ls motor thoughts.
 

Yes, I know I am about to bombarded with wtf why would you do this. but when my car is paid off the 370z motor is going in the garbage and here comes the LS motor... ? = # 1.. lower center of gravity, and more torque. 4 inches of gained hood clearance. and more torque than a z would produce even with a turbo... slam me now...

Your not alone I actually plan on buying an Ls3 with tranny, ecu etc. from a junkyard owned by a buddy of mine for an estimated price of $4k 30k miles ;) so I'm just gonna have fun with the VQ for a while then maybe swap. So like I said you ain't alone brotha!

Hey ohh!! We are both from TEXAS and both know what is up. Our cars sure our pretty... lets make them run as pretty as they look.

LSx motors are nice, but my personal choice for V8 in a Z is a VK56VD that's been uncorked.

Hey man, do you know if it is easier to do the vk56 over the LS? This I have not researched. and is it a lower center of gravity? LS is all block. Top ends have become so HUGE lately on Japanese motors I just don't see the point anymore. Wish they stayed inline 6 and I would of never of chose this route... Force induction on Nissan v motors seem to get out of tune so quickly these days and when you want to get a turbo for these 10,000 dollar motors ( same price as a corvette motor) a 7k+ upgraded turbo/supercharger with out installation the money just doesn't add up. I have not tried to touch the titan motor though. Your knowledge could be helpful for me. I know the NOS Sponsered 370z drifter sports one but will it ever compete with the ls?

i'm worried about how it will handle.. the 350z was 50/50 even weight and can handle more forced induction ( I used to own one..) and the 370 is like a 57/43 which is already nose heavy. hate to ruin the g's the 370z pulls around a corner and not many people know but it does pull harder g's around a corner than the GTR. I think it's like a .98 vs a .96 on the gtr...

people say all the time why would they make the z out perform the gtr. but in reality the z team was competing agains the gtr design team when they produced this and was not given the same amount of resources.

Depending on soon you guys are looking at doing this, i would wait for a few of the new LT motors in the new full size GM trucks, to become avalible, very cool motor and ready for a sick build.

they feared a turbo on this beast and when they thought, "well maybe we should lets make it a 2.0 turbo quote un quote from Nissan's leading designer".. cause the 3.7 turbo could possibly outrun the gtr any day with a turbo on it. stock vs. stock. not talking about the gtr with upgrades. it is a more balanced motor and can handle a lot more boost.

Do it :tup:

GTM is making a VK swap kit, that alone may make it easier. The VK56VD is the engine in the M56 and full size SUV's. It has direct injection and VVEL. It's like a V8 version of the VQ but with DI and more displacement. I believe it's slightly undersquare as well.

Some good info on the DE version
SR Motorcars: Nissan VK56DE Engine

Here is info about GTM's VK kit in development

http://www.the370z.com/forced-induct...rbo-build.html

They are making an adapter for the bell housing so the 370Z tranny can be used. There really isn't a lot out about it tho.

With regards to weight of weight of the motor... The heads are large and the center of gravity will be higher than an LSx.

Estimates on final whp after a swap like this? Could this motor be boosted after the swap?

If you don't want to piss off the JDM Gods you'll have to go with a VK. The JDM gods will not be funding your project though so I say ditch it and go for an LS. Tested, proven and a ton of aftermarket support in the US.

Not to mention Ls parts are accesible and cheap(reasonable) to get

That was also another problem I encounter Ls vs VK? I'm not starting a debate its just I seemed very undecissive between the two since I've seen some vids with VK and Ls but very mild since not of a lot of ppl do this swap though. I'm assuming its all gonna come to down to preference if the VK kit from Gtm is reasonable I'm jumping the gun on it since my Z is AT.

You just bought a turbo kit, and now you're planning a V8 swap before the kit has even shipped?

No no no that's just an idea I have floating but not something I would say lets jump the gun on it I mean come on? Im already spent from the turbo kit, VB, gauges etc. and not to mention I still need a tune. FI is expenssive LOL xD

In 1990 I took a perfectly good 73 240Z, ripped out the perfectly good stock straight six and manual tranny, and replaced it with a mildly worked over Chevy 350 backed by a M21 Rockcrusher. Even ran the stock rear end for about a year. The fabrication costs alone made the project a $$$ loser from day one, but, what can I say. Had to do it over again, I would have put my $$ elsewhere.

Point is, if you have $$ to throw away, and realize the car won't be worth a fraction of what you put into it, are ready for the headaches of trying to fit a square peg in a round hole, and will most likely be tired of it three months after you finish it (if you do...), then freaking go for it!

P.S. I realize I haven't told you anything you didn't already know.

Best of luck with that.....:tup:

Really:icon14: who have you been getting your car tuned by?

VK swap will be more than twice the price of an LS swap. Since everything will need to be custom made for the VK. VK isnt a race engine, LSX engines are race engines and can be bought ready right out of the crate. If you want the BEST performance and CHEAPEST build...do an LSX swap.

If you want to waist a lot of money just to please the "jdm gods" then do a vk swap.

VK DE's are used as race engines. VK VD's aren't used in racing. Still a big unknown the actual cost of swaps. Does sit on the LSx side with parts accessibility. But I don't believe it's any cheaper to custom fit a VK compared to an LS motor, noone's put an LS motor into a Z34 yet, only VK's.

As much as I like the idea on a LS in a 370z, I would either TT or sell for a solid C6 or wait for a C7. You can get used corvettes at good prices, and it'll be a better overall performer since it was designed for an with the LS motor in mind. Plus, TT'ing a VQ keeps the personality of the Z intact...dropping a monster V8 doesn't. Now if I happen to blow the VQ to bits...then its game on!

When my motor eventually goes, it will be an LS/LT that replaces it

LS is already a sports car engine. VK is not. You have to do heavy modification and custom parts in order to make a VK handle the duties of a sports car/race car. LS engine was designed that way from the ground up so all you have to do is pay to get it custom mounted in the car.

LS swap will prolly run around 20k

VK swap... 100k

I have had conversations with Chris Forsberg (the professional formula D racer in the VK swapped 370) about v8 swaps. You need deep pockets to do a proper VK swap. Anyone that can afford it should prolly have an Alpha OMEGA GTR instead...