My RB20 to VH45 S14 build thread [Archive] - Zilvia.net Forums | Nissan 240SX (Silvia) and Z (Fairlady) Car Forum

NismoRich

01-10-2014, 02:01 AM

what's up everybody, so my name is Rich and i've known about zilvia for a long ass time, just never made an account, and thought i would share my recent build with you. back in 2005 i bought my first S chassis, clean 92 S13 hatch with a blown ka and wheels for $1000. i bought a Kaaz 2 way diff and then an rb20 half cut from Doug at U.P. Garage and swapped everything in and started having fun with it. used it as a daily and drifted it a lot at my local tracks "test n tune thursday" South Sound Speedway(i lived 10 minutes from the track, it was nice). then in 2008 i was stupid and drove home drunk and stuffed it into a telephone pole at 35mph. i still have the car and trying to piece it back together for a track beater. so then i found a non rolling S14 shell with clean title in 2010 for $400. clean car just missing a lot. it had no front or rear bumpers, head lights or corners, rear trunk, no seats, no front suspension, no rear subframe/suspension. i used most of my S13 pieces to get it into a roller and then rebuilt the RB20 and started having fun again. after having the same RB20 for so long i wanted to change it up so i sold the swap and decided to go with a VH45. so here we go. now on to the photo dump to get caught up to speed

My S13 in the beginning of 2006
http://i562.photobucket.com/albums/ss69/hendricks152003/new/yea.jpg
http://i562.photobucket.com/albums/ss69/hendricks152003/new/firstatcoreys.jpg
http://i562.photobucket.com/albums/ss69/hendricks152003/Shesin_zps2a4065df.jpg
http://i562.photobucket.com/albums/ss69/hendricks152003/new/allpowderd.jpg
http://i562.photobucket.com/albums/ss69/hendricks152003/240trio_zps4576361b.jpg

did a lot of this from 06-08
http://i562.photobucket.com/albums/ss69/hendricks152003/switchupclose_zps1b58cd6e.jpg

drinking and drifting=bad combination.
http://i562.photobucket.com/albums/ss69/hendricks152003/old%20S13/reck_zps4f925f3e.png

bought as a non rolling shell with no suspension and mostly no interior, no front or rear bumpers, no trunk lid and no head lights or tail lights. started piecing it together and the car started going through a few phases
http://i562.photobucket.com/albums/ss69/hendricks152003/S14/my_s14_zps3d3b2d80.jpg
http://i562.photobucket.com/albums/ss69/hendricks152003/Image006.jpg
http://i562.photobucket.com/albums/ss69/hendricks152003/S14/DSC00099.jpg

did some body work, bought a cheap bodykit since i couldn't find stock bumpers at the time and painted it white
http://i562.photobucket.com/albums/ss69/hendricks152003/S14/wheels_zpsfad64f00.jpg

NismoRich

01-16-2014, 09:43 PM

then put the rb20 back together and back in it
http://i562.photobucket.com/albums/ss69/hendricks152003/DSC00130.jpg
http://i562.photobucket.com/albums/ss69/hendricks152003/S14/oilpump_zps30dacedc.jpg
http://i562.photobucket.com/albums/ss69/hendricks152003/DSC00136.jpg
http://i562.photobucket.com/albums/ss69/hendricks152003/DSC00145.jpg
http://i562.photobucket.com/albums/ss69/hendricks152003/S14/2_zps75de65ab.jpg
http://i562.photobucket.com/albums/ss69/hendricks152003/rb20in_zps2cc2cfc4.jpg

then found stock bumpers
http://i562.photobucket.com/albums/ss69/hendricks152003/S14/nissansubi_zpsb994827c.jpg
http://i562.photobucket.com/albums/ss69/hendricks152003/S14/rearbumper_zpsacc68f04.jpg

and did some more of this
http://i562.photobucket.com/albums/ss69/hendricks152003/S14/tracktimeRBS14s_zpse33dfac2.jpg
http://i562.photobucket.com/albums/ss69/hendricks152003/S14/sssdrift2_zps0646a572.jpg
http://i562.photobucket.com/albums/ss69/hendricks152003/S14/drift_zps2b274fdd.png

project drift - YouTube (http://youtu.be/ODnAEhAMtsE)

then painted it black and this is where the car is now at this stage
http://i562.photobucket.com/albums/ss69/hendricks152003/S14/blackfront.jpg
http://i562.photobucket.com/albums/ss69/hendricks152003/S14/model.jpg
http://i562.photobucket.com/albums/ss69/hendricks152003/S14/black_zpse9965197.jpg
http://i562.photobucket.com/albums/ss69/hendricks152003/S14/S14_zpse029cb27.jpg

So now the RB20 is still sitting in the S14 and is about to be pulled to put in a VH45. I bought a Z32 NA trans
http://i562.photobucket.com/albums/ss69/hendricks152003/VH45%20swap/Z32trans_zpsb7cabe57.jpg

then found a 94 Q45 in a wrecking yard. the chassis had 269K miles on it, but one look at the motor and i knew it was not the case with the motor.
http://i562.photobucket.com/albums/ss69/hendricks152003/VH45%20swap/CAM01088_zpsa48343e3.jpg

leak free front end and new water pump and new alternator
http://i562.photobucket.com/albums/ss69/hendricks152003/VH45%20swap/CAM01090_zpsb1e57fba.jpg
http://i562.photobucket.com/albums/ss69/hendricks152003/VH45%20swap/CAM01091_zpsd6e521ba.jpg

so i spent a few hours pulling it out and took it home...with a 13 month warranty!
http://i562.photobucket.com/albums/ss69/hendricks152003/VH45%20swap/vhpulled_zps80fb9131.jpg
http://i562.photobucket.com/albums/ss69/hendricks152003/VH45%20swap/VHinfrontier_zps462ca5b4.jpg

got it home and took off the torque converter and flex plate. no leaks from the rear or the oil pan.
http://i562.photobucket.com/albums/ss69/hendricks152003/VH45%20swap/CAM01140_zpsaaae730e.jpg

and the heads look like new. these phone pics do not do it justice how clean the block and heads are
http://i562.photobucket.com/albums/ss69/hendricks152003/VH45%20swap/CAM01143_zpsaa990388.jpg

exhaust ports are clean with no carbon build up, just a change in color
http://i562.photobucket.com/albums/ss69/hendricks152003/VH45%20swap/CAM01142_zps3b7561f2.jpg

NismoRich

01-16-2014, 09:44 PM

curiosity got the best of me, so got it on the engine stand and took the passenger side valve cover off to see how it looked inside and i am happy with what i see.

http://i562.photobucket.com/albums/ss69/hendricks152003/VH45%20swap/CAM01151_zps0faa8628.jpg
http://i562.photobucket.com/albums/ss69/hendricks152003/VH45%20swap/CAM01152_zps41e11a32.jpg
http://i562.photobucket.com/albums/ss69/hendricks152003/VH45%20swap/CAM01153_zps95bb1bc8.jpg

http://i562.photobucket.com/albums/ss69/hendricks152003/rb20%20pulled%20out/CAM01156_zps065971b8.jpg
http://i562.photobucket.com/albums/ss69/hendricks152003/rb20%20pulled%20out/CAM01158_zps8a741f50.jpg
http://i562.photobucket.com/albums/ss69/hendricks152003/rb20%20pulled%20out/CAM01164_zpsb98d1614.jpg

pulled the entire front end off and began to stitch weld the front.

http://i562.photobucket.com/albums/ss69/hendricks152003/S14/stitchedfront_zps291537f6.jpg

then decided to make life easier and cut out the radiator support and make it a removable bolt on piece.

http://i562.photobucket.com/albums/ss69/hendricks152003/S14/removablefront_zpsda5194de.jpg

then did a little paint test to see how this paint will do before painting the entire bay once everything else is done.

http://i562.photobucket.com/albums/ss69/hendricks152003/S14/painttest_zps864aa710.jpg

and lastly, i pulled the dash so that i can start cleaning up the rats nest of a wiring i got going on

http://i562.photobucket.com/albums/ss69/hendricks152003/S14/dashremoved_zps6ba14300.jpg

i was trying to figure out what i wanted to do with the chassis harness and fuse box. i contemplated putting it inside the car, but later mocked it up like this and i and i liked it
http://i562.photobucket.com/albums/ss69/hendricks152003/S14/CAM01181_zpsf4b86c2b.jpg
http://i562.photobucket.com/albums/ss69/hendricks152003/S14/CAM01182_zps3ab8197e.jpg
http://i562.photobucket.com/albums/ss69/hendricks152003/S14/CAM01184_zps50bedfbb.jpg

then took the fuse box apart and downsized it. de-pinned some of the wires and relocated everything into just one block and i am going to mount it right behind the headlight and enclose it so that its pretty much waterproof

http://i562.photobucket.com/albums/ss69/hendricks152003/S14/CAM01201_zps8739f23c.jpg

driver mount, not finished
http://i562.photobucket.com/albums/ss69/hendricks152003/S14/drivermount_zpsa3aaf0c6.jpg

passenger mount, not finished
http://i562.photobucket.com/albums/ss69/hendricks152003/S14/passmount_zpse79225b3.jpg

plenty of clearance between the oil pan and the sway bar.
http://i562.photobucket.com/albums/ss69/hendricks152003/S14/swaybarclearance_zps1a61e712.jpg

pretty much how it sits on the mounts
http://i562.photobucket.com/albums/ss69/hendricks152003/S14/onmounts_zps027f5e85.jpg

just barely clears my booster. plenty of room between the oil filter and the frame rail. plenty of room to run the coolant lines for the heater core, hell the Q45 ones lined right up. still have to cut and weld another support piece for each mount. going to have to make a bracket to hold the alternator and power steering pump. next major thing is to make an adapter plate for the trans and get the bellhousing machined.

