissan engines. I'm looking to the VH45/41.

Questions: Although I can hook the VH engine to my RE4R01A, I suspect that I'd be living on borrowed time, awaiting the inevitable meltdown of the trans. Instead, I should probably be thinking the RE4R03A that comes stock with VH engines. Are the tailhousings for these two transmissions interchangeable? In other words, would I be able to bolt my stock transfer case to the "3" transmission.

Secondly, is there a place on this forum that lists the physical dimensions of the VH45 and VH41 engines? I've read in a couple of places that the VH41 (including accessories) is a considerably tighter package(?).

Thirdly, (and back to the transmission) Mazda employed a stand-alone transmission computer; separate from the main ecu. Is this the same case with Nissan powerteams?

Thanks for sharing your wisdom. I love my Van (it's my second one) because there were never really any other models like it -- compact van with RWD/4WD. I never thought I'd get excited about modifying it (my other car, a '65 Mustang, gets most of that attention) but my one complaint has always been that the MPV is woefully under powered (3.0 with all of 153 HP). I'm not looking for tire-shredding performance, but there's nothing like the silky torque delivery of a V8.

- Gord

[AZhitman]

Hey Gord!

I'd say look at using the adapter plate for the 300ZX trans, Wes (elwesso) can help you out there...

Sounds like a badass project!!!

[WDRacing]

I'd ask the VH specific questions in the VH forum. The guys there have a lot more experience then most of the guys in Hybrids. Most of us are looking to swap Domestic motors into a Nissan chassis.

Your project however does sound friggin awesome.

I like minivans myself. I would love to have the time and money to boost a Nissan Quest.

Not to discourage you from swapping int he VH, but have you considered adding a turbo to the current Mazda motor? 10 psi will net you around 100 whp.

WD

[Q45-MPV]

Thanks for the responses. I don't believe I'll need an adapter if I use my stock transmission (only the right bellhousing). I'm just not sure about the similarities/differences between the two transmissions I've referenced... and whether the stronger "3" transmission will mate to my transfer case. Perhaps that's the point where you're suggesting an adapter(?).

I have considered turbocharging. A rear-mounted unit would package the best. However, there are a couple reasons why I'm leaning away from this. One is that the engine is just 3.0 litres and where it really needs help is to have more torque right at off-idle (sub 2000 rpm). A small turbo would spool-up quickly enough to accomplish this but I'd have to set the wastegate low enough to protect it from spinning into oblivion... so much so that that added 100 horsepwer might be a stretch. 'Course I could get creative with a 2-stage system.... The second reason is that, while the Mazda "JE" V6 is ultra-reliable and will run practically forever, it has well-earned reputation for having an annoyingly loud valvetrain (Just roll down your window the next time you're next to a 1st generation MPV) -- I HATE noises that aren't "supposed" to be there!

Besides, Anyone can turbo a motor. I'd like being a little different.

[WDRacing]

The only reason I suggested the turbo is that quite often guys fail to understand that a full motorswap isn't as easy as many assume. But it sounds like you're rowing with both oars in the water.

The VH45 is definitly a better motor IMO, but I'll link Wes to this thread. He's the guy I go to for anything Infiniti related, especially the VH series.

WD

[elwesso]

Just letting you know i have my eye on this. I will try and be more detailed later, but heres the crash course.

The tailshafts are different, the 03a has a larger yoke so your hopes, dreams and aspirations of the driveshaft bolting up to an 03a are out of the question.

Im not sure if the tailshaft HOUSING is different so you may be able to bolt that to an 03A for the cause of using a transfer case. I thought all the 4wd systems used the 03a, not the 01a. at least, thats how its done in NissanLand. Also, the trans was controlled by a seperate TCU transmission control unit.

The VH41 is not really that might tighter of a package, the only thing that renders itself easier to swap is that on the VH45 the alternator is on the side, vs the VH41 on the top. The alternator is almost always what gets in the way of tight swaps...

