rxKaffee

I'm considering building up a VG33DE using the vg33e's bottom and heads from the vg30de.

I was wondering what you guys think is fair market price for a VG33E minus the heads.

ZLover4Life

For that purpose... $0.00; but that's just my opinion.

rxKaffee

Why is that?

CanyonCarver

Because he thinks you should only do a vg30dett swap and nothing else.

There were relatively few vg33e's built, so I voted $451+. They went away when the vq35 came out. You might get lucky and find one in a junk yard. Here's a listi of the the vehicles that I could find with the vg33.

96-00 pathfinder vg33e
99-02 quest vg33e
00-03 frontier vg33e
01-04 xterra vg33e
01-04 frontier vg33er

silvrhand

why cause yourself extra pain by using a VG33 bottom end, why not just use the VG30 and be able to find the pistons and stuff that you'll want in a buildup?

rxKaffee

The VG33 block can be bored out more than the VG30 due to the small amount of extra metal it has on it.

CanyonCarver

I'm kind of planning the same build to some extent. Here is some info you might find interesting. --->>> vg30 = vg33. The main difference between the vg30 & vg33 is the diff between 87mm & 91mm pistons. People keep telling me that you can't bore the vg30 for 91mm pistons. I just say I'll install liners if I have to.

bardabe

yeah it;s bullshit you cna bore out a VG to 91mm no problem. if the block is the same. shouldn;t you jus tbe able to Re-Sleeve the motor??? cause that;s what some guy did for his SR. it was insane. when Ifind the link I'll let you guys know. RB25 Pistons on SR 20... yeah U heard me SR25

rxKaffee

After some further research, it appears that I might have been slightly un-informed about that statement.

It seems that the difference in bore-ability is not between the VG33E and VG30DE, but between the VG33E and VG30E. Or between the VG30DE and the VG30E you could put it I guess.

It still serves its purpose for me though and saves the cost of machine shop boreing the block.


HOWEVER; I believe I've allowed my thread to stray from its original topic. And for this I apologize. I intended this not to discuss the merits of what I intend to do with this block, only what you might think its fair market value is. I do appreciate everyone's contributions of information regarding these engines though! I learn something new about the VG every time I look into it.

CanyonCarver

I don't think you strayed too far off topic. I tried to answer your question and then provide a little insight. If there is any additional information that you come across regarding vg30 --> vg33 compatibility please share it. One thing I've wondered myself is if the holes exist in the vg33 block for the t-belt tensioner & idler pullies for the twin cam heads.

Here's another interesting link that you might find helpful --->>> ENGINE MATRIX

ZLover4Life

VG__DE and VG__E parts are not interchangeable from what I've seen and read. So if you were thinking of using a VG33E block with VG30DE heads, it's not going to work (same with trying to use a VG33E crank in a VG30DE block, etc etc etc).

silvrhand

And?

The amount of power you are going to gain from that isn't going to be worth the pain/process involved? Why not just go with the VG30 block and be done? The VG30 can make extreme amount of power without having to bore it. If you are doing a NA buildup.. I'll stop here as again it's not worth the investment unless you are just trying to prove a point and have money to burn.

rxKaffee

From what I read the only difficulty is having to slightly reshape a water passage thats offset a little.

rxKaffee

If a little dremeling on a water passage is all I have to do to get a VG33 bottom end to fit to some DOHC heads, thats a cheap upgrade.

It looks like its going to cost more to buy a VG30DE bottom end than the VG33.

CanyonCarver

I don't see anywhere where
the poster said he's doing an n/a build-up, so it's not an n/a --> tt comparo. Still a vg33dett > vg30dett & vg33de > vg30de. If you look at h.p./litre and the .3 litre being a 10% increase...... it can be significant. Plus, if your doing a build with new forged pistons, the cost difference between 88mm & 91mm pistons is nill. If your doing a build with new forged pistons, the cost difference between boring the cylinders for 88mm & 91mm pistons is minimal. Maybe two more passes per cylinder with the boring head.

vg30 & vg33 cranks are the same.

rxKaffee

Yea, the only part of the crank that differs is the snout. I could either machine the vg33 crank snout or put in a vg30 crank.

silvrhand

Again,

Why go some route where you are going to have to fab the work yourself, I mean the VG30DETT combo is easy to get 350+ rwhp from even the stock turbo's.

Do you really plan on putting more than 450/500 rwhp down? If so then you may want to think about a buildup, if not then just go with the VG30DETT, with some new turbo's, injectors, and exhaust manifolds. You'll have more problems trying to keep it on the ground.

*IF* you are trying to do something unique and show stopper then there really isn't much info on VG33DE bottom + VG30DETT buildup good luck and document it for everyone else.