Rb26dett And Awd Swap Into A 350z

[Shabib67]

Hey guys before i get flamed just read what i have to say. Ever since seeing the BMI GTR Prodigy episode and seeing the pikes peak zele z33, i have been very interested in doing a complete gtr swap into a 350z. Swapping the engine in isnt my main concern. Really not that hard as there have been people that have swapped in rb26detts with the rb25det transmission. My buddy is a mechanic at Nissan and some of his co-workers are really good fabricators so getting custom things made wont be a problem.

Now my question is what is needed to convert the car into awd. What parts do i have to buy? what kind of modifications will need to be made to the underbody or chassis? What custom parts will i need to make. All work will be done by me, my buddy and his co-workers. We wanna build two awd 350z w rb26detts. We wanna have something different than others in our area who mainly have built vq35de's with TT kits.

[`nigno]

Man... no offense intended whatsoever, but if you have to ask what you need and how to do it, its not gonna happen.

Unless you have bottomless pockets, take it to a specialist and say "make it work and I'll write you a cheque with as many zero's on the end as needed."

For a start you would need a complete GTR pretty much to swap gear straight out of, the scope of the customisation is insane, im willing to bet almost NOTHING would fit.

One thing constructive I will add. Isn't the nissan murana ran off a vq35de with AWD capabilities, maybe if you coudl find away to fit the running gear from the murano with virtually the same floor pan chassis and suspension as a 350z and mate it up to an RB26 with a custom adaptor plate or bellhousing, you'd have a better chance???

Hahahahah man thats a big project.....

Edited February 22, 2007 by `nigno

[R31Nismoid]

Im with the above on this one

[scathing]

It will require some serious fabrication to make it workable.

Have you considered running AWD with the VQ35DE, and supercharging it? I'm not sure if you can get turbo setups around the front driveshafts given the lack of room but it would be a fair amount easier. Turbos aren't out of the question, especially if you do what Top Secret did and do a single high mount behind the engine.

The V35 Skyline had an AWD option, so the parts are out there. The AWD system is also semi-intelligent, proportioning power pro-actively rather than reactively.

If you have a look at the Hyper Yellow Time Attack JUN Z33, its also AWD with a VQ block.

The Zele cars have factory support, and from what I've heard they're either reskinned GT-Rs. Its full GT-R running gear, so otherwise they would have done some major work to make it fit in a car that's physically a different size.

[Shabib67]

Im asking around because i have searched multiple nissan, 350z forums and no one really has any info on it. There is a company here in the states not to far from me that is bringing out a production kit of the motor/tranny set for the rb26dett. Fitting the rb26dett in the 350z isnt that hard. What i want to know is what parts do i need to get wether it be OEM or custom made to fit the gt-r drivetrain. When seeing the BMI GT-R prodigy the underbody of the ZELE z33 really didnt look to modified. The transmission tunnel was widen and some other little body mods but nothing to horrible. So i dont think its way over anyones head. Especially that my buddy is really good mechanic at Nissan and has done multiple sr20det swaps as well as having co-workers who are really good at welding and fabricating. As long as we do all the labor work shouldnt be ridiculously exspensive. Or i could be all wrong.

Edited February 22, 2007 by Shabib67

[350z]

Fitting the rb26dett in the 350z isnt that hard.

hahahhahahaahh.. you keep saying that .. but its ok beacuse your right its very easy i did it twice yesterday during my lunch break

best of luck shabib

[ctjet]

^^^

lol

[Shabib67]

hahahhahahaahh.. you keep saying that .. but its ok beacuse your right its very easy i did it twice yesterday during my lunch break

best of luck shabib

Yea i would say its pretty easy especially with the motor/tranny mount set coming out. A couple of guys who swapped in rb26detts (using rb25det tranny) with the motor/tranny mount kit by JE Import Performance have said that the rb26dett sits in perfectly. So yea i dont think its that hard. RB26DETTS have been swapped into datsun 240, 260 and 280z and those are tiny cars compared to the GT-R or 350Z. So i dont see why putting it in the 350z is really that hard. Now to make it AWD easily, cheaply and hassle free thats the million dollar question.

[Eug]

can i have your VQ35DE???

that said are the murano VQ35's the same as the 350z/G35?

[`nigno]

can i have your VQ35DE???

that said are the murano VQ35's the same as the 350z/G35?

