VK45DE 240SX

Discuss topics related to the VH41DE, VH45DE, VK45DE, and VK56DE engines.
mad4datsun
Posts: 22
Joined: Mon Dec 17, 2012 5:07 pm
Car: 1990 240sx ka-t (current)
1972 240z vk45de (future project)
Location: Clearwater, fl

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Well, in terms of initial cost, most of the LS1 series engines w/t56 have been no less then 4000 dollars w/o shipping (that i have seen). That will get you a 350HP engine with a transmission. Then you need all the swap components, while you can fabricate most of this stuff pretty easy you will be left figuring out the oil pan, and swap kits go for about 1000-1500 dollars, (we are talking s chassis) so lets say 4000 dollars for just your components (if you are able to do the swap on your own)

The VK45DE, comes from the factory rated at 340HP, only 10 less HP then that of the ls1, but is 1.2 liters less on displacement. Also not to mention the fact that this engine comes from a luxury car, so it is safe to say that it has been detuned from the factory, so its real output in stock trim when the limiters are removed are yet to be seen. (while this can be true of the ls1, I would venture to say that it is run very close to its limit in stock trim because of its OHV configuration vs the VK's DOHC system that can flow more air) anyway back to cost.

Engine, average 1000 dollars.
transmission, can range from 200-1000 dollars depending what you want, lets say a 350z 6 speed to keep it fair, 800 dollars + adapter plate (350)+ clutch and flywheel 400 about 1500 all told for that, if you go with this option.
so far 2500 dollars
ECU, if you do not use the stock one you will need MS3 or something of the like, 800 dollars
total for base parts : 3300 dollars, (give or take)

So for less then the cost of an LS1 you can get all the base components needed to start the project, and if you hunt for deals, parts can be had for cheap, just like anything.
Now yes sadly there is little aftermarket support for this specific engine, but its bigger (slightly dumber) brother the vk56 has had some interest from the aftermarket community and there is some interchangeability, but you will be left needing to fabricate (or have fabricated) some parts for the swap.

Will those costs add up to more then an LS swap? Maybe, but the statement "More HP at a 'fraction'" of the cost is not quite right. Also, I am a believer that engines should not come from other makers, but that is my own philosophy, I still respect the crap out of the work that it takes to make swaps happen, I just feel that it takes away from the original manufacture.

Anyway, sorry to create any problems in this thread, back to the build!


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SBC300
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Joined: Sat Aug 22, 2009 8:07 pm

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Oh now its a LS based motor, not just just a SBC. I made over 800hp at the wheels with a SBC in a 300zx for under $6500.
I could go to a junkyard and pull and small block, pop in a glide and make 400hp at the wheels with a little nitrous or a small turbo for less than $3000.

I guess its all in what you are comfortable with.

If it was my car I would go 2jz with a decent turbo. Cheap and easy to work with.

I am not picking an argument and I believe everyone should build stuff the way they want and not what anyone else says.
But to say you can make more HP with 45 cheaper than a sbc is just not accurate.

Have fun!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
:)

mad4datsun
Posts: 22
Joined: Mon Dec 17, 2012 5:07 pm
Car: 1990 240sx ka-t (current)
1972 240z vk45de (future project)
Location: Clearwater, fl

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I never said that it was going to be cheaper to build power out of the 45, I was just saying that the "fraction of the cost" was not accurate.

What I want to know with the vk45 is if there is any room for improvement in the stock tuning, sense it is coming out of a luxury car and not a muscle car.

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SBC300
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You will always have some wiggle room in a custom tune over the stock tune. Its a give and take scenario though. You gain better performance and give up mileage and possibly a little engine life. The only way to do it properly is on a dyno though. Now if you add a small turbo and have a good custom tune you will make some steam. :)

mad4datsun
Posts: 22
Joined: Mon Dec 17, 2012 5:07 pm
Car: 1990 240sx ka-t (current)
1972 240z vk45de (future project)
Location: Clearwater, fl

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the good steam id hope, off the tires!

Also if we were gonna look at sbc compared to nissan v8 id say that the vh45 would be closer to the lt1 where the vk is closer to the ls1 if we had to drawl comparisons. :dblthumb:

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SBC300
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How they compare doesnt mean anything to me. They are all different. A lot different.

