This thing is sweet I can't wait to hear it fire up and drive around.

Finally got it running in time for the autocross at the '11 Challenge. Had the starter, alternator, and coil all die within a 48 hour period, so we never had time to do a full setup. Our tire pressures were not set, and the car had NO alignment. The car's showing a LOT of potential and will certainly be developed further over the next few months. We had to push start it at the beginning, because the alternator wouldn't generate a charge below about 3,000 RPM and the battery was dead.

Nice. Is that the 300ZX intake? I think the 200SX unit has a lower profile. That's what the 510 uses for this swap.

No, it's the Maxima upper intake manifold. The 200SX UIM doesn't really save much more than the 300ZX, it's just shorter, length-wise.

vg30 miata
 

Hey man i was interested in your vg swapped miata, I know this thread is a little old, but I was wondering if you could answer a few questions for me. Which transmission did you go with and how did it line up with the original miata shifter spot? Or did you position the motor when you built the mounts for the trans to line up right with the shifter hole? Obivously it would be ideal to set the motor back as far as possible. Any answers would be appreciated. thanks

I was actually attempting this same swap a few years ago but gave up on it because the hood wouldn't close, lol but the shifter locations actually lines up perfect with the holes in the body and the transmission fits the tunnel, the engine is just really tall. I still have the car engine-less and the engine beside it,, I may take another stab at this one and see if maybe a little oil pan clearancing would help bring it under the hood, I don't want to cut up the hood like these guys did.. but the vg30e is a stout motor good for about 400-500hp in stock internals and the first weak link is the pistons at 400 or 500hp. crank and rods are supposed to be good for 600-700hp i think running about 10-15psi would be a nasty miata, alot of guys run the HX35 turbos with good success and quick spool times

Do yourself a favor and go for a vQ30det swap from a nissan cima y33... Just as stout, better design, and CHEAPER. You can throw on a 350z transmission on to boot. I started a build for my 240 sx with an HX40 that was halted due to my welder bailing. My buddy actually purchased my project and is throwing it in his miata.

http://i49.photobucket.com/albums/f2...3.jpg~original

how is the vq cheaper?? i bought the whole car for 250 and typically find 100k 300z out here for less than 1200, and as far as the vg30e, vs vg30et the engine is almost just lower compression, same forged internals and same heads.

the vq is a nice engine but for what i want the vg would suit my needs better, Im only shooting for 300-400hp max, I can get 300 with a stand alone, cams and some head work, or pop a turbo on it and run like 15psi. and have everything for less than the cost of shipping on the vq.. if I didnt already have the engine and trans and everything else, 1000 for a jdm motor isnt bad especially with a stock 300hp. and the 6 speed trans for another 600. as far as ecu... arent most of the vq30det automatics, does that pose a problem going manual, would a standalone be needed? I'm kinda thinking about this engine for another project now, lol

All the vq30det are auto. Never came manual. Afaik the only bolt on manual is the 6 speed from the vq35. I've never heard of the 5 speed from the 300zx fitting without an adaptor plate.

From what I've read, the 6 speed isn't very good, a lot of people have issues even at near stock power levels.

I hear you :)

yeah the Cima's are automatic, since I was nissan I could use a maxima harness and nissan data scan or eprom ecu. But the guys in Australia actually swap the vq into their manual skylines with no problems. Gentlemans law says 300 but based off of what I've seen they are a bit more. I'm limited since it's been years, but we can talk and I can tell you what I know if you do plan on going this route for another car.

can you guys send me some pictures and measurements. I'm attempting this with a vg30dett dohc

Victor, the VG30DETT weighs almost twice what a VG30E does.

Does anyone know what drive shaft was used in this build? I am thinking of doing this in the race car.

i was wondering if i could get additional information on this swap!