Gorgonheimer Posted September 12, 2017 Share Posted September 12, 2017 engine in my 88 crapped out, and i have an complete r50 to pull drivetrain from. Any one done this? Ive read that it will bolt in no problem, but i am wondering about engine management. Option 1: use vg33 and accessories, vg30i intake and management, pros; retain manual trans. cons; possible power loss with TBI setup Option 2: use all vg33 stuff from the r50. Engine, auto trans, tcase, harness and management. pros; Get OBD2 and 40 more horse. Cons; lots of wiring Thoughts? ideas? tips? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mjotrainbrain Posted September 13, 2017 Share Posted September 13, 2017 You mention possible power loss as the only drawback with option 1. How much does power really matter to you? I'm not sure how everything works in this situation, but if you use the VG30i intake and management, would the VG33 then put out similar (or more) power to the engine you had before? If so and you didn't mind the amount of power you had, I would absolutely suggest that route, as it sounds MUCH easier, and you get to keep that sweet manual tranny. I like the KISS method unless there's a strong reason to go with the alternative. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mjotrainbrain Posted September 13, 2017 Share Posted September 13, 2017 And now that I think about it, aren't there some hop-up parts for the VG33? If so, then you could throw a couple of those on and that 40HP difference between your options will disappear pretty quick I would think. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Citron Posted September 13, 2017 Share Posted September 13, 2017 Why lose the manual in either situation? The vg33 will work with a manual transmission. There are tons of write ups and discussion on vg30 to vg33 swaps. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gorgonheimer Posted September 13, 2017 Author Share Posted September 13, 2017 (edited) the reason for ditching the manual, i was thinking i am going to have to use the VG33 management, which has provision for auto. my power loss would come from using the TBI on the VG33 and not making the power that vg33, with its own management, is capable of Edited September 13, 2017 by Gorgonheimer Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gorgonheimer Posted September 13, 2017 Author Share Posted September 13, 2017 Why lose the manual in either situation? The vg33 will work with a manual transmission. There are tons of write ups and discussion on vg30 to vg33 swaps. always from vg30e to vg33e, i have yet to find a case of vg30i to vg33e Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Slartibartfast Posted September 14, 2017 Share Posted September 14, 2017 This guy put a heavily built 3.3 (bored out to 3.4) in his rig with a TBI. Seemed to work out alright for him. I assume someone here has manual-swapped an R50 and could tell you how to keep the 3.3 EFI happy without the auto trans, if you want to go with the newer EFI. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
OH6PILOT Posted September 14, 2017 Share Posted September 14, 2017 Currently going through the conversion of the VG30e to the VG33. Unless you are an automotive electrician, you're opening up a huge can of worms. The issue with keeping the same components on the VG33 is that you will need to rewire/re-plumb EVERYTHING...Alternator, PS Pump, AC Compressor...not an easy fix. The advantage of the VG30 intake swap is that you can keep the same harness...This is a PRO/CON, and my opinion only...but it does make a few things easier... That being said... I'm planning on keeping the VG33 injectors...they have a higher flow rate than the VG30 injectors...however..I'm honestly not sure if the ECM will take them into consideration...still doing alot of research on that. Trick here is that it's requiring me to rewire the harness for the injectors. I have a good amount of aviation/aircraft wiring experience, so I'm ok with this...but it's not for a novie. Think it through. Definitely keep the cams from the VG30...after pulling both sets of cams and mic'ing everything out, the VG30 cams have a larger lobe dwell, which means more air, exhaust, etc. So far, everything else is bolting back on the VG33 like clockwork... I have a thread started on this conversion here: http://www.nissanpathfinders.net/forum/topic/43545-vg30-to-vg33-swap-step-by-step-starting-today-82617/ Apparently there are some image problems with it so I'll be fixing those later this evening...plus making alot more updates... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
vagabond Posted September 15, 2017 Share Posted September 15, 2017 what I did on both of my 88s 1 auto 1 5 spd was change out the dash and the main body harness, a lot of work but I love the rounded dash. The wiring harness goes from the taillights to the headlights you'll also need the tranny wiring harness for which ever tranny you use. I used a 2001 xterra alt and a/c bracket and the ps bracket to get the alt and ps on the proper side and used the crank pulley from the 3.3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gorgonheimer Posted February 5, 2018 Author Share Posted February 5, 2018 (edited) Currently going through the conversion of the VG30e to the VG33. Unless you are an automotive electrician, you're opening up a huge can of worms. The issue with keeping the same components on the VG33 is that you will need to rewire/re-plumb EVERYTHING...Alternator, PS Pump, AC Compressor...not an easy fix. The advantage of the VG30 intake swap is that you can keep the same harness...This is a PRO/CON, and my opinion only...but it does make a few things easier... That being said... I'm planning on keeping the VG33 injectors...they have a higher flow rate than the VG30 injectors...however..I'm honestly not sure if the ECM will take them into consideration...still doing alot of research on that. Trick here is that it's requiring me to rewire the harness for the injectors. I have a good amount of aviation/aircraft wiring experience, so I'm ok with this...but it's not for a novie. Think it through. Definitely keep the cams from the VG30...after pulling both sets of cams and mic'ing everything out, the VG30 cams have a larger lobe dwell, which means more air, exhaust, etc. So far, everything else is bolting back on the VG33 like clockwork... I have a thread started on this conversion here: http://www.nissanpathfinders.net/forum/topic/43545-vg30-to-vg33-swap-step-by-step-starting-today-82617/ Apparently there are some image problems with it so I'll be fixing those later this evening...plus making alot more updates... No b.s. I am an auto electric guy. Really a drivability tech. Edited February 5, 2018 by Gorgonheimer Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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