You said:
mad4datsun wrote: I had a person tell me that "oh a sbc will make more power at a fraction of the cost" I laughed a little then broke it down too him.
And I said: s***. I am still waiting for you to break it down to me. ;)

:)

mad4datsun
Posts: 22
Joined: Mon Dec 17, 2012 5:07 pm
Car: 1990 240sx ka-t (current)
1972 240z vk45de (future project)
Location: Clearwater, fl

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true, they are different, but HP ratings stock to stock are very close between the two.

vh45 compared to lt1 there is almost no difference in HP when vh45 is running stock settings, after tuning the hp ratings are almost identical. as well as the price from what I have seen.

vk45 compared to ls1 is a 10 hp swing with stock settings, and cost is almost the same.

The only problem is, there are not enough examples of the vk or vh being modified like the ls1 or lt1. Time will tell, but one thing is already obvious, HP per liter is higher with the Nissan engines, much higher. vh45 about 69HP per liter where the lt1 has 53HP per liter. The diffidence is closer with the ls, compared to the vk with its 75hp per liter in the vk where the ls1 makes 61hp per liter.

Now what kind of power can be made with x amount of money, that is yet to be seen, but the fraction of the cost statement is a farce, because stock to stock they are nearly identical in initial output, it is only the area of aftermarket support that chevy engines have the advantage, but even then the costs are not too drastically different.

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SBC300
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Are you serious? LOL.

IThaJ0kaI
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Joined: Fri Mar 18, 2011 10:05 am
Car: 96 G50, 90 S13 hatch
Location: Port Richey, FL

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Why are you both bickering on this dudes thread? Holy s***, go cry elsewhere.

mad4datsun
Posts: 22
Joined: Mon Dec 17, 2012 5:07 pm
Car: 1990 240sx ka-t (current)
1972 240z vk45de (future project)
Location: Clearwater, fl

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sorry I feed the troll.

back to the build.

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TOPNIS
Posts: 40
Joined: Sun Oct 28, 2012 7:28 pm
Car: 2000 nissan maxima, 2004 nissan maxima, 95 nissan 240sx.

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Injector fuel rail tube and injector bit tool with fittings have just arrived. Just waiting now for the fuel lines to start the custom set up. http://i1282.photobucket.com/albums/a52 ... 1357686352

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SBC300
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mad4datsun wrote:sorry I feed the troll.

back to the build.
Troll? Thats hilarious little man...

mad4datsun
Posts: 22
Joined: Mon Dec 17, 2012 5:07 pm
Car: 1990 240sx ka-t (current)
1972 240z vk45de (future project)
Location: Clearwater, fl

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TOPNIS wrote:Injector fuel rail tube and injector bit tool with fittings have just arrived. Just waiting now for the fuel lines to start the custom set up. Image
very nice, how much? lol jk jk looking good tho!
SBC300 wrote:
mad4datsun wrote:sorry I feed the troll.

back to the build.
Troll? Thats hilarious little man...

OMG do you know when to drop anything? FFS.

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SBC300
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Nope, and that rail setup is going to have problems. You should have used ORB not tapered AN.
But I am sure you know that since I am just a troll, and you know it all......

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TOPNIS
Posts: 40
Joined: Sun Oct 28, 2012 7:28 pm
Car: 2000 nissan maxima, 2004 nissan maxima, 95 nissan 240sx.

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SBC300 wrote:Nope, and that rail setup is going to have problems. You should have used ORB not tapered AN.
But I am sure you know that since I am just a troll, and you know it all......
Lmao im new to this forum s*** but I didn't know people get this emotional on someone's oppinion. Take it easy rudeboy! And for the fuel rail and the build, don't worry kid its not my first build and far from my first time with custom fuel rail.

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SBC300
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TOPNIS wrote:don't worry kid its not my first build and far from my first time with custom fuel rail.
Then why are you doing it wrong? Kid? Lol, I am the oldest "kid" on this site. If its not your first one why did you just buy the bit?
I dont use them as a my mill works much better. Why didnt you use ORB again? Google it, any try to learn something.

Lol... Nice work.... Love the welds..

Image

mad4datsun
Posts: 22
Joined: Mon Dec 17, 2012 5:07 pm
Car: 1990 240sx ka-t (current)
1972 240z vk45de (future project)
Location: Clearwater, fl

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wow, you are still here.... please leave.

