Jump to content
HybridZ

Big VG33 turbo engine project may be go!


260DET

Recommended Posts

Into a 280ZX presently fitted with a VG30DET.

 

Seeing a brand new complete VG33 motor is now available to me at an affordable price it may be on. Apparently the blocks can be bored out to 3.8 liters which would be interesting but I'm not sure how that would affect head gasket reliability, seeing part of the gasket underside would be exposed to combustion forces? May be better to do a conservative 3.6 bore job.

 

Present thoughts are to use a VG30DE/TT forged crank, Scat rods and custom forged pistons to suit the rods. Oil pump? Don't know, a port job would not hurt I suppose.

 

Port the heads, Ferrea 1mm oversize valves, VG30ET cams? Aftermarket fuel rails, not sure what style injector they take.

 

GT35R turbo, manifolds could be a problem unless the stock VG30ET ones are as good as any other. Otherwise front mount the turbo?

 

Plenum, yuk. Have just sorted that out on the VG30DET so something similar to that may be the go, see http://forums.hybridz.org/showthread.php?t=157316

 

VG30DETT sump with a windage tray of some sort, present motor has that sump which fits in the car perfectly.

 

Have a near new Z32 gearbox plus MoTec ECU, CD ignition system, good fuel system, so that can all transfer. Looking for comment and suggestions on the motor itself, be nice to be able to use the brand new 33 crank but why take a risk with a maximum 500 WHP motor?

Link to comment
Share on other sites

For the oil pump contact Mitch at EPRacing:

http://www.epracing.net/

 

I know hes building up a big HP VG30ET right now and can tell you what you should do with the oil pump. I believe he may also be making a few modified oil pumps to sell.

 

The Z32 bell housing won't bolt up to a SOHC VG....your best bet is to use the FS5R30A from either a 87-89 300ZX Turbo or a FS5R30A from a VG33 Pathfinder/Frontier...

 

Good luck and keep us updated! :)

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Bugger about the TT gearbox not bolting up, I have a new one in the car at present. Will have to see if it can be adapted.

 

Yeh I'm thinking about doing a Electromotive style plenum, will contact EPRacing in due course see what he has, thanks.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Yeh those late VG turbo boxes are virtually unobtainable here though. Anyway an engine importer reckons the Z32 box will bolt straight up to a 33, the problem is the starter motor which mounts differently. But with a Z32 crank and flywheel the box should bolt straight up together with the Z32 starter. Its something which can be checked, I have a spare Z32 box.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Yeh those late VG turbo boxes are virtually unobtainable here though. Anyway an engine importer reckons the Z32 box will bolt straight up to a 33, the problem is the starter motor which mounts differently. But with a Z32 crank and flywheel the box should bolt straight up together with the Z32 starter. Its something which can be checked, I have a spare Z32 box.

 

I think you are correct on that, although I haven't tried it, I'm just going off of memory of the trans and block.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Yeh those late VG turbo boxes are virtually unobtainable here though.

I believe the VG33 Pathfinder/Frontiers used the same transmission, just slightly different ratios.

 

Anyway an engine importer reckons the Z32 box will bolt straight up to a 33, the problem is the starter motor which mounts differently. But with a Z32 crank and flywheel the box should bolt straight up together with the Z32 starter. Its something which can be checked, I have a spare Z32 box.

I believe there was another guy in Australia that was using a Z32 gearbox on his SOHC VG as well...let us know if you get it working and what it takes to do so....

Link to comment
Share on other sites

I don't have the link to give you, but I'm pretty sure that gearbox bolts to the VG30 without any problems. The problem is with the starter and that is resolved by a few washers to space it out properly.

 

I read that on a forum somewhere, so it's gotta be true :rolleyesg

Link to comment
Share on other sites

  • 4 weeks later...

Whoo, its going ahead, have bought a 33 motor out of a El Grand (sp?) which is some sort of JDM AWD luxury station wagon/SUV thing. Supposed to have done ~106000 KM, looks very clean, should arrive Friday.

 

I'm very content with the decision to go with a VG33, people say get a VQ or a Nissan V8, much better engine, four valves, aluminium block and so on but pffft. Why? Because the 33 will fit in with no sump clearance problems, all the aftermarket stuff I want is available at reasonable prices, the blocks can be bored out for more capacity - none of this open deck nonsense, the 33 is significantly lighter than a L28 so I'd assume similar with any RB motor, with the mods I have in mind the 33 will reliably produce all the power I need and I can happily work on it myself.

 

I am mystified why the 33 has not received a lot more attention, perhaps it has but not on the intrawebs. Anyway, I'm looking forward to this, but no hurry, probably won't be finished until late in the year. Which is no problem because the VG30DET is going well at last.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Join the conversation

You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.

Guest
Reply to this topic...

×   Pasted as rich text.   Paste as plain text instead

  Only 75 emoji are allowed.

×   Your link has been automatically embedded.   Display as a link instead

×   Your previous content has been restored.   Clear editor

×   You cannot paste images directly. Upload or insert images from URL.

×
×
  • Create New...