Andy Stone

Hi guys, Im new to the Z31 (and DIY mechanics) and I've got a beautiful 1988. I have cheap access to a 1990-96 VG30DETT and I was wondering if I could swap out my VG30E. Would the VG30DETT (90-96) fit or should I just get the 84-89 engine?

I am a noob. Please be nice

zxguy1986

Welcome to ZDriver!

Good questions. There are more than two reasons for wanting to swap an engine so I guess we could ask why you want to do it with your Z. You probably have an end result in mind so tell us what that result is and we can give you our best advice.

The archives here are full of either identical or similar threads so make sure you have checked those out and found whatever info is there.

You can get freebie factory service manuals and other hot docs at XenonZ31 Reference and XenonZ32.com Reference From those, you might be able to judge the basic compatibility yourself. Otherwise, guys here have a pretty good bead on the kind of swap you are thinking about - so your desired end result would be good to know at this point.

Photos of your Zs would be a great help and turn your potential helpers on. Maybe you can post them. Do it via the little paper clip to the right of the smiley above the text space in the Post Reply text box.

Thanks and welcome again!

Andy Stone

This is the only picture of my car that I have right now. She's at a local shop getting a general look over so getting more pictures may take a few days. (bought her less than a week ago).

Biggest reason is I've found a great deal on a VG30Dett engine plus a transmission but it's for the 90-96 models.
That and a friend and I are looking to start a racing team and I'm looking to do some pretty basic upgrades that will give me the best bang for my $$$.
And mostly....to have a fun, fast car. Im not sure on how much HP she produces right now, but she struggles at 0-60 (17 seconds). The current engine has a lot of leaks right now, AND is only the non Turbo.

I really appreciate your kindness and Im excited to get to know my car!

zxguy1986

OK, thanks for the info.

An '88na, (assume 5-spd) upgrading it (max HP/torque range) to start a racing team - but still be passable as daily driver so you can take your GF to the mall in it. As they say, anything is possible with enough time and $$.

Collect the input the guys here give you and make your own decisions. I am sure a swap of Z31 engines would be easier than anything from a Z32 - but I have never tried it. Check out the max power you can get from a Z31 turbo swap, the amount of work involved, and see if that's enough for you. As a general rule, I would also expect any engine I put in to need a rebuild, esp for racing...

Check out ZBum and
ZBUM's New Nissan Z31 300ZX Frequently Asked Questions
ZBUM's New Nissan Z31 300ZX Homepage
ZBUM's Z31 300ZX Modifications Link Page

Go for it! (Keep us informed)

rogerz

you can't just drop a z32 engine into a z31. physically wrong and electrical differences. the z32 uses coil packs not just a single coil is one difference there are others. It can be done but from your post I doubt you would have the expertise to do so.

ken99

Usually means the car will perform neither function very well. Dimensionally, the VG30DETT is a much bigger engine than the VG30E. The VG30DETT fills the engine bay of a Z32, which is quite cavernous by Z31 standards. As Rogerz pointed out, this isn't a simple remove and replace engine swap.

NismoPick

Good reads...

https://www.zdriver.com/forums/300zx...g30dett-36971/

https://www.zdriver.com/forums/300zx...finally-32803/

jimmyv92

I actually have a vg30dett in my garage I was going to put in my z31. The swap is not easy. You need some fab work a different driveshaft do to length and dimension and a different crossmember. Not worth the time or money in my opinion. Just but a z32 NA cause they're cheaper and then swap the engine.