1985 Nissan 720 Z24 engine swap out

JimRod · Mar 16th, 2004, 10:35 PM

Does anyone know of an engine swap kit to shoehorn a small block V8 into one of these trucks? I bought this truck about a year ago and if I can't find a 100 amp alternator for the Z24 engine I'm gonna swap out engine for a small block V8.
I really like the looks of this truck and a go fast engine would top it off along with a removable hard top, 17 inch wheels, and killer stereo (reason for 100 amp alternator) upgrades that I will be doing this summer.
I have the 4x4 additional instrument cluster (oil pressure & voltage) just below the heater/AC unit. At least that is what I have been told is that this instrument cluster was only available on the 4x4 trucks. It makes a nice addition.

BTW this is a 2 wheel drive, Kingcab SE with 5 speed trans, sun roof, power windows, power locks, & AC. I am also looking for the factory cruise control (dash mount) if one was available.

Any information would be appreciated.

Thanks

dulobast25 · Aug 11th, 2006, 07:01 PM

jim, why do an americna v8?
do an infini Q45 and get 275 hp all ahile keeping it nissan. you will find staying witht he name brand makes the swap easier. The advantage here is torque, good hp and shirt engine allowing the drop in to be easy. downside is the tranny , engine mounts and oil pan may need tob fabbed, but that tur with any american v8 swap.
option 2

run a vg30tt
advantage is hp and good torque..round 300hp. and use the v6 engine mounts from an v6 hardbody and they will place the mounting locations on ot close to stock. nissan change almost nothing between the 620-720-820 trucks. advantage is wing up the boost and much more power.

option 3 run an sr20 or rb25
advantage is weight and a bility to increase boost for mor power. Engine moutn should be easy since the sr 20 came in 240 sx/silvia. the tranny may mate up to the sr20 depending on trany and aplicationrb25 will be harder and will liley need elect fans since the engine is so ling but will be mor uniguq that most v8 swaps.

option 4 drop in a ka24de, engine mounts from ka24e will mate up, it will mate to the tranny and give you a 40 hp incrase. then drop an turbo kit on it and take the power even further. this is the easist swap and cheapest b4 the turbo.

**88pathoffroad** · Aug 12th, 2006, 07:06 PM

Quote:

jim, why do an americna v8?
do an infini Q45 and get 275 hp all ahile keeping it nissan. you will find staying witht he name brand makes the swap easier....

Um, cost? A Q45 will cost you thousands just to get a junkyard engine, a 350 will cost you ~$500/less plus parts and you won't have to worry about wiring ECU's, expensive fuel pumps, etc... Parts for a 350 are dirt cheap too. Try getting parts for cheap on an Infiniti engine.

dulobast25 · Aug 13th, 2006, 01:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 88pathoffroad

Um, cost? A Q45 will cost you thousands just to get a junkyard engine, a 350 will cost you ~$500/less plus parts and you won't have to worry about wiring ECU's, expensive fuel pumps, etc... Parts for a 350 are dirt cheap too. Try getting parts for cheap on an Infiniti engine.

take it from someone who has done several swaps and not just visiting sites. First off A q45 One needs to be specific when one say "thousands"
An entire q45 in running conditiiion with eveything you need for the swap will cost $3000. Thats for the whole car. getting a junkyard engine will be less than half that. Now reagrding wiring if you want gas mileage, and clean emissions (depending on where you are) and more reliabliliy you should run efi. It also lends itself to turbocharging better than carb. The interchange itself is easier when keeping it nissan. In addiiton the only americna v8s comparable to the infinit motor are not the cheap ones. Expect a downgrade in sophistication or relablilty when going american if ur trying to penny pinch. the q45 had 275 hp. comprable american v8 engines would be late gen mustang v8 with 260 hp, an iroc camaro v8 with 245 hp etc. Lsi and northstar and and triton motors typicall all have more hp but all cost more. you go cheaper than the iroc an youa re getting a drop in power. keep in mind no matter what engien you run, it can be carbed to avoid wiring. A ka24 can do single ot twin side drafts. the vg30 can accoomodate singles or twins. it a matter of the manifold being modded for the application. On american v8s the parts are easier to come by, but its a matter of form follows function. The parts aretn worth as much nor do they last as long either. My hardbody have about 235k miles on it with 2 or 2 screwdriver spotwelded tot he case from dropped screwdrivers, hell the on of the flanges on the alt wore open ont of the alt mount holes from vibrations (hardbody often lose alte bolts from vibrations) heck it lost a chucnk from the case, but the alt simply wont die. And the waterpump had about 140k miles b4 i had to change it. and when his autozone one goes, i'm putting an old oe one back on.

