Without extensive chassis work a 3.8lt 1200 ute cannot be engineered. I like different and its definately that, but in my opinion thats the only reason you would do such a conversion. Im not sure how much the engine weighs but its certainly more than the 1.8 and 2.0 fuel injected Nissan engines. Putting more weight in the front of the ute would have negative effects on handling.

You will get the same or even more power out of an SR20DET or even CA18DET with mods. You will have a lighter engine, easier conversion and something you can engineer.

The non-turbo CAs and SRs are also good options.

I have a late model commodore 3.9 Borg Warner LSD in my ute, definately not a straight swap but more than capable of handling heaps of power.

As with any conversion ring an engineer before you start.

Sorry all, this was supposed to be attached to the "what fits in a 1200 ute" thread. I must be tired and had too much sun at the summernats. Apologies.

i got suggested to " double rail" the chassis which is not extremely hard???
3.9 borg warner? i was also thinking hilux lsd or even ford 9inch possibly
but gearbox tunnel and firewall seems to be issues i will have to ask the engineer about.
the reason for my choice of a v6 into the ute is: going big engine n/a with 120ish KW i dont have to worry about reliability as much as its not forced induction.
i can leave the motor relatively stock and still make descent power/weight ratio
but can a supra 5spd be dun without going bald by the age of 21 ( currently 17)???
i have $10k to my name saved for this car ( total spending limit set at $20-25k) but am willing to listen to other engine swaps but i dont really want turbo.

can this engine be rta approved its over 3 times bigger capacity than the standard 1200 engine?

there is no way itll get engineered, 2.2 litres is the maximum n/a engine u r aloud to have in a 1200 ute. ive read alot about this and worked out just about every engine conversion according to the rta's engine conversion formula, u cant even engineer a rotary into a 1200 ute unless u wanna use a 10a which wouldnt be very good.

Mr Turbo..but doesn't want a turbo?

For your age, I understand why you don't want a turbo. But it's the easiest way to get that power that so many of us want.

If you want "power" without a turbo, then get a bigger car and get the V6 or V8 you search for.

Unless you have a lot of old race engine parts laying around, making the same power out of a non-turbo 2.2 or 2.3L engine will be difficult, and probably end up being quite fuel inefficient and undrivable on the street.

I think you need to rethink the criteria for your project, or reduce your expectations.

There's no such thing as a "unique" project that is also easy to complete. If you do find something like this, it will only be a short time before every man and his dog will also be doing it.

Good luck with doing something interesting.

Quote:
AGE?
There are quite a few here that are of a similar age that run turbo's. He seems to have the enthusiasm, & the wherewithall, so perhaps MrTurbo might think of a modestly boosted A15 or A14 to keep things affordable as well as reliable, or alternatively a CA18DET. This factory turbo setup reaps all the benefits of factory engineering, so reliability should be assured.

i lose my license on march 4th i seriously think a turbo 1200 is out of the Q considering the price of insurance 4 a u21 driver with a suspended license and speeding fine.
an a14 turbo was for sale one suburb away the other week wanted $8k and didnt even make over 125kw
price for vn v6 frontcut $1000
CA18DET engine $1195
CA18DET halfcut $2200
twice the engine price then i if i thrash it i gota get new turbo, then theres ,intercooler, blowoff, turbo timer,boost controller, EMS and more fuel consumption.
and i have heard of 12a turbo 1200 utes look in the trading post everynow and then all engineered and rta approved.
i will ring up my uncle and try to find out more about his mates v6 1200 ute, and the engineer who did it. just to see if its not one of those bullshit story's.
if its possible in 10 months i will start the build unless laws change and if they do ill buy a ute with a ca18det already in it and save my money.
can the ca18det g/box fit in teh tunnel without widening or extensive tunnel work?
the handling of the car doesnt really bother me as i wont be goign at speeds around corners nor racing it
i would only take it to teh street and to work and occasional cruise its not a race car its a street car.
i drove a 1200 ute from padstow wanted $2900 lots of rust and bog, new front end with rust thru the welds
wat price am i looking at for a reasonable 1200 ute to perform this engine swap?
$4k? $5k?

http://www.datsuns.com/projects/eddiet.htm
this guy fitted a VG30 into it, maybe this could be an alternative more price for enigne but i still dont have to go turbo, and still get v6 power n not a lil 4cyl.
hmmm.... ill look more into this

i said it early in the thread u WILL NOT GET IT ENGINEERED 2.2l litres is as big as u can go.

then y is there 12a turbo's in 1200 utes and the vg30 in that one?????
answer that one and ill stop asking the Q;s about it