My S13 VQ turbo project..

[TurboB15sentra]

After kicking around all of my swap options.. I've decided on a setup.


VQ30DE stock block
VQ35DE heads
JWT valvesprings/retainers
ARP studs
VQ35 oil pump
Custom plenum
Custom manifolds/y-pipe
GT35R compressor wheel, P-trim turbine, .68 T4 housing/.70 A/R T04S housing
JGS 40mm wastegate
Greddy Type-R BOV
Greddy cooler/piping (modified to fit VQ in the engine bay)
SupraTT fuel pump
Aeromotive regulator
550cc injectors
Z32 MAFS
97 Maxima ECU/harness
Custom ROM tune
3" downpipe and exhaust
Custom mounts
JWT clutch/pressure plate
Z33 transmission
Z33 oil pans

Why VQ35 heads on VQ30 block? The VQ30 block has been proven to 500+whp in stock form already, by the Maxima guys.. With VQ35 heads, the compression ratio is lowered to 8.5:1, and you get a much better flowing cylinder head. ARP studs and a VQ35 oil pump will seal the deal.. allowing me to make around 515-520whp and 450ft lbs of TQ safely. This should happen on pump gas, with no issues.

The car is a 89 base model Coupe. I have Dupont Tri-coat paint and Dupont clear as well. It will be burgundy metallic on the lower half of the car.. from the body line on up.. will be charcoal metallic. The car will recieve a light silver pearl in the clear coat as well. I ordered a set of TSW Thruxton's (18x9.5 out back and 18x8 up front). 255/35/18 drag radials out back, and 225/40/18's up front. I've got to order my Silvia front end still.. I'm not doing anything drastic body wise.. just a nice, clean bumper.. this is basically what the car will look like..
http://sr20store.com/projectcars/DSC00131.JPG
(Marco Vargas' S13)

I have AGX's on GC's installed already.. and I just finished the front end with new ball-joints, and urethane inserts (what a bitch!). I still have the rear to tackle.. I'll be posting pics of the project as it progresses..

Travis

[ALTRNTV]

Good luck on this project. I'm looking forward to seeing a boosted VG in a 240.

[TurboB15sentra]

VG is too heavy IMO... VQ is where it's at.. :)

[ALTRNTV]

Oops. I meant VQ. You made a mistake too. :wiggle:

[TurboB15sentra]

hahahaha... Tonight was Texas Hold 'Em night.. I've been drinking.. ;)

[SoSideways]

Awesome. My buddies and I were talking about a VQ30 turbo project awhile back, but it was for a Z33.

This swap, however, should be interesting, I'm going to keep my eyes on this one.

Good luck mang!

[wootwoot]

Dont talk about it be about it. The only thing that scares me is the stock bottom end but if has been prooven to work whatda I know? Does the vq30 follow standard Nissan procedure with forged rods/piston/crank? Do you know the full weight of a vq30de? Some friends and myself have been wondering what the comparable weight is to SR's KA's etc..

[TurboB15sentra]

I'm not one who talks smack and doesn't follow through.. here's some of my work..

This is my old 240sx.. 28psi and a 80hp shot (direct port)
http://www.fi-r.net/images2/My%20240sx%20Project45.jpg
http://www.fi-r.net/images2/661whp%20Dyno%20Chart.jpg

Here's a 1-off destroked QR25DE, using a SR20 crankshaft, and custom everything else. 13psi of boost on pump gas, so far.. That was with a massive boost leak too.. (forgot to plug the 1/8" NPT hole in the compressor cover)

http://www.fi-r.net/images2/Charlescardone1.jpg
http://img34.imageshack.us/img34/1644/charlesdynofile39315cv.png

Trust me, I'll "walk the walk" on this one. The VQ30 has been proven (from the maxima guys) to hold 500whp. No one that I know of has broken a rod, or crank at that power level. I've seen piston failures.. but that's simply poor tuning, on a high comp. ratio. The VQ30 weighs roughly the same as a KA24DE.. it's all aluminum. I'll have exact weights when I get to that part of the job. The VQ30 has forged crank and rods, like most other Nissan engines.. and cast pistons.

Travis

[Muzzy]

thats gonna be a super tight fit isnt it??? the VG was already shoehorned in the Z32. wont u have less space in the S13??

[ThatGuy]

I have seen pics of a VG in a S13, it will fit. However, this thread is about the VQ.

[Muzzy]

VQ VG makes no damn difference... both are V6 and shoe horned in to the Z32 and Z33!!