NismoRich

01-16-2014, 09:46 PM

a little bit of an update. i got my bell housing back from the machine shop today and also picked up some parts from Russell @ Nissan.

i had it machined 1/2" for the thickness of the adapter plate i am making.
http://i562.photobucket.com/albums/ss69/hendricks152003/VH45%20swap/CAM01268_zps6cdcda1c.jpg
http://i562.photobucket.com/albums/ss69/hendricks152003/VH45%20swap/CAM01270_zps390de4a3.jpg

while i have the box apart i inspected the gears and synchros for any excessive wear and all looks good.
http://i562.photobucket.com/albums/ss69/hendricks152003/VH45%20swap/CAM01267_zps08f9cfc6.jpg

new OEM clutch fork and TOB sleeve with springs from Russell
http://i562.photobucket.com/albums/ss69/hendricks152003/VH45%20swap/CAM01275_zps73bc05c7.jpg

and last but not least, brand new Apexi N1 coilovers thanks again to Russell @ Nissan
http://i562.photobucket.com/albums/ss69/hendricks152003/VH45%20swap/CAM01272_zps4bb343a6.jpg
http://i562.photobucket.com/albums/ss69/hendricks152003/VH45%20swap/CAM01273_zps92b2620b.jpg

well clutch and flywheel got here quicker then expected, which is always good. had Russell order me some ARP flywheel bolts today as well. one step closer i guess.
http://i562.photobucket.com/albums/ss69/hendricks152003/VH45%20swap/CAM01280_zps4cd8ad46.jpg
JEGS header kit showed up today. 1 3/4" primary tubes to 3" out merge collectors. should help make some beautiful music!
http://i562.photobucket.com/albums/ss69/hendricks152003/VH45%20swap/headerkit_zps88b4bba7.jpg

driver side exhaust manifold finished! the welds are not the prettiest because i was using a crappy flux core mig. but its sealed and that's all that really matters
http://i562.photobucket.com/albums/ss69/hendricks152003/VH45%20swap/VH45DEheadercompleted_zps5d165df4.jpg

and the Sqaure G6's i ordered showed up
http://i562.photobucket.com/albums/ss69/hendricks152003/VH45%20swap/SquareG6s_zpsbecfca86.jpg

i put my NRG quick release on today and then i went and picked up a brand new set of front TT 30mm brake calipers, rotors, pads from oreillys. i got the last set in washington state i guess, lucky me. oh and also picked up a new slave cylinder. so tomorrow im going to order the conversion lines, the starter, and maybe some new balljoints for all four corners and rear wheel bearings cause it needs em. then maybe ARP wheel studs too.
http://i562.photobucket.com/albums/ss69/hendricks152003/S14/Z32TTbrakes_zpsf4cea95d.jpg

NismoRich

01-16-2014, 09:55 PM

ceramic coated the driver side manifold today

http://i562.photobucket.com/albums/ss69/hendricks152003/VH45%20swap/CAM01368_zps88c3487d.jpg

also painted my Z32 brake calipers and rotors black (nissan will be white)

http://i562.photobucket.com/albums/ss69/hendricks152003/VH45%20swap/CAM01366_zpsb37b5723.jpg
http://i562.photobucket.com/albums/ss69/hendricks152003/VH45%20swap/CAM01369-1_zpsf00ccb35.jpg

my ARP flywheel bolts showed up from DRFTBLD

http://i562.photobucket.com/albums/ss69/hendricks152003/CAM01374_zpsc2da92fd.jpg

as well as my Z32 speed sensor

http://i562.photobucket.com/albums/ss69/hendricks152003/CAM01371_zps1210656b.jpg

i ordered some brand new front lower control arms and new O2 sensors from Rockauto. still in the collecting parts faze since the weather sucks, but i am going to try and get going on the adapter plate here soon so that i can make some real progress on this thing

new O2 sensors from Rockauto!
http://i562.photobucket.com/albums/ss69/hendricks152003/VH45%20swap/O2sensors_zpscbe8dc2a.jpg

new front lower control arms from Rockauto!
http://i562.photobucket.com/albums/ss69/hendricks152003/VH45%20swap/newflca_zpsa73208e1.jpg

i bought new Timken rear wheel bearings from Rockauto since mine are starting to wear out. so i took my extra set and knocked the spindles out and cut off the inner race off of them
http://i562.photobucket.com/albums/ss69/hendricks152003/VH45%20swap/wheelhub_zps5dc28968.jpg

got the old auto pilot bushing out. i welded a nut onto it and used a bolt to push it out. then pressed in the new OEM nissan brass bushing
http://i562.photobucket.com/albums/ss69/hendricks152003/VH45%20swap/pilotbushingin_zpsfd6f449c.jpg

and test fit the new flywheel and ARP flywheel bolts i got from DRFTBLD
http://i562.photobucket.com/albums/ss69/hendricks152003/VH45%20swap/flywheelon_zps86ff0464.jpg

and lastly, i took off the intake manifold to delete some of the useless crap. the only things i am going to keep is the idle control valve and maybe the rear crank case vents, depending on how i decide to make my catch can setup. all the useless coolant lines that run to the TB and what not will be removed.
http://i562.photobucket.com/albums/ss69/hendricks152003/VH45%20swap/intakemanifoldoff_zpsc426ce4e.jpg

so as of right now, parts that i have ordered and i am waiting on are my ARP wheel studs from JEGS and new open end lug nuts for the new studs. the new Timken rear wheel bearings from Rockauto. ARP pressure plate bolts from JEGS since they sent me the package with 6 and not 9 like it was suppose to be. I test fit my Z32 brakes today to see if they would clear my Square wheels and they do not. so what i am going to do is if the ARP studs are a little but longer then the stock ones, im going to use a 10mm slip on hubcentric spacer and they should clear just fine. i will probably have to roll my fenders and do a small pull, which i was trying to avoid. but we will see when i get to that point.

NismoRich

01-16-2014, 09:59 PM

well i finished the lettering on the brakes, and my ARP wheel studs and lug nuts arrived. and also the front conversion lines.

http://i562.photobucket.com/albums/ss69/hendricks152003/VH45%20swap/brakelines_zps439e1170.jpg
http://i562.photobucket.com/albums/ss69/hendricks152003/VH45%20swap/brakes_zps72324983.jpg
http://i562.photobucket.com/albums/ss69/hendricks152003/VH45%20swap/arps_zps182ecc04.jpg
http://i562.photobucket.com/albums/ss69/hendricks152003/VH45%20swap/arpvsstock_zps601e4315.jpg

^^^ the ARP's are also about an inch longer then factory, which works out perfect for me also. i test fit my brakes and wheels to see if the wheels would clear em and they did not. i had a pair of 1/4" (6mm) slip on spacers laying around so i used them to see how much spacer i will need. 1 6mm spacer needed just a little more room to clear and both 6mm spacers stacked together was way more then enough for it to clear the brakes but did not have enough thread to even put a lug nut on. so i am going to order a 10mm hubcentric slip on spacer which should be enough to clear the brakes and the ARP's will have plenty of threads. since i am running 215/45 series tires on the wheels, hopefully i wont have to "pull" the fenders at all, just "roll" em. im not into the whole negative camber bs

some more parts are arriving so i thought i would give a little update and also see what people think of some ideas i have.

