VH45DE swap info, fitment issues and things to consider

[craigztoyz]

that is what my TX ones should look like.

[T45]

I don't think I would expect a stock VH in a Z to run low 11's but the thrill of the drive will be more than enough!!! The ride of this car is incredible, I have no idea how it rode stock but with the poly-graphite bushings, ST sway bars and Tein's it blows me away.

[OUKNO]

My pockets are no where near ready to do this, but it will deffinately be happening. to all that have & are doing this them self I happen to have a uncle with a shop in the Bay Area thats is slapping LS-1's in RX-7's he said he will do it when I'm ready.

Where are the vids I gotta see this car in action.

[T45]

Right now I'm having cooling and fuel issues. I am waiting on a bigger radiator as the NA rad doesn't have enough capacity. It will idle at 175*-180* all day but once you put the pedal down it creeps up to around 220 and doesn't come back down. I also have a dead injector or 2. I replaced 2 with used ones and un-stuck 2 old ones but apparently I have more going bad. I will definately post a vid, dyno run and 1/4 times when the car is ready for it. Until then I have too much invested to push it any farther.

I really didn't build it to run 1/4's but I'm the kind of guy that will try anything once and I've never been down the drag strip and am dying to!!! Patience my dear zedheads, patience!

[hannibal]

Looking good! I like the paint job on the intake manifold

[OUKNO]

are you running an electric fan, I hope you are, if not you can pick up a 4500CFM fan for less than a $100... from a Mark VIII

http://motors.shop.ebay.com/Pa...fxdZ1

I'm sure that'll keep it cool

[kbflip02]

Right now I'm having cooling and fuel issues. I am waiting on a bigger radiator as the NA rad doesn't have enough capacity. It will idle at 175*-180* all day but once you put the pedal down it creeps up to around 220 and doesn't come back down.

have you thought about a q45 rad from the earlier models...it should fit though youll have to modify the mounting brackets and switch to an electric fan......i know the fan from a 95 ford taurus is 5000 CFM and covers the rad nicely....the whole fan assembly is only around $120.....just an idea to throw your way

[T45]

Right now I'm running dual 12" fans. After the rad upgrade if it still runs hot I'm going to put the 2 12's in front as pushers and run 2 14's or a single 16 as a puller. I am pretty sure it's just a capacity issue. I also haven't installed the plastic that goes between the facia and lower xmember that directs air into the radiator yet. That may help a lot too.

If I had a stock map on my ecu it may not detonate like it is now.

Thanks for the paint compliment. It looked really good until it sat outside in the weather for a few weeks. Now it looks like crap. I think I am going to wrap it when I pull the plenum to do the injectors. The intake gets really hot from the heat radiating from the engine even with the hole in the hood.

The Q rad won't fit, the lower tube makes contact with the drivers tension rod mounting bracket. Already tried it. Also the fans are just too big to fit between the engine and rad. Not a lot of clearance going on here. The 12" fans are 2.5" deep and don't touch anything. I think I could cram a bigger one in there up to 3" but it will have to be placed perfectly to clear pullies, belts, rad hoses and whatnot.

Oh, and I cut up the stock Z fan to try and make it fit with the Q fan for pushers. Like a DA now I am thinking of buying another stock Z fan to put in front to help. I think between the bigger rad, stock plastic back in it, 2 12's and the stock Z fan it should be enough.

[craigztoyz]

I have used the 88 tauras radiator alot for swaps,. It is small, 4 core and flows great. I will get the AZ part # and post it. It is for a 3.8, It usually costs 160's and is there in a day or 2. It will fit but a fan will not unless it is really thin.

Well, that is what i am doing. Pushers, and if I find a superthin puller in my budget, then...... But first I need bolts for my flywheel, and clutch.

