VQ35HR swap into s14

[Acreus]

So i recently picked up a vq35hr motor and transmission complete including cluster, ecu with key fob and wire harness for the entire car. What looks like three main wire harness'.



http://i12.photobucket.com/albums/a205/acreus/IMG_4417.jpg
http://i12.photobucket.com/albums/a205/acreus/IMG_4415.jpg
http://i12.photobucket.com/albums/a205/acreus/IMG_4416.jpg
http://i12.photobucket.com/albums/a205/acreus/IMG_4399.jpg

Bought the entire set up for $1500

only issue is... it automatic -___-

oh well... im in the process of picking up a new 6spd transmission

The Plan...

Drop it into my s14 and drift the crap out if it! :2f2f:


Im Clearing out alot of the wiring that i dont need, and plugging in the stuff i do need.


THINGS IM MISSING:

steering pump (purchased, thanks to Erin @ Nissan Unlimited)
main belt (purchased)
MAF's (purchased)
Custom Mounts (using stock vq mounts)
Drive shaft
custom shifter bracket
one rad hose
and just for kicks, im gonna hook up the AC!
so throw in AC condenser
clutch
Flywheel (purchased, thanks to Erin @ Nissan Unlimited)
Dash harness (purchased, thanks to Erin @ Nissan Unlimited)
gas pedal w/pigtail (purchased)

will post more pics soon,

[WhiteGLX]

This swap takes a bit of creativity into a LHD S-chassis. One guy did a RHD conversion so the starter would clear the steering box, i went another route by relocating the starter solenoid to the engine mount and then i could get the motor sitting lower in the engine bay. Wiring is the next serious challenge, if you disable the NATS then you need minimal wiring from the 350Z chassis. I can give some other pointers, but none of it is just drop in and go, everything is custom or trial and error.

[Acreus]

Yeah, i ve done so much research on this swap. I'm actually going to have Zfever out in Florida do my wiring and the ecu flash. It's pricy, but i dont want to deal with that head ache of matching all the wires lol. As far as the custom fab work, ill be doing that all my self. I know the starter gets in the way, so i might make a new bracket to move it to the passenger side. Theres alot of things i need to get ready before i pull out my old KA and start plugging away at this motor.

Thanks for the tips, ill keep in touch post here when i get something new. so far, im still recovering from the motor purchase. I also just got back from vacation, so im pretty much spent for now.

[Acreus]

Do you have any pics of your starter?

[KansaiDrifter]

They're a fun swap, I did my DE engine since I'm going turbo anyhow but NA the rev up's or HR's are awesome. I had a Z fever harness and reflash, same boat was expensive but was worth it for not having a headache. Fired everytime, was very reliable.

[Kingbaby]

Good luck with build

[rik boellen]

good luck.

i'm doing a de swap at the moment
as for the starter i saw the 2 others dealing with this .
but if you mount a vq35de gearbox i think you can do the starter on the pas side?
is there someone who can tel me this could"t be done??

regards

rik

[Guilty1s]

The hr only has starter on one side unlike the DEs

If you need a 350z gas pedal, let me know. I have one. I think I wanted 70 for it.

Doing a de swap at the moment.

[Nismo11]

Good luck with the build!

[WhiteGLX]

http://i42.photobucket.com/albums/e331/sr20goofus/VQ35DE/IMG00269-20100518-0102.jpg

http://i42.photobucket.com/albums/e331/sr20goofus/VQ35DE/IMG00270-20100518-0102.jpg

http://i42.photobucket.com/albums/e331/sr20goofus/VQ35DE/IMG00267-20100515-2034.jpg

hopefully this helps. For the speedo and tach to work you will next an external setup, Tach that can use an autometer signal generator off a coilpack, and for the speedo you need to use something that utilizes a magnetic pickup for a wheel speed sensor. My solution was not cheap but it looks good for a DD.

http://i42.photobucket.com/albums/e331/sr20goofus/Red%20Dragon%20S14/IMG-20120627-00293.jpg

[Acreus]

Starter looks amazing! thanks for the great ideas!