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SBC300
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mad4datsun wrote:wow, you are still here.... please leave.
No thanks. I need the chuckles.

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TOPNIS
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Car: 2000 nissan maxima, 2004 nissan maxima, 95 nissan 240sx.

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mad4datsun wrote:I love this engine so far, tearing it down gonna replace some gaskets and a few other things just to be 100% sure its in good shape might do the jim wolf cams and springs and POSSIBLY drysump. mine is the 2002 q45 version. only other problem that i may have is the cam pick up, because I am gonna be using an AEM series 2 box and this has un-even cam tooth spacing.
Did you get a chance to drop yours in yet to check the fitment yet? :yesnod

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TOPNIS
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Car: 2000 nissan maxima, 2004 nissan maxima, 95 nissan 240sx.

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Almost done with the fuel rails waiting for more parts, heres some pics of the progress. Image Image Image Image Image will follow up soon.

Yellow4g63
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Joined: Mon Jan 20, 2003 6:07 pm
Car: 95 RB20 240, 91 NX2000 VE power, 95 Stock 240sx
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wow I thought the VK and VH were the same size. the VK looks narrower than the VH. Will the A/C fit with on the motor? or will it hit the frame rails?

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TOPNIS
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Car: 2000 nissan maxima, 2004 nissan maxima, 95 nissan 240sx.

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Yellow4g63 wrote:wow I thought the VK and VH were the same size. the VK looks narrower than the VH. Will the A/C fit with on the motor? or will it hit the frame rails?
Yeah it fits. :yesnod

mad4datsun
Posts: 22
Joined: Mon Dec 17, 2012 5:07 pm
Car: 1990 240sx ka-t (current)
1972 240z vk45de (future project)
Location: Clearwater, fl

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TOPNIS wrote:
mad4datsun wrote:I love this engine so far, tearing it down gonna replace some gaskets and a few other things just to be 100% sure its in good shape might do the jim wolf cams and springs and POSSIBLY drysump. mine is the 2002 q45 version. only other problem that i may have is the cam pick up, because I am gonna be using an AEM series 2 box and this has un-even cam tooth spacing.
Did you get a chance to drop yours in yet to check the fitment yet? :yesnod
I did a partial solidworks model of both the engine and the bay and yes they fit, I currently do not have the car so I cant drop it in the car to check physically, but the datsun's engine bay is almost identical to the s chassis except for length, and im not 100% on the hood sweep.

it looks very good in your engine bay btw!

Yellow4g63
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I have a question on the VK45's. Do they have the VCT on intake and exhaust or just the intake? I can't really tell from the pics of the motor.

mad4datsun
Posts: 22
Joined: Mon Dec 17, 2012 5:07 pm
Car: 1990 240sx ka-t (current)
1972 240z vk45de (future project)
Location: Clearwater, fl

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just the intake

Yellow4g63
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Bump any progress on the swap?

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TOPNIS
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Car: 2000 nissan maxima, 2004 nissan maxima, 95 nissan 240sx.

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Finally had some time to work on forgotten project. Forgive for the late response but busy is my middle name . Just so you guys know I'm just going to dump a bunch of pictures at one time and I don't have time to label all of them so sorry.Holley dual stage 1400hp capable fuel pump and fuel cell [URL=https://forum-attachments.sfo2.di ... .jpg[/img][/url] [URL=https://forum-attachments.sfo2.di ... .jpg[/img][/url] [URL=https://forum-attachments.sfo2.di ... .jpg[/img][/url] CP pistons and Pauter rods, ACL bearings, custom ARP head studs, Cometic head gaskets. [URL=https://forum-attachments.sfo2.di ... .jpg[/img][/url]

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TOPNIS
Posts: 40
Joined: Sun Oct 28, 2012 7:28 pm
Car: 2000 nissan maxima, 2004 nissan maxima, 95 nissan 240sx.

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User avatar
TOPNIS
Posts: 40
Joined: Sun Oct 28, 2012 7:28 pm
Car: 2000 nissan maxima, 2004 nissan maxima, 95 nissan 240sx.

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Yellow4g63
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Joined: Mon Jan 20, 2003 6:07 pm
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Didn't know you were shooting for 1000+whp, Thought it was just going to be a bolt on swap lol.


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