Does anyone happen to know how much the VQ weighs? I thought someone here posted that the VQ30DE weighed 108lbs at launch. I'm assuming that weight didn't include accessories. Either it was that, or the VQ weighed 108lbs less than the VE, the motor it replaced. I'm getting old, I can't remember.

Mazda said that the Renesis weighed 90lbs less than a 'popular aluminum V6.' I figure they were talking about the VQ. I couldn't find the weight of the Renesis motor, either.

Can anyone help me out?

 

For the VQ to weigh only 109 lbs, it would have to be less than a cubic foot in volume, assuming it is all aluminum. The air space inside enlarges that volume somewhat, but the steel crankshaft more than makes up the difference, bringing it back down. So I think it is safe to say that the 109 lbs is the weight difference between the VE and the VQ. I think the complete engine weighs more like 500-700 lbs, significantly lighter than a hunk of Detroit iron used to power Mustangs or F bodies. It would be interesting to do a power to weight comparison of different engines.

 

Yeah, it's 108 lbs less than a VE.

 

I would guess 400lbs. I could easily slide it around, turn it over, etc, but I couldn't lift it myself until I removed the heads.

 

Thanks for the answers. I was trying to explain to some 240SX guys why they might want to consider a VQ30 swap. The only real info I was missing was the weight of the motor.

Does anyone know if the newer 3.5L versions have gotten lighter? Just curious, since the 6th gen forum had some stuff posted about improvements being made to the VQ to save weight.

 

The VQ is too wide, they'll never be able to shoe-horn it into a 240SX. There's a good reason why the R-series motors are inline 6s.


Dave

 

I've seen a SB Chevy in a '91 240, so don't think that it won't fit. You're talking about a 90 deg V8 vs a 60 Deg V6. It could fit, but it would just take work...

 

Well the VQ has a wider DOHC design, versus an SBC's OHV setup. The VQ might make up for the narrower angle with the wider heads.

 

Nope...VQ would fit just as easily as the SB Chevy. I'm not saying it's easy, but if the SB fits, then the VQ could fit. The question is, where would all the engine management/wiring stuff go? In the passanger floorboard, would be my guess...