And WOW, Love the stacks cluster. The company "Z fever" said they can have everything wired up so that all i have to do is worry about finding an input for the speedo. but Q45 diff with speedo sensor should fix that.

Who's motor mounts did you end up using?
Bc When i talked to the guys at Z fever in florida, they said that the engine has to be raised on one side about an inch to clear the steering rack, and the MicKinney mounts are for the vq35de.

[Acreus]

I do need that 350 gas pedal. does it come with the pig tails?
Ill, pm you

[WhiteGLX]

the motor does not need to be raised on one side, it just needs to be properly aligned. I used McKinney Motormounts for a VQ35DE, and added 1/2" spacers to teh LH engine mount, and 1/4" spacer to the RH engine mount, this pushed the mounts out and makes the engine sit a little higher, any lower really and it would be sitting ont he cross member anyways. The spacers push the engine to one side a little bit while keeping it very sturdily mounted and level. I still had to relocate the starter solenoid to clear the steering box, this contraption was the biggest challenge aside from the wiring to get this project completed. I will have the entire setup mounted again into my S14 in a month or two depending on time and such, but might have some better upto date pictures by then, not much will change though besides the addition of AC and PS to the engine.

[nd240sx3]

damn i need this starter setup so i can put the vq in a very asap

http://i42.photobucket.com/albums/e331/sr20goofus/VQ35DE/IMG00269-20100518-0102.jpg

http://i42.photobucket.com/albums/e331/sr20goofus/VQ35DE/IMG00270-20100518-0102.jpg

http://i42.photobucket.com/albums/e331/sr20goofus/VQ35DE/IMG00267-20100515-2034.jpg

hopefully this helps. For the speedo and tach to work you will next an external setup, Tach that can use an autometer signal generator off a coilpack, and for the speedo you need to use something that utilizes a magnetic pickup for a wheel speed sensor. My solution was not cheap but it looks good for a DD.

http://i42.photobucket.com/albums/e331/sr20goofus/Red%20Dragon%20S14/IMG-20120627-00293.jpg

[mpact1981]

where did you find that engine with all accessories for only $1500??? cheapest i find HR's for is like $3k and that's without accessories, trans, ecu, etc...

[Acreus]

It came from a guy who fixes and sells auctioned cars. He decided to sell off the rear quarter panels bc some one offered alot of money for them, and part out the rest of the car. He pulled out all the wires uncut, ecu, steering column, transmission, and even key fob etc.... He just wanted it out of his shop. I got really lucky finding it and picked up the next day when he posted it.

[mpact1981]

That was lucky. I've been keeping an eye on the copart website. They auction wrecked cars. Once I find a decent wrecked Z (HR) around NC, I'm going to jump on it also. Hopefully I can make some of the money back by parting out the car like he did and possibly get the parts I need for the swap practically free. I just have to be patient I guess...

Any updates on your swap yet?

[BoostWanted]

I'm glad you're actually doing something with the engine! Let me get that S15 front end!

[Acreus]

Picked up a 6 speed transmission from a 2010 370z. Alright, I'm getting back into this build. I had set it aside so i can save up some $$$ and i got the ball rolling again on this thing.

http://i12.photobucket.com/albums/a205/acreus/IMG_4782.jpg

It didn't come with a shifter but luckily it came with the shifter bracket. There where a few other ones i was looking at that didnt come with this important piece. as you can see, i marked the lines where i need to cut to make it line up with the shifter hole in the 240.

http://i12.photobucket.com/albums/a205/acreus/IMG_4781.jpg

[Acreus]

Picked up a pretty fresh Jim Wolf intake system with the MAF sensor that i needed. This thing is gonna roar.

http://i12.photobucket.com/albums/a205/acreus/IMG_4777.jpg

and of course i needed to get the serpentine belt, so i ordered one of those too.

I've been trying to get my hands on a power steering pump at a decent price. for some stupid reason these things run $300+ - ___- anyone got any ideas? ive been keeping my eyes peeled for a used one, so if anyone just so happens to have one sitting around ill buy it. oh, i think it has to be for the VQ35HR and not the DE.

