VG30E's are one of Nissan best engines in my opinion...they are pretty bullet proof and very torquey. We got them here in 300ZX (Z31) and 300C (Y30) otherwise know as a Cedric. The Cedric version is only 150bhp but it's in a car that wieght near on a ton and a half. I know a stock 300C wagon will run a low 16 second quarter which considering the weight is pretty respectable. The 300ZX version here is 178bhp. I have a friend with one fitted in a Datsun 810 (200B) and it goes well. The V6 is probably a bit more torquey than a KA24DE and a tiny bit heavier but one thing for sure..they sound awesome with open pipes

I've never know VG's to have any problem other than occasional noisy lifters, and running faults due to lack of maintanace (usually plugs as they are awkward to change so they get neglected). I have seen AFM's pack in working on them but generally they are very reliable units.

In the picture above the engine is still fitted with the Z31 plenum and exhaust manifolds, one of which crosses behind the heads. Over there you'd be able to get the S12 version of the V6 which has seperate down pipes each side and a different plenum. With that setup you could probably get the engine back much further.

As for the mounts...I figured there would be enough room to reinforce the frame rails and make mount brackets to accept normal engine mounts so you would have to solid mount it. I swapped the Z31 oil pan for a Y30 one and it cleared the stock B310 crossmember fine. I could probably get you one of those if you wanted.

The trans is basically the same as S13 and S14's use and is pretty trouble free. Avoid the Z31 turbo trans though as that's supposedly not that great. I think they have a reasonably tall 5th gear on normal 5 speeds, a bit like KA's. The auto's have ludicrously tall gearing.

re: 280zx struts, I didn't have to modify the chassis at all. The camber plates i got fit the strut tower.

those gv30's still sound good to me.

;) since i already have 240sx struts in 280zx tubes, i have the front end to handle a vg30 already. but might need slightly heavier springs, 200# might not be enough for that engine. what # were the front springs on a car that had the vg30?

I'd be using some sort of stand alone ECU on the thing or running it carburetted but on LPG still.

that would be cool, but i need a stronger rear axle first.

And still run propane? You'd def. need to get that bigger tank you've been talking about.. :)

So the struts and all seems to be easy enough. I would do it just for the brakes alone. One other question pooped into my head too. The back wheels on your car... Do they have spacers or no? I think there's a few 280zx's sitting at a U-pull-it here in town. I'll have to go check it out. Probably a good idea to just go out there and start sourcing hard to find parts for a rainy day. Plus my garage will look cool with a bunch of parts and stuff laying around! Still need to get a solid list together of what I need so things can go as smoothly as possible.

I'm going to add capacity for 20 gallons, that'll give me an ok range.

The back wheels are my original wheels that needed spacers to fit. After putting the 280zx struts and hub on those wheels didn't fit at all on the front. I think they needed like 3 inches backspacing to not hit the brakes. As is the 280zx wheels need 3/8" to clear the brakes, but if you use the OEM brakes that may not be an issue. the oem brakes are 3x more than you need and the wilwood calipers probably put you up to 4x more brakes than you need.

It took me about 2 years to get the struts on my car from when i bought them. But there weren't as many easily available parts, there are at least 4 sources for the coilover kit now, before maybe 1 or 2 mostly in AU.

I'm working on a sort of "hotrod your datsun 210" book like the ones for z cars, so I'm collecting info heavily at the moment.

Well, sign me up when you're done with the book....

I'm going to have to do some more research on swapping out the struts. I'm not interested in the coilover as I plan on doing the airbags. (Hopefully that's right. I am good at sounding retarded) Anyone done airbags on an old Datsun?

I'm curious about the airbags, why?

Recently I was saying that the way to make a nice smooth riding datsun that still handled decently was airbags, so i know where you're coming from.

are you going to be 'mis-using' airbags or is it because it might work better?

I would never mis-use anything.... :)

No, I want it for the handling and ride, plus for the 'cool' factor. I want to have the right look but not sacrafice driveability and function. I think that it would also help handle the little bit of extra weight from a larger engine. Okay, I'll be honest... How cool would it be to have airbags on that car?

Airbagged Datsuns

Quote:You think the B310 has that good of balance? Seems unlikely, even many performance cars are not that good. B110 had 53/47, which is unusually good for a sedan.

Quote:Vibration. The ones I drove had typical V6 vibration.


Instead, why not use the all-aluminum VQ35 -- a lot more horsepower, weighs less, very smooth, better fuel economy ...

First off, I think it's amazing how you can just reference with links like that. I have to spend a lot of time searchiong to find stuff like that. Okay, so I guess I could spend a little more time searching... I appreciate the link to the bagged 1200. I'm going to go with the assumption that since the 210 (B310, 120y) is a bit larger, it won't have many of the size related issues. I will go to the shop here in town and report back for sure though.

I suppose in terms of a timeline or order of attack, I need to figure out where the new drivetrain fits in. It's not all going to happen overnight or even in two months for that matter. I figure with the money I am saving on payments for my Blazer I sold I can invest a couple hundred each month with the occasional splurge. I really appreciate everyones feedback as I outline plans and gather information. I'm going to spend a few minutes to upload a few shots of the car so you can see what I am working with.

what's typical V6 vibration? worse than typical 4cyl vibration?

i looked VG30's pulled from japanese pathfinders @ your door ~$800.

Can't find a vq35 on ebay at the moment.

what engine did they use on monster garage for their honeybee? that engine was too big for the body...