So ive been thinking.

[nitros13]

Its been a while since ive posted on here... mainly because im ploughing my way through law school and time is rather non-existant at the moment.

Now as some of you know I am keen to start a 1JZ conversion however, I am now thinking along different lines, namely a VG30DETT.

I have been looking at the MPV site (god knows why the **** anyone would want to spend then much time and effort on a MPV) and theres a guy who has sucessfully done a swap. My question is how different is the JE motor mounting arrangement in the MPV compared to a 929??

Im also thinking that nissan parts will be cheaper, toyota parts cost an arm and a leg!

anyway... comments?

[nine2nine]

You will have to go through all the same procedures re making engine and gearbox mounts etc.

The VG is a wide motor, so you will have to consider room (it will be a pain in the anus to work on).

Being twin turbo on opposite sides intercooler plumbing will be more difficult. This also means an upgrade to a single later is a no go, so upgrading twins means buying two turbos.

Bring a bigger motor it will have more torque, spool up quicker, etc.

Being a V6 your car will DEFINITELY handle better if you can position the engine far enough back while clearing the sump.

Uses airflow meters instead of MAP sensors, which sucks because MAP is waaayyyyyyy better.

Dont know anything about Nissan wiring, but Toyota are **** easy to wire yourself.

Toyota parts are not necessarily more expensive, just compare 2JZ to RB26, ill take a 2J any day. What toyota parts would you need to buy? The engine is good for 450rwhp without stressing it, the standard turbos will get you into the 12's.

VG30's have a massive reputation for being incredibly unreliable, with huge overheating problems, as well as being huge pricks to work on. I have a mate that went through four VG30detts before selling his 300zx, and it was standard.


Just some thoughts, listed things i could think of on the spot, hope this helps. I would still be inclined to go 1JZ but i may be biased. I would go 1jz for reliability, proven ability, and ease to work on.

[nine2nine]

Oh, and a 1jz can have a 2jz bottom end bolted under it any time you like

[nitros13]

yeah man i completely understand what your saying. The thing is, is that the VG30DETT is cheaper in that i can source a manual box quite easily. The Toyota boxes are like $1600, way out of my price range at the moment. Plus im told the gearbox will almost bolt up in the same or similar position.

The other problem i forsee with the toyota option is that i would have to try to lay my hands on a JZX100 box... even harder to find than the usual supra unit.

Yes your completely right about the VG being a pain in the ass to work on. completely. not sure how ill get around that.

How much wider is the VG compared to the JE?

[Matsuda 9]

MPV is a wagon 929 i'm sure that the floor plan is the same too. they have live rear ends but HCs have had that too.

MPVTT had a nice writeup on his conversion on MPVClub.com

also i think you will need only a bell housing from VG to mate it to our box (S2 box from memory)
VG is a great motor, the issues to its reliability usually come from overheating and lack of maintenance... esp in front wheel drive setup. looking after this motor (even in TT format) wouldn't be any bigger issue then looking after JF-T (or DOHC for that matter) the VG hard to look after came from cramped 300ZX bays (where even i with my small hands couldn't do much).

the VG is generally is better motor then J family. VG is 60 degree V, J is 90 Degree. this makes VG smoother and better balanced (although higher) with the J motor being a cut down V8 remake (read somewhere that it used to be a Hemi V8 with first two pots cut off). i think the heads are much wider then J DOHC so it seems wider, but it makes up for the added width with smaller spread (V angle)... so much of muchness.

as i said read MPVTTs posts


i would love to have the MPV... the 4WD with DOHC... ****, make it a rotor

and i'm sorry, screw Pajeros/Patrols, HiAces/Delicas..... give me one of this, yes please sir:

[sim_rx3]

just to let you know 300zx (twin turbo v6) suffer the same fate as fc and fd's

vacuum circuits fail regulary.

so do wiring harnesses as there is very little room for air flow in a 300zx.

to be honest man. id stick with a 1j. bullet proof engine.. but thats me

[nine2nine]

You would have to look into turbo clearance with steering racks, rails, etc. It depends on how many things need changing to make it fit as to whether it is actually cheaper in the long run.

You seem pretty fixed on it, so JUST DO IT!!! and share the results with us..... ha ha.

[Matsuda 9]

sorry, gearboxes i was talking auto.... with manual i is no help

[nine2nine]

Looking at pictures, i would start taking and comparing measurement to see where the turbos and there outlets/dumps will end up. Can't remember much about when my car was still a V6, so cant help.

[nitros13]

hahaha you buggers have me sused out lol....

I kinda want to go this way now... only for the $$$ factor. I could get good coin for the toyota **** i have and spend that cash on the VG stuff.

That said, i understand the wiring issues, ive heard of waaaay to many 300ZXs go up in smoke because of that.. however, re-rounting the wiring is not out of the realm of possibility for me.

I would really like to know how similar the engine bay is to a mpv, especially with regard to steering and stuff like that.