VK motor mated to Altima transmission in mid-engine config - POSSIBLE?

caerulln · 03-29-2009, 11:40 AM

Please move this thread if this is in a wrong place.

Been wondering for a long time.
Can the VK motor be mated to Altima 6MT in a mid-engine configuration in a custom tube chassis?

1) Want to build a custom mid engine car

2) Must be at least a V8 (I'm looking at VK or LS). I figured how to do a V6 but need a V8.

3) Conversion from FF to MR is relatively easy. FR to MR I don't know how unless using Porsche transaxle (eg. with LS motor). I don't fancy using old Porsche tranny. Everything must be able to be obtained new.

4) I'm postulating that since Altima is using the VQ35DE in FF config (I believe the mounting is different but transmission coupling is the same as in FM config?), I can swap the motor to a VK (with an adapter plate which is available for the FM motor). Mounting will be a much lesser issue.

5) How different is the 6MT in an Altima compared to the 6MT in the Z in terms of reliability, ability to hold power & compatibility to 350z aftermarket products? Will go NA 1st, then will develop a custom twin turbo. Target: 600 whp

For those who have an idea, let say I'm going to use an LS motor (LS3 or LS7), how do I go with that?
No FF is using an LS.

I don't mind any joke or critics but make them positive.
I've been here long enough

Vas@Extended · 03-29-2009, 12:03 PM

I dont think u will find much help here for the altima. Try, Nissanclub.com.

... and yes, anything is possible with a lot of money.

caerulln · 03-29-2009, 12:21 PM

A lot of money - yeah kind of
Unlimited - no

The main expenses will be the parts.
Labor where I live is far cheaper than what it is in USA.
Mechanic in US gets roughly the same pay of an Executive Director of a company here

OHH NOES · 03-29-2009, 06:34 PM

So youre building a custom tube chassis and you want to be FWD? Whyyyyyyy???

Jay'Z · 03-29-2009, 06:51 PM

Spork · 03-29-2009, 06:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by OHH NOES

So youre building a custom tube chassis and you want to be FWD? Whyyyyyyy???

........ wat?

Did you read it at all?

0jiggy0 · 03-29-2009, 07:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by OHH NOES

So youre building a custom tube chassis and you want to be FWD? Whyyyyyyy???

This is why this country is goin downhill. People cant even read.

Jay'Z · 03-29-2009, 07:03 PM

caerulln · 03-29-2009, 09:55 PM

LOL don't be so harsh on the newbie guys.

For those who are not familiar with custom mid-engine homemade cars or kit cars, the easiest route is to use front-mounted (engine mounted in front of the front axle) FWD. Just push it to the back. That way, it is automatically in front of the rear axle = mid-mounted RWD. Transmission is usually cable operated. So no problem.

_Donovan_ · 03-30-2009, 05:12 PM

Something like this?

http://www.factoryfive.com/table/ffr...TM/GTMkit.html

h2kSPiG · 03-30-2009, 05:52 PM

I know the Maxima/Altima FWD 6MT is cable shift, so if you use some custom cables, it should not be too hard otherwise.

You would then need an adapter plate, flywheel and clutch.

caerulln · 03-30-2009, 05:53 PM

yeah the gtm is using LS motor with porsche transaxle. Any other choice?

caerulln · 03-31-2009, 04:52 AM

I posted in nissanclub & sure enough I received some very "warm" welcome.
I quoted a poster:

Quote:

If the OP was really serious, he would know that you can't do a MR setup with a FWD transmission unless it's a much older longitudinal FWD setup.

:lock:

Anyone have any idea regarding what this douche posted?

caerulln · 03-31-2009, 12:58 PM

Found this
http://www.ls1tech.com/forums/conver...iero-swap.html

So LS motor transverse mounted in mid-engine fiero is possible.
Yay!

BriGuyMax · 03-31-2009, 01:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by caerulln

For those who have an idea, let say I'm going to use an LS motor (LS3 or LS7), how do I go with that?
No FF is using an LS.
)

The Grand Prix GXP is an LS4 in a FF config....

Based on my experience with FWD nissan manual transmissions in the past, I doubt the 6MT from the alty is anywhere near as beefy as the Z 6MT is.

I don't understand how a FF drivetrain could be easier to convert to a MR than a FR. Seems to me the FF would convert into an RR very nicely and with a very short propshaft the FR would convert to a MR very nicely.

caerulln · 03-31-2009, 02:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BriGuyMax

The Grand Prix GXP is an LS4 in a FF config....

Based on my experience with FWD nissan manual transmissions in the past, I doubt the 6MT from the alty is anywhere near as beefy as the Z 6MT is.

I don't understand how a FF drivetrain could be easier to convert to a MR than a FR. Seems to me the FF would convert into an RR very nicely and with a very short propshaft the FR would convert to a MR very nicely.

FF -> RR will require rotation of the engine & the axles. Then reverse the gearing.
FF -> MR push to the rear & that's it

FR -> MR yes possible with short shaft but I'm guessing the motor will need to be mounted more towards the front compared to FF -> MR
FR tranny is horizontal so it is quite long.
Seat position may get pushed too much forward.
Or need to make the wheelbase too long.

Still, FR can be used.
Just that I have yet to see any.

BriGuyMax · 03-31-2009, 03:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by caerulln

FF -> RR will require rotation of the engine & the axles. Then reverse the gearing.
FF -> MR push to the rear & that's it

FR -> MR yes possible with short shaft but I'm guessing the motor will need to be mounted more towards the front compared to FF -> MR
FR tranny is horizontal so it is quite long.
Seat position may get pushed too much forward.
Or need to make the wheelbase too long.

Still, FR can be used.
Just that I have yet to see any.

All FF cars over here are transverse mounted, so all you have to do is move the motor/trans to the rear of the car and it will drive the rear wheels the same way it drove the front wheels.

The Fiero is a great example of a RR car with a FF tranverse mounted drivetrain installed.

Good luck with whatever you decide.

caerulln · 04-01-2009, 03:00 AM

Thanks for all the infos.
It will be quite some time before I start working on this.
Still researching about chassis & suspension design.
& also looking for tranny that will reliably hold 700