first the timken bearings came from Rockauto, great deal on these. probably going to re-grease them with heavy duty bearing grease.
http://i562.photobucket.com/albums/ss69/hendricks152003/VH45%20swap/timkenbearings_zps5f75d994.jpg

my 10mm hubcentric spacers showed up
http://i562.photobucket.com/albums/ss69/hendricks152003/VH45%20swap/spacers_zps497e395b.jpg

so i test fit the brakes and wheels again
http://i562.photobucket.com/albums/ss69/hendricks152003/VH45%20swap/brakeclearance_zps7ff619e2.jpg

got my power steering pump mounted. fab'd up a little bracket using scrap pieces. its even with the outer most spot on the crank. since i solid mounted it, im going to modify the factory belt tensioner in the pic to tighten the belt
http://i562.photobucket.com/albums/ss69/hendricks152003/VH45%20swap/psmounted_zps97bf2d3c.jpg

my little ghetto bracket
http://i562.photobucket.com/albums/ss69/hendricks152003/VH45%20swap/psbracket_zpsb13b8b34.jpg

while back i ordered the ARP pressure plate bolts from JEGS. if you look up the part number you will see two different packages, one with 6 bolts, and one with 9 bolts. i called JEGS before ordering and they assured me that there would be 9 in the package. they got here and there was only 6 lol. so i called them again and explained the situation and they sent me another set.

http://i562.photobucket.com/albums/ss69/hendricks152003/VH45%20swap/arppressureplatebolts_zpsfbbadfbd.jpg

new knock sensors showed up today. you can maybe see i reinforced the motor mounts more and painted them.
http://i562.photobucket.com/albums/ss69/hendricks152003/VH45%20swap/newknocks_zpse0e7255e.jpg

starting to make some progress now. plasma cut out the adapter plate and punched out the bolt holes today. also got the ARP studs pressed into the rear spindles and the spindles into the new rear wheel bearings. only crappy part is that the studs are a bit to long and i will have to cut at least 1/4" off em for the rear, or get another new set of lug nuts that are longer. the fronts should be ok because of the spacer needed to clear the brakes. also started on the little fuse block tray before running out of day light. and also removed the front suspension and x member so i can replace the front wheels studs tomorrow and cut and move the rack forward for the modded knuckles ill be doing later.

adapter plate progress. finally plasma cut and holes punched. still need to flat-cut the larger holes for the bolt head and socket to fit into. also need to clean up the circular part with a grinder to ensure it clears the flywheels
http://i562.photobucket.com/albums/ss69/hendricks152003/VH45%20swap/adapterplatehalfdone_zpsa3d504f1.jpg

new ARP studs in and new rear wheel bearings
http://i562.photobucket.com/albums/ss69/hendricks152003/VH45%20swap/newbearingsandstuds_zps4627c3ea.jpg

first off, i made a little more progress on the fuse block din. still not sure how i want to do the top. my two ideas was that i could either plate the top as well with it on hinges, or leave it open and make a fiberglass cover for just the fuse block part. what do you guys think?
http://i562.photobucket.com/albums/ss69/hendricks152003/VH45%20swap/CAM01460_zpsbc457748.jpg
http://i562.photobucket.com/albums/ss69/hendricks152003/VH45%20swap/CAM01464_zps522a7ad9.jpg

in the process of moving the steering rack forward about 20mm because i am going to be running modded knuckles. problem is now i have to cut the oil pan cause of that stupid hump that drops down. oh well, nothing but a little more cutting and welding ;)
http://i562.photobucket.com/albums/ss69/hendricks152003/VH45%20swap/crossmembercut_zpsb8b01450.png
http://i562.photobucket.com/albums/ss69/hendricks152003/VH45%20swap/crossmemberreadytoweld_zps01e5165c.png

got the cross member finished welded up and painted today.
http://i562.photobucket.com/albums/ss69/hendricks152003/VH45%20swap/CAM01483_zps31492775.jpg
http://i562.photobucket.com/albums/ss69/hendricks152003/VH45%20swap/CAM01488_zpsed6a3e2f.jpg

then decided to box in the new front control arms
http://i562.photobucket.com/albums/ss69/hendricks152003/VH45%20swap/CAM01485_zps2eb58e44.jpg
http://i562.photobucket.com/albums/ss69/hendricks152003/VH45%20swap/CAM01487_zps9e3624cd.jpg

and then took off the oil pan, cut out the lump, tacked the plate into place and bolted it back on the engine and started welding it back up. still have to cut and weld another piece but i ran out of day light
http://i562.photobucket.com/albums/ss69/hendricks152003/VH45%20swap/CAM01489_zps0c4fafc7.jpg

NismoRich

01-16-2014, 10:03 PM

well still trying to make some progress on this thing.

i got the adapter plate another step closer. flat cut some holes. its ready to be bolted onto the engine, just need to fit the trans and drill and tap the last holes and it will be done
http://i562.photobucket.com/albums/ss69/hendricks152003/VH45%20swap/CAM01491_zps5fd3ea27.jpg

finished the oil pan. i did multiple passes to ensure it will not leak at all
http://i562.photobucket.com/albums/ss69/hendricks152003/VH45%20swap/CAM01508_zpsb93ac578.jpg
http://i562.photobucket.com/albums/ss69/hendricks152003/VH45%20swap/CAM01517_zps3d264311.jpg

my welds getting a little better
http://i562.photobucket.com/albums/ss69/hendricks152003/VH45%20swap/CAM01509_zps268b4dd9.jpg

got my tires mounted on the new wheels so i test fit them(oem strut without the spring so i could play with ride height). they have way more stretch that i had hoped(im not into this stretched stuff or that hella-unfunctional-negative camber stance crap) but you can't complain when they are new, and free. 215/45s on all four 17x9. i want to run at least 225 or 235/45's in the front and 245/45 or 50 on the rears.
http://i562.photobucket.com/albums/ss69/hendricks152003/VH45%20swap/CAM01503_zps785f5532.jpg
http://i562.photobucket.com/albums/ss69/hendricks152003/VH45%20swap/CAM01501_zps26ca4af3.jpg
http://i562.photobucket.com/albums/ss69/hendricks152003/VH45%20swap/CAM01498_zpsb9fbdd16.jpg

and lastly, stripped, primed, and painted the engine bay
http://i562.photobucket.com/albums/ss69/hendricks152003/VH45%20swap/CAM01512_zps3f007e71.jpg
http://i562.photobucket.com/albums/ss69/hendricks152003/VH45%20swap/CAM01513_zps201d8fcf.jpg

its almost time to start putting all the new parts on and the engine in for the last time(hopefully)

took the wire wheel to the front wheel wells and sprayed em with undercoating. moved onto the rear, thinking it was going to be quick and easy and i could start adding new parts, to find out that the previous owner did a ****ty job trying to stop a rusted out rear quater panel. instead of cutting out the rust and welding in a small patch panel, he just decided to cover it all with silicone. i guess his thinking was "out of sight, out of mind". so i spent most of today cutting out the rust the best i could and started on the patch panels(ran out of welding wire tonight). will have it all finished up and pics tomorrow

not what i wanted to see...
http://i562.photobucket.com/albums/ss69/hendricks152003/VH45%20swap/rust2_zps281fea8a.jpg
http://i562.photobucket.com/albums/ss69/hendricks152003/VH45%20swap/rust3_zpsf552e043.jpg

luckily it only spread this far...
http://i562.photobucket.com/albums/ss69/hendricks152003/VH45%20swap/rust4_zpseb0882f3.jpg

found another little hole a little bit further up...
http://i562.photobucket.com/albums/ss69/hendricks152003/VH45%20swap/rust6_zps29b704d7.jpg

just nasty...
http://i562.photobucket.com/albums/ss69/hendricks152003/VH45%20swap/rust1_zpse42b094d.jpg

finished the rust repair today, patch panels welded in and got the driver side stripped and re-undercoated.
http://i562.photobucket.com/albums/ss69/hendricks152003/CAM01524_zps4719db61.jpg
http://i562.photobucket.com/albums/ss69/hendricks152003/CAM01526_zpsdd3d969f.jpg

put in the driver side coilovers front and rear and the new rear wheel bearings/arp wheel studs. ran out of day light, finish passenger side tomorrow.
http://i562.photobucket.com/albums/ss69/hendricks152003/CAM01532_zpsd4e5f31e.jpg

then rolled it out to see how it looks
http://i562.photobucket.com/albums/ss69/hendricks152003/CAM01538_zps964a00b5.jpg
http://i562.photobucket.com/albums/ss69/hendricks152003/CAM01536_zps7bd76843.jpg
http://i562.photobucket.com/albums/ss69/hendricks152003/CAM01539_zpsdd712bfb.jpg
http://i562.photobucket.com/albums/ss69/hendricks152003/CAM01537_zpsf2ed8955.jpg

