Engine Swap Forum

After much debate and sleepless night thinking about this...

Once I start getting in parts for my project (S13) I figured I'd take Fred's dimension and play w/ some mounting positions then whip up some CAD files to have some engine mounts machined (it's also a nice 'mini' FEA project). I'll be using SolidWorks & Cosmos for CAD & FEA (which allows saving files in ProE/ CATIA5/ as well as the numerous sharing-friendly file formats). We could put the files up here for 'community' scrutiny/ use. I'd do some local machine shop price shopping and put the info here too.

I'm also developing thoughts about multiple areas of this swap that concern me. Alternate headers, oil pan, intake (custom?) and driveshaft options are on the top of my list.

My ideal is to have all the information ready for anybody who has the desire to go get all the necessary parts fabbed (or fab them themselves) to get their own swap up and running (i.e. basically a development of Fred's "community" idea, somewhat close to the megasquirt philosophy).

Now here's the moral of the story: If I could start getting feedback on some things then we could get this process up and running. I know Fred has his obligations so let's try not to leave all the R & D on his shoulders. If anybody else is attempting this swap and has parts/ time they can give some factual feedback then let us know so we can start the process.

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FYI: I'm based in Atlanta, GA and I'm looking at possibly 6mos to have my project up and running if all goes as planned.

NOTE: I DO NOT PLAN TO SELL ANY PARTS NIETHER FOR PROFIT OR FOR BEING NICE SAKES. DO NOT ASK. DO NOT HINT. DO NOT EVEN THINK ABOUT IT. If at any point I get the desire to mass produce any parts, u will see a thread in this forum about it. If u do not see a thread after an intensive search, it probably does not exist and means that I'M NOT MAKING ANY DUPLICATE PARTS. That being said, reproduction will be considered in the design process.

I'd also like to propose some kind of donation setup for Fred's efforts (and for being the pioneer of the swap). If any parts get developed and produced, I propose that we donate and buy a set for his personal use, free of cost to him (I'm talking even $1 donations). Of course this is all upon his approval...

Set it up Fred. I've got a couple bucks here with your name on them. Operative word in sentence: couple :D

Why am I doing all this? 1) I'm really interested in the project (primarily the engine). It'll probably save a me a couple dozen thousand dollars over the next 3 years. 2) I've never seen somebody pioneer something this 'valuable' and be as helpful as he is. Just surf the net and look at his replies. 3) I'm all for DIY money-concious projects that can run w/ the big $$$ projects in quality & quantity.

Expect some "crazy" threads in the near future!

Regards,

H. Kurt Betton

 

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Argh... guess I'll stick w/ the plan...

betton,

  That's a great idea for the cad drawings.  I wish I had the software to do that, unfortunatly all my knowledge for design is from a graphic design degree instead of cad/cam type work.  I hope you can get something worked up for everybody, I know I'd prefer a nice set of machined mounts over the hand made steel ones.  They'd look more professional for sure.

  I'm glad to see somebody has some real enthusiasm for this project and this community besides me!  I appreciate your efforts here and I hope that we can work together on this, I'll give you all the feedback I can about the mounts and anything else.

I have some requests if anyone is up to it:

  I'd like to request a header flange design in a cad program if anyone would like to take that on as a project.  I haven't found anyone online that sells just the flanges yet and I'd like a set for my future turbo manifolds.  If somebody could whip up a file for the flanges that would help us all out a bunch.  Some people will want to make NA headers I'm sure as well.

  Also, I'd like to request a file for the intake manifold flange, (a flange that would bolt up to the stock 350z lower intake, (the one that bolts to the heads)).  I needed that flange when I made my old intake manifold but had to make one by hand and it was a pain.

 

Finally, thanks for your kind words and the idea for the donations.  I have no problem with that!  If that idea takes off I'll likely put that money towards the development of this site.  If anyone wants to donate a few bucks just send me a PM and I'll get you a paypal address or a mailing address, I guess that would be the best way to handle it.  Maybe I can set up a way to differentiate those members who've donated with some special privelage on the site or maybe a notation by they're name when they post, etc.

