z31 to z32 conversion

[The Monk]

Hello to everyone I'm new to this site and I know enough to be able to work on a car but I still would consider myself a newb as some of you would agree after I ask my question.

A little background first, I have a 1988 300zx NA 2+0 automatic that's been sitting at my house for some time now. At first I didn't want it because it was automatic and I love manual. Then I thought this could be a great project car.

This truly is a project car, it runs but then overheard for some reason don't know why never bothered to check. The u joints are bad so I'm going to need to replace the driveshaft. And it has some rust but I can fix that.

I want to convert it to manual, and thought would it be worth it to buy a wrecked z32 NA and swap out the entire suspension system ( control arms, diff, struts, etc.) Brakes and transmission. I think there should be a greater aftermarket support for a z32 instead of a z31 which is why I'm asking if the swap is worth it

Or should I go a different route. I'm no expert and just want to give my Z the a attention it deserves.

Just if anyone is curious, I plan on doing a lot of canyon carving and eventually down the road in a few years I want to swap out the engine to a vh45

[camberkitteh]

Good luck on your conversion. I have given thought for my 84 with this.

[The Monk]

Thanks, how far have you gotten in moding your Z

[evildky]

The IRS from the Z32 is basically the same at the S13/14 which many people have swapped into the Z31 and there is even a kit, it does require a bit of cutting and welding but the Z32 IRS is wider by about 4 inches, some cut out flares would overcome this issue. The front is a completely different animal altogether. THe Z31 uses a LCA, TC rod and a macpherson strut. The Z32 uses a lca. tc rod, knuckle and unequal length upper control arm. Could it be done, sure cut out the shock towers and start welding, is it worth it, no. Now on to the engine, yes you could put the VG30DE into the Z31 chassis. It was offered in japan on a model called the 300ZR and many people have swapped in VG30DE as well as the VG30DETT into Z31's over the years. Why I wouldn't do it. You can simply do a VG30ET swap which is a simple bolt in affair and makes nearly the same power as the VG30DE in stock form but once you add an intercooler and turn up the boost you will be well north of Z32TT power in short order. And the cost, you will spend a lot less doing the VG30ET conversion as well as any modifications and maintenance costing half as much and requiring half the effort.

Also if you do a manual conversion on the stock motor you'll have to replace the driveshaft as well anyway, If you do a VG30DE you'll have to have a custom driveshaft made.

[The Monk]

Thanks evildky, I can't find the kit. Do you know where I can find the rear suspension kit you mentioned? So for the front suspension, what do you recommend is a better alternative, Also I mentioned a vh45 not a vg30.

[camberkitteh]

Unfortunately just making it run smooth for right now. The poor guy before me had no idea what he was doing with it. Lots of minor things to tune up then its onto modding.

[AcadianaSportsCars]

Group buy for S-Chassis Subframe Swap Kit

http://store.acadianasportscars.com/blog/subframeswap

[evildky]

You mentioned possibly later converting to VH45 which is a whole other bad idea. You think the VG30E has no aftermarket support, try the VH. Then add in the fact that it doesn't even bolt to any manual. the high number of proprietary parts, the time consuming difficulty of servicing that engine, the fact thats it longer and taller making it stick out of the hood, I have nothing nice to say about that engine especially into a Z31 chassis.

[The Monk]

The reason why I chose the vh45 was because I grew up with v8s, but I still want to keep my car Nissan and that's the only engine (I believe) that has been swapped into a z31

[The Monk]

The reason why I chose the vh45 was because I grew up with v8s, but I still want to keep my car Nissan and that's the only engine (I believe) that has been swapped into a z31




Group buy for S-Chassis Subframe Swap Kit

http://store.acadianasportscars.com/blog/subframeswap

I'm most likely going to get this, is there anything for the front? Or is the front subframe from the z31 good enough

[evildky]

V8's swapped int he Z31? VH has been swapped into a Z31, as has the SBC, SBF, LS and likely dodge but I haven't seen one.