More picks coming soon!

Also, if you guys are curious what i plan to do with the stock KA, I'm not sure yet.

I have a coupe with cage and no motor that i might put it in. idk, lmk what you guys think!

[Acreus]

A close up :)

http://i12.photobucket.com/albums/a205/acreus/IMG_4778.jpg

[Synergy]

1-800-835-4645 ext 200
Butler auto parts has 2 PS pumps in stock 85$ ea.

[Synergy]

Just in case you were doing some sort of pulley setup 1-800-385-0938 They have a PS pump with a bent pulley on it. 20$.

[mpact1981]

I was wondering if you had given up on this lol about two more months and ill be starting mine.

[Lil_D]

i cant wait till this is done i want to tandem with you ;) and drive it

[Acreus]

Haha, i never give up on my car lol. I've been aiming for this swap for quite some time now. So this is just a little bit of a side track from the actual swap, but if you guys wanna know, i haven't been sitting on my ass letting my car get no where. Always working on this thing lol. So lately I've been playing with one of the S15 bumpers i have. I got my inspirations from this...

http://i12.photobucket.com/albums/a205/acreus/S15Inspiration.jpg

Here I go!

I need to cut out the license plat mount and form a line across the bumper from there.
Then cut those top corner pieces bc ill be moving them up about two inches.

http://i12.photobucket.com/albums/a205/acreus/IMG_3744.jpg

Zip tie it together...

http://i12.photobucket.com/albums/a205/acreus/IMG_3742.jpg

Glue the pieces together with a really strong bumper adhesive, and then sand down the front.

http://i12.photobucket.com/albums/a205/acreus/IMG_3746.jpg

Mount it on the car, and do some bondo work to match the lines.

http://i12.photobucket.com/albums/a205/acreus/IMG_3750.jpg

Do the same to the other side...

http://i12.photobucket.com/albums/a205/acreus/IMG_3754.jpg

[Acreus]

Here's the bumper after i did a quick primer paint job. I'm gonna send the bumper to a shop to finish it up for me. I can shape things, but it isn't as perfect as i like it.

http://i12.photobucket.com/albums/a205/acreus/IMG_3759.jpg

The comparison with the original bumper.

http://i12.photobucket.com/albums/a205/acreus/IMG_3758.jpg


I'll be getting back to the swap very very soon.

[Acreus]

Oh yeah! the Lip is a JDM integra lip. i really like the subtle OEM look with a little tweek.

[Acreus]

I was wondering if you had given up on this lol about two more months and ill be starting mine.

Thats awesome! It's definitely not a simple swap. What VQ are you swapping in?

[mpact1981]

I'm going to test my skill and attempt to swap just about everything from an 07/08 Z into my s13 coupe. Similar to what the guy did with his dad in the previous thread. I have an 08 Nismo and I'm pretty familiar with VQ's in general after having wrecked my 06 twin turbo. I'm going to take my time with it though. Right now I have to get my s13 from my house in Louisiana to my house in North Carolina and I'm always keeping an eye on the copart website for a good deal on a wrecked Z nearby

[Acreus]

yeah, but all that wire! too much of a head ache for me. I just need the engine to go when i step on the gas lol. as for the rest of the car, ill be running a switch board. i want to compete in some of the local competitions, so im gonna race car it out.

[Dorifto87]

Any updates???

[Acreus]

The Vq35hr ecu requires three different plugs. Two of which comes from the engine harness, and one that comes from the dash harness, which also has the OBD plug. these and the gas pedal with pig tails is needed for the engine swap. Just got the dash harness in the mail. it's actually a lot harder to find parts for this thing lol. Also, picked up the power steering pump and the power steering lines.

http://i12.photobucket.com/albums/a205/acreus/Harness.jpg

Right now, I really want to get this engine swap BAR'd. that means i gotta get keep all the emissions equipment on and fully functional. So i still have to collect the evap canister, and fuel pump. right now i have everything else.

