S/C and VQ35DE-swap a '00 Xterra 2WD...

[Xterrain]

Well this has been on my mind for 2 months now and I have found an alternative route. This is lifted from an offroad racing forum and xterra only forum I am a part of. The original plan was to turbo the existing VG33DE and be done with it, but the alure of the 350Z's engine note, nice amount of torque and bigger availability of aftermarket mods has led me to this:

So would a VQ35DE be a good idea by itself or should i turbo it anyway? Here are the different variations i have found:

240hp/265ft in the '00-'03 Pathfinder
250hp/249ft in the '05 Altima
265hp/255ft in the '05 Maxima
287hp/274ft in the '05 350Z

To me, it looks like the 350Z version is my best bet. All of them look better than the pathetic 170hp/200ft pushed out of the VG33DE. Has anyone swapped these engine/trannies?

::still researching....still researching::

The more i research this, the more i want to swap the 350Z engine. It seems like it will only cost me around $4,500 to obtain one and less than $2,000 to swap it in and have it all ready-to-race (offroad only). So from a financial standpoint its a better idea.

So then there is the turbo question...Should i or shouldnt I. Power numbers for a turbocharged VQ35DE are around:

364hp/351ft at 8psi
http://www.turbomagazine.com/features/0504_thp_350z_06_z.jpg

All this for around $5,500 from Turbonetics. However, with the VQ35DE swap this also opens up the possibilities of aftermarket SUPERCHARGING. Average SUPERCHARGERS for the VQ35DE vary between Roots type and A/R type. The Roots being the more efficient of the two. Here is a link to the STILLEN Roots type blower ($5,700) for the VQ35DE which makes 410hp/380ft at 7-8psi!!:

STILLEN STAGE 3:
http://www.stillen.com/product_detai...?sku=407353IC3

Making 410hp/380ft seems perfect for what i want this Xterra to do. Plus if it all works out a friend of mine is excited by the idea of doing it to his Frontier. To me, the S/C VQ35DE from the 350Z is the best idea.:cool:

DISCUSS PLEASE......

[Xterrain]

I know this site is frequented by the big dogs of the sport, but I also see that there are quite a few rookies and would-be's like myself looking for a chance to be great. This is why I posted here. I was flamed on another forum for posting this here, so I now ask, Is there a problem with my post? Why?

[mmr1]

I'm assuming that you're plainning to race this vehicle? If so, what organization and what class did you have in mind?

[bajafox]

I'm assuming that you're plainning to race this vehicle? If so, what organization and what class did you have in mind?

That's a good start, not very many classes allow turbos or engine swaps that did not come factory with the vehicle you plan to race (assuming it's for race purposes)

[mmr1]

That's a good start, not very many classes allow turbos or engine swaps that did not come factory with the vehicle you plan to race

You read my mind Fox!

[Xterrain]

I wouldnt mind being educated on what class it could be raced. If not competitively than for fun. Although I would really like to race it. I dont know much about the sport, being here in Texas, we have no racing. However, there is one thing I do well...drive fast off road. So any information would greatly be appreciated.

[dirtdriver85]

If your looking to do all this stuff to the truck, your best bet would be to race sportsmen. You can do what you want to you truck and still race and see what is is all about.

[bajafox]

Most "pro" classes if not all do not allow engine swaps for engines that did not come with the vehicle from the factory and definetely not turbos

Looks like you'll be spending quite a bit of money on the engine, $4500 sounds a bit extreme, most desert race cars are built to handle the terrain (suspension) and not so much how much power you can get out of the motor.

my dos centavos

[toyobeater]

Very true...in off road racing extreme amount of power is usually a bad thing. Besides your truck can only be as fast as the suspension allows it be. You want to be extreme with the suspension and gauge the engine power according to the extent of the suspension. I can tell you that suspension for the exterra that will handle 300+ hp is not going to be cheap. Dont forget everything else that goes into desert racer, cage, tranny, rear axle, steering...the list goes on forever. Basically i dont know what your expectations are but dont think you can throw this power plant in it and go out racing, there are many other factor to consider.

[Xterrain]

Well inknow the cage, tranny upgrades, and suspension are all contributing factors. I was thinking of the Total Chaos Long Travel kit with Sway A Way 2.5 shocks. Any opinions?

[toyobeater]

total choas is a great kit, i have it on my toyota, I beat the crap out of it and it always asks for more, but keep in mind i have 140hp and it probably weighs much less then your xterra. I have the average uniball 15 inch or so travel which is what the one for the nissans are i believe. I mean its looked upon as a great begineer kit, its bolt on, not too many components. What im saying is if your pushing 300+ hp the total choas simply wont cut it your ganna need something with at least 18" of travel and more importantly ability to slap on race size coilovers and bypasses. Only the gen 3 kit allows that, which is only made for toyotas. I mean think about it your hitting whoops and bumps at 80+ mph with that much hp your ganna need to have the equipment to absorb it all. The TC kit does not allow it, your basically ganna need custom suspension whihc is ganna cost a pretty penny. My advice is if your so hot on the motor, put into some beater toyota and go from there, much more options and cheaper in the long run. Or get the TC, but you wont be competitve in racing and probably will end up destroying your truck

[Xterrain]

So what if for this truck i left out the engine work and just did some bolt ons and the TC kit. Could i still run in the sportsman class?

If not, i could always go out and tear it up and just have fun.

As for the setup, I am having trouble finding the correlation between horsepower and suspension travel. I mean, isnt my right foot the governing aspect of the entire thing?

[bajafox]

Your right foot has nothing to do with the way the car handles

I think so far everyone is right on, before anything you should consider what suspension you're going to use then you can think about the power you'll need.

I'd rather spend $6500 on a really good suspension set up than trying to squeeze out 400hp I'll probably never use

[Xterrain]

So since when has horsepower determined how a car or truck handles? I still have a brake right. I have been racing on the street long enough to know, a large horsepower car can be driven like a minivan anyday. Just like a underpowered AE86 can be driven to the limits everywhere; therefore beats bigger powered cars.

Personally i want more power, just to have more power. Something out of the ordinary.

[toyobeater]

you cannot compare street with desert they are completely different animals. Fine even if you manage to control the speed, the torque is there no matter if you like it or not. All we are trying to say is there is no point of spending 6500 on a motor if your suspension can only handle 2000 of it. I guarantee one day your right foot will go down a little too far and you will ended up destroying your truck cuz your suspension wont handle it. And this wont make any sense to you until you actually get out there and see what its all about.

[Xterrain]

Oh ok, i understand. Since the torque, it may just get away from me at one point. thats valid. Well i will reply when i have more time. I have some more questions...but thanks so far guys!