To V8 or not to V8? That is the question...

NismoGT · 11-09-2015, 10:38 PM

Hey Guys,
I've been around this forum for a little bit; mainly for research and wasting time. I had an 2011 Base a few years ago but had to sell due to life issues. However, I have purchased a rebuilt title 2009 Sport to turn into a project.

Due to the accident, I have to replace the driver side "Side radiator core support" and "Front side member connector assembly" (see the pics). I have removed everything forward of the engine. With this being said, I am trying to decide whether to remove both sides and just fab a tubular structure to hold the bodywork and new and improved radiator (or possibly v-mounted with an intercooler). Should I just use the factory pieces or fab a tubular structure?

The question I really want you guy's opinion on is whether I should just keep the VQ37 or swap it out for a VK56? My goal for this car is most likely going to be a track car. However, I think I still want to learn and participate in drifting events. The track in Summit Pointe in WV hosts both drifting and circuit racing. I am not looking to rush this build and have means to fabricate parts (expertise is another

). I really want to go the V8 route. NA for now and maybe FI in the future. What do you guys think?

Z_ealot · 11-09-2015, 10:42 PM

I think it would be more beneficial going the LS V8 route as tge VK56 is known to he a pretty heavy engine and might throw off the balance of the car

NismoGT · 11-09-2015, 11:34 PM

Yes but the LS has been swapped into so many different things, I almost despise the idea (not the engine). But you do make a point. From the information I have, a VK weights around 430 minus flywheel/clutch and the VQ weights around 350 (I don't know if either engine is wet, dry, has access. or not, etc.). A fully dressed LS will be about 500lb on the dot. I cant imagine by choosing either V8 engine that it will make much or a difference. They are still going to add about approx 80lb to the front of the car.

I am sure I could make up some of that weight removing systems I don't need.

DatsunFTW · 11-09-2015, 11:45 PM

Talking to Chris Forsberg at zdayz he was telling us how a vk56 swap led into his shop having to cut the strut towers and extending them out to actually fit the motor in the 370. It will be a lot more expensive than you think.

NismoGT · 11-10-2015, 12:24 AM

Wow! Really?! I can see why with the pic of Josh Coote's Z (HIGHLIGHT – JOSH COOTE’S 370Z V8 | STREET COVER). I'm sure he didn't modify his shock towers to fit the VK. Forsberg's team most likely wanted the extra space. I would love to get the engine to see the fitment for myself.

JARblue · 11-10-2015, 12:24 AM

It's only money...

Just Do It!

NismoGT · 11-10-2015, 12:27 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JARblue

It's only money...

Just Do It!

Ha! You only live once, right? I don't have any projects right now and need something to occupy my time. I'm going to attempt to engineer some mounts for this swap. I don't know if anybody else has done that already.

DatsunFTW · 11-10-2015, 12:33 AM

Hm... Possibly then. Looks like a really tight fit though. Curious to see how they made the headers to fit

cooltoy · 11-10-2015, 12:41 AM

BGTV8 · 11-10-2015, 12:44 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by NismoGT

Wow! Really?! I can see why with the pic of Josh Coote's Z (HIGHLIGHT – JOSH COOTE’S 370Z V8 | STREET COVER). I'm sure he didn't modify his shock towers to fit the VK. Forsberg's team most likely wanted the extra space. I would love to get the engine to see the fitment for myself.

No headers in that car at the time ... just a dummy assembly to get the engine into the engine bay ........

Requires significant tin-surgery to create space for headers ... IMHO will require a fabricated tube-frame to carry it.

DatsunFTW · 11-10-2015, 12:54 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BGTV8

No headers in that car at the time ... just a dummy assembly to get the engine into the engine bay ........

Requires significant tin-surgery to create space for headers ... IMHO will require a fabricated tube-frame to carry it.

Well in that case, you're going to need some research... and money haha

oxymoron · 11-10-2015, 05:06 AM

If you have never drifted before don't bother with an engine swap at this point.
It will take a lot of seat time before you outgrow the 37. Spend that money on entering as many events as possible.
I've been drifting for a few years now and I've just started building a 370z. I'll be sticking with NA for a while as well. Turbo down the track probably.

NismoGT · 11-10-2015, 09:32 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BGTV8

No headers in that car at the time ... just a dummy assembly to get the engine into the engine bay ........

Requires significant tin-surgery to create space for headers ... IMHO will require a fabricated tube-frame to carry it.

Well I send Josh a message via FB to inquire as to his header fitment and pics. I will post them with his permission when/if he sends them. He is Australia so idk what the time difference is.

NismoGT · 11-10-2015, 10:10 AM

I think I may call up MA Motorsport and see if they have Chris Forsberg's Z there and if so, can I come take a look at the engine fitment. MA is like 30 min away from me.