[MRJERRY300ZX]

WASSUP!!! Guys I just wanted to know how all the progress is going with the vh swap's? I can tell you this I can start to see some light at the end of tunnel. everything (hopefully) is down hill from here with the wiring and mounting the transmission considering I'm using the vh45 so that means i'm gonna need a custon driveshaft made I think

[sunny334]

tht thing will be serious!!! when its done with

[craigztoyz]

Pics or Videos Up yet? How is the car? I'm waiting on Summit for bolts for flywheel, hope to break in car this week.

[T45]

Nah, I'm too busy trying to kill myself in the shipyard. Sometimes 110 in the shade, surrounded by black steel with 95% humidity wears me down a bit. I drink probably 5 liters of water a day and only pee once for like 10 seconds. It's nasty. I believe I'm off topic....

[fairladyz1990]

The vid on youtube shows the potential of this build... Its clean as hell..

[craigztoyz]

WASSUP!!! Guys I just wanted to know how all the progress is going with the vh swap's? I can tell you this I can start to see some light at the end of tunnel. everything (hopefully) is down hill from here with the wiring and mounting the transmission considering I'm using the vh45 so that means i'm gonna need a custon driveshaft made I think

Are you using the ATX from the Q?

If so, yes you need to make a shaft, 1 piece. So i assume that you are front sump still too.

[craigztoyz]

The vid on youtube shows the potential of this build... Its clean as hell..

which video are you refering to? There are numerous VH45's in different cars. And I don't think this car has a video on line yet. Slims is, and a few S13/14's, and a truck that rocks.

[T45]

Yeah, I have a vid up. Nothing special to look at though. It was the first startup after rebuild and had mad lifter tap. The engine sounds much better now but I'm still waiting to get some good injectors from Tmo and a bigger radiator. Sounds great now until she gets hot, then with the added timing and fuel she bangs...er...knocks.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wWSaCqOa2sw

[MRJERRY300ZX]

Are you using the ATX from the Q?

If so, yes you need to make a shaft, 1 piece. So i assume that you are front sump still too.

No! I have a rear sump pan haven't been able to work on it this week b/c of school, but I'm gonna get back to it friday

[craigztoyz]

No! I have a rear sump pan haven't been able to work on it this week b/c of school, but I'm gonna get back to it friday

AH, that is what I was going ot do, then found that it fit great in car with a little mod.

[MRJERRY300ZX]

I thought that it would fit ok with a little work but I saw T45's post and talked to slim alot and he said the rear was the way to go! But now it's gonna be crunch time for me city of Houston has these strict laws about working on the car in front of the house so they gave me a month to finish that sucks but I think I can pull it off hopefully anyway I have everything finish except for the custom driveshaft made but, I still have to get the transmission in! school 4 days a week is killing me along with the heat and no garage, so I have to make lemonade out of lemons Deed Restrictions Suck
Modified by MRJERRY300ZX at 8:24 PM 6/14/2008

[craigztoyz]

Yeah, I pray daily that I dont have to deal with the law on building cars out of your garage.

let me know if you need help.

I was going to go rear, but figured, I wanted to try this, see how it works, GTO's use this front setup, no issues, and Mazworx drag cars use front too, so I am going to see how it goes. If I move the sway bar to the rear , I could enlarge the pan to the front a lot!!

[T45]

I went through the same thing! City of VB came by my house and gave me 7 days to move it. This was only about a week after I started. I believe a neighbor called on me. I ended up putting it in the backyard for a couple months while I got other things done and ready and then moved it back out front to finish. City never came back, I guess neighbor knew I would just move it back to the backyard if they called.

I can understand the reasons for those kind of laws but some interfere with a mans livelyhood, that **** needs to stop.

[craigztoyz]

Update???

How are the twins? The Z45 is ____________?

Got mine done, Vids to come. Amazing swap, gain over 100 hp, 100 lbs of torque, and loose 200 lbs of weight. And it looks good!!! I got mine under the hood, with no problems, did do some serious crossmember mods though. Buldged the hood now to have over an inch space between plenium and hood.

Thanx for the info and help that you posted along your build, it was helpful. Funny how helpful others' problems can be to your own.