Has anyone successfully BAR'd a vq35hr swap in a 240sx in california?

[Acreus]

For anyone doing this vq35hr swap, I have figured out a way to not have to modify exhaust manifolds, starter and even avoid getting custom mounts that go for $500+. well, aside from tranny mounts that is. but those are easy to make. I know there have been some people out there that even took great lengths as to make their car right hand drive just because of this. The solution I found that will work best, is to mock up a crossmember from a g35 who had the hr motor, using stock vq mounts, and vq35hr steering rack. This works because the stock vq steering rack is a few inches wider that the 240sx rack, so the rack goes around the starter and around the exhaust manifold. By using the original vq crossmember, your able to use the original mounts, which make the motor at this point a straight drop in. That is so long as you make your measurements for the crossmember to mount up to your frame rail correctly.

here's what the crossmember looks like as a whole
you can see where i was already cutting to make it look like the 240sx crossmember
http://i12.photobucket.com/albums/a205/acreus/Whole.jpg

here's the cross member with the mounts, and the steering rack
http://i12.photobucket.com/albums/a205/acreus/steering.jpg

and finally here's the test fit in my s13 just to get the measurements for holes that I
will need to drill.
http://i12.photobucket.com/albums/a205/acreus/inCar.jpg

Now before you get into drilling and mounting, you'll need to weld some aluminum plates on the part where you drill your holes to make the new crossmember mount flush with your frame rails.

I'll post pics of that once I get it done.

I was lucky enough to have gotten this crossmember and the steering rack with all the hard lines when i got this motor. This definitely saved me alot of $$$ on mounts, and custom fab work. Also, I will now have a newer steering rack.

[Biggamehit]

are you goign to go with the whiteline swap bar for clearance?

[nd240sx3]

hey man great idea.... i must say i never would of thought of that... mine was quick and easy being my only car was in a time crunch. unable to really do any R&D. RHD swap is pricey, good thing was i had good friends in the right places and had the rhd swap done fairly cheap... but now that u have accomplished this in another more reasonable way, if i ever decide to do the swap again i will definitely be contacting u... please if u would! make a template and specs of hole and cut placements, spacers etc... awesome job... thanx for the input...

[TheFresHesT]

Have you tested out that cluster before I was looking into the same one but wasn't sure if I would like it or not. I'm trying to put a vq37 into my 98 240sx

[rik boellen]

good job!!

[DreamN]

Another great VQ swap thread.

[Acreus]

are you goign to go with the whiteline swap bar for clearance?

Not sure which sway bar ill be using yet. will figure that out once the motor is sitting in the car

[Acreus]

Have you tested out that cluster before I was looking into the same one but wasn't sure if I would like it or not. I'm trying to put a vq37 into my 98 240sx

I have sourced a G35 cluster which i will be running in my set up.

looks just like this.

http://i12.photobucket.com/albums/a205/acreus/2008-infiniti-g35-sedan-instrument-cluster-photo-198322-s-1280x782.jpg

i'm going to do the best i can to get this cluster to give out as much info as the it does in the g35 like doors, oil, engine temp, etc...

[first_choice]

tough cluster

[drift freaq]

quick question about this crossmember Idea. If you are using the G35 steering rack and its a few inches wider what are you doing to correct your tie rod geometry? As it is seriously widening the tracking on the front of the car, unless you find extremely short tie rods to put on.

Oh and while thinking along those lines what about the pick up point for you lower controls is that wider as well? This idea looks great except for suspension geometry questions.

[Acreus]

conveniently enough, the OEM inner tie rods on the g35 steering rack are really short. I used s14 outer tie rods, and they end up being the same length. Then, i centered both s14 and g35 steering racks, and compared the distance they go left and right. They have the same exact amount of steering play! perfect.

http://i12.photobucket.com/albums/a205/acreus/IMG_5245.jpg

as for the crossmember, I decided to go a slightly different route. I will be using my original s14 crossmember. The reason being, i became very skeptical after machining the g35 crossmember and part of the aluminum chipped off. O_O I soon imagined hitting a pothole or something in the road and my crossmember cracking/breaking leaving my motor on the ground. so im fitting the g35 steering rack onto the s14 crossmember. will still solve the exhaust and starter getting int the way problem. as for mounts, i found a set of conversion mounts. It's possible to still go this route if you use a 350z crossmember that is metal.

