Engine Swap Forum

I think this is gonna happen guys, I keep looking at the car and thinking about the project and I think it's gonna work.  My main concerns at this point are:

1. Oil pan clearance and what will be required there

2. Tranny tunnel clearance

3. Construction techniques for a tubular front end. What I have in mind is cutting off the front of the frame horns and the whole bent radiator support. Then welding on a couple plates to the end of the frame rails. Then I'd like to bolt on the tubular structure that will locate the headlights, fender ends, bumper and radiator.

Also, I'd like to be able to remove this tubular front structure with the bumper, radiator and headlights still installed - kind of a quick remove front clip if you will for easier engine service/removal.

4. Chassis wirng for power windows, dash functions light, etc.

 

My main goal for this project is to build a radical street car that will get people talking and generate some positive publicity for the site.  If anyone is interested in being a part of this project in any way please contact me.  If you represent a company that would like some good cheap advertisement through this project just shoot me an email.

 

Also, I'll be needing 04-05 or 06+ WRX front body parts, hood, fenders, headlights and bumper so if anyone has any leads let me know.  I'd entertain the idea of aftermarket parts only if they are cheaper than OEM alternatives (new or used would be fine with me).

 

thanks,

Fred

 

P.W. My wife's gonna kill me when she finds out about this!

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Instrument Cluster and Speedometer Repair

Very nice fred!

Tho Im worried about the rear end, Kumakabu (Sp? w/e the orage drifting subie) had a nissan GTR rear end/suspention/everything installed to take the punishment...

GL man sounds like it'll be a killer!

~Alex

Alex_V:

Very nice fred!

Tho Im worried about the rear end, Kumakabu (Sp? w/e the orage drifting subie) had a nissan GTR rear end/suspention/everything installed to take the punishment...

GL man sounds like it'll be a killer!

~Alex

 

Ya, I'm a little concerned about those spindly axles!  I think it will handle the ......180whp of the VQ30DE though as long as I go easy on the drag launches.  If I eventually go turbo I may have real trouble though.  I figure somebody surely makes beefy rear axles for the WRX though, and maybe even drop in differential upgrades by now.

I'm thinking of making some long tube headers for this project too, with some nice merge collectors, might be worth a few pounds of torque.

 

Fred

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Instrument Cluster and Speedometer Repair

Fred, with aftermarket tuning and a 00-01 manifold 200WHP isnt hard. Alot of maxima guys are hitting 220-230FWHP so I dont see why a Z33 tranny'd VQ30 cant get to 200. Especially with good tuning from an EMS.

I think Im also going the VQ NA route. Just temoraily. This of course I HAVE to make headers ;) Nice long tubes for that lovely top end my KA doesn't have. Im hoping for 210WHP and 200WTQ. I might try to get 3.5L cams and go for 220WHP+....boost will come when I have all the right parts.

~Alex

This project isn't dead incase anyone wonders!  I'm just trying to catch up on some other things I've got going on before I can start in on this beast. 

 It looks like I'll be going with an 06 front end now instead of the stock one for better looks.  So it should look basically exactly like the white on on page one of this post but with an STi box type spoiler, ummm, yummy.

 I also plan on a full 350Z drivetrain now including ECU and wiring (will actually use a FWD block though since I have one here cheap).  So, high 200's should be a real possibility non turbo. 

 

Fred

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Instrument Cluster and Speedometer Repair

2006 STi front bumper and headlights are on order, I'll post up some pics when they arrive later this week.  Still need two fenders and a hood.  Also have two exhaust manifold flanges on order, 1/2" thick steel, waterjet cut.

 

Fred

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Instrument Cluster and Speedometer Repair

Somehow I missed this thread...I guess I better start scrolling down past the Nissan forums!

Can't wait to see the finished product Fred.  Let me know if there's any ways I can help you out. 

This is what I have in mind for engine mounting.  Anybody seen front plates on a VQ, maybe in a race car or anything?

 

 

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Instrument Cluster and Speedometer Repair

haha, back to the front plate idea... are you going 3.0 or 3.5 this time around?

if you look between the banks there are 4larger holes, what bolts here?

i have an idea for you, but i don't want your engine to twist out of the chassis.

let me look thru more of your pics and i'll put together a sketch if i find something more suitable

*edit*  OK fred, how do i upload pics? *edit*

those are for the passenger side motor mount on FWD VQ's

Fred, if the FWD boys can hang the emgine by those 4, then i say so can you, build a spacer block like the denstsport car, and use 2 pieces of roll cage tube (1.5 .125 wall or some such) 

it looks like there are a few more threadded holes on the front cover that you could use (specifically a line of three just above the crank pulley) You could sandwich a spacer
between your plate and the front cover, assuming the bolt boss is supported on the back all the way to the block.

do you have a diagram of where all the FWD mounts are?
do they use both side mounts?  transmission as well?

3.5L for this project if all goes as planned!

 

I think those 4 holes will be the best route to go, not much other choice really.  On a FWD car they use that spot and one mount on the tranny.  Also, one on each other side of the block under the exhaust manifold area(for torque absorbtion really, not actualy weight bearing).  So those 4 holes are some pretty beafy spots I'd say.

 

I guess it's decided then!   But, I'm open to any ideas or thoughts.

 

Fred

 

 

 

 

 

 

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Instrument Cluster and Speedometer Repair

JSC:

*edit*  OK fred, how do i upload pics? *edit*

 

Do you have a gallery on this site yet?  If not I'll set you up with one then you can upload as many as you like for free.

 

Fred

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Instrument Cluster and Speedometer Repair

 

 

Uuuummm yummy Sti goodness.  My lights should be in tomorrow! 

Unfortunatly that will probably be all for a while as I have two other cars to finish up before I can get any real work done on the chassis.  But, I do intend to get some chassis fab parts on the way, like tubing, tabs, plates and the like. 

 

I'll also be on the look out for a good light radiator for the project, probably a stock one from some parts car.  I've seen some good candidates on some BMW's at work that have built in overflow bottles and even exta coolers like tranny and steering pump.  We'll see what I can turn up.

 

Fred

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Instrument Cluster and Speedometer Repair

Hey nice one fred , pretty sure it will work and be nice

altough go for a ms lol