Ok, so yeah once upon a time there are cars in japan nameds A31's (yes 3rd gen maxs) and the are great dori dori cars (drifting for you non JDMlingo people) And the are RWD, has anyone attemped to get one of these engines and rear ends from over there and make it? I think it would be a good fun project because dori dori is the best. What do you guys think?

 

fun yes. worth it....probably not. why not just import the whole car??

 

Cause you have to go though all this testing and sh*t you know how it is, same reason I got an SR20DET instead of a whole Silvia.

 

the testing and tuning is the fun part...paying someone to constuct a driveshaft, custom mounts and all the other fun stuff would be the "not worth it part" IMO but hell, if you got the cash, go for it I guess!

 

the a31 was called the "Cefiro" and was not only avaliable in RWD but also AWD, as well as 4 differnt engine options (3 n/a and one turbo (AWD only)). They are not however the same as the 3rd Gens. The 3rd gens are known as the a32 and are only front wheel drive, in any country. Here is a pictures of the A31 http://www.thaidriver.net/014-usedca...r25-cefiro.htm

 

you are both wrong the 3rd gen is the J30, 4th gen is the A32.

 

 

Yep, Massmail is right. The A31 is the factory name for the '88-93 Cefiro's (I'm almost positive that is the right year range). Though, the 3rd gen Maxima is "J30". I made a post about the engine options before, which are basically:

rb20e
rb20de
rb20det
rb25de

Although I could have sworn there was a Ca18de or some other 4cyl engine as an uncommon and unpopular option. Either way, the A31 is probably my favorite Japanese sedan ('94-'96 Q45 are beautiful as well). ****es me off how cheap they go for. Once on the Japanese Yahoo auctions I saw a ~400hp Rb26 powered and AWD Cefiro go for about $5.5-6k??!!!!

A RWD conversion on the 3rd gen isn't completely out of the question though. You could possibly source parts from a Q45. Though, it would definitely be time to go to work with the sledgehammer, sawzall, and blowtorch! Physically, I think it could be done, but it would be a TON of work reinforcing the rear and mounting the engine non-transverse (is that even a word); not to mention 10 million other things you'd have to consider.

 

Oh sorry, my Cefiro is an A32, I just figured the 3rd gen is an A31, duh, oh well I will stick with my 180sx.

 

I've thought about this time and time again. You could turn a J30 Maxima into an A31 Cefiro, but cost of parts and time in labor would be ludicrous. Yes, it was available with an AWD RB26DETT engine which in essence would give you a Skyline GT-R in Maxima form. If you really wanted to be different, just buy a used A31 Cefiro and have it legalized by MotoRex, total cost would be about $10-15k. It would have relatively low mileage, but you'll most likely have to deal with a metric spedometer and right hand drive. Now, we all know anything is possible if you've got the money for it, so now I have to ask you 2 questions...



Do you have the money???

Do you think this is really worth it??? And I mean really worth it???

 

Isn't the J30 RWD

 

Just a thought. How about just buying an Infiniti J30 (Not the 3rd gen Chassis code, but that car Infiniti sold with the projector headlights) with the VG30DE engine making about 210 HP complete with RWD. Only drawback is that it only comes in an auto.

 

couldnt you do a tranny swap with that? not that i care anyways.

 

If you're going to be that creative, just source a 300ZX (or a 3Z as I like to call it) block and tranny. So you get turbo and a stick shift. But again, I ask...

 

can anyone say headlight swap?

 

I've thought so long about this... you can pick up Infiniti J30s for next to nothing (~3k). The problem is you can't swap in a VG30DETT like everyone would think. For some reason on LHD cars there is a space conflict and everything won't fit like it should. I believe the swap can (and has) been done on RHD cars though...

 

The A31 Cefiro was never made from the factory with a Rb26.

 

Nope RB26's weren't even thought of back then, I believe it was the RB20.

 

Another thought.

JDM Inifinti J30s (called Nissan Leopard J.Ferie) was available with an optional engine - the VH41DE

The VH41DE is engine used in the US Infiniti Q45 (mid-90s model, earlier models had the VH45DE).