[jt1583]

that gauge cluster in there is gonna be absolutely awesome. got more pics of the car?

[rwtf]

sweetsauce dude, def looks like you got alot of work ahead of you, hopefully it all goes smooth sailing.

[Acreus]

So far i have everything i need for the swap. except my evap canister. Because it's part of the emissions, and i want to get it bar'd, I need it. Unfortunately when i ordered the evap canister from ebay, it got "lost", and now im waiting for a new one to come in the mail. i will post picks of the motor going in soon! thanks

[drift freaq]

conveniently enough, the OEM inner tie rods on the g35 steering rack are really short. I used s14 outer tie rods, and they end up being the same length. Then, i centered both s14 and g35 steering racks, and compared the distance they go left and right. They have the same exact amount of steering play! perfect.

http://i12.photobucket.com/albums/a205/acreus/IMG_5245.jpg

as for the crossmember, I decided to go a slightly different route. I will be using my original s14 crossmember. The reason being, i became very skeptical after machining the g35 crossmember and part of the aluminum chipped off. O_O I soon imagined hitting a pothole or something in the road and my crossmember cracking/breaking leaving my motor on the ground. so im fitting the g35 steering rack onto the s14 crossmember. will still solve the exhaust and starter getting int the way problem. as for mounts, i found a set of conversion mounts. It's possible to still go this route if you use a 350z crossmember that is metal.


very cool. This would actually be a good thing to do in the S13. One would assume that using the G35 or 350Z steering rack might also make the DE swap into the S chassis even easier.
Another question, what are you doing about overall engine height. Our experience was we had to modify the crossmember for the oil pan so we drop the engine down enough to clear the hood.

[WhiteGLX]

updates??

I got my VQ35HR from the old S13 race car into my S14 finally. Wiring to commence over the next few weeks.

[Acreus]

Sorry guys, dont have much updates just yet. Got custom mounts, and im planning on pulling the KA motor out of the s14 in the next two weeks to drop in the vq so i can measure for the driveshaft. post pics soon

[Jissan]

Great thread! This has helped with a lot of questions I still had since I'm planning this swap in my S13 coupe. I picked up a wrecked 2007 Nismo 350Z off Copart and I think I'm going to try to put the Z steering rack on the S13 Xmember and fab up some mounts. This will take care of the starter motor/steering rack issue and the fact that my current rack is full of metal filings from a bad power steering pump (previous owner, thanks a lot).

I'm doing a lot of reading and will try to make a build thread about my car but since I have an entire donor car, I don't think my thread will be very helpful to most people. If I'm lucky it will just be a 350Z crammed into an S13 How-To.

[Acreus]

Great thread! This has helped with a lot of questions I still had since I'm planning this swap in my S13 coupe. I picked up a wrecked 2007 Nismo 350Z off Copart and I think I'm going to try to put the Z steering rack on the S13 Xmember and fab up some mounts. This will take care of the starter motor/steering rack issue and the fact that my current rack is full of metal filings from a bad power steering pump (previous owner, thanks a lot).

I'm doing a lot of reading and will try to make a build thread about my car but since I have an entire donor car, I don't think my thread will be very helpful to most people. If I'm lucky it will just be a 350Z crammed into an S13 How-To.

Awesome! I can't wait to see how it goes. your lucky you have the entire car. I had most of the engine and chasis harness, but there where a few things missing that i needed to make it all work with the emissions. im trying to get it BAR'd out here in California. It's going to be tough, but not impossible.

when you start it, post a link here!

[Acreus]

Here's how I figured about building the rear end for the proper gear ratio in the differential.

#/f/s-chassis/330704-near-perfect-diff-vq-v8-conversions.html

^ great thread!

[Arteeste]

Any updates ?