VG30 swap into FC?
 

Grannys speed shop now offers a kit to put a VG30DE or VG30DETT (or any VG3* v6) into a FC RX-7.

Seems like a good idea at first. STOUT engine, made for or comes with turbos, and you think "well gee, if a v8 can do the swap and not mess up balance, a v6 must be even better!

Well, I think these pictures speak for themselves:
https://members.tripod.com/~grannys/ricci1.jpg
https://members.tripod.com/~grannys/...stall2760w.jpg

:eek: WTF? The V6 seems to either sit higher or is just taller, period, and it seems to stick out a little more into the area between the strut towers than the v8.

Are my eyes playing tricks on me or would I be just as well off doing the v8 swap here? lol.

I think if your going in that direction an ls1 is your best bet. I'm not sure but I think the VG is a heavy motor.


-Destin

well yeah, the bottom end is VERYYY beefy, and its iron. But its also a v6... how could it be that much heavier, or bigger? Anyone know the engine weight?

https://members.tripod.com/~grannys/VG30bottomend.jpg

VERY beefy! But I just dont see how that adds so much weight to it. I am utterly amazed the DOHC heads are THAT FREAKING BIG though, jesus christ. Pushrods just got yet ANOTHER vote from me.

The ls1 is an aluminum block. Thats a pretty good savings in weight there.

-Destin

A quick google search says 520lbs for the vg30dett however I can't confirm that.

-Destin

I know about iron vs aluminum, but I was thinking a v6 would be lighter overall anyway. Guess not! ;)

What do you want from the car? If you want a reliable car that gets good milage and isn't slow I'd go for the VG30. If you want to go fast then do a V8. As you've noticed in the pictures pushrod engines can be made much more compact than an OHC or DOHC engine. The VG30E is lighter than the VG30DEor DETT so you'd be best off weighing the engine you plan on using. The VG motor pictured is a VG30E not the twin cam. Guys drop those in Datsun 510s all the time. I'm a Chrysler guy so I'm doing a roller cam (Magnum) 318 with a Supra turbo 5 speed in my FC. If I were to do a VG30 I might buy a wrecked single turbo 300ZX and swap in that motor and upgrade the turbo and add an intercooler.

Here is the VG30DE with variable valve timing.

http://www.biwa.ne.jp/~keeponz/VG30DE.jpg

Uh, v8s get great gasmileage if they go with manuals. People say 20-30ish. I doubt a rich-running turbo engine is gonna somehow be better on gas :P

Anywho, I was curious what the weight of the VG30 would be, and the reason I had interest is that theyre natively turbocharged - no need for messing with the internals, plus theres always a developed aftermarket for it. And the block is strong as hell... lol.

Anywho, a Magnum 318? Arent MOPAR engines generally heavy as hell? Gonna be strong though. BTW, what engine bay is that VG30 inside of? Looks kinda small for a FC's bay :)

The top VG30E is in an FC.

The VG30DE looks like it might be in an older Datsun/Nissan (300ZX or 280Z maybe?) (edit: It's also in Japan, it's RHD if you look closely)

The big thing I think would be an issue with those is the height. An engine with the weight up high will hurt the polar moment (damn, I sound like a freakin' rotard) a lot more then a low engine. Part of the nice thing with the LS1. All aluminum with a VERY light composite intake. Keeps the weight pretty low. For a drag car the VGxxx would be great though.

Are you shittin me man? LOL the LS1 is smaller than a damn VG30! HAHAHAHA! :rlaugh:

Gawd damn the LS1/FC combo just keeps looking better and better man... now, if only I could make ford sell Mazda to GM :D

Waste of time IMHO, go LS1/2. The LS2 is 400hp out of the box with cats.

The VG ranges from what, 160hp-222hp NA, better low end torque than a TII but it is heavier and lower power than a TII with exhaust and intake.

Packinging the TT version would be a PIA, upgrading HP is possible but then once you do that your looking at upgraded turbos, IC, fuel, engine management which all equals $$$.

I was tryign to weigh all my options is all :P

Im probably going LT1, they still come out balanced nicely (one guy with a LT1 is 60 lbs heavier on the ass end :)) and are nice and cheap.

Doesnt the LS2 have an E-throttle setup? It would requite some cable-throttle kit and also be pretty pricey!

Id rather stroke out a LS1 or LT1 myself, probably save a ton of money, plus I get the personal satisfaction of having done it myself. BTW, a LS2 is just a LS1 with a stroker kit (maybe a bigger bore, I forgot) but a much bigger price tag :P

I know;).

It all depends on what you want out of the car. A VG30DETT may be 300 stock, but just by swapping it, you would probably end up closer to 400. Simple bolt ons like intake, exhaust and a MBC can net big gains from a VG. I think it would be great for a cruiser/dragger.

https://members.tripod.com/~grannys/VG30install300w.jpg

It is sitting a lot higher and more forward than it could. This is a FWD VG30E that still has it's exhaust wraped around the rear. It looks like the stock mounts were just bolted to the SBC cradle. I would imagine that the motor could be better positioned than that.

Less pistons also doesn't mean smaller engine. Semi trucks usually are an I6...

i used to have a 300zx tt and i like the vg30dett but it is a heavy ass motor. The LS1 is a much better choice.

my vg33e swap
 

The grannys kit does use their v8 cradle and makes it sit much farther forward to allow for stock z31 intake and exhaust which goes around the rear. I was using this kit for years on my vg30e, but got tired of less than optimal design in pursuit of handling. I have since made my own mounts to put the vg as far back and low as it can go. Im also going to be running 3.3 this time around. Here are some pictures. I really like the new fitment and cant wait to feel the difference! I hope this info helps others.

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Attachment 643352 mounts are stock rotary
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I think granny speedshop sells 2 variations of the vg30e mounts.

I am sold on the RB motors - running an RB20 turbo motor in my FB and I love it. Anyone who says there is nothing as smooth running as a rotary has never driven a Skyline motor. An RB motor will add about 100 pounds over the weight of a two rotor and it is long, so the weight is forward. Move the battery to the back and it is pretty well balanced.

The FC is several hundred pounds heavier, so I would run a RB25. They are 280 hp stock, and the tuners say you can up the boost to about 330 hp with the stock injectors and stock mapping in the computer. My RB20 is rated 215 hp, gets me about 27-28 mpg all around and over 30 mpg highway. The RB25 will burn a little more fuel unless you get the Neo version (1999-2002), which is very efficient.

Build details here : https://www.rx7club.com/nw-rx-7-foru...roject-982785/

Kai Ramiel please do update on your progress. I remember seeing your videos on youtube of the car and was interested in something similar in my vert before a Tii fell in my lap for a good deal.