72 4dr is getting venerable VG power

[Byron510]

I love that colour, glad you stayed with it.

Having now owned a VG33 in a 2000 Xterra now for a year, I can see why guys put these motors in a 510... they are fun in a 4000 SUV, it'd be great fun in a 510 for sure.

Byron

[tr6racer21]

The parts i was waiting on from the powder coater came back friday and the shoulder is healing so some progress was made today. Oil pan and pickup installed. TT motor mount brackets and mounts installed. Rear timing cover, water pump, cleaned up cam gears, timing belt and tensioner installed. Crossmember mounted to mounts. Just waiting on the flywheel bolts from Riley at Lynchburg Nissan, then I should be able to drop the car down on it for the first trial fitting.

The engine bay is all ready with new hardware, painted and cleaned up items, and steering box braces. Might get a little work in on the struts tomorrow.

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[qwik510]

Looking sweet. Good work Chip.

[tr6racer21]

Thanks Dave,

Certainly the parts car deal we struck went a long way to helping me formulate the current plan for both 4dr cars. Not to mention the VG parts that you had been hanging on to that got this project off the ground. Of course your advice as well as advice from the Realm group was much appreciated...stay tuned, should be ready for spring time driving.

[tr6racer21]

Well its in and it definitely looks as though it belongs in there. Front suspension comes next and getting it back on all fours.

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[defdes]

Is it not sitting very high in the bay, or is it just the perspective? I thought that too in the shot above with it bolted to the cross member. Seems like you'd want a large heavy piece of hardware like that as low as possible.

[bertvorgon]

here is a picture as a reference point..maybe....

[big_e-dog]

SO WHAT HAPPENED...IS THIS STILL GOING??

[tr6racer21]

Thanks for the prompt. Been spending more time doing work than updating. The project is back on all fours. I was working on building the exhaust, but that has been delayed because my 2 into 1 collector isn't showing up till the 2nd week in January...so its on to other items...lots of other little stuff to do. The fuel supply/return lines are complete. The intake air tubing is coming together nicely, just need to find the right air filter and brace it. Believe it or not there has been a Jeff Klein sighting....I have been in touch with him and he is helping out with some of his kit parts from back in the 90's....modified intake manifold coolant gooseneck, modified heater hose inlet and outlet, modified coolant pickup pipe....pictures in next update. I found a good spot for the Braille battery and bracket. I decided to run the starter cable through the car and come out of the firewall close to the starter. Waiting on a few parts/seals from Nissan so that i can install the Z31 fuel pump in the tank. More to come as some of the needed parts roll in.

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[tr6racer21]

Completed the battery/alternator/starter wiring and performed a circuit test this weekend....the motor turns over...won't be long now...hope to get the fuel injection wiring hooked up to do a run test next weekend...once its sorted I can start shortening harness wiring, wrap it and clean things up a bit. Still waiting on the 2 into 1 exhaust collector...Summit is showing end of this week. Also need to get my driveshaft down to my driveline shop and get it shortened a bit.

[tr6racer21]

OK folks need some advice. The VG30 swap is in and running and what a blast....need to do some updating! However I'm looking for some help with the shifter opening....looking for options to close in the opening I had to cut to fit the shifter. This is a VG conversion, but I believe the SR cars need the same mods. I have seen the rolled and formed piece that Baz sells and that looks great, but don't know if its worth shipping a piece of sheetmetal from Oz. It would be great if there were pictures with suggestions.....thx

[bertvorgon]

This is how I boxed mine in. Taper off up the tunnel towards the heater, and maybe 1" high at the trans tail shaft end. It screws onto the body with four screws. I put some foam around the shifter under the cover, it dampens the sound, works great. then a factory shifter boot is used.

I just made up a template out of art board, then opened that up onto a flat piece of aluminium and traced it out, welded up the corners, done deal.

[qwik510]

Chip,

Why do you need a raised cover? Is the metal shifter housing protruding that much above the sheet metal? Mine was pretty much level with the top of the metal.

I can find a good picture of my shifter but look at this.

[tr6racer21]

[quote="qwik510"]Chip,

Why do you need a raised cover? Is the metal shifter housing protruding that much above the sheet metal? Mine was pretty much level with the top of the metal.

Looks like you've got an automatic car there Dave. Mine started life as a manual so I have a large hole in front of the area needed to cut out for the shifter. I also remember you using the 5spd out of a s13 which although the same internals is shorter and the shift housing doesn't come as far to the rear which gives more coverage at a point where the tunnel is taller and wider. My trans is out of a z31 and the rear of the shift housing comes in line with the front seat crossmember....thus the need for some fabrication and a good solution to sealing things up.

Right now I have a couple of towels with a cut out for the shifter draped over the cutout just so that I can drive it....and man is it a pocket rocket....don't know why any one would want any more motor in a car than this...its a blast!

[qwik510]

Mine was the S12 VG 5 speed.

Glad you are enjoying it.