NismoRich

01-16-2014, 10:07 PM

this is where i am at as of today, January 16th 2014....

put on the front brakes/conversion lines/new lca's/tension rods today. still have to drill the new rotors and put them on but the front is about done. 10mm spacer to clear the brakes
http://i562.photobucket.com/albums/ss69/hendricks152003/VH45%20swap/cac09763-aef8-4c14-8157-500b3c214509_zps86495535.jpg
http://i562.photobucket.com/albums/ss69/hendricks152003/VH45%20swap/CAM01541_zpsecfdd7a8.jpg
http://i562.photobucket.com/albums/ss69/hendricks152003/VH45%20swap/CAM01552_zps7e7d3381.jpg

got the passenger side coilovers and wheels on also
http://i562.photobucket.com/albums/ss69/hendricks152003/VH45%20swap/CAM01544_zpsa7dc161c.jpg

sat the driver side fender on and test fit the kouki side skirts to get an idea of how she's going to looks, well the direction im going with it anyways. previous owner plastidip'd them white and i haven't gotten around to peeling it all off yet
http://i562.photobucket.com/albums/ss69/hendricks152003/VH45%20swap/CAM01550_zpscf2a2947.jpg
http://i562.photobucket.com/albums/ss69/hendricks152003/VH45%20swap/CAM01551_zps7bdff08e.jpg
http://i562.photobucket.com/albums/ss69/hendricks152003/VH45%20swap/CAM01547_zps687f25c8.jpg

i need adjustable rear camber arms, but i really want to keep my poly setup, so im going to try and make a set adjustable. once i get rid of the negative camber in the rear it will look a lot better and no small spacer will be needed.

won't be long now and i will have the engine and trans together and in the car. then i can have the driveshaft made while i make the passenger side manifold and start getting it ready to run

Moncef

01-17-2014, 07:16 AM

Good progress so far man...

What made you toss the RB in favor of the VH?

NismoRich

01-17-2014, 12:24 PM

Good progress so far man...

What made you toss the RB in favor of the VH?

having it so long, i had about as much fun with the rb20 as i could have, other then going bigger turbo/injectors/ecu and more power. i knew if i did that i would also have to do an rb25 trans and new driveshaft. that would of been at least another $2500-3k (after already spending $2500 when i rebuilt it). not to mention i would of had to take the motor apart again and have an extended oil pump drive put on. after all that money just to end up with a 400-450hp rb20(which would still be fun, but still a little torque-less). so i figured it was time to get out while i still could and go for something else. wanting to stay with a nissan motor, i figured the VH would be the best bang for its $$. i will still be under $2K into the VH conversion(less then what i sold the rb swap for) when i am done with it. my plan is to eventually do a rear mounted turbo and shoot for a conservative 500hp once i replace the valve springs and do a rebuild on it.

Lockiess15

01-17-2014, 04:21 PM

Quite a big difference with the S14 there from when you got it to now, also good you stayed with a Nissan V8 instead of the normal LS thing. Terms of drunk driving you should try give my idiot mate some well needed advice, been caught already and continues to do it >_<

NismoRich

01-17-2014, 07:01 PM

Quite a big difference with the S14 there from when you got it to now

thanks, its definitely came a long way.

also good you stayed with a Nissan V8 instead of the normal LS thing.

that would be what we call "domestic violence" and i couldn't do that lol

Terms of drunk driving you should try give my idiot mate some well needed advice, been caught already and continues to do it >_<

some people don't learn i guess lol. once was enough for me, taking out that telephone pole put me $25K in debt, that was just with the power company that replaced the pole. luckily no dui charge. crazy how sober you can become from a 35mph head on with a pole lol

Lockiess15

01-17-2014, 08:17 PM

It's a nice build :). And yeah when he was caught first time it's because he was txting while driving [not legal here in NZ] and had been drinking as well, ended up going straight in to a fence due to not watching where he was going

anothersr20

01-20-2014, 11:59 AM

Let me know how your headers work out. Mine are terrible and sit wayyy to closer to my fuel lines. Trying to find other options

NismoRich

01-20-2014, 06:57 PM

Let me know how your headers work out. Mine are terrible and sit wayyy to closer to my fuel lines. Trying to find other options

will do. i won't be making them until i get the trans and starter bolted on just to make sure i clear the starter. i too was nervous about the pipes being too close to the fuel lines, but i am going to get some thermal shield tape from JEGS which should do the job.

anothersr20

01-21-2014, 11:56 AM

Yellow4g63

01-21-2014, 05:18 PM

About the only way would be to run new lines down the center of the tunnel away from exhaust.

FourtyKid

01-21-2014, 06:32 PM

About the only way would be to run new lines down the center of the tunnel away from exhaust.

Or try running it on the outside of the frame rail or even inside the frame rail, instead of inside, right next to the headers.

NismoRich

01-21-2014, 07:58 PM

Wont be enough.. I tried that still after a few laps at the track the headers got to hot and turned the fuel to vapor and the car would die completely. Wouldnt start, but as soon as the car cooled down it run just fine.

was that with your manifold wrapped also? cause i was thinking header wrap the manifolds and thermal shield tape the fuel lines would be more then enough

NismoRich

01-22-2014, 06:56 PM

got the new poly steering rack bushings in and on the rack.
http://i562.photobucket.com/albums/ss69/hendricks152003/VH45%20swap/polybushings_zps24770456.jpg

finished my adapter plate finally!

http://i562.photobucket.com/albums/ss69/hendricks152003/VH45%20swap/adapterplatefinished2_zps6c4b2db0.jpg
http://i562.photobucket.com/albums/ss69/hendricks152003/VH45%20swap/adapterplatefinished_zps54570de6.jpg
http://i562.photobucket.com/albums/ss69/hendricks152003/VH45%20swap/transmissionboltedon_zps7d2a4537.jpg

NismoRich

01-24-2014, 07:51 PM

its finally starting to feel like its getting close even know there is still a lot of work a head of me. few little parts showed up today also

300A kill switch
http://i562.photobucket.com/albums/ss69/hendricks152003/VH45%20swap/CAM01574_zpsdbd9b697.jpg

as well as the exedy 5/8th's clutch master i'm going to use for the hydraulic handbrake i'm going to make
http://i562.photobucket.com/albums/ss69/hendricks152003/VH45%20swap/CAM01573_zps39e7e52d.jpg

onto more exciting stuff, i got the engine and trans together (with the driver side manifold on) and into the car for the first time (very tight squeeze).
http://i562.photobucket.com/albums/ss69/hendricks152003/VH45%20swap/CAM01571_zpsdb7350a6.jpg
http://i562.photobucket.com/albums/ss69/hendricks152003/VH45%20swap/CAM01576_zps86f26f47.jpg

made the trans mount today
http://i562.photobucket.com/albums/ss69/hendricks152003/VH45%20swap/CAM01583_zpsc50f7614.jpg

notched a little area and tucked the harness up. won't hit it at full lock now!
http://i562.photobucket.com/albums/ss69/hendricks152003/VH45%20swap/CAM01582_zps0f205410.jpg

stance with engine/trans in
http://i562.photobucket.com/albums/ss69/hendricks152003/VH45%20swap/CAM01588_zps4a28cd5a.jpg

my oil pan is going to be lower then the crossmember (by a 1/2"), but there is still 2.5" between the oil pan and the ground. so i will probably make a piece to bolt onto the crossmember just incase i do hit a bump and it bottoms out, it will hit the crossmember and not the pan.
http://i562.photobucket.com/albums/ss69/hendricks152003/VH45%20swap/CAM01591_zps973fc6ce.jpg

i got the passenger side manifold flange in, so i will start on the manifold this weekend and also measure the length for the driveshaft. then pull it all back out and start on the final touches so i can put it all back in for good

NismoRich

01-26-2014, 09:29 PM

so started the day with the engine and trans in it. got the driveshaft measured so i will go have someone make me that this week
http://i562.photobucket.com/albums/ss69/hendricks152003/VH45%20swap/CAM01594_zps0c4953fe.jpg

got the manifold made
http://i562.photobucket.com/albums/ss69/hendricks152003/VH45%20swap/CAM01596_zps89c77015.jpg

all tacked together
http://i562.photobucket.com/albums/ss69/hendricks152003/VH45%20swap/CAM01598_zps939e576b.jpg

motor and trans out for the last time (hopefully)
http://i562.photobucket.com/albums/ss69/hendricks152003/VH45%20swap/CAM01597_zps8601df6e.jpg

got the manifold all welded up, just need to clean it up and ceramic coat it and wrap them. now its on to the final push on all the small stuff to bring it all together. wrap the manifolds, thermal shield the fuel lines, re-route the factory rear brake line for the hydraulic handbrake, remove all the unnecessary stuff under the intake manifold (coolant lines, vac lines etc), replace fuel lines. make the shifter mount, pull the valve covers off and give em a nice cleaning, maybe some fresh paint. make the alternator mount. and all the other fun stuff