There are some subtle differences int he setup, im pretty sure the sump bolt pattern and everything else would be the same. Meaning the tranny n shit would more than likely bolt straight onto a VQ35DE in a 350z... mating it up to an RB26 is gonna be another thing entirely.

http://www.conceptcarz.com/vehicle/z10606/...no/default.aspx

http://www.conceptcarz.com/vehicle/z8321/N...0Z/default.aspx

^^^ 350z specs as opposed to the Murano... seem pretty similar to me.

VQ35DE

The 3.5 L (3498 cc) VQ35DE is used in many modern Nissan vehicles. It adds variable valve timing and has a bore of 95.5 mm and stroke of 81.4 mm using the same block found in the VQ30DE. Output ranges from 240 hp to 301 hp (179 to 221 kW) and 246 lb·f to 287 lb·f (334 to 390 Nm).

The VQ35DE is built in Iwaki, Japan and Decherd, TN. It was on the Ward's 10 Best Engines list for 2002 through 2007, and the VQ series is the only engine to be honored by Ward's every year since the list's inception.

The VQ35DE has an aluminum engine block and aluminum DOHC cylinder heads. It uses sequential fuel injection (SFI), has 4 valves per cylinder with VVT for optimized opening of intake and exhaust valves, and features forged steel connecting rods, a microfinished one-piece cast camshaft, and Nissan's nylon intake manifold technology. It has low-friction molybdenum-coated pistons. The intake system is a high-flow tuned induction system.

A modified version of the VQ35DE, called the S1, is produced by Nismo (Nissan's motorpsorts and performance division) for the Fairlady Z S-Tune GT. It produces 300 ps, or 285 hp (220 kW), at 7200 rpm - a higher rev-limit than that of the original VQ35DE. The 350Z GT-S concept has a VQ35DE equipped with a switchable Novidem supercharger, producing around 377 hp with the supercharger switched on. The engine may possibly be referred to as the VQ35DER if the GT-S goes into production.

The VQ35DE is featured in the following vehicles:

North American

* 2001-2004 Nissan Pathfinder (240 hp)

* 2001-2004 Infiniti QX4 (240 hp)

* 2002-2004 Infiniti I35 (255 hp)

* 2002- Nissan Altima (from 240 to 270 hp)

* 2002- Nissan Maxima (255 hp to 265 hp)

* 2002- Nissan Quest (240 hp)

* 2003- Nissan 350Z (from 287 to 301 hp)

* 2003-2004 Infiniti G35 (260 hp to 301 hp)

* 2003- Infiniti FX35 (275 hp)

* 2006- Infiniti M35 (275 hp)

* 2004- Nissan Murano (Z50) (245 hp)

JDM and other markets

* Nismo Z S-Tune GT (295 hp) (VQ35DE S1 engine)

* 2000- Nissan Elgrand (245 hp)

* 2001- Nissan Stagea (272 hp)

* 2002- Nissan Skyline (V35) (Infiniti G35) (275+ hp)

* 2003- Nissan Teana (350JM-J31) (231 hp, 333 nm)

* 2003- Nissan Presage

* 2004- Nissan Fuga (Infiniti M35) (275 hp)

* 2004- Nissan Cefiro (Infiniti I35) Taiwan (258 hp)

* 2006- Samsung (Renault) SM7 NEO-VQ

* Renault Espace (241 hp)

* Renault Vel Satis (241 hp)

Confirmed by wiki, same engine used in all the models specified some minor differences between the two, majority of parts are interchangeable

[scathing]

RB26DETTS have been swapped into datsun 240, 260 and 280z

All of which were designed with inline 6's, unlike the Z33. The Z33 nose is very short.

Obviously its possible, since several companies have done it. I just very much doubt its going to be cheap. Or effective. But since you're trying to build something "different" rather than something "good", go nuts.

[scathing]

that said are the murano VQ35's the same as the 350z/G35?

Should be close enough, from a connector standpoint.

I know of at least one 350Z out there running around with the VQ40DE out of a Pathfinder, and a Maxima with a 35th Anniversary 350Z engine. Like the Murano the Pathfinder and Maxima have a transverse mount engine, yet they still got it to work.

[scathing]

Judging by the fact that you refer to your car as a 240SX (and you're doing SR20DET conversions into Silvias) I'd say you're in the US.

Which means finding a GT-R is going to be a pain, since you guys didn't get that many of them and MotoRex got their asses kicked for fraud or tax evasion or something.