It made about 270 HP stock. It would be one hell of a sleeper in a Infiniti J30, Of course, if a VH41DE fits, then a VH45DE is probably going to fit....32 Valve DOHC V8 power.

It's just a matter of time before someone does this swap.

 

I've seen a Z32 300zx with the VH45DE stuffed into it. If I knew how to weld and had donor cars, I'd make it happen. Or I'd take a 240sx and drop a LS1 or bored LT1 in that.

 

You mean something like this?

 

Ah... I'd just get a M30, turbo the living beegeezes out of it and be done.

 

that poor 240sx...

 

I'd kind of like to go with a 240z ('70-72 are the years I'd go for) and swap in a Vg30det (not the DETT), or Rb30et converted to DOHC (it can be done). We are currently rebuilding a '73 240z, but haven't decided what to do with it yet. Still, I think an NA31 (chassis code for AWD a31) with a Rb26 swap would be one of the funnest cars around. AWD, turbo, kind of a Japanese Audi.

 

that's what we're doing to my friend's 76 280z. vg30det swap.

to convert a maxima to rwd would be hard. you would have to get a fuel cell more than likely. the exhaust will need to be taken out of that tunnel thing and the driveshaft would need to be put there. you would need to do a custom independent rear end which would require quite a bit of welding which would then require a good welder. and if you only wanted rwd you would have to do something crazy in the engine bay to turn the engine around and find a tranny that would fit in there and you would need to make the tunnel thing bigger. now... awd would be a bit easier. you do the same thing to the rear end as you would be doing attempting the near impossible rwd conversion but you would use the tranny out of an axxess. it uses the ka24 which i think has the same bolt patten as the vg. the tranny code is the same too, if i remeber correctly. i've been looking into this for a while. will probably never happen but hey, i can dream can't i?

 

Why? I could boost the hell out of a stock 280zx-T and not have to screw with custom shat. If you going to put another motor in there, use the Supra TT motor.

No shat sherlock. Who in the hell is gonna do that? If you want a RWD maxima, use the damned 810 chassis. It ALREADY has a Z motor/tranny/IRS. Or like I said before use a M30 and be done with it.

 

we like nissan more than toyota. the l28 sucks too. you can pull some good power but not as good as the vg. i don't want an m30. it's a two door. i want a maxima. and like i said before, i can dream can't i?

oh yeah, i didn't say i wanted a rwd maxima... i want an awd maxima

 

Explain WHY the L24-28 series engines sucks?? You DO know that this is bascily the same block used for the RB series engines right? You DO know the inline 6 L series and the 4 cyl L-series are very related right? The L16s introduced in 1967 was kicking **** long before you were born kiddo

yeah L28-Ts suck

 

quoted from a guy a hybridz.org

"The RB surely receives its share of hype in the import world, but for big power production Nissan teams have always turned to the VG30DET or the VG30DETT. The quickest Nissan in the 1/4 mile is using a VG30DETT, and the fastest Nissan in top speed (the Bonneville Z32) also used a VG30DETT. Also, the winningest Nissans at Daytona, Lemans, and Sebring also used the VG30DETT. The RB26DETT powered Skylines attempted to break those records but failed.

Reasons for the RB26DETT's popularity are its ease to work on and ease to convert to single turbo.

The Vg30DETT is not deficient in the power production department, just ask Escort Racing what they think of their 1,200 RWHP VG30DETT using the stock factory crank."

now... why wouldn't we use a vg30?

 

The L28's and all other L6's don't suck! They are great engines and you can get some serious power out of them. I think I know what you meant though. Did you just mean to say that the Det is a better engine stock for stock? I completely understand that. 550cc injectors stock and better flowing heads than the dett. Can't go wrong with that plus you get 255/255 hp/torque stock.

Mtcookson, you read my mind about a Maxima RWD conversion. I've thought about it just for the purpose of "exercising" my mind but, it's not like I'll ever try it unless I win the lottery or something. You're right, it is nice to dream though.