NismoRich

01-30-2014, 02:04 PM

passenger side finished welded and coated.
http://i562.photobucket.com/albums/ss69/hendricks152003/VH45%20swap/passengersidemanifoldcoated_zps6a88176a.jpg

DEI Titanium wrap. highly recommend this stuff over the normal fiberglass stuff. never mind the plastic ties, i hadn't went and got more steel ties yet
http://i562.photobucket.com/albums/ss69/hendricks152003/VH45%20swap/manifoldswrapped_zps5db14c43.jpg

NismoRich

02-05-2014, 06:28 PM

well tore off the intake manifold and replaced my knock sensors, resealed everything and eliminated a lot of useless vac/coolant lines. the knock sensors were both cracked in multiple spots
http://i562.photobucket.com/albums/ss69/hendricks152003/VH45%20swap/CAM01609_zpsfb43c560.jpg
http://i562.photobucket.com/albums/ss69/hendricks152003/VH45%20swap/CAM01614_zpsd881885f.jpg
http://i562.photobucket.com/albums/ss69/hendricks152003/VH45%20swap/CAM01617_zpsa362ba5a.jpg

took off the driver side valve cover and man this thing is really clean inside. not a single scratch on any of the cam lobes. i have to take off the front covers and take out the lifters and re-bleed them since i had the motor upside down on the engine stand, but once i get that done this thing will be going in for good. started stripping the valve covers for paint as well
http://i562.photobucket.com/albums/ss69/hendricks152003/VH45%20swap/CAM01611_zpsf835c8ff.jpg
http://i562.photobucket.com/albums/ss69/hendricks152003/VH45%20swap/CAM01613_zps0674bfb0.jpg

got the fittings i needed for my hydraulic handbrake. i had to re-bore and thread the inlet. still figuring out where exactly i want to put it so that the stock ebrake is still functional, yet still comfortable for me.
http://i562.photobucket.com/albums/ss69/hendricks152003/VH45%20swap/CAM01619_zps8e31d9f9.jpg

made an X pipe. going to run dual 3" all the way back
http://i562.photobucket.com/albums/ss69/hendricks152003/VH45%20swap/Xpipe_zps9179ba51.jpg
http://i562.photobucket.com/albums/ss69/hendricks152003/VH45%20swap/xpipestraightthrough_zpsde25f8ad.jpg

V bands showed up so i got them welded on. finished pics of the manifolds
http://i562.photobucket.com/albums/ss69/hendricks152003/VH45%20swap/vbandon1_zps08656c54.jpg
http://i562.photobucket.com/albums/ss69/hendricks152003/VH45%20swap/vbandon2_zps860cfa04.jpg

NismoRich

02-06-2014, 09:02 PM

went and picked up 20' of 1.25" schedule 40 pipe from my local steel supplier today.
http://i562.photobucket.com/albums/ss69/hendricks152003/VH45%20swap/125xsch40_zps7d7c3def.jpg

when i bought the shell it was missing the front and rear steel bumpers (i was later given a cut front one for free but it's kind of flimbsy), so i started off by making a rear bumper. i drilled and tap'd two holes on each side so it bolts in the original holes as the factory one. finally, tire changes won't take so long lol
http://i562.photobucket.com/albums/ss69/hendricks152003/VH45%20swap/reartubebumper_zps633aa19a.jpg
http://i562.photobucket.com/albums/ss69/hendricks152003/VH45%20swap/reartubebumpercomplete_zps661a4f41.jpg

NismoRich

02-11-2014, 10:49 PM

i wanted to stiffen up the towers since i cut out the wheel wells, so i pie cut about 3/4's of the way through then bent to the needed angle and rewelded it. i know its not the best way, but i will eventually cut them out and replace it with proper bent ones when i get access to a bender.

http://i562.photobucket.com/albums/ss69/hendricks152003/VH45%20swap/fronttubes_zpse2a38814.jpg

energy suspension subframe bushings came in. i think i figured out a way to be able to use these and raise the subframe too. we'll see when i get there i guess
http://i562.photobucket.com/albums/ss69/hendricks152003/VH45%20swap/polysubframe_zps62ba99e3.jpg

removed the traction control from the throttle body. removed everything then cut the base off that the motor mounts too, then tap'd the two remaining holes and plugged them with bolts. poor mans non-TC TB.
http://i562.photobucket.com/albums/ss69/hendricks152003/VH45%20swap/TCdelete_zps76f7235e.jpg
http://i562.photobucket.com/albums/ss69/hendricks152003/VH45%20swap/TCdelete2_zpsbe0015a2.jpg

got started on the alternator mount bracket. just need to clean it up and paint it now.
http://i562.photobucket.com/albums/ss69/hendricks152003/VH45%20swap/altbracket_zps0013f565.jpg

then later started on removing everything so i could get to the lifters and re-bleed them. my little air compressor barely had enough balls to remove the crank pulley bolt
http://i562.photobucket.com/albums/ss69/hendricks152003/VH45%20swap/vhbeforeteardown_zpsa2788739.jpg

front covers off. pretty happy with how clean it was inside.
http://i562.photobucket.com/albums/ss69/hendricks152003/VH45%20swap/vhtimingcoversoff_zps87e0217c.jpg

cams out and driver side lifters done.
http://i562.photobucket.com/albums/ss69/hendricks152003/VH45%20swap/camsout_zpsf8995d87.jpg

that's it for now

bova17

02-12-2014, 09:54 PM

nice, is that just a half inch thick trans adapter plate or do you have to also space the flywheel just a little?

NismoRich

02-12-2014, 10:41 PM

nice, is that just a half inch thick trans adapter plate or do you have to also space the flywheel just a little?

yeah its a half inch adapter plate and the bellhousing was machined for it. no flywheel spacer, just using the little stock flex plate spacer

NismoRich

02-14-2014, 09:41 PM

got cam cap bolts today and finished bleeding the passenger bank lifters
http://i562.photobucket.com/albums/ss69/hendricks152003/VH45%20swap/CAM01684_zps35e38fa7.jpg

timing chains back on. 1 SR, 2 SR lol
http://i562.photobucket.com/albums/ss69/hendricks152003/VH45%20swap/CAM01689_zps1ad94d45.jpg

timing covers back on. ready to run now. just need to clean up the covers with some brake cleaner
http://i562.photobucket.com/albums/ss69/hendricks152003/VH45%20swap/CAM01695_zpsb266164d.jpg

subframe out

http://i562.photobucket.com/albums/ss69/hendricks152003/VH45%20swap/CAM01662-1_zpsa2ec840f.jpg

burn bitches, burn! getting the sleeves out was fun, i didn't want to cut through the cup so i was overly cautious and it took forever. cleaned em up with a wire wheel and installed the bushings

http://i562.photobucket.com/albums/ss69/hendricks152003/VH45%20swap/CAM01663_zpsa7198cb9.jpg

few years ago i had one of the differential bolts break off into the subframe and the nut inside the subframe would just spin, so i had to ghetto rig it for the longest time. so i cut that out, welded in a new nut and welded the subframe back up. my luck will be now that i got all everything back in the car, the other nut inside the subframe will break.

http://i562.photobucket.com/albums/ss69/hendricks152003/VH45%20swap/CAM01667_zps89ec0a5d.jpg

so onto the bushings... figured out a way to raise the subframe a half inch. i know everyone will say i should of just gotten solid ones, but i don't care.

http://i562.photobucket.com/albums/ss69/hendricks152003/VH45%20swap/CAM01669_zps02f4f7ff.jpg
http://i562.photobucket.com/albums/ss69/hendricks152003/VH45%20swap/CAM01668_zpsb62aad9c.jpg

while i was doing the bushings, i knew i wanted to raise the rear of the car a half inch, so after raising the coils a half inch and the subframe fixing for a half inch, this is where my suspension arms currently sit. definitely better then it was before

http://i562.photobucket.com/albums/ss69/hendricks152003/VH45%20swap/CAM01674_zps20e835b8.jpg
http://i562.photobucket.com/albums/ss69/hendricks152003/VH45%20swap/CAM01675_zps5081c77f.jpg

just waiting on the chain wrench i ordered to show up so i can torque down the crank pulley. just need to button everything back up on the motor and it will be ready to drop in for good. i decided i wanted to do a custom cluster so i ordered some new gauges last night, should be here next week. that's it for now

