which engine? VQ35DE? VH45DE? RB26DETT?

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05-28-2001, 04:10 PM

Sopdadope

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Join Date: May 2001

Posts: 24

Hey folks, the other day there was a discussion about someone a Q45-powered Datsun which now has me going. I'm really considering doing my own Datsun project but a 1200 or 510 instead of the Z (although I love the Z to death). I still have to decide on which of those cars I want but there's an even bigger decision I have to make, which engine to put in? Basically here's my list: CA18DET, SR20DET, VG30DE, VG30DETT, RB26DETT, VQ35DE or VH45DE. I'm hopelessly lost. Almost all, besides the RB26DETT and VH45DE are rather economical. I actually located a VQ35DE takeout from a wreck. Car only had 34K miles before the accident. Since I own a Q45, I actually have a LSD differential sitting around along with a 300Z trans (tried putting this in the Q, but cost and difficulty was too much) at my shop. I'm just wondering if anyone here has good experiences with any of these engines and the feasability of such a swap. Also planning on bolstering the firewall around the brake master cylinder area and wonder if anyone has tweaked that? I want serious power but not too much heft so right now I'm seriously leaning towards the pathfinder engine or the skyline engine. I figure that since the pathfinder trans is IDENTICAL to 300ZXTT trans I could directly bolt it on. Can anyone confirm? The VQ35DE has quite a bit more torque than the VQ30 so this would be the perfect engine swap. Planning to build this project for my father to compete in shows and for general spirited driving. Any help would be appreciated.

Long Live Nissan!!

05-28-2001, 05:19 PM

UMD_MaxSE

Got Bent?

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Join Date: Sep 2000

Posts: 11,516

RB26DETT....that is one bada$$ engine.... can you get one of those easily though?

10-01-2001, 01:53 PM

Jeff92se

I'm needing a caw

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Join Date: Aug 2000

Posts: 34,147

You are considering a V8 in a Datsun 1200? Keep away from sharp right/left turns.

Quote:

Originally posted by Sopdadope
Hey folks, the other day there was a discussion about someone a Q45-powered Datsun which now has me going. I'm really considering doing my own Datsun project but a 1200 or 510 instead of the Z (although I love the Z to death). I still have to decide on which of those cars I want but there's an even bigger decision I have to make, which engine to put in? Basically here's my list: CA18DET, SR20DET, VG30DE, VG30DETT, RB26DETT, VQ35DE or VH45DE. I'm hopelessly lost. Almost all, besides the RB26DETT and VH45DE are rather economical. I actually located a VQ35DE takeout from a wreck. Car only had 34K miles before the accident. Since I own a Q45, I actually have a LSD differential sitting around along with a 300Z trans (tried putting this in the Q, but cost and difficulty was too much) at my shop. I'm just wondering if anyone here has good experiences with any of these engines and the feasability of such a swap. Also planning on bolstering the firewall around the brake master cylinder area and wonder if anyone has tweaked that? I want serious power but not too much heft so right now I'm seriously leaning towards the pathfinder engine or the skyline engine. I figure that since the pathfinder trans is IDENTICAL to 300ZXTT trans I could directly bolt it on. Can anyone confirm? The VQ35DE has quite a bit more torque than the VQ30 so this would be the perfect engine swap. Planning to build this project for my father to compete in shows and for general spirited driving. Any help would be appreciated.

Long Live Nissan!!

10-01-2001, 01:57 PM

mingo

Senior Member

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Join Date: Aug 2000

Location: Bay Area, CA

Posts: 6,542

try calling watanabe engines.. they're very nice people.. i almost bought a zc motor for my crx from them a while back, then i found out how bad my chassis was so decided not to.