And that's going to blow out your costs even further.

With that realisation it might not be as bad. Americans have much more of a fabrication culture than in Australia, who tend to try and make existing parts fit rather than make new parts to fit, so it won't cost as much as we think it would.

Once again, why not consider getting a G35x and stealing that drivetrain? The VQ will eventually get you more power, and it will be a lot more drivable. I realise its not very different, but an AWD Vortech supercharged 350Z with nitrous would make one hell of a car. You could even fabricate custom manifolds and run twin turbos. Low mount them near the gearbox like the single turbo kits for the Z33.

EDIT: Oh, you specifically say you're in the US. Missed that post

Edited February 23, 2007 by scathing

[R31Nismoid]

So yea i dont think its that hard. RB26DETTS have been swapped into datsun 240, 260 and 280z and those are tiny cars compared to the GT-R or 350Z. So i dont see why putting it in the 350z is really that hard. Now to make it AWD easily, cheaply and hassle free thats the million dollar question.

Yes, in RWD mode. Thats easy. Anyone can get that done cheaply

So i dont see why putting it in the 350z is really that hard.

It isnt that hard at all.

Now to make it AWD easily, cheaply and hassle free thats the million dollar question.

If you read what people are saying, thats the issue.

Doing it cheaply isnt an option.

[Shabib67]

How much will a GT-R Drivetrain from an r32 cost me? A engine clip for the a rb26dett with everything included is about 4-5k. I can get an r33 one for about 4.5k. So how much is the drivetrain, front and rear suspension, transfer case, axles and anything else needed from an r32 gonna cost. I will be doing all the labor with my buddy who works for nissan and his co-workers. His co-workers can weld and fabricate things. The only thing i will pay for is the wiring service since i cant wire for my life.

[ctjet]

i think a complete RB26 engine will cost you a touch more than 5k

[Marlin]

Swapping to RB26 seems a kinda pointless exercise to me, especially so if you take into account the alteration to weight balance by using the RB cast iron block, not to mention that inherently a vehicle with a long-cranked engine like a RB26 will not "turn in" as well as one with a short crank, on top of adding 4WD hardware into the front of a Z, you could run the risk of turning a sweet little handler into a dead set marshmellow.

But, if you wish to continue, I'd start by taking some basic measurements on an R33 or R34 GTR (as I believe they'd use a more similar suspension setup to the Z), and see just where the driveshaft will go. Through the front rails? Can they be modified? I reckon the hardest thing will be to adapt or manufacture from scratch front suspension to cope with the added forces of the front wheels driving, instead of just up/down and braking forces. (I'm assuming you know that GTR's front diff is integral to the engine sump?)

Anything down the back will be a piece of cake in comparison to the front, I just hope you don't turn it into a turd.....

Edited February 23, 2007 by Marlin

[`nigno]

i think a complete RB26 engine will cost you a touch more than 5k

He is speaking in canadian or US dollars remember

Dude I honestly reckon the murano drivetrain + adaptor is gonna be a LOT easier than trying to adapt a GTR drivetrain.... its gonna be damn near impossible to make everything match up.

With the murano drivetrain, it should all virtually bolt on, bar the transfer case and adaptor your gonna need up front, the rest of the AWD gear attaches to the same hubs axles brakes etc in the Murano as the 350z making life 100% easier.

You have 1 - 5 big dollar custom parts to get made. Instead of EVERYTHING being a big dollar custom part.

[shanef]

like igno said, what u effectively need, is a complete gtr so u can take everything off it, and swap it into the 350z. it's impossible to say if/how the 4wd system is going to work without dummy fitting stuff up and checking for clearances/how it lines up.

basically what u'd need, is from the gearbox forwards (including the front driveshaft) and a custom tailshaft. then modify the tunnel to suit the box, fab some engine mounts to get the right angle for the front axles, and mold the front hubs/suspension to the 350z.

be prepared to waste alot of sh!t in the process, as alot of ur stuff will be custom made, and when it comes to custom made things, many attempts are usually made to get the final product.

[Shabib67]

Thanks for the replys guys im starting to get an idea. So the front end is going to be the tricky part but the rear end should be straight foward. Also to the guy that said the RB might make the handling of the 350z worse is incorrect unless you have factual evidence or data to back that claim up. The zele car had a very neutral feeling and the drivers that test it said they hoped the new GT-R had the same handling.