I worked for Harry Gershenson at Z shop of miami and went on to datsun dynamics in Vienna Va.........then it was dealership after dealership and I last turned wrenches 3 years ago at lexus of orlando.
I am known as pooflinginmonkey on other forums but the name gets truncated so I HowlerMonkey it is.
Before that I was a rotary guy but I just cannot stand a loud car anymore.
I'll concede your points but I still cannot understand why nissan went with that scheme on the vg30 when the car in stock form would have performed a lot better with the engine 4 or 5 inches further back.
I'm sure all the touring, improved touring, production, and showroom stock racers would have appreciated it.
My current project is a L28et into a M30 but it seems that nissan never had US market or left hand drive in mind when they designed it because the steering shaft u-joint angles are almost to the point of binding in stock form because the rack is unbelievably close to the firewall. Tried laying down the rack like a Z31 but the steering got very notchy as this increased the angle until the u-joints bound..........not safe.
Luckily, the first generation maxima hardware allows it to be a bolt in solution with the stock crossmember but I will be running a built 3n71b until I have time to fit Austin Hoke's FS5R30 adapter.
Here's a pic of a M30 crossmember fitted for a front sump vg30. Both the sump and crossmember may be for sale soon if the vg30 that came out of the car isn't salvagable.
It might be useable on the Z31 to open up more engine options.
Mad props to your car and the clean install. If I had a ride like that, I would be a lot happier than I am driving the grandpa looking sleeper I now drive.