DatsunFTW · 11-10-2015, 10:51 AM

One of the guys from MA lurks on the forum sometimes. If he takes a peek here... give us some insight

Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I527 using Tapatalk

11-09-2015, 10:38 PM	#1 (permalink)
NismoGT Base Member Join Date: Oct 2011 Location: Pasadena, MD Posts: 25 Drives: 2009 370Z Sport Rep Power: 14	To V8 or not to V8? That is the question... Hey Guys, I've been around this forum for a little bit; mainly for research and wasting time. I had an 2011 Base a few years ago but had to sell due to life issues. However, I have purchased a rebuilt title 2009 Sport to turn into a project. Due to the accident, I have to replace the driver side "Side radiator core support" and "Front side member connector assembly" (see the pics). I have removed everything forward of the engine. With this being said, I am trying to decide whether to remove both sides and just fab a tubular structure to hold the bodywork and new and improved radiator (or possibly v-mounted with an intercooler). Should I just use the factory pieces or fab a tubular structure? The question I really want you guy's opinion on is whether I should just keep the VQ37 or swap it out for a VK56? My goal for this car is most likely going to be a track car. However, I think I still want to learn and participate in drifting events. The track in Summit Pointe in WV hosts both drifting and circuit racing. I am not looking to rush this build and have means to fabricate parts (expertise is another ). I really want to go the V8 route. NA for now and maybe FI in the future. What do you guys think?

11-09-2015, 11:45 PM	#4 (permalink)
DatsunFTW A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Apr 2013 Location: Gainesville, FL Posts: 1,234 Drives: 12 370z A54 M6 Rep Power: 379	Talking to Chris Forsberg at zdayz he was telling us how a vk56 swap led into his shop having to cut the strut towers and extending them out to actually fit the motor in the 370. It will be a lot more expensive than you think. __________________ The Build

11-10-2015, 12:24 AM	#6 (permalink)
JARblue A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Mar 2011 Location: Austin, TX Age: 43 Posts: 36,450 Drives: 11 Z34, 98 E36 M3 Rep Power: 2684440	It's only money... Just Do It! Trips and birdman71 like this. __________________ 2011 370Z 6MT Sport Gun Metallic \| ARC \| CJM \| Ecutek \| FI \| Fujimura \| R2C \| SPL \| Stillen \| TWM \| Z1 \| ZSpeed \|

11-10-2015, 12:33 AM	#8 (permalink)
DatsunFTW A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Apr 2013 Location: Gainesville, FL Posts: 1,234 Drives: 12 370z A54 M6 Rep Power: 379	Hm... Possibly then. Looks like a really tight fit though. Curious to see how they made the headers to fit __________________ The Build

11-10-2015, 12:41 AM	#9 (permalink)
cooltoy Elite Member Join Date: Jun 2012 Location: Calgary Posts: 13,973 Drives: 14 PW 370Z S/T MT Rep Power: 243722	njobe89, mishuko, birdman71 and 1 others like this. __________________ Member of kenchan's "photoshopped mods" and "proper offsets" gang.

11-09-2015, 10:42 PM	#2 (permalink)
Z_ealot A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Sep 2010 Location: Albuquerque, NM Posts: 2,045 Drives: 09 370Z Touring/Sprt Rep Power: 10091	I think it would be more beneficial going the LS V8 route as tge VK56 is known to he a pretty heavy engine and might throw off the balance of the car

11-09-2015, 11:34 PM	#3 (permalink)
NismoGT Base Member Join Date: Oct 2011 Location: Pasadena, MD Posts: 25 Drives: 2009 370Z Sport Rep Power: 14	Yes but the LS has been swapped into so many different things, I almost despise the idea (not the engine). But you do make a point. From the information I have, a VK weights around 430 minus flywheel/clutch and the VQ weights around 350 (I don't know if either engine is wet, dry, has access. or not, etc.). A fully dressed LS will be about 500lb on the dot. I cant imagine by choosing either V8 engine that it will make much or a difference. They are still going to add about approx 80lb to the front of the car. I am sure I could make up some of that weight removing systems I don't need.

11-10-2015, 12:24 AM	#5 (permalink)
NismoGT Base Member Join Date: Oct 2011 Location: Pasadena, MD Posts: 25 Drives: 2009 370Z Sport Rep Power: 14	Wow! Really?! I can see why with the pic of Josh Coote's Z (HIGHLIGHT – JOSH COOTE’S 370Z V8 \| STREET COVER). I'm sure he didn't modify his shock towers to fit the VK. Forsberg's team most likely wanted the extra space. I would love to get the engine to see the fitment for myself.

11-10-2015, 05:06 AM	#12 (permalink)
oxymoron Base Member Join Date: Sep 2015 Location: Australia Posts: 32 Drives: 09 370z MT Rep Power: 10	If you have never drifted before don't bother with an engine swap at this point. It will take a lot of seat time before you outgrow the 37. Spend that money on entering as many events as possible. I've been drifting for a few years now and I've just started building a 370z. I'll be sticking with NA for a while as well. Turbo down the track probably. ResIpsa and DatsunFTW like this.

11-10-2015, 10:10 AM	#14 (permalink)
NismoGT Base Member Join Date: Oct 2011 Location: Pasadena, MD Posts: 25 Drives: 2009 370Z Sport Rep Power: 14	I think I may call up MA Motorsport and see if they have Chris Forsberg's Z there and if so, can I come take a look at the engine fitment. MA is like 30 min away from me.

11-10-2015, 10:51 AM	#15 (permalink)
DatsunFTW A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Apr 2013 Location: Gainesville, FL Posts: 1,234 Drives: 12 370z A54 M6 Rep Power: 379	One of the guys from MA lurks on the forum sometimes. If he takes a peek here... give us some insight Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I527 using Tapatalk __________________ The Build

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