NismoRich

02-23-2014, 05:31 PM

well, been sick lately so i haven't gotten much done. but i ordered a bunch of stuff last week and stuff is starting to roll in so i figured i would give a little update. i ordered 10' of gates 5/16" fuel line off ebay since all the local parts stores wanted over $5/foot for the exact same fuel hose i got for $14 shipped which got here in 2 days. replaced all the fuel hoses on the fuel rail so far. still waiting on my longer Maxima tie rods to get here. should be here tomorrow.

so i was playing around with the knuckles and i was hitting the lca's with the leading wheel, and hitting the sway bar and tension rods with the trailing wheel, which was killing some angle with these wider wheels. so i extended the lca's a half inch and am going to offset the tension rods which will give me a 1/4" more room and notch the lca's which will give me a little more angle as well, might even have to replace the sway bar. i'm going to have to roll the front fenders, which i was trying to avoid, to get the good amount of angle i am after but hopefully will not have to pull them dramatically. im trying to stay stock fenders.

knuckles on the jig ready for weld. these probably won't get done for a while though since my welder is booked on a job for a while
http://i562.photobucket.com/albums/ss69/hendricks152003/VH45%20swap/CAM01709_zpsde99119c.jpg

my gauges came in. electric water temp, mech. oil pressure, electric fuel level. mech. fuel pressure(forgot picture)
http://i562.photobucket.com/albums/ss69/hendricks152003/VH45%20swap/CAM01726_zps0c91c2b7.jpg
http://i562.photobucket.com/albums/ss69/hendricks152003/VH45%20swap/CAM01727_zps95bacd6e.jpg
http://i562.photobucket.com/albums/ss69/hendricks152003/VH45%20swap/CAM01728_zpsab9c745c.jpg

so i played around with some cardboard to see what it would look like before cutting out the sheet metal. fuel pressure gauge won't be in the cluster unless i get an isolator
http://i562.photobucket.com/albums/ss69/hendricks152003/VH45%20swap/cluster_zps6c33acec.jpg

and i stripped the valve covers down to bare metal, gave them a coat of bare metal primer, then took them to my friends heated shop and gave them about 6 coats of white and about 5 coats of clear. pretty happy with how these turned out, hopefully they hold up to the engine heat.
http://i562.photobucket.com/albums/ss69/hendricks152003/VH45%20swap/CAM01714_zpsa912b75c.jpg

did the intake manifold metallic charcoal with about 5 coats of clear
http://i562.photobucket.com/albums/ss69/hendricks152003/VH45%20swap/CAM01715_zpsdb92a197.jpg

i think this will look good with the black background of the engine bay
http://i562.photobucket.com/albums/ss69/hendricks152003/VH45%20swap/CAM01737_zps8e51d23e.jpg
http://i562.photobucket.com/albums/ss69/hendricks152003/VH45%20swap/intakeandcoverspainted_zps47c976ea.jpg

that/s it for now. once i get some dry weather i will be putting the motor/trans back in for good

NismoRich

02-25-2014, 10:10 PM

still slowly trying to make some progress even know the weather isn't great. i got the fuel/clutch/brake lines thermal wrapped where they will be closest to the manifold. so hopefully that and the header wrap will be enough to keep the fuel from vapor locking

http://i562.photobucket.com/albums/ss69/hendricks152003/VH45%20swap/thermalwrappedlines_zpsfde6baa4.jpg

and got everything pulled out from the firewall so that i can route the brake lines to the hydro ebrake nicely and also to clean up some wiring. i don't know why the previous owner put more sound deadening on top the oem sound deadening lol

http://i562.photobucket.com/albums/ss69/hendricks152003/VH45%20swap/behinddash_zps49654b9f.jpg

and my longer maxima inner tie rods showed up. i don't know what i am going to do for outers since i can't really afford SPL's, yet need a outer that has bumpsteer correction and doesn't have a china made pos bearing. any suggestions?

http://i562.photobucket.com/albums/ss69/hendricks152003/VH45%20swap/maximatierods_zps936763b3.jpg

heylookatthat240

02-26-2014, 01:41 AM

Cool build, man.

You're giving me a lot of info since I'm looking to do some sort of V8 swap and thinking it'd be cool to keep the motor in the Nissan family while saving some money on the swap all together.

You should save your money for some reputable parts, or look up QA1 for spherical bearings and heim joints if you want to piece your own outer tie rods together.

My buddy with an '03 road-race built Mustang Cobra used a good quality heim joint with a 5/8 bolt drilled through the spindle. Not sure if that's too big for a 240 spindle, but if a 4k lb car like a Cobra can have over a 1" bumpsteer correction spacer on and not snap, then I'm sure that would be just fine for your car.

Good luck with everything and I'm looking forward to your progress!

NismoRich

02-27-2014, 06:13 PM

thanks man. i'm more then likely just going to get SPL's. i couldn't really think of another brand that is quality and reputable but at a lower cost then SPL's so i thought i would see if anyone named a brand i'm forgetting about lol.

small boring update, i went to the wrecking yard yesterday and pulled a starter off a J30 because it was a new remanufactured one that didn't look like it was on the car too long, and i only paid $30 with a 1 year warranty. lucky find that saved me $100
http://i562.photobucket.com/albums/ss69/hendricks152003/VH45%20swap/CAM01747_zpse146b864.jpg

while i was up there i picked up two 5' brake lines for the hydro ebrake setup from oreillys. got them tucked and routed today. just need to figure out where exactly i want to mount the cylinder once i get the trans in and see where the shifter sits
http://i562.photobucket.com/albums/ss69/hendricks152003/VH45%20swap/CAM01754_zpse7554fe2.jpg

stopped by nissan and picked up my SPL shifter bushings
http://i562.photobucket.com/albums/ss69/hendricks152003/VH45%20swap/CAM01748_zpsf8024a3e.jpg
http://i562.photobucket.com/albums/ss69/hendricks152003/VH45%20swap/CAM01749_zpse8a756db.jpg

offset my tension rods so i get a little more clearance for angle. need to find a sway bar that has more clearance for angle also
http://i562.photobucket.com/albums/ss69/hendricks152003/VH45%20swap/CAM01753_zps013643b3.jpg

just waiting on the weather to warm up a little bit before the motor/trans goes back in for good so that i can repaint my engine bay again. so until then it will be small boring updates.

NismoRich

03-07-2014, 09:26 PM

well i got the engine bay repainted, the engine harness in and tucked in place in the bay. new fuel lines on, fpr mounted up temporarily.
http://i562.photobucket.com/albums/ss69/hendricks152003/VH45%20swap/fprmounted_zpsb00dc809.jpg
http://i562.photobucket.com/albums/ss69/hendricks152003/VH45%20swap/harnessin_zps7cfcd7d0.jpg

removed the factory temp sensor for the gauge cluster and drilled it and retap'd it for the autometer gauge so there will be no extra wires needed to run into the bay.
http://i562.photobucket.com/albums/ss69/hendricks152003/VH45%20swap/tempsensortap_zpsc66d35ae.jpg
http://i562.photobucket.com/albums/ss69/hendricks152003/VH45%20swap/tempsensorin_zps8645cc8e.jpg

went down to my local exhaust shop and picked up 10' of 3" tubing and two O2 bungs
http://i562.photobucket.com/albums/ss69/hendricks152003/VH45%20swap/exhausttubing_zps0153bd4c.jpg
http://i562.photobucket.com/albums/ss69/hendricks152003/VH45%20swap/O2bungs_zps87c8aa58.jpg

welded them in
http://i562.photobucket.com/albums/ss69/hendricks152003/VH45%20swap/bungswelded_zpsb0332f15.jpg

a good friend of mine has had a Z32 short shifter just laying around for years, so i took that off his hands and installed the SPL bushings and threw it on. feels good
http://i562.photobucket.com/albums/ss69/hendricks152003/VH45%20swap/shortshifter_zps2a6c9792.jpg
http://i562.photobucket.com/albums/ss69/hendricks152003/VH45%20swap/shifterin_zps47bd1880.jpg

bent up the lines for the hydro ebrake. im going to wait to make the mount for it until the trans is in so i make sure it clears the shifter.
http://i562.photobucket.com/albums/ss69/hendricks152003/VH45%20swap/hydrobrakelinesrouted_zps6e96e093.jpg

the motor and trans is about ready to go back in, just buttoning up a few things still. i ordered some ISIS ruca's and am going to gamble on some Touge Factory tie rod ends cause i couldn't quite afford to go SPL right now. eventually i will replace them with SPL's. Doug at UP Garage will be ordering my driveshaft next tuesday.

schoja

03-08-2014, 12:56 AM

baller as shit. All that I ask is that you is that in the end you give it a good paint job

NismoRich

03-08-2014, 09:06 PM

baller as shit. All that I ask is that you is that in the end you give it a good paint job

thanks man, i thought no one would appreciate my build because it doesn't have bright orange/green/yellow/purple wheels, an ugly ass body kit, a gigantic rear wing, millions of stickers, 10" wide wheels with only 3" of tire contact on the road, and no SR or JZ. i'm hoping to give it a decent paint job this summer.

