Quote:
Originally Posted by chops
first off, let me ask you why? the GTR's engine is nothing special. its just a 3.8L V6 with TT's making ~500hp. you can TT your Z for a few grand and be putting nearly the same numbers down.
the GTR is a spectactular machine, not because of its engine. its the combination of its engine, transmission, suspension, chassis...etc. the entire package is what makes the car so beastly. not its engine. only a fool would try to swap a GTR engine into a Z.
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Hit the nail on the head right there.
Can the swap be done? Sure. You could swap in an engine from an F16, given enough time and money.
The real question here is why do you want to do the swap? What is it about your Z that you find lacking and are trying to solve via the engine swap? If it's just HP you are after, there are other more cost effective and easier ways to address that; many of them mentioned already. If the answer is "Because I think it would be cool to be the first person to do it", then OK. I see your angle.
As you stated, you don't do much in the way of wrenching on your own car. That's OK, it just means you will have to pay someone else to do the work for you. You have to take into consideration that you will be diving into uncharted waters which translates into a lot of trial and error on the part of the shop doing the work. That translates into more money out of your pocket as they experiment and try to get it right.
I cant even begin to estimate what it would cost, but let me give you some perspective, from the position of someone who HAS done a number of engine swaps. I found the 135 HP in my 68 Datsun roadster to be lacking and swapped in an SR20DET from the JM 240SX/Silvia. I did all the work myself, except for the exhaust. I had tons of technical support for the guy who pioneered the swap. I had access to all the tools and equipment I needed. The engine practically bolts right in with very little in the way of frame or body modifications. Even with all that, it still took me 6 months and more that $10,000. Just to do a really basic swap, with no technical hurdles, that had been done many times before me, and with me doing all the work.
I don't want to rain on your parade because I think it would be really cool to see someone do the swap you are talking about. Just understand that whomever that someone is will be into this well over $100k by the time it's done. if you have the pockets for that, do it! We all want to see it!