Hey Jeff, remember the L20, from the JDM s30 Z and skyline 2000gtr? That was one sweet engine! Back in the early 70's it was a 2.0L DOHC 24v i4 with ~160hp!! Pretty advanced for an i4 back in the 70's. Even the '67-'69 Datsun roadster 2000 had a similar 150hp engine (these are sweet little roadsters). Those GTR's gave the Porsche 911's of that period a run for their money. That isn't something easily accomplished. They also had comparable power to Porsche's 2.0-2.2L f6's, which is pretty impressive as well. Sorry to ramble on, I just love Datsun and Porsche history, as well as their cars.

 

Let me know what the engines you just quoted have anything to do with the budget you have vs the millions of $ a LeMans racer has. And excuse me, you want to stuff a TT motor into a Maxima?

 

what the??

no, i never said that. i was just saying that the vg30dett/t is a better engine than an l28. and i take that back the the l28's "suck". they absolutely don't suck. it's just that they are not as good as the vg30dett/t imo. hey, if i could i would put a vg30dett in my max but sadly i can't. maybe the det will fit in there but i'd rather not mess with that since i already have my vg30et

 

Ah.. you guys want to put a VG30DET into a Z. Fine. I said why not just use a turbo L28? You said the VG30 is better? I said WTF? Then you started in w/ the VG30DETT. ie.. the one that uses DOHC AND 4 VALVE HEADS. So since you are jocking the TT VGs and NOT THE ONE YOUR FRIENDS will actually use........

 

Ah.. you guys want to put a VG30DET into a Z. Fine. I said why not just use a turbo L28? You said the VG30 is better? I said WTF? Then you started in w/ the VG30DETT. ie.. the one that uses DOHC AND 4 VALVE HEADS. So since you are jocking the TT VGs and NOT THE ONE YOUR FRIENDS will actually use........

 

huh? the vg30dett is a DOHC 24 valve twin turbo engine with an iron block and aluminum heads. the VG30DET is a DOHC 24 valve single turbo engine with an iron block and aluminum heads. They are almost identical engines. There may be variances in the head design, from what i hear, but the block is the same and i'm sure the heads are interchangeable. stock power is a little different for each but they are both nearly identical engines.

 

Good luck, be sure to post pics when you're done....

Shadow. Yeah, the Lseries Nissan engines are legendary. Too bad no one knows what to do with them anymore. The U20 Roadster engine w/ the factory Mikunis or Solex carbs was pretty cool. But it was a very odd motor. The first L series in the usa, was L16. 7 grand rpm if you had the carb capability. That was in 1967. Take that Vtec! hehe

 

My brother and I have lots of plans for our 240z. Though, we both agreed that we want to honor Datsun by going with an L series engine but upgrading it with as many factory or Nismo parts as possible (might go with a 2.6 or 2.8L). We have been thinking of going with the following:

Nismo cams
Nismo headers
Koni struts
At least 9.5:1 CR pistons
Triple Throat DCOE Webers
Rear lip spoiler
Fiberglass headlight scoops
Fiberglass hood
Fiberglass front air dam
Z Euro springs
R200 w/ Nismo LSD
ZX calipers
drilled/slotted Brembos

And quite a few other things. We got lucky because one of the previous owners already converted it to 5spd plus put those nice looking 280zx 6-spoke alloy wheels. Everything combined should add up to a ~1900lb Z with about 180-230hp. It really depends on whether we go with the 2.4, 2.6 or 2.8L. I don't understand how anyone can think Honda or Toyota are the best Japanese car manufacturers considering Nissan/Datsun's history and it's cars. True, Nissan has slacked off as of late but, they are still the best (Toyota is a close 2nd).

 

L28ET + the 3.1 stroker kit
LD28ET crank (diesel maxima)
forged everything
t3/t4 turbo
nismo injectors, i think 550cc should be enough
some other odds and ends

enjoy 400+ hp

i'm just remembering that off of the top of my head. a guy had the whole stroker kit setup and said how to crank that kind of power out of that engine. wouldn't be too bad. i wonder what kind of torque those things push...

 

We are trying to keep it n/a though, or else we would follow a similar route.

 

i know, i was just showing what can be done with the L28. you could probably do the stroker kit and crank the compression and get a good hp L28 doing that.