260DET Posted October 22, 2005 Share Posted October 22, 2005 Have done a lot of searching but can't find much good solid info on the VQ engine, particularly the JDM VQ30DET. There is some opinion that the VQ30 block is not the greatest, it can flex and crack if you start to get serious with the power outputs. Then there is opinion that the VQ35 block is stronger and works well with VQ30 heads, although what that accomplishes I don't know. Anyway that option is not available to me. The situation is I will be selecting a Nissan V6 single BB turbo engine soon for a Z project and am looking for the most suitable engine for a max of 500RWHP. Light weight is important as is compactness, the VQ's strongpoints. But the engine must be reliable giving maximum power over short periods of time. Others available are the VG33E and the VG30DET, the first being compact and simple, the second not so compact but durable. Whats the answer? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
260DET Posted October 29, 2005 Author Share Posted October 29, 2005 After more research, its hard to tell fact from fiction, plus a lot of the problems encountered in factory setups like the Maxima for example could well be engine management related. If it was me doing all the things some do to their Maximas, a good stand alone engine management system would be the first priority. Anyway, my present impression is that the VQ is not a great engine to expect a big increase in power from. Stock headgaskets are trouble prone, ARP studs are required for the heads. Plus the full floating cylinder liners are not hi po friendly, apparently they should be replaced by a one piece insert on each side, sounds expensive. So for the power I want the VQ is off the list. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mtcookson Posted October 30, 2005 Share Posted October 30, 2005 i think most of the stuff you're mentioning has to do with the vq35. from what i've seen so far, the vq30 is a bit more stout than the vq35 in stock form. there has been a 4th gen maxima guy that made a bit over 500 hp from the vq30 but he blew up quite a few engines in the process. however, the engines were all stock block and i'm sure fuel management wasn't really up to par as it would be if using a good ecu setup. i think his setup was also using some nitrous in it. i bet they could handle 500 whp pretty easily but i'd put in some lower compression pistons and maybe a rod upgrade. with proper fuel control 500 whp shouldn't be too hard to reach. in the vq35 that's another story though. after a lot of research and stuff from the 350z guys it seems the rods are the weakest link in those engines. they were made to be as light as possible and aren't very strong stock. and upgrade quickly makes the engine handle much more power. i believe i read somewhere that they believe the block itself could actually handle upwards of 2000 hp (due to being die cast instead of sand cast like the sr20 for instance). Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
260DET Posted October 30, 2005 Author Share Posted October 30, 2005 Pity its not possible to put two FJ20ET engines together. The two liter FJ in the 260 puts out 270 WHP until the injectors max out, once bigger injectors are fitted 300 should be possible at under 7000RPM. Thats with stock everything including the gasket set, except for forged pistons and bigger big end bolts. Modern all aluminium engines, phttttt........ Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mtcookson Posted October 31, 2005 Share Posted October 31, 2005 fj20et... droooooool those are awesome all aluminum wise i prefer the VH45DE. but, speaking of the VQ's, someone at maxima.org built a VQ32DE. low compression, turbo, lots of goodies. http://forums.maxima.org/showthread.php?t=437478 http://forums.maxima.org/showthread.php?t=433416 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
260DET Posted November 1, 2005 Author Share Posted November 1, 2005 Had a good look through the Maxima site, bit of a worry all the problems and not a lot of power to show for it. Really any decent modern 3 liter turbo V6 should do at least 400WHP with just a bigger turbo and maybe a few basic mods, no problems. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
johnc Posted November 1, 2005 Share Posted November 1, 2005 Ask Speeder about Porkchop... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mtcookson Posted November 1, 2005 Share Posted November 1, 2005 Had a good look through the Maxima site, bit of a worry all the problems and not a lot of power to show for it. Really any decent modern 3 liter turbo V6 should do at least 400WHP with just a bigger turbo and maybe a few basic mods, no problems. i think its because of the Maxima owners... being a "family car" they tend to not have as much mod money but on top of that being a fwd platform makes for space contraints and the fwd trannies tend to not be as strong as the rwd trannies. if the vq30 was available in a Z car i bet there would be quite a few more high power vq's. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BirdmanZ Posted November 3, 2005 Share Posted November 3, 2005 the vq35 isnt as weak as some may think. we have dynoed a 350z twin turbo at 510whp at 13psi. the weak link in the vq is going to be the con. rods once you start making serious power. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mtcookson Posted November 3, 2005 Share Posted November 3, 2005 heh... its definitely not as weak as some think when it can do this: http://www.theexperience.com/recordrun.htm http://www.my350z.com/forum/showthread.php?t=145093 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mtcookson Posted November 14, 2005 Share Posted November 14, 2005 Here's a new VQ monster. Running mid 11's in a heavy 4 door Maxima = power right click, save as http://www.redlinemax.com/misc/mattsrun.mpg Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
260DET Posted November 15, 2005 Author Share Posted November 15, 2005 What concerns me are the VQ unknowns, eg the possibility that the cylinder liners may not stand up to say 500rwhp, which would be quite a dramatic event Professionals may be able to afford to blow up a few motors to see what works and what does'nt.......... On the other hand the capabilities of the VG engine are well known and good parts for them are cheap. At present I'm thinking VG30DET, yes thats one 'T' not two, with a single GT35R, forged pistons, bigger throttle body and maybe Eagle rods. Should do 500rwhp OK? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mtcookson Posted November 15, 2005 Share Posted November 15, 2005 ahhhh... the VG30DET. Better head ports, supposedly better rods, single turbo... awesome stuff. My friend bought one at the same time from the same guy I bought my VG30ET. The VG's are my 2nd favorite engine next to the VH45DE. I like them more than the RB26 even. The things are very strong and absolute torque monsters. The only downside to the DOHC VG's is they're quite heavy, but the power they can make should well make up for it. The SOHC VG's are incredibly light for an iron block V6 (roughly 396 lbs for the ealier Z31 Turbo model) which is supposed to be lighter than the KA24DE. Also, the VG30E's have been proven to be able to make some incredible power as well. Electromotive built a VG30ET using the stock block and heads (modified of course, just not recast or anything) and they made in excess of 1000 hp in the qualifying setup and around 900 hp in the race setup. The VG's are some very amazing engines and would definitely be a good choice imo. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
260DET Posted November 16, 2005 Author Share Posted November 16, 2005 I'm a real fan of the single cam VG, as you say MTC, so light and compact. In the end the choice will probably boil down to economics and whats available in what condition. So a VG33 is a possibility except I'm not sure if it could be economically boosted without VG30ET manifolds. Getting turbo manifolds etc fabricated for a V6 would not be cheap. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mtcookson Posted November 16, 2005 Share Posted November 16, 2005 Supposedly the stock VG30ET manifolds have been proven to flow well enough for up to 400 whp. Some porting and such could probably increase it enough for your goal. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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