VR30 Swapped 370z

rayZinbrand

Finally got to test fit and it’s insane how How smooth this went! Also listened to the feedback and had fun with it. I’ll post in depth photos tomorrow.

https://youtu.be/yA7zVYuf_lI

rayZinbrand

I knowwww 😭 But I don’t consider it a priority. Once the car is running I’m going to attack the PS and AC. The AC should be easy. It looks like I just need to fab one bracket to make it fit.

Dentt42

You're making solid progress, man. The VR sitting in the bay of your Z in that last vid shows a ton of promise. Congrats!

1/4atatime

I've been watching your videos and looking forward to the first drive. Still have my doubts if this is more economic than a turbo setup with all the custom fab and special parts needed. Especially factoring in the cost of a shop doing it. Still I'm looking forward to updates on this keep up the hard work.

rayZinbrand

Tbh, what scares me is the process of the harness and how much it’ll cost lmao. I have a feeling that and fixing the electrical PS issue will be where the money goes.
Thank you for supporting, bro! It’s very motivating to keep doing this 😁

rayZinbrand

If you watched the video you see that the VR30DDTT fits like a glove in the Z34 chassis. I was expecting a lot of fab work for the plumbing and some kind of clearance issue on the sides, but it just drops in.

<blockquote class="imgur-embed-pub" lang="en" data-id="a/zbY63JE"><a href="//imgur.com/a/zbY63JE"></a></blockquote><script async src="//s.imgur.com/min/embed.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

I took some pictures so you guys can get a bit more detail. Just ignore the shirts plugging the BOV couplers (I’ll install the HKS BOV 100% this weekend). Overall it’s so far so good. Only issue I’m dealing with is having the transmission (keeping it 6 speed) line up as two holes don’t match.

I’m ordering new motor mounts and the coolant line kit from CZP to have a clean look and just get new hoses to kinda refresh. Also, I want to do the seals to refresh the motor.

I’m 10 out of 10 excited and glad I decided to take on the project! So far I’m under $2k total spent. Let’s see where I’m at next week!

Spooler

Didn't I tell you that you would need a bellhousing adaptor, clutch and flywheel setup. to make it fit correctly.

rayZinbrand

You’d have to find a company that makes them. The flywheel is the only one of part I needed. Looks like I’ll be working on the bell housing myself.

gbrettin

Interesting swap. Did you land on the VR30DDTT exclusively because of price and compatibility?

I don't blame you if you did. I'm working on an LS swap and getting everything built and changed over to how I want it is some work.... A lot of work.

rayZinbrand

It was an idea entirely thought out of boredom lol. Just to see if we could do it. Then it turned into “is this cheaper than a FI kit”. Now it’s “let’s just do it” lol.
I am trying to budget as strict as possible so the regular enthusiast can make the same move if they like.

Good luck on your LS swap! I’ve always wanted to give that a go.

rayZinbrand

So we got the 370z manual trans to work with the VR30DDTT!

Had to cut the bellhousing to make the crankshaft position sensor to work and also installed the custom JWT flywheel!

I’m really excited! I’ll post detailed pictures later.

https://youtu.be/_6ti7TFyMso

rayZinbrand

Ok, so I’m going to ignore us being stupid and having to go back in to take out the auto pilot bearing (thanks YT comment section ��) ��.

I went with the JWT flywheel that allows the VR30DDTT to work with the factory z34 manual transmission. That’s all simple and it bolted up to my Z1 pressure plate and full face clutch (going to upgrade). You’re going to have to use the T55 bolts that come off a VHR motor to make it work as the ones on the VR are WAYYY too short.

The gritty part is making the crankshaft position sensor work with the Z34 manual trans. I can’t remember the exact measurements but it was about an inch or two from the top bolts, the one on the right. You’re going to have to cut around there to make it work. I know I’m wording it poorly and took detailed pictures to make sure it makes sense. It was easy and took maybe 10 minutes with the right tools. No biggie.

Now, most importantly, one more thing I wanted to confirm was if I had to get a custom drive shaft since the motor might’ve moved back the trans just a tad. So far so good and the trans mounted perfect in the OEM position and the driveshaft should fit just fine. I will confirm it this week and take pictures to share with you guys.

Overall I’m standing by my words saying that this swap so far has been incredible and everything is seating mostly OEM. The next step is going back in the fix the pilot bearing and then I will be putting on my idlers, belt and mocking up the intakes/heat exchanger. I appreciate everyone who has been following up so far and giving the blunt feedback. You guys have been great and hoping I’m giving enough detail as I post. ��


<blockquote class="imgur-embed-pub" lang="en" data-id="a/7inzRMK"><a href="//imgur.com/a/7inzRMK"></a></blockquote><script async src="//s.imgur.com/min/embed.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

Quicksilvers

Congratulations on your progress this is the best swap I have honestly seen in eons.

__________________
Mr. Clean

rayZinbrand

FINALLY got back to work on the swap.

https://youtu.be/pQPXBsGs5_g

We fixed our pilot bearing issue and also got more in depth with what is needed from the VHR and what can be reused.

As always, I’ll post detailed pictures ASAP 🙂

Stay safe, everyone!

rayZinbrand

The engine harness is finally out (I hated the process) and it’s sent off to get done to work with the Z34 chassis. What I didn’t say in video because I forgot is that my RPM gauge will never work until a fix is found. Which means I might have to take more of the Q’s harness to make that happen (not worth it to me). I’ll get more in detail in a later video. But, we’re also scheduling a tune day!!!

With the harness out the way, the only thing left is putting it all back together and installing the full exhaust I got. ��

We’re almost to first start! For anyone following along, I appreciate the positivity is this thread! A lot of people brought pressure saying to just boost the 3.7 instead of allowing creativity and fun to flow. Ya’ll are amazing. Be safe!

Video link: https://youtu.be/c4N_aULw4rg