Need instruction!! VK56DE Swap

[yeknom919]

so ive done easy swaps before, usually with honda motors(b18, k20 swaps), but ive never done anything to this scale and i lack the knowledge:(
if anyone can give me the information on how i'd go about putting a VK56DE(nissan titan 5.6L) into my 1994 240sx, id REALLY appreciate it!

[millerlight763]

Welcome to Zilvia. I see you are new here. I would like to warn you that posts like this from newbies is not wise and will get you torched by the vet. members. The search button and google are your best friend. The internet is a great place to meet people and find information. Please don't take this as being rude, but we don't spoon feed here.

Why do you want to swap a VK56DE into your car?

Again, welcome and good luck

[shift_down]

^ ... this guy....

He is asking because not many (if anyone at all) has done this. He did not ask what rims he should buy, or what turbo will make 55.4963754 horsepower to the front wheels.

Good luck with the build, im excited to see this.

[millerlight763]

Yeah man my mistake, sorry for jumping the gun like that. Reminds me a little of the JZ build. Good luck

[yeknom919]

thanks shift_down. yeah i dont know many people who've done this swap. ive searched all over google adn didnt come up with the answers ive looked for.

[codyace]

^ ... this guy....

He is asking because not many (if anyone at all) has done this. He did not ask what rims he should buy, or what turbo will make 55.4963754 horsepower to the front wheels.

Good luck with the build, im excited to see this.

While that may be the reasoning, at the same aspect, I see it as no different than those asking 'how to swap a 318 into my s13' or similar questions. If no information comes out of basic searching, then one can be assured it isn't common, thus costing big time/money to do properly...


thanks shift_down. yeah i dont know many people who've done this swap. ive searched all over google adn didnt come up with the answers ive looked for.

It's one thing swapping Honda engines with pnp harnesses and conversion mounts, another taking an engine that barely fits between the shock towers nor (or barely) letting the hood close if you do shoe horn it in there.

All Modern DOHC V8's are HUGE. Most DOHC V8's are expensive. Running Junkyard modern DOHC V8's aren't common. Those factors alone are enough to keep me from even considering them in the first place.

You'd need everything from a one off mounting setup, one off exhaust (and headers that somehow fit), a custom wiring harness and the accompaniing ECU, and then the thousands in 'nickle and dime' stuff to make it all work.

If it was easy, feasible, and worthwhile...people would swap them all the time. Don't get me wrong the 5.6 runs great, sounds good, and can make power...but the cost alone is counterintuitive...and I'm not much a fan of 'being different, just because' as that's "French" for 'expensive and fruitless' where I come from.


If you're in need of v8 power, swap in an SR20. If you really need a v8, finda GM based LS/LQ series V8 for pennies, and use a kit to make it all work. However if you have thousands at will and really want to be different...then go VK. I see NO way to make that all happen this side of deep pockets, or serious mechanical skill.

I know it may seem rude, but my honest answer is to avoid it like the plauge, read more on this forum about current setups, and learn some cool other setups :D

[future]

I've still yet to see this swap done in a street car. I've seen a couple formula d cars. There is one build thread on here doing the swap. But slow progress and he can't even fit the accessories

[yeknom919]

i dont personally think it would be as costly as youre making it seem. i already have the most important parts to the build, now its just all the little detail work that im worried about. but its still within my budget(which, believe me, isnt that high) i just needed to know any specific modifications that i would need that arent completely obvious. something that i might have missed.
also that mechanical skill is definitely there. im not the only one working on this car. its sort of a team build, which is why, when splitting the budget 6 ways, its not that bad.
i understand everyones concern that the project will fail, but ive seen even rougher builds done. its one of those "nothing ventured nothing gained" ideas i guess for me.

[codyace]

i dont personally think it would be as costly as youre making it seem. i already have the most important parts to the build, now its just all the little detail work that im worried about. but its still within my budget(which, believe me, isnt that high) i just needed to know any specific modifications that i would need that arent completely obvious. something that i might have missed.
also that mechanical skill is definitely there. im not the only one working on this car. its sort of a team build, which is why, when splitting the budget 6 ways, its not that bad.
i understand everyones concern that the project will fail, but ive seen even rougher builds done. its one of those "nothing ventured nothing gained" ideas i guess for me.



I still don't see how the cost is worth the gain, especially with other options (easier options at that) exist, that make equal/better power. If you want to do it, and have the means, then by all means rock out...but with that said, I can say form experience in life, and from reading countless threads on here....that 95% of those who ask 'how do I swap engine XYZ into platform EFG' don't really have the capability to do so.

Buy the engine, adapt a trans to the back of it, make the mounts, shoehorn it in the car, fab an exhaust, wire up the harness, and make it all work. It's not that crazy.

[fizzer77]

i dont personally think it would be as costly as youre making it seem.

[RocketOgre]

i dont personally think it would be as costly as youre making it seem.

To just get it in there and running with holes in your hood and most of the weight above the shock towers? Probalby.

To get it done right, sitting in a good spot and making good power? You will probably spend 3 times as much as it would cost to drop in a worked over LSX. That's if you can weld and have an engineering background.

[Amandrews]

I still don't see how the cost is worth the gain, especially with other options (easier options at that) exist, that make equal/better power. If you want to do it, and have the means, then by all means rock out...but with that said, I can say form experience in life, and from reading countless threads on here....that 95% of those who ask 'how do I swap engine XYZ into platform EFG' don't really have the capability to do so.

Buy the engine, adapt a trans to the back of it, make the mounts, shoehorn it in the car, fab an exhaust, wire up the harness, and make it all work. It's not that crazy.

For some people cost is definitely worth the gain, youre talking about avoiding the VK swap all together and going with an LS if he really wants a V8, in my opinion unless you already have the motor get a VH45DE out of a q45. there are a few kits already out there for the swap, just saying.

[Amandrews]

P.S. LSX's are over rated

[Frank_Jaeger]

P.S. LSX's are over rated
What are these lies?

My coworker's husband told me the other day someone locally did a swap from a Titan. I'll see if he doesn't know more.

[derass]

95% of those who ask 'how do I swap engine XYZ into platform EFG' don't really have the capability to do so.

Buy the engine, adapt a trans to the back of it, make the mounts, shoehorn it in the car, fab an exhaust, wire up the harness, and make it all work. It's not that crazy.

^^this. for what its worth, chris foresberg used a vk in his 350 and now 370. it was the loudest thing i had ever heard back in 05. totally awe inspiring. but nowadays the LSx swap is much more cost effective, has better packaging when swapped into s chassis and more after market support.

edit: LSx comes with manual transmission, VK will require even more custom work