Vg30et S30

[evildky]

so I kinda popped my L28ET, it was a 183k mile junkyard motor so I'm nto heart broken, I recently built a Z31T and have been thinking the VG might be a better fit in my autocross 240Z, my goal is 400 whp (the old L28 was at about 300) I figure the movement of weight rearward would be benefitial for weight distribution

 

I've looked and searched and can see that some of you push the engine further back, by deleting the crosover pipe? and have to relocate the shifter, I was thinking I mgith be able to re-use my modified trans mount and shaft from the 280zx t5, anyone know if the output spline and trans mount are the same on the 300zx t5? and if so anyone know if this putc the engine too far forward and interferes with the crossmsmber?

 

and of course the turbo steering shaft issue, the a/c compressor location looks ideal, but that means fabbing a manifold, anyone have any advice to lend after tackling some of these issues yourselves? I do happen to have a couple of Z32 stock turbo's they are supposed ot be good for about 300 whp? but I hate having to do twice the work and then the thought of upgrading ro replacing 2 turbo's makes the job a lot more costly and less fun

[ZR8ED]

The purpose of moving the engine back is partially for weight distribution, but also to make it easier for the engine/pan to clear the front cross member. Not too sure about the alternator placement for the n/a engine, but the vg30et layout had the alternator that conflicted with the frame rail.

 

This is also due to the fact that I have my engine set back and low as possible. I left my crossover pipe alone, because I found that it was the intake manifold that gave the clearance issue with the firewall first. (this is the stock US 300zx vg30et intake manifold. Other manifolds may offer more clearance)

 

If you wanted the shifter to line up correctly with the stock shifter position, it was possible, though the engine sat much further forward, and higher as well.

 

I spoke to a guy who had done the swap before me, and commented that the car was sluggish to steer, because he mounted the engine so he would not have to modify the shifter or make clearance for the turbo. His motor sat much higher and further forward than mine. He regretted the swap and sold the car.

 

You either need to reposition the turbo or modify the frame rail, there is no other practical way around it.

 

As for the l28 t5 tranny, I'm not sure if it fits a vg30et.

 

Scott.

[Careless]

early VG's and T's use FS5W17C, so they should be bell-housing swappable. Either way, you could just get one of them from the vg series engine and put it in.

[evildky]

I'm not concerned about re-using my actual transmission, but was more interesting in the mounts and output shaft to allow for re-use fo those parts, of course shortening a shaft is cheap compared to another all custom shaft made

 

ZR8ED, you kept the crossover pipe but were still able to get the engine behind the crossmsmber? this is what I was wondering about, where did you locate your turbo? did you simply runr a pipe off your stock manifold to a new location or did you use/make a log type drivers manifold to move the turbo forward? I'm not too worried aobut the alternator I'll find a place for it, any pic's if your setup woud be appreciated

 

I'm not concerend aobut he steering, with the current L28ET all the weight is right above the front wheels it it would have to get easier, of course mine is an autocross only car with 17x11 front wheels woith r compouds, quick steer knuckles and a smaller aftermarket steering wheel, parking this thing is a real work out, but once you're rolling it's fine, perhpas he had stock suspnsion and when the weight got moved back the suspension lifter and gave him positive camber? with my 440ln/in springs I doubt it'll effect my camber much

[ZR8ED]

Evildky

 

I used the stock crossover pipe, and my turbo is in the stock location. I had the frame and steering rerouted and redesigned. My alternator is on a custom bracket as well.

 

I'll take a look and dig up some pics, but essentially, frame and steering mods were the most serious part of my install.

 

As for the suspension of that other car, I'm not sure what he had done to it. I can tell you, major changes in the front suspension are neccessary because of the weight distribution changes. My car was set up quite neutral before the swap, and after a couple of drives, it was very noticeable how much the car understeered after the swap. I had to redo my springs, and swaybars to get the handling back. BTW it now handles much better that it ever did.

 

Scott