Supercharger vs VR30 swap for my 370z Nismo

[Mr.K]

Hello community, sorry for the long post LOL. I know there have been many threads about turbo vs supercharger but this thread isn't in regards to that. I'm looking for more power out of the Z34 chassis. Now my question is in regards to keeping the weight distribution of the chassis balanced. The VR30 would be the obvious choice here as it is only 18lbs more than the VQ37 but it looses some of what makes the VQ37 great with it's high redline, iconic exhaust note and reliability. A supercharger kit weighs around 85lbs according to some sources but I believe in a thread a member stated a net gain of about 30lbs. How could I drop the weight up front (more specifically from the internals) to offset the weight of a supercharger? I have already considered battery relo, dry carbon parts, wheels, tires, etc. My goal is too keep the overall weight of the car low, improve its front/rear weight distribution and make over 450hp. I just wanted to know if my goals would be realistically possible with a supercharger otherwise I'll probably be doing a VR30 swap .

[HapaZ]

I'd say an engine swap to save less than 50lbs is a smart way to go so go do that. You'll definitely notice the difference. Just take pictures along the way!

[Spooler]

Not sure how you would get it to pass smog inspection in Cali with a VR30.

[Jhill]

Definitely won’t pass smog in Ca. But then again if putting this much effort for weight distribution I’m hoping it’s not a street car anyway as the little bit of difference between vq37 and vr30 you’ll never notice the difference on a street driven car. And if going full blown race car then just add oil coolers and such to the back of the car to regain the balance.

[redondoaveb]

You can do an engine swap and pass smog CARB if the engine you're installing is out of a newer car than the chassis that it's going in and retains the original smog equipment (including cats) that that are required for that engine. Of course it would have to go through CARB testing and that could be extensive and expensive. There's a company that does LS3 swaps in Miata's that meet CARB standards.

[Mr.K]

Originally Posted by redondoaveb

You can do an engine swap and pass smog CARB if the engine you're installing is out of a newer car than the chassis that it's going in and retains the original smog equipment (including cats) that that are required for that engine. Of course it would have to go through CARB testing and that could be extensive and expensive. There's a company that does LS3 swaps in Miata's that meet CARB standards.

That is correct, which is why I figured the VR30 swap would also work in my favor. It costs less that $50 to get the car smog legal by taking it to a referee station and getting it approved with a BAR sticker. So it is definitely doable here in Cali. In regards to the other members the car would be a street car AND be seeing track days and maybe drag strips. I know some might argue the power increase might not be useful on the street but a nice torque jump is something I think definitely would be The rotrex supercharger that was just released seems like a very nice choice if it wasn't for the weight. Anyone know how much the net weight gain is with the kit and how much weight I can drop from the engine itself (forged internals)??

[TopgunZ]

If your talking about a built VQ, then throwing a Rotrex on there is going to blow the power to weight ratio out of the water over a VR swap.

[Mr.K]

Originally Posted by TopgunZ

If your talking about a built VQ, then throwing a Rotrex on there is going to blow the power to weight ratio out of the water over a VR swap.

I have been lurking in the other thread on here on your rotrex kit and up until that point I have not seriously considered a supercharger kit but after seeing dyno sheets and improvements I was very happy with the way the torque curved looked. I know that from the beginning of your development you wanted the kit to be CARB legal, how far along are you on this process?

[TopgunZ]

Originally Posted by Mr.K

I have been lurking in the other thread on here on your rotrex kit and up until that point I have not seriously considered a supercharger kit but after seeing dyno sheets and improvements I was very happy with the way the torque curved looked. I know that from the beginning of your development you wanted the kit to be CARB legal, how far along are you on this process?

Honestly, pretty far. I wouldnt hold your breath on that. I am already getting lots of attention on the Q50 turbo kits so that will keep us busy and Ive been eyeballing a new platform to get into.

Im not saying I wont do it, I am just unsure of when I will.

[Mr.K]

Originally Posted by TopgunZ

Honestly, pretty far. I wouldnt hold your breath on that. I am already getting lots of attention on the Q50 turbo kits so that will keep us busy and Ive been eyeballing a new platform to get into.

Im not saying I wont do it, I am just unsure of when I will.

Understandable, you have other projects going on. Is CARB approval something you think you would be 5 years from now or something possible in the next 2 years? Or is it just something you haven't thought about at the moment?

[TopgunZ]

Originally Posted by Mr.K

Understandable, you have other projects going on. Is CARB approval something you think you would be 5 years from now or something possible in the next 2 years? Or is it just something you haven't thought about at the moment?

I have put thought into it. I know its possible. Eugene would help me do it also, I do however have to ship him a donor car with a kit on it and it costs some pretty heavy $$$ to do so.

With CARB you have to waste soooo much power. I am guessing we would be stuck to about 7.5psi and around 425whp in order to pass. Thats like getting your girlfriend a pair of bolt ons and then telling her to wear sweaters all the time.

[redondoaveb]

Originally Posted by Mr.K

I have been lurking in the other thread on here on your rotrex kit and up until that point I have not seriously considered a supercharger kit but after seeing dyno sheets and improvements I was very happy with the way the torque curved looked. I know that from the beginning of your development you wanted the kit to be CARB legal, how far along are you on this process?

If you're looking for a CARB legal boosted kit, Eugene Turkov (ByThaBay) on the forum is close to having an approved CARB legal tt kit.

[Mr.K]

Originally Posted by redondoaveb

If you're looking for a CARB legal boosted kit, Eugene Turkov (ByThaBay) on the forum is close to having an approved CARB legal tt kit.

I don't know if I'm familiar with this kit, is that the GTR turbo adapted kit for the VQ37? I'm not looking for aftermarket turbo kit hence why my alternative is the VR30 swap.

[Elmo370z]

Originally Posted by Mr.K

Hello community, sorry for the long post LOL. I know there have been many threads about turbo vs supercharger but this thread isn't in regards to that. I'm looking for more power out of the Z34 chassis. Now my question is in regards to keeping the weight distribution of the chassis balanced. The VR30 would be the obvious choice here as it is only 18lbs more than the VQ37 but it looses some of what makes the VQ37 great with it's high redline, iconic exhaust note and reliability. A supercharger kit weighs around 85lbs according to some sources but I believe in a thread a member stated a net gain of about 30lbs. How could I drop the weight up front (more specifically from the internals) to offset the weight of a supercharger? I have already considered battery relo, dry carbon parts, wheels, tires, etc. My goal is too keep the overall weight of the car low, improve its front/rear weight distribution and make over 450hp. I just wanted to know if my goals would be realistically possible with a supercharger otherwise I'll probably be doing a VR30 swap .

Dry sump, lower the center of gravity and push the engine back far as possible. If you’re really serious about weight distribution.

[Mr.K]

Originally Posted by Elmo370z

Dry sump, lower the center of gravity and push the engine back far as possible. If you’re really serious about weight distribution.

I did consider this option at one point but found that the associated costs and downsides were not in line with the goal of my car build.