VQ35HR in an 84 720

[sawyer's720]

has anyone ever even heard of this swap? i've been looking all over but i haven't seen anything. how hard do you think the swap would be? just fabing mounts for the transmission and engine and fabing a custom driveshaft? give me some feed back? i think this could be a rockin swap.

[breadbox]

I havent seen a VQ in a 720 yet.

Getting it to physically sit in the engine bay is the easy part. its wiring it up that's hard.

And you said VQ53HR which has to use the right ecu to get the proper tune, The hard part is making the ECU's safety features happy. You probably are going to have find a way to bypass most of the NATS or run a stand-alone.

[breadbox]

I really wish the swap support was better on the ECU side, cuz I love the sound of VQ's.

[sawyer's720]

so it would basically be just as difficult as any other engine swap.

[Visiotech]

I just put a Chevy 350 in my 85 2wd 720... I'd say measure it and see if it will clear the steering shaft on driver side and the fender on the passenger side..
You can send the driveline in and have it cut to fit. Mine cost 165.00 and its perfect!
So, to ask, "will it fit?" is not the right question. Need to ask yourself if you are up to the swap. Took me 30 days and a full shop to do my 350

[sawyer's720]

if a 350 will fit im sure a six cylinder will fit. just alot of cutting and grinding probably. thanks for your help. if i can come up with all the funds i think this is the way i'll go. if i do it i will definitely post pics

[breadbox]

so it would basically be just as difficult as any other engine swap.

Not really.

vq35de-in-s13-in-progress-t207033.html

[breadbox]

notice how I'm the last person to post in there.

Options for wiring a VQ get an early model like 03 350z motor and wire it up to a 95 maxima ecu, or actually try to do a full 350z wiring job.

Or get a FWD VQ and modify everything to work it RWD and once again wiring it to a 95 max ecu or whatever the motor had with it.

OR Stand Alone.

Most VQ S13/S14 swaps started get parted. Also Haven't seen a VQ S13 in person ever. I am waiting til this is a more common swap than an SR and everyone is doing it plug and play, And I'm all in.

I would help you anyway I could if you started this swap. I support this fully.

[Visiotech]

I concur w/ Breadbox... I will back you too. And assist in any way I can. Do I feel a road trip coming???
Megasquirt seems to be the most chosen stand-alone ecu. If you can though, i'd use as much of the stock wiring as posable! i.e. the entire engine compartment wiring and ecu. also, if you are going to use the trans that comes w/ that motor then you will have all the shift mapping of the previous owner. I have a buddy that works @ nissan, he will be a great asset for your swap. He may know how to bypass the traction control for the rear diff so you wouldn't 'have' to use the high dollar rear axle.

[sawyer's720]

thanks for the support. i think this is the way i'm going to go. project wont start until mid to late september tho. i won't have the funds until then but i will keep everyone posted.

[breadbox]

I don't think you want the HR version. Its not fully compatible to the other VQ's and parts are a good source to have,

[sawyer's720]

yeahh you are totally right. iwas researching it and the best way to go with a VQ would be to swap in the engine from the 03 model.

[noface]

I'd definitely go the stand alone route, as you won't have to fight all the extra stuff that the stock ECM does.

Only use what's needed for your application, and wiring will be a TON easier.

Several options out there, and as said earlier, Megasquirt seems to be the more affordable and popular route. You just have to do a considerable amount of homework. This would probably be preferable anyway, since you'll get to know what the motor wants and needs in your particular application.

This would definitely be a most interesting project! For sure out of the box...

[breadbox]

I have almost no income right now, But a little while ago I almost picked up a motor and trans and was researching the hell outta VQ's. I really want one, But now I'm leaning toward swaps with a high HP to money ratio.

Like VQ's is a couple grand to get just what you need, plus you are going to want to get a perfect tune so thats some cash there.

I've been looking at Ford 302 swaps lately. Not a ton of s13's with them but these motors are so dirt cheap its redic.

Plus the parts market is massive for these motors. IDK why people buy LS motors all the time, other than weight i guess.

But I have a friend really into 5.0's who can rebuild these motors in his sleep. So I might throw a 302 in my parts 720 next year. Might be carb'd might be fuel injected.

But seriously look at how cheap you can get 302's

[sawyer's720]

how much power do the 302's make? cause i wanna try and get away with a good amount of power that wont tweak my frame. and since the vq is rated at 300 is should only put 275 down at the tires.

[breadbox]

A stock 302 will not twist your frame unless you are boosting or something.

in 1969, it was initially rated (SAE gross) at 250 hp (186 kW) with a two-barrel carburetor or 290 hp (216 kW) with a four-barrel.

For a $200+ mount and driveshaft swap that's pretty good. I'm not saying you need that old of a motor, but I see 302 going for 200-300 in the rusted out car in came in.

[sawyer's720]

yeah that would be cool, 5.0's are great to built up but would there be cutting or anything like there was with visiotech's build?