NismoRich

03-11-2014, 01:37 AM

Touge Factory outer tie rod ends showed up
http://i562.photobucket.com/albums/ss69/hendricks152003/VH45%20swap/CAM01781_zps6972d4b2.jpg

flywheel on, ARP's torqued to 65 ft lbs with red loctite
http://i562.photobucket.com/albums/ss69/hendricks152003/VH45%20swap/CAM01783_zpsa5fdd41b.jpg

clutch on, ARP's torqued to 30 ft lbs
http://i562.photobucket.com/albums/ss69/hendricks152003/VH45%20swap/CAM01784_zps014dbac9.jpg

trans on, nuts torqued with red loctite. starter on, manifolds on, O2's on. removed the oem oil pressure switch and installed the autometer oil pressure line and heat shield wrapped the nylon line.
http://i562.photobucket.com/albums/ss69/hendricks152003/VH45%20swap/CAM01787_zps07716b76.jpg

motor and trans is now ready to go in and should be going in tomorrow

NismoRich

03-11-2014, 11:07 PM

starting to hit the home stretch now

got the car ready for surgery.
http://i562.photobucket.com/albums/ss69/hendricks152003/VH45%20swap/CAM01791_zpsa0b53d0c.jpg
http://i562.photobucket.com/albums/ss69/hendricks152003/VH45%20swap/CAM01792_zps38850c02.jpg

aaaaaand its in.
http://i562.photobucket.com/albums/ss69/hendricks152003/VH45%20swap/CAM01799_zps0220a651.jpg
http://i562.photobucket.com/albums/ss69/hendricks152003/VH45%20swap/CAM01798_zpsa2b638bf.jpg
http://i562.photobucket.com/albums/ss69/hendricks152003/VH45%20swap/CAM01797_zps3263615a.jpg

shifter placement, pic is upside down. to the left like i knew it would be, but further back then i had thought. oh well, works out in my favor since the hydro ebrake will now have plenty of room to pull towards it.
http://i562.photobucket.com/albums/ss69/hendricks152003/VH45%20swap/CAM01796_zpsce8fe14b.jpg

as it sits tonight.
http://i562.photobucket.com/albums/ss69/hendricks152003/VH45%20swap/CAM01800_zps805a9d9c.jpg

probably going to raise the car another 1/4-1/2" since the merge collectors sit pretty damn low, even know they are tucked as high as possible. still waiting on jordan innovations for my RUCA's.

Silviastunter

03-12-2014, 03:18 AM

Dude loving this build you gonna bring it to nissanfest at evergreen?

NismoRich

03-12-2014, 12:04 PM

Dude loving this build you gonna bring it to nissanfest at evergreen?

yeah thats the plan. still got 5 1/2 weeks to get a lot done lol. i road up with a good friend of mine last year who entered his really clean red Zenki with black 350Z wheels in the car show. it was parked towards the parking lot side of the car show, maybe you seen it. i talked him into entering his car again this year and if my car is done in time i will enter too (just for fun, i know its nothing compared to some of those koukis and Johns R34 lol). i was planning on drifting it at nissanfest, but i won't have a cage in time.

240Z28

03-13-2014, 08:22 PM

hey, cool build dude!! this isn't the right place to ask this, but do you still have the rb20 tranny??

NismoRich

03-13-2014, 11:22 PM

hey, cool build dude!! this isn't the right place to ask this, but do you still have the rb20 tranny??

nope, sold it as a complete swap

NismoRich

03-14-2014, 07:01 PM

so this happened today....

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L9asyCgdNPI

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1jI_g-yIGj8

the timing still hasn't been set (just where i had marked it before removal), the coil packs are just sitting there loose, and im sure there is some vacuum lines that are not plugged all that well. i just had to hear it run before i put it all together for good. would have sucked to get everything done and then have to take it all back apart.

hood closes. just had to cut out a little of the inner skin

http://i562.photobucket.com/albums/ss69/hendricks152003/VH45%20swap/nohoodspacersneeded_zpsb463cc96.jpg

FourtyKid

03-15-2014, 01:22 AM

Sounds sick!

Everyone else's VH swaps start but mine =[

NismoRich

03-18-2014, 11:01 PM

Sounds sick!

Everyone else's VH swaps start but mine =[

whats stopping it from running?

got the driveshaft today. hopefully i can get the steering stuff finished up and take it around the block next week

http://i562.photobucket.com/albums/ss69/hendricks152003/VH45%20swap/driveshaft_zps24bd5dad.jpg

steering knuckles and flca's done as well. still need to weld on some adjustable steering stops (even with the rack forward, im still overcentering) and give the front end a rough alignment.

http://i562.photobucket.com/albums/ss69/hendricks152003/VH45%20swap/CAM01817_zps32595639.jpg
http://i562.photobucket.com/albums/ss69/hendricks152003/VH45%20swap/CAM01818_zpse6734679.jpg
http://i562.photobucket.com/albums/ss69/hendricks152003/VH45%20swap/CAM01830_zpsbb73d78c.jpg

rangerjavi

03-18-2014, 11:38 PM

Very nice build so far, how much did the cutting and welding of the knuckles cost?

NismoRich

03-18-2014, 11:48 PM

Very nice build so far, how much did the cutting and welding of the knuckles cost?

free.99! I did all the prep work (cutting/beveling them and making the jig) and my stepfather who is a certified welder welded them up for me. he welds on the 300 ton cranes that he operates for a living, so i trust his welds lol

NismoRich

03-19-2014, 11:48 PM

picked up some new coolant, spark plugs, and Amsoil trans fluid today.

http://i562.photobucket.com/albums/ss69/hendricks152003/VH45%20swap/amsoilandplugs_zps5c694988.jpg

ISIS ruca's finally came in today from Jordan Innovations as well. welds are a little undercut in a few areas but what do you expect for $100 arms lol

http://i562.photobucket.com/albums/ss69/hendricks152003/VH45%20swap/ISIS_zpsae5285de.jpg

and i got the driveshaft in.

http://i562.photobucket.com/albums/ss69/hendricks152003/VH45%20swap/driveshaftin_zps599c9e5e.jpg
http://i562.photobucket.com/albums/ss69/hendricks152003/VH45%20swap/driveshaftin2_zps070581b4.jpg

spent the rest of the day helping a buddy get his S13 coupe running. i should be able to make some good progress this weekend on the car.

NismoRich

03-22-2014, 09:38 PM

update time. its getting closer to its first drive. so far i have gotten the ISIS arms on and raised the car a little more. im happy with the height right now cause its got good oil pan clearance and the exhaust will have plenty as well. now i just need to get bigger tires. i got the spark plugs changed out, i can't believe it ran as good as it did with the way it was. there were two coils missing contacts/springs and the tops of those plugs were corroding away. so i put in some springs from my old RB coil packs and now it runs great. throttle response is awesome too

http://i562.photobucket.com/albums/ss69/hendricks152003/VH45%20swap/isisarmson_zps261d7ab6.jpg
http://i562.photobucket.com/albums/ss69/hendricks152003/VH45%20swap/stanceafterraisingit2_zpsee26ea51.jpg

so after making three trips to oreilly's, i finally got the right size belts for my setups. im happy that the power steering and alternator brackets and belt tensioners i made all line up as they should. got a random lower hose that looked like what i needed and made it work using the stock metal tube also. now i just need to tighten up some hose clamps and fill her with coolant! not finished, but working on making the oem clutch fan work. the crappy electric fans i have don't pull near as much air as the clutch fan can

http://i562.photobucket.com/albums/ss69/hendricks152003/VH45%20swap/almostdone_zps67e3f925.jpg

i decided where to mount my new power steering cooler. will be better then my last setup since it won't be in front of the radiator and as big as my last cooler setup.

http://i562.photobucket.com/albums/ss69/hendricks152003/VH45%20swap/powersteeringcooler_zpsbfc3ed76.jpg

where i will be mounting the p/s reservoir. going to use two 90* elbows off the bottom of the reservoir and run the line from the reservoir to the p/s pump right under the intake manifold. it will have a nice level flow right to the pump so it wont have any issue getting fluid.