 

Thanks,

Fred

 

 

 

If somebody could make some dimensioned sketches and send them to me, I could draw them up and post them in the 'files' section on this site as DXF files (a relatively universal format that u could bring to a machine shop).

This applies to anything on the VQ engine/ S13/ S14. I'll do files for anything but my priorities & preferences lies w/ the aforementioned.

Kurt

P.S. I'd recommend printing the files 1:1 scale on paper and ensuring proper fit before machining anything.

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Argh... guess I'll stick w/ the plan...

Deffinitely do them.

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S13 Fastback...putting the chassis together.

Suspension before power!

was browsing online for sum vq 240sx, and came across this.

http://www.cardomain.com/ride/767108/2

WhoDiddy:

was browsing online for sum vq 240sx, and came across this.

http://www.cardomain.com/ride/767108/2

 

Yup, that's Broaner he's a member here and the first one to do the swap into an s13.

 

Fred

any word on the nats bypass... i was lookin for methods online so we can use the 350z ecu.

http://www.autoalarmpro.com/nissan_infinity

 

http://www.autoalarmpro.com/inc/sdetail/2699 <--350z NATS bypass

found another vq30 swap in a older z. here's the slide show, they did a custom x-member.

 

http://img99.imageshack.us/slideshow/player.php?id=img99%2F5987%2F1144737001afm.smil

Awesome finds, really cool stuff.  I wish I knew what that little device actually does, I don't understand what it's for exactly.  And that Z is hot, very nice work whoever he/she is.  I like the plenum formed out of a solid sheet of aluminum, top quality stuff.

I wish I could get my hands on a stock VQ30DET intake manifold, anybody got one?  It's the only VQ manifold I haven't gotten a hold of so far (oh ya, and the new VQ35HR one :))

 

 

Fred

i talked to my friend who installs car alarms/systems professionally and on the side, he told me he uses stuff like that for the newer cars that have the key coded and the anti theft systems, it it bypasses that feature when adding a remote start system, it disables the nats for the engine to start when the key isn't in the ignition. ;)

i'm thinking of this setup myslef. altima SE-R motor, SE-R ECU, SE-R Engine Harness and Z/G 6 Speed Tranny. i'd use the Altima SE-R 6 Speed Clutch/Flywheel? does the dash harness plug into the ecu and the nats?

found you the vq30de manifold on ebay. $49.99 OBO, $13.00 s/h. has make an offer with it. pulled from a 99 maxima.

 

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/99-Nissan-Maxima-3-0-V6-intake-manifold-VQ30_W0QQcmdZViewItemQQcategoryZ36474QQihZ019QQitemZ8066889449QQrdZ1QQsspagenameZWD1V

I get it, so you still need the NATS module this just fools that so the key doesn't have to be there.  Not really a big help for the kind of stuff we're doing I don't think.

 

I'm looking for a VQ30DET manifold actually, the turbo version sold only in Japan.

 

Fred

Here's a question.  Can i use a driveshaft from a 5AT?  Is the section that slips into the tranny the same between the 6MT and 5AT?

Miami240:

Here's a question.  Can i use a driveshaft from a 5AT?  Is the section that slips into the tranny the same between the 6MT and 5AT?

 

Yes, the front yoke will work from either the 5AT or the 6MT, I'm using one from a 5AT in my car.

 

Fred

Do u think it will be street legal in CA.. i hate our laws... cops r hella crackin down on SR swap here.. i considered VQ swap.. i think it shud b legal cause VQ is a common engine in US.. unlike RB or SR..

I'm not too sure about California laws but I recall the main problem with RB and SR powered cars had to do with smog emissions.  If you could put the engine into the car with no codes at all and pass a sniffer you might get away with it.  Just make sure you make the engine look as stock and like it belongs there as possible: heatshield, OEM intakes, or even just the OEM engine cover lol.  You never know, you might get away with it.