[Tenchuu]

Shouldn't be a problem, ther is a bit of firewall clearence issues with the S13GQDET, but as you can see in the pic no big deal.

http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y19/Tenchuuk/S13GQDET.jpg

but the Turbo GQ doesn't get the same respect as the other nissan engines. It's prone to flameing.

















huh? what? he said VQ? ahh well VG,VQ,GQ same thing.

[TurboB15sentra]

The VQ fits just fine in the S13/S14.. there's a TON of room actually.. The VG is a lot wider than the VQ. S14 VQ30 pics below..

http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y148/allen22/100_0304.jpg

and VQ35 in the same car..

http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y148/allen22/vq35de1.jpg

There's a TON of room up front...

Travis

[theicecreamdan]

Im looking forward to seeing the outcome of this.

but why not use the VQ35 and boost that?

[Phlip]

Im looking forward to seeing the outcome of this.

but why not use the VQ35 and boost that?
IIRC, the VQ30 is a shorter stroke than the 35, thus making it a more freely revving engine, someone correct me if I am wrong.

[Ghettokracker71]

Sweet,post some pics pf the progress....and for the record he already said why he chose the vq30 block over the 35.

Off-topic>>thats a really nifty QR25det build,I've heard their crankshafts are weak and they have a 100mm stroke IIRC,wich is pretty damn long. Why not just run an SR20DE FWD block instead?

[sean350z]

Im looking forward to seeing the outcome of this.

but why not use the VQ35 and boost that?

VQ35s can't hold a lot of boost unless you build up the internals...i've seen tons of horror stories on my350z.com from fellow 350 owners who've blown there engines on 7-10 psi...then again there are a few who have stock internals running plenty of boost and they've survived...it all depends on the tune and install

[TurboB15sentra]

The VQ30 has stronger internals than the VQ35.. plus it's shorter stroke allows for slower piston speeds at high RPM.. which means better cylinder filling at high RPM. The VQ35 would rev to 8500 I think.. but, the weak rods/pistons are what swayed me in the direction of the VQ30.

The SR20DE/DET can't rev very high safely.. about 8K rpm is what's considered the "safe" limit. The problem is in the valvetrain.. The QR, however, with is very simple, cam on bucket system, will let you rev to the moon. Plus, the head flows almost 75cfm more than the SR highport head in stock form. The final advantage, is that the destroked QR is still 2.3 liters.. instead of only 2 liters..

Travis

[wootwoot]

Oh I'm not saying you dont back shit up. I've seen that vq Sentra of yours; I'm friends with Eric. You are actually just doing a lot of the things I wish I could do.

The qr block is much lighter then the sr so another reason for using that over the sr. Doing the things you have to a rwd qr which could be amazing. But with the newer style of Nissan designing you wouldnt really have to completly source one of the rwd models.
I'm also dreaming a lot recently of putting the vk56 in something small. Better then the vk45 for a swap since the valvetrain and electronics are way less complicated. The truck motor has been throughly more developed though all those baja and wild dirt course trucks. Their motor makes 700 something whp and 600lbfeet on mostly stock components. The hp rating is slightly less with the vk56 since it is extremly detuned but makes a very high level of torque; 305hp and 379lbft.

[sean350z]

the VQ shouldn't be pushed passed 7.5k...stock is 6.7 safely you can reprogram the ecu for 7.2k. I think the Nismo S1 VQ35DE has a redline of 8k but that's a built (cams, rods, pistons, springs, valves, etc) engine.

8.5k would be the death of a VQ even built I'd imagine. You're smart for choosing the VQ30 :)

[ledzeppelin240]

The amount of boost that can safely be run depends a lot of compression ratio, if tuned right a high compression turbo engine would rock. You would have respectable power when off boost and spool up would be quick. But then again it all depends on whay kind of power you want to put down, and what type of fuel you are going to use.

[TurboB15sentra]

Believe it or not.. compression ratio has very little affect on spoolup time.. Total mass flow dictates spool time, mainly. Scott Avoy explained this to me a while ago.. as I used to be under the same impression about compression ratio and spool.

Travis

[TUnity2]

nice nice travis, keep showing people how us Louisiana people do it :D

[TurboB15sentra]

Hell yeah.. the best stuff comes from da' dirty souf'

:)

Travis

[santacruisin]

This will be a fast and unique swap for sure. I'm wondering what you plan to do with the car once it is finished. Drag monster, drift destroyer, time attack terror or city street bruiser? The extra torque from the VQ would make it a dream to drift with power available throughout the powerband!

BTW, those dynos are funny. Completely docile until 4250 rpms then HOLY SHIT!! I imagine you surprised more than one passenger with that setup.

[IES13]

Woah....can't wait to see the completed project!