Engine material

[DirtJumper]

Hey, been lurking for a while and I just had a couple of quick questions:

 

Is the VG30E in my 90 pathy Cast iron block with aluminum heads or does it have an aluminum block as well? Anyone know how much the engine weighs?

 

I'm also kinda wondering if the 300ZX version is made of the same materials (if anyone would know)?

 

 

I am in the middle of swapping a VG30E into my Suzuki Samurai, heard they are tough engines and any lightweight materials would be a huge bonus for such a small truck.

 

Thanks for any help

 

 

Another question would be will a 300ZX radiator fit a pathfinder's engine, or are the intake and output of the water pump different?

[88pathoffroad]

Same exact block and heads for the VG30E in the 300ZX and the Pathfinder. Iron block, aluminum heads. I believe the water pump, crank pulleys, oilpan and dipstick location are the only differences between the two. No idea on the radiator fitment, you'll probably have to measure one to find out.

[DirtJumper]

Thanks, the aluminum heads should still make the weight beat out a 4.3L cheby V6 My pathy seemed to pull really well up until 4 grand...a friend's 300 doesn't seem to do that (although it could be the differences between the VG30e and Vg30et as well, eh?).

 

Thanks for the help though, it clears up a bit of a disagreement

Edited October 12, 2006 by DirtJumper

[lgranch]

Whoa there young fella, who told you that the VG30E is a light weight motor in teh pounds department????? This motor is heavier than just about anything else in the 6 cyl class. Why you ask, very simple it is built for long term durability. The cast walls are very thick by automotive standards. The crankshaft girdle is massive and clearly does not allow any twist in the block. The aluminum heads are almost as much weight as a chevy cast iron version. This motor is a significant contributor to the overall weight of the front end of the pathy. No designer worked on this truck to remove weight and increase fuel economy. They waited until 1996 and then did not do much either until the next restyle. Then they just made a big truck.

If you are looking for a light weight motor to put in a Suzuki. look elsewhere.

[Slick]

a stock VG30 motor weighs like 350lbs. almost the same as a chevy 350. just because it has aluminum doesn't mean to say it's going to be lighter....... they added the weight in other areas..... i would go for the 4.3 chebby in the zuki sly

[GrimGreg]

Get a hampster and put him in a wheel for the Zuk

[Slick]

sssh speaking of. i hear they been puttin the chevy tracker motors in the zukis........

[DirtJumper]

Huh...oh well, I'm kinda comitted now at any rate, durability is great, but lighter would be better. Oh well! I know lots put in tracker engines, hell...grand vitara and XL7 2.7L V6s are becoming popular as well...but the zuk V6s are 2000+ so expensive, and the earlier tracker engines give 20hp for the "bolt-on model" (TBI 1.6L), and 60hp more for the MPFI 1.6L. Not so much enough to turn 38s

 

I almost knew I should have gone for a 350/SM465/NP231 combo although that would have been more expensive as well.

 

As for the 4.3, I didn't use it partly b/c I was misled, and partly b/c I wanted to try something new...although I do seem to get a lot of crap from zuk guys for doing it...Why would you recommend it over the 3.0 just out of curiosity?

 

If this swap doesn't perform the way I want it to, I will probably most definately upgrade to a chevy V8. Maybe in a few years the aluminum block 5.3s willbe more readily available and less expensive

Edited October 13, 2006 by DirtJumper

[Slick]

only reason why i would go chevy 350 over the vg30 is for the following reasons:

1. parts are cheaper and more readily available

2. you can get way more HP from a 350 block than a VG without spending stupid amounts of $$

3. you can go carb'd or FI at a good price with the 350

4. lots of transmission types, adn t cases bolt up to a 350 (with the right adapters)

5. my GOD! have you ever heard a 350 with some good pipes on it????? :bow: :bow:

[DirtJumper]

You pretty much nailed that one, and if they are the same weight, it's not a big deal...I'll see how this engine runs in here first for a couple wheeling seasons. The adapters are a little expensive for my budget right now.

 

Another reason I didn't go 350 (the thought had crossed my mind, but I thought it too heavy...kinda ironic in hindsight, lol)

[Slick]

You pretty much nailed that one, and if they are the same weight, it's not a big deal...I'll see how this engine runs in here first for a couple wheeling seasons. The adapters are a little expensive for my budget right now.

 

Another reason I didn't go 350 (the thought had crossed my mind, but I thought it too heavy...kinda ironic in hindsight, lol)

we have a 1 acre backyard FULL of nothing but chevys... i am sure we could hook you up with everything you need should you choose to go the chevy route

[DirtJumper]

I appreciate the offer, but I am up in AB, Canada

 

Might make things a little harder, lol.

 

I am kinda just finishing up the wiring and waiting on a custom (read; small) radiator for the swap as well, so I'll run her like that for a while...start saving my pennies for some chevy gear in a couple years.

[Slick]

I appreciate the offer, but I am up in AB, Canada

 

Might make things a little harder, lol.

 

I am kinda just finishing up the wiring and waiting on a custom (read; small) radiator for the swap as well, so I'll run her like that for a while...start saving my pennies for some chevy gear in a couple years.

pfft! what's a border between friends lol.

good luck n keep us posted on the progress!

[DirtJumper]

The border is no biggie, it's the people you have to deal with to get anything across that's an issue

 

Thanks for the encouragement though, I will definately post updates...kinda realized I need to get a fuel cell and external pump as well...plus my DD keeps acting up, so progress is slow.

[88pathoffroad]

I weighed a VG30 with no intake, the flexplate and TC still attached, etc today. Just over 320 lbs.

[DirtJumper]

Cool, appreciate it!

[govols74n]

It's a suzuki......Push your feet through the rust on the floor and get your feet going like the Flinstones......may get u further.....no offense.

[DirtJumper]

It's a suzuki......Push your feet through the rust on the floor and get your feet going like the Flinstones......may get u further.....no offense.

None taken, but it should get pretty far Considering my other samurai on 33s, open diffs, stock drivetrain (except for 5.13 gears), with less than 60 hp can keep up to Fullsized Chevy pickups on 44s...I think this one with the VG30E, Toyota axles with a welded rear and e-locker in front with smurfields and 38s should go reasonably well

[sammyb33]

do not knock a zuki untill you have wheeled with them....

 

if i didnt have my pathy i would be lookin for a zuki.....they are by far the best trail rigs i have ever ridden in. they arent the most comfortable rigs, but they are tiny enough to pretty much get thru any trail, even ATV trails, and properly geared, these things are amazinly unstoppable....

[DirtJumper]

do not knock a zuki untill you have wheeled with them....

 

if i didnt have my pathy i would be lookin for a zuki.....they are by far the best trail rigs i have ever ridden in. they arent the most comfortable rigs, but they are tiny enough to pretty much get thru any trail, even ATV trails, and properly geared, these things are amazinly unstoppable....

Amen to that...not a good DD lifted...maybe a trip to the mall occasionally, crank the stereo and drown out the ricers...for some reason they hate it when a muddy lifted truck has a louder system than them

 

Uncomfortable, harsh, gutless, but will go most anywhere you point them off-road...with this project I am trying to fix most of those...the only problem is it will add weight...always a trade-off.

 

And the ATV trail thing is SO true...been told "the trail gets too narrow up there" a couple times...it's gotten me into trouble before too though :