ALSO, IMPORTANT!!!!!! THE US VH41 IS SIGNIFICANTLY DIFFERENT FROM THE JDM VH41. I would NEVER EVER EVER ever swap a US VH41 into anything, its just not worth it, its a stupid motor and its almost different enough to not be a VH.

The JDM VH41 is nearly identical to a VH45 except the smaller stroke, the different accessory orientation, and a duplex timing chain setup vs the single timing chain setup. Arguably, the ultimate VH swap would be VH45 internals into a VH41 chassis if you will.

The physical dimensions are in the VH forum somewhere, going off memory its like 500x600x700mm, very rough thats very off the cuff but those are the numbers that come to me, take that with the appropriate grain of salt.

Sounds like the kind of project I should have dreamed up, i hate you! BTW, im always around for VH info, im ultra easy to get ahold of (phone, email, AIM, whatev), so theres no excuse for lack of information here.

[Q45-MPV]

Thank you, thank you. Really helpful info. I may have to find a couple of transmission cores to see if the 01 tailhousing will bolt to an 03. Failing that, does anyone know what kind of power an 01 transmission can take? There must be some NA 300ZXs running with power outputs approaching 300.

For interest's sake, you may want to have a look here...http://www.cardomain.com/ride/460805/6

There you'll see an MPV undergoing 300ZX TT transplant. The fella first showed up on an MPV forum looking for swap ideas. I actually turned him onto the ZX motor because I'd heard about the common transmissions. Frankly, it sounded like he was in over his head. But the swap went together in about 2 months and he recently posted a video with the engine running. Don't know if he's on this forum but he ought to be.

- Gord

[Fla240sx]

see a 2wd transmission and 4wd transmission are two completely different beasts

your better off modifiying your stock transmission

a 4wd transmission typically has a shorter output shaft, the tailhousing is COMPLETELY different, it is more open, wider, and bolts to a transfer case, where as a 2wd model is longer and its output is the size of the slip yoke on the driveshaft.

to my knowledge there are no Nissan v8's thats are 4wd..... except the NEW FX45/Titan series........ and they probably run an entirely different setup as far as transmissions and transfer cases are concerned

[Q45-MPV]

a 2wd transmission and 4wd transmission are two completely different beasts... a 4wd transmission typically has a shorter output shaft, the tailhousing is COMPLETELY different, it is more open, wider, and bolts to a transfer case, where as a 2wd model is longer and its output is the size of the slip yoke on the driveshaft.

Thanks for your response. I do understand the differences, generally. To clarify your helpful comments, the output shafts between a 2wd and 4wd setup are different and, if there has never been a 4wd transfer case behind a RE4R03A (??) transmission I will be obliged to use my stock trans. The transmissions (2wd/4wd), themselves, are no different. They are simply setup with different output shafts and tailhousings; the latter being removable and interchancheable one for the other.

All of which may be mute now as it appears I won't have a hope of fitting this engine into my engine compartment without relocating the transmission, transaxle, etc. I knew I'd be making mounts, tackling the wiring, perhaps building an oil pan, etc. But I'm not real anxious to cut my firewall and whatever. If the measurements quoted above are reasonably accurate (and I assume they are), the VH is simply too long. I've got lots of width and height but..... My van is a '95. ('96-'99 had a slightly longer nose which [might just accommodate this engine.) Gonna spend some more time with my tape measure tonight. I'll keep you posted.
Modified by Q45-MPV at 6:11 AM 10/4/2007

[T45]

Is the front output on the drivers side? If so then you could get a nissan 4x4 tcase, TX10, and mate it up to your current trans and get a Q45 bellhousing to go in place of your current one. I am pretty sure everything would go together. If not then all you need is a pathy trans and swap bellhousings with the Q. Or you could always use the Q trans with the TCU and change the output housing for your tcase. There are a number of ways to do it but I am not 100% positive that any of the above are concrete fact proven methods, just what I've been told.

I was going to swap the VH into my frontier using a Q trans and tx10 tcase. I know that it has been done in patrols. If you swapped in a truck tcase then you also gain 4lo...