[T45]

No updates, I moved to southern florida a couple of weeks ago and my car is in storage back in va. I am in training for a couple months and then i'll be all over the world fixing communications sytems so it will probably be a long time before I can get the bankroll to finish it.

Glad to hear it's up and running. Can't wait to see a vid.

[TreadStone]

Congrats on new family members..

Great job on that swap..

Ok,, here is what I wana know:

1) What year did you do this?

2) How much did that VH motor set u back on?

3) How much did the whole swap costed you, considering that you did your self.

4) What was most difficult things u had to over come to get this project done?

I'm like in this zone stuck.. should I get a JDM motor or just do a VH swap.

Were there any issues with dashboard to engine.. wirring/connectors?

Was there any problems round the brake booster area and the VH motor?

Thanks..

[TreadStone]

Cooling issues?

Get a TT Alumin Radiator.. with some high power electic fans.

HKS has a custom Electic fan controler.. u can get from them..

and wire all those together.. should fix your temp issues.

Good luck.

[TreadStone]

T45

hey.. I noticed the cam breathers on the VH motor.. how did u plumb em?

I'm thinking just putting those mini cone filters on each bank,, and that should do it.

What you think?

[TreadStone]

Well if u scroll up,

T45 sayin, dont need no mods for the driveline.. unless.. u wana go the extra. Once the transmission mounts up, your driveline shouldnt be bothered.

but, I'm all for good driveline myself.. Z1 got planty of steel ones in stock.. or they can custome make a Aluminum one. I use to run Aluminum one..

Nice and quick.. stock to stock.. S2000 full car lenght behind me..mine was 92 2+2 NA

[craigztoyz]

My Z came with a one piece when I got it. If you leave the trans mounted wher it is, and adapt the motor to the trans, it sits very necely, it can go back about 1 1/2 " from there if you wanted to make new trans mount and shorten shaft, but that is it. Fireall on pass side, and starter in tunnel.

Cooling is no issue, I have a sweet radiator, HUGE much bigger than anything the Z guys run, and it cools GREAT. The power from this engine in this car (n/a gears) is FN SICK.

I ran pcv system to gods open air, very simple, and clean. Exhaust is easy.Wiring is easy, you have to be pretty handy with a welder, and be able to fab, to make mounts, pan mods, and a lot of other b.s. that comes along to make. Would you believe me if i told you I had less then a grand into my Z45? running, driving, fully functional, and oh my god fast. That is only because I already had motor, and am able to source things carefully, and wisely.

I have about 700 hours into the build, started it in Jan, and did numerous other customer cars at same time, but did dedicate most of my time to it, and honestly have it done for under a grand. About to spend twice that though to get it painted. Biggest obstacle, trans/motor adapter choice, and buying a part that was very poorly made the first time. Cooling fans are a breeze, just a matter of wiring.there is plenty of space by booster n all that. if you want it under hood as i did, then you have to do some pretty hairy stuff to get it there. But I did do it. Mine sits under a stock hood, but I have now buldged it (looks like a cowl hood) to have an inch of clearance from hood, n intake.

Well, if you hav any other q's just ask, CraigI will post some pics and vids soon, ragged out the car this weekend, ran it up through 1/2 of 5th gear, was fun. Pulling motor tomorrow to get ti cleaned up, and swap to another oil pan. There is a lot of work in this build, but it is not impossible. To do it right/wasier/quickly----if you drive your Z... get the Vh motor, and wiring, and an extra set of pigrtails for your Z, and do the wiring first, but just use wireties up the area in the floorboard so you can test later, (trust me, you will find some challenging moments), with that done, you can start to get it hooked to trans, then set it in, and start the mounts.

I plan to build 4 more of these, the one I just started testdriving, I am selling in a month, and then may do a J45, but a few more Z45's to come. I like this swap. It is a clean looking build, and runs great.

Here are a few pics.....











Hope you like. I know I do. If anyone is lookin into this swap and is serious, and needs info, drop me a line.

Craig

[kbflip02]