i wish you luck in whatever engine drop in you do, but no a q45 motor wont cost you thousands. it really depends on how you approcah the swap.

**88pathoffroad** · Aug 13th, 2006, 03:37 PM

Searching with Google, I find several wrecker yards that want ~$2000-3000 for a VH45DE. Ouch. Ebay has several ~$1000 cheapies, but who knows if you're getting a good one on Ebay?

I'm not AGAINST the idea at all, it would be way cool to see a Nissan V8 in an older truck. I have no doubt it would run for a good long time, either. I'm just pointing out the simplicity factor. A properly rebuilt carbed 300HP 1976 350 with the appropriate parts will run for 100K miles easily and will still be easily modifiable for more power at a later time if needed...performance parts for a Q45 are going to kill your wallet, guaranteed. Hell, STOCK parts for a Q45 will. Is it my fault Chevy engine parts are cheaper than imported Nissan ones? It all depends on how much you have and are willing to spend. Swapping a Nissan V8 into a truck won't necessarily guarantee resalability or overall value, either.

dulobast25 · Aug 13th, 2006, 04:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 88pathoffroad

Searching with Google, I find several wrecker yards that want ~$2000-3000 for a VH45DE. Ouch. Ebay has several ~$1000 cheapies, but who knows if you're getting a good one on Ebay?

I'm not AGAINST the idea at all, it would be way cool to see a Nissan V8 in an older truck. I have no doubt it would run for a good long time, either. I'm just pointing out the simplicity factor. A properly rebuilt carbed 300HP 1976 350 with the appropriate parts will run for 100K miles easily and will still be easily modifiable for more power at a later time if needed...performance parts for a Q45 are going to kill your wallet, guaranteed. Hell, STOCK parts for a Q45 will. Is it my fault Chevy engine parts are cheaper than imported Nissan ones? It all depends on how much you have and are willing to spend. Swapping a Nissan V8 into a truck won't necessarily guarantee resalability or overall value, either.

assuming installation quality constant the nissan WILL be more reliable, period. yeah american parts are cheaper but on avg need to be replace more often. its a statisitcal fact. sure modding an american v8 is cheaper than a jap,, but gettiing a cheap v8 will need mods to bring it to 275 horses. ov course heads and intake sre easiset but its still dollars.Assuming 100 percent stock engine, you would need to price 275 hp american v8 engines like iroc at 245 which is still less pwr but in the range. or maybe early vette etc. But i have found q45 engine for cheap I just looked an i found them for 675 dollars. here in cali this is the land of jap engines but i found this online. But all else being equal you would ge more money and valve by swapping a nissan into a nissan. Kinda like buying a car with an aftermarket stereo system..on avg u will get more money with a nissan with nissan of inifniti parts in it. If you want simplicity, fellas, leave the 4 banger in, bore it up drop in a cam, and down the line do forced induction. putting a 4 banger nissan in a 4 banger nissan would always be simpler. Much eaier to frop a chevy motor in an s-10 and i'm sure u would get more money than dropping a 4g63 or a sr20 into an s-10 i think we all here know that one. Whatever engien u choose i wish u good luck and have fun!

dulobast25 · Aug 13th, 2006, 10:51 PM

http://www.car-part.com/cgi-bin/search.cgi check there on 93 to like 96 q45 infinit1 price ranges from 600 to 1250