peelcity

so i am new here and am still learning a lot about the 280 zx and i had a hard time understanding a couple of things that have been told to me so here goes. if this has been asked before i apologise in advance. is it possible for a 300zx twin turbo eng to bolt up in the 280zx or is ther a modification i must accomplish and does the tranny bolt up or do i need to change the bell housing. and finally what about the 350z eng is it capable of fitting in a 280zx. how does the performance increase or decrease in these matters?????:

NismoPick

You can bolt up most any engine, IF you have the engineering / design skills. I remember watching a Monster Garage episode where the team put a VQ35 in an old school Datsun 510 (I think it was a 510)... wicked nuts car.

Anway, performance depends on what you do to the engine & drivetrain.

So as always.... NOTHING IS IMPOSSIBLE, BUT MANY THINGS ARE IMPRACTICAL. It would be much less expensive & create a lot less headaches, by keeping the inline 6 idea in the S30 / S130 chasis. Nissan did know what they were doing when they put an inline 6 in the early Z's.

jfairladyz

I think that should be part of the forum rules that you read when you sign up for ZDriver: Nothing Is Impossible.

260DET

I'm just starting the process of fitting a VG30DET JDM engine, my S130 is RHD of course so with the single turbo on the left it should be easier. Going to match the engine with a Z31/32 turbo gearbox and R200 diff.

entropy31

any pics? sounds like a good project.

280zxbrandon

There is a user over at hybridz.org that has a VG30DET swapped z. I believe he has a really leangthy write up on it, too. A quick search should find what you're looking for. Always search before making new threads. Search this forum and hybridz.org and you can pretty much find anything you could possibly need.

Lost Vegaz

What you build is limited by only 1 thing, your pockets, how deep are they??

entropy31

cash certainly does help thing along.

260DET

Pics of the engine and suspension around here somewhere. Other than that the lucky car is still getting pulled to bits.

hoov100

i know a regualr VG30de engine will bolt up with a change to rb25 mounts

peelcity

well let's see i currently really have about 3000 cash to use on the vehicle and i'm currently fixing the interioir and puttiong in a body kit. i came across some good deals on a l28et but still kinda looking in the vg30ett direction. unknown and as my wife is so undrstanding i get 600 cash a month after this 3000 so money shouldn't be an issue. just trying to get directions on conversion and no challenge is to hard for me. my friend wants me to use a rotary engine instead he says he can work that eng to peak perofrmance for 4500 so many ideas to choose from. almost like getting my first tattoo.

NismoPick

Sounds like money & skill aren't a prob... Why not drop in a supercharged LS1? We all know the saying "No replacement for displacement."

lww

A VG30'D'ETT swap will take significantly more time and fabrication than an LS1 swap. Mostly because, nearly all the parts you need for the LS1 are readily available as well as clear detailed instructions from JTR:

http://www.jagsthatrun.com

I considered the VG30ET for a 240Z, but the time and effort exceeds the ROI more than I'm willing to accept for the novelty. I even have the Z31T motor for free and I'd rather do the LS1.

I've seen a VG30DETT in a first gen Z, but you couldn't slide a piece of paper between the shock towers and the engine, the clearance was so tight.

The VQ35 has been done in a first gen Z and it was a lot of fabrication as well.

I've seen a BMW V12 in a first gen Z, so, yes, anything is possible.

It depends on how much you're willing to invest in the 'novelty' of what you want out of the car.

Me, I finally decided to do an L6 turbo 'again'! This time with MSnS+E and FI.

Whatever you decide to do, have fun!

260DET

Just done a trial fit of the VG30DET, fits in quite neatly. No drastic problems although with the stock turbo being a snug fit, ~20mm from the left rail, its going to be interesting fitting a GT35R in.

Note the S14 front Xmember and power steering rack, the car is going to have a full S14 suspension transplant.

RodMoyes

DUDE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! !!!!
Somebody put your brake booster on the wrong side of the car!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Rod.

260DET

Easier to get at the turbo that way