http://i562.photobucket.com/albums/ss69/hendricks152003/VH45%20swap/powersteeringrez_zps631a639e.jpg

NismoRich

03-24-2014, 08:26 PM

well got the exhaust built today. i didn't really take any pics, but its just a Y pipe to a single, then Y pipe tips after diff. no mufflers or cats, just straight pipe. was wanting to do true duals, but i know i am going to want to throw some boost at it eventually and will be doing a rear mounted turbo setup, so this will save me from having to do the entire exhaust again later on. its pretty quiet at idle, but she is pissed off when wakened. still have to make some hangers for it. should be able to take it around the block fairly soon, the list is getting pretty short (fill trans, bleed clutch and brakes, bleed coolant). oh and i also picked up some springs at my local hardware store today to replace the springs in the coils, will have more on that tomorrow

1/4 and 1/2 throttle revs (don't mind the messy interior, its on the bottom of the list right now). sorry my phone sucks and can't handle the loud noises very well. sounds good in person. better quality audio vids to come later

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nS7yIr17n7w

NismoRich

04-02-2014, 12:46 AM

i pulled the plugs out and swapped in the new ones. while i was at it i took a look at the contacts in the boots and 4 of the guts inside were brass and corroding away and missing contacts. so i took out the brass guts and just used some long springs to run from the coils to the plug. the other 4 boots had aluminum guts and looked good, so i just replaced the springs on each end of them anyways. i need to find 4 more boots that have the aluminum guts in them so i don't have to run such a long spring on those 4 i removed the brass guts from. runs much better now. here is a pic to show the difference in the brass guts and the aluminum guts and how i bypassed the brass guts

http://i562.photobucket.com/albums/ss69/hendricks152003/VH45%20swap/CAM00018_zpsf55e4a14.jpg
http://i562.photobucket.com/albums/ss69/hendricks152003/VH45%20swap/CAM00019_zps4695b3e6.jpg

then started on the gauge cluster. used some 16 gauge sheet metal and cut it into shape and made the mounting tabs so that it screws in just like the stock cluster. raw form

http://i562.photobucket.com/albums/ss69/hendricks152003/VH45%20swap/cluster_zps2b522c21.jpg

wired up. soldered everything up to one plug so that its a quick disconnect if i need to remove the dash. i didn't shorten the wideband wires so just wrapped them all up together

http://i562.photobucket.com/albums/ss69/hendricks152003/VH45%20swap/CAM00036_zps1b984794.jpg

and finished product, minus the oil pressure gauge. turn signals up top, charge light for the alt down below.

http://i562.photobucket.com/albums/ss69/hendricks152003/VH45%20swap/CAM00037_zps56e91b44.jpg

i set the dash back in it so that i could mock up the hydro ebrake setup. took some 16 gauge sheet metal and welded it to the tunnel as a base plate since the factory sheet metal is pretty weak. then built the mounts on it. just need to decide what to do to the handle to add some style to it since its just some steel flat bar. never mind the long ass bolt, was temporary till i got the proper length bolt

http://i562.photobucket.com/albums/ss69/hendricks152003/VH45%20swap/hydroebrakemounted_zpse787a0b8.jpg

and i got the clutch bled, the trans filled with AMSOIL and tested out the shifter bracket i made. thankfully it goes into each gear just fine.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PWkKHOKP0hc

NismoRich

04-06-2014, 10:48 PM

well not a whole lot to update, still trying to button things up but weather hasn't been all that great. i went and got brand new brake pads and bled the brakes. the hydro ebrake locks up awesome, still finishing the handle up for it. everything on the custom gauge cluster works except for the tach. not getting signal from the ecu pin 7 (same tach worked on my RB tach signal wire from the ecu). well i changed out the oil today since i had crap oil in it just to flush it out, so i went and got some mobil 1 10w30 and a mobil 1 oil filter.

http://i562.photobucket.com/albums/ss69/hendricks152003/VH45%20swap/mobil1oil_zpsca66d61d.jpg

then took it around the block real quick. i can tell this car is going to be a blast to drive. great low end torque and great response. i wasn't even trying to get loose in 2nd, it just stepped out on me while i was rolling into it. and that was on full soft on the coilovers lol. i definitely need some wider tires out back

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7MMgqwMsusI

FourtyKid

04-22-2014, 08:04 PM

Ahhhh this makes me want to get home and finish my exhaust asap! Did you weld your hydro handbrake right to the tranny tunnel?

NismoRich

04-23-2014, 02:20 PM

Ahhhh this makes me want to get home and finish my exhaust asap! Did you weld your hydro handbrake right to the tranny tunnel?

yeah, i reinforced the top of the trans tunnel then welded it directly to it.

guess i should update too. got the front end back on and also made a filter adapter for the maf

http://i562.photobucket.com/albums/ss69/hendricks152003/VH45%20swap/CAM00048_zpsf4ab1cfc.jpg

http://i562.photobucket.com/albums/ss69/hendricks152003/VH45%20swap/CAM00052_zpsadcc7f38.jpg

http://i562.photobucket.com/albums/ss69/hendricks152003/VH45%20swap/CAM00047_zpsb921f85b.jpg

then got talked into making some wheel tubs so that when it rains i don't have a dirty engine bay. but i wanted to keep it open up front so that there would be more air flow under the hood while at the track sideways, so i made them easily removable with zip ties.

http://i562.photobucket.com/albums/ss69/hendricks152003/VH45%20swap/CAM00083_zps1f057b1b.jpg

cleaned everything up under the dash and got the dash back in.

http://i562.photobucket.com/albums/ss69/hendricks152003/VH45%20swap/CAM00093_zpsc22a8683.jpg

then decided to give a go with plasti dip and ended up not liking it and taking it back off. first idea

http://i562.photobucket.com/albums/ss69/hendricks152003/VH45%20swap/white_zpsc730513f.jpg
http://i562.photobucket.com/albums/ss69/hendricks152003/VH45%20swap/whiteorsilver_zps033836ab.jpg

2nd idea

http://i562.photobucket.com/albums/ss69/hendricks152003/VH45%20swap/CAM00080_zpsd632e1e6.jpg

then decided to take it around the block again and had a little fun with it towards the end...

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d61mfjn1lg4

then went over to a friends shop and did some cookies and ran into vapor lock issues with the fuel since the lines were almost touching the manifold in one spot.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DSgh...ature=youtu.be

and tested the hydro ebrake out while i was at it...

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aN5c-_tJVkg

then i went and i got the car aligned. was pretty happy that i was able to get the rear toe set to zero considering its stock arms and eccentric bolt. they basically let me do the entire alignment myself once i drove it on and they hooked up the machines, which was cool of them. the day before Nissanfest (friday) i was able to get under the car and reroute the fuel lines away from the exhaust (i really wanted to get this done before taking on a 2 1/2 hour one way drive). i dropped the trans mount and tucked them closer to the transmission. this seemed to do the trick for the mean time until i run new fuel lines down the trans tunnel.

http://i562.photobucket.com/albums/ss69/hendricks152003/Nissanfest%202014/reroutedfuellines_zps7ec24d85.jpg

while working on it at my buddies shop, the VH was begging for me to twin turbo it...

http://i562.photobucket.com/albums/ss69/hendricks152003/Nissanfest%202014/vh45withtwinturbos_zps2bedbbe8.jpg

I also got the power steering working for the trip. i didn't have time to make a mount for the reservoir, so i had to zip tie it to the intake...will be fixed later. so nice to have working power steering again

http://i562.photobucket.com/albums/ss69/hendricks152003/Nissanfest%202014/VH_zps38f15e40.jpg

my buddy (the red S14) let me use his extra front lip so i threw that on to complete the look.

http://i562.photobucket.com/albums/ss69/hendricks152003/Nissanfest%202014/myS14lipandskirts_zps832026cc.jpg
http://i562.photobucket.com/albums/ss69/hendricks152003/Nissanfest%202014/myS14andgabesatgasstation_zpseed8d420.jpg

so i was happy it made the 5 hour round trip with no major problems. my buddy and i entered our cars into the show part of the event just for fun.

http://i562.photobucket.com/albums/ss69/hendricks152003/Nissanfest%202014/ourS14s2_zps63dfad9e.jpg
http://i562.photobucket.com/albums/ss69/hendricks152003/Nissanfest%202014/ourS14s_zps6ccfa0ab.jpg
http://i562.photobucket.com/albums/ss69/hendricks152003/Nissanfest%202014/gc_zpsde24d2ad.jpg
http://i562.photobucket.com/albums/ss69/hendricks152003/Nissanfest%202014/gc25_zps2b3ace92.jpg