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

NismoGT · 11-09-2015, 09:38 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, 09:42 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, 10:34 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, 10:45 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 · 11-09-2015, 11:24 PM

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.

BGTV8 · 11-09-2015, 11:44 PM

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.

JARblue · 11-09-2015, 11:24 PM

It's only money...

Just Do It!

NismoGT · 11-09-2015, 11:27 PM

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 · 11-09-2015, 11:33 PM

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

cooltoy · 11-09-2015, 11:41 PM

oxymoron · 11-10-2015, 04:06 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, 09:10 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.

MAMotorsports · 11-11-2015, 11:29 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DatsunFTW

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.

We did not have to cut, nor extend the shock towers at all to fit the VKs into Forsberg's chassis.

Quote:

Originally Posted by NismoGT

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.

Feel free to shoot me a call at 410-593-7080 would be more than happy to chat with you on this!

Also, as for weight goes a fully dressed VK56 comes in at about 503lbs, a fully dressed LS3 lands at 460lbs stock for stock. You can get the VK to the LS weight fairly easily all said and done. The main concern on these swaps is an oil pan as mounts are not to difficult, would love to find a customer that wants to work with us on a set up! As we currently use a Dry sump in all our uses so that does not really transfer over.

DatsunFTW · 11-10-2015, 09:51 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

edk370 · 11-10-2015, 10:05 AM

V8 all day!

The VK56....I dunno? The LS V8s, heck yeah. There's so much aftermarket support for that engine. But the choice is yours.

11-09-2015, 09:38 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, 10:45 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: 380	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

11-09-2015, 11:24 PM	#7 (permalink)
JARblue A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Mar 2011 Location: Austin, TX Age: 44 Posts: 36,450 Drives: 11 Z34, 98 E36 M3 Rep Power: 2684441	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 \|

11-09-2015, 11:33 PM	#9 (permalink)
DatsunFTW A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Apr 2013 Location: Gainesville, FL Posts: 1,234 Drives: 12 370z A54 M6 Rep Power: 380	Hm... Possibly then. Looks like a really tight fit though. Curious to see how they made the headers to fit __________________ The Build

11-09-2015, 11:41 PM	#10 (permalink)
cooltoy Elite Member Join Date: Jun 2012 Location: Calgary Posts: 13,989 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, 09:42 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, 10:34 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.

11-09-2015, 11:24 PM	#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, 04:06 AM	#11 (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, 09:10 AM	#12 (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, 09:51 AM	#14 (permalink)
DatsunFTW A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Apr 2013 Location: Gainesville, FL Posts: 1,234 Drives: 12 370z A54 M6 Rep Power: 380	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

11-10-2015, 10:05 AM	#15 (permalink)
edk370 Enthusiast Member Join Date: Nov 2012 Location: So Cal Posts: 296 Drives: 09 370Z Rep Power: 13	V8 all day! The VK56....I dunno? The LS V8s, heck yeah. There's so much aftermarket support for that engine. But the choice is yours.

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