Where to source a JDM VH41DE?

[Marquinho]

Hello,

I've been looking for a while, but I've only seen 97+ USDM models. The reason I want to have a 4.1 liter instead of the 4.5 is because I want the engine to be able to rev higher and also need to be much closer to 4 liters. And the reason I want the JDM VH41 is because as far as I understand it is nearly identical as the VH45. So, cams, exhaust and other items made for the VH45 are more likely to fit.

Does anyone know where to source these JDM VH41 engines?

Thank you,Marco

[Chrispy300]

Any importer should be able to get you one. Cost a bit more than a local VH45 though.

[Mettler]

Cams, exhaust etc will not fit either.

[SuperHatch]

Hello,

I've been looking for a while, but I've only seen 97+ USDM models. The reason I want to have a 4.1 liter instead of the 4.5 is because I want the engine to be able to rev higher and also need to be much closer to 4 liters. And the reason I want the JDM VH41 is because as far as I understand it is nearly identical as the VH45. So, cams, exhaust and other items made for the VH45 are more likely to fit.

Does anyone know where to source these JDM VH41 engines?

Thank you,Marco

Not for nothin, but it might end up cheaper in the long run to throw US VH41 Pistons and a crank into a US VH45...

[Marquinho]

Not for nothin, but it might end up cheaper in the long run to throw US VH41 Pistons and a crank into a US VH45...

That sounds interesting... Are the rods the same and is the crank a drop in affair?

Thank you for the help!Marco

[SaintlyCharBoy]

i can think of someone willing to trade!

[SuperHatch]

That sounds interesting... Are the rods the same and is the crank a drop in affair?

Thank you for the help!Marco

Rods are the same, crank and pistons are the only differences. Mettler on this forum has already stoked his JDM VH41 to 4.5L using this method. I would assume that the reverse is applicable as well.

[Marquinho]

Rods are the same, crank and pistons are the only differences. Mettler on this forum has already stoked his JDM VH41 to 4.5L using this method. I would assume that the reverse is applicable as well.

Makes sense to me! Thank you, Steve...

[gldnwolf77]

I couldn't find a good place to ask these questions so I'll try here. Will the mazworx z32 transmission adapter be the same for the jdm vh41de and vh45de? Also, I would like to maintain A/C and power steering if possible, is that possible with the vh41de in an s13?

Also, Mettler, what kind of power gain did you get by putting the vh45 rotating assembly into the vh41 block? What kind of compression ratio?

[Chrispy300]

Nope, 41 and 45 bellhousings are slightly different.

[gldnwolf77]

Do you know if there would be room to keep a/c with the 41? That would be the only reason I would go with the 41 over the 45.

[Mettler]

Also, I would like to maintain A/C and power steering if possible, is that possible with the vh41de in an s13?

P/S will be fine, you may need to get the lines recrimped or remade though.

Dunno about A/C as it's a petrol consuming waste of time... put the windows down and speed up!

Also, Mettler, what kind of power gain did you get by putting the vh45 rotating assembly into the vh41 block? What kind of compression ratio?

I haven't fully assembled my motor yet as I'm busy prepping the rest of the car, will be finishing the engine last. But I don't imagine there would be any difference between stroking the VH41 and a stock oval port VH45... the compression ratio is the factory VH45 10.2:1.

With the VH41 you do get the benefits of the better timing chain setup, more compact front covers, and more convenient peripheral placement in transplants (i.e. alternator at the top)... but it's a fairly big job to stroke the VH41DE just for these benefits alone. I only did it because that's the motor I started with, and wanted the extra cubes & piston acceleration. Mine should have a little bit more power than a stock VH45 due to head work & the nice new exhaust system I'm building.

[gldnwolf77]

P/S will be fine, you may need to get the lines recrimped or remade though.

Dunno about A/C as it's a petrol consuming waste of time... put the windows down and speed up!

I know, but my goal is to build a clean 300hp sports car/daily driver. Which for me means about 2000 miles a month of highway driving. 3 months worth of 70mph highway driving with the windows down and I will be deaf as a post. Or I drive with the windows up and arrive at my accounts sweating my off. It's nothing for it to get above 100*F here. So I'm trying to find out how much room is freed up by moving the alternator above the water pump. Is there room for an a/c pump?

[Mettler]

Honestly, I wouldn't know... one of the first things I did on my setup is rip the pump and lines out immediately. At a guess I'd say the pump would clear, but I don't know about the lines.

[gldnwolf77]

Guess there is only one way to find out. What kind of gas mileage were you getting with the 4.1?

[savatoge]

I asked the same question several days ago and got zero replies...

zerothread/342124

What gives! j/k

Marquinho,

Keep us posted if you find a source for importing JDM VH41DE motors...I'll do the same.

Thanks!

[Mettler]

I guess if you want a JDM Y32 VH41DE, my suggestion is to keep an eye on yahoo japan auctions, I've seem them on there for as low as NZ$50 bucks! Just no one over there wants them... they'd rather take a little motor and slap a big turbo on it... so if you have any contacts in japan to suss out freight for you, you're set. _b

Guess there is only one way to find out. What kind of gas mileage were you getting with the 4.1?

Damn good mileage actually, I remember it being more fuel efficient than my mate's turbo RB

[gldnwolf77]

I guess if you want a JDM Y32 VH41DE, my suggestion is to keep an eye on yahoo japan auctions, I've seem them on there for as low as NZ$50 bucks! Just no one over there wants them... they'd rather take a little motor and slap a big turbo on it... so if you have any contacts in japan to suss out freight for you, you're set. _b

Good info. I emailed a couple of ebay "importers" to see if they can get ahold of a couple. We'll see. Doubt I will get a response.

[/QUOTE]Damn good mileage actually, I remember it being more fuel efficient than my mate's turbo RB [/QUOTE]

Seems like an engine that was supposed to get over 20mpg in a 4000+ lb car would do pretty well in 2900lb car.

[T45]

The added importing costs involved, downgrading in displacement and sourcing replacement parts would steer me to an early 90's 45. They are cheap and powerful. Custom brackets and modifications can solve your issues, just depends on how far you are willing to go.

[gldnwolf77]

The added importing costs involved, downgrading in displacement and sourcing replacement parts would steer me to an early 90's 45. They are cheap and powerful. Custom brackets and modifications can solve your issues, just depends on how far you are willing to go.

Show me these custom brackets and modifications you speak of. If you know how to stuff an A/C pump and an alternator on the passenger side of that engine in an s13 I am all ears. Seriously, you will save me a bunch of time trying to source a jdm 41.

[Mettler]

T45 is right... although I think he's implying you'll need to come up with the custom brackets yourself.

[Marquinho]

Thank you all for the information. Based on what I've been so far, I'm very inclined to get the early 90s VH45 and put the 41 crank and pistons in it. I've seen some nice 264/272 cam regrinds with single valve springs, which should yield nice gains up top (around 7500RPM) while keeping it streetable.

I'm not in a rush, so I'll just take my time and start with the engine slowly - I still need to put the BEAMS in the 95 MR2 and the built 2.7 in my 320 E21.

[gldnwolf77]

T45 is right... although I think he's implying you'll need to come up with the custom brackets yourself.

I know what he was saying. I also know I will be fabricating all my own bracketry either way. My problem is that I live in BFE. There aren't Q45's on the road let alone the junkyards. I've looked. So either way I will have to have an engine shipped to me. Why not go with the one that is going to leave me the most room to work with?

I've read every post on the vh45de/vk45de forum here start to finish (yes, every one of them), I also read a few other postings on other forums because I like to do my homework before starting a big project. I didn't come across any s chasis swaps that kept the a/c, I assume there is a reason. I did email Kyle Ellis of Ellis Autoworkz http://www.ellisautoworkz.com/450swap.aspHere's what he said when I asked about his s13 project, "We kept p/s, our car didn`t have abs or HICAS so can`t answer that. Could not keep a/c, no room for the compressor. And yeah, the cluster worked." So I thought I would take his word for it and try another route. Especially since I have to have it shipped no matter which one I choose.

[MrPresidentQ45]

In a 1999 q45, I get about 16-17mpg in city driving and appx. 21-22 on the freeway. No mods, stock tire size using 91 octane fuel. This is an aggregate over about 20k miles of ownership from 78 to 96k miles.

also, am i reading the thread correctly that VH45DE crank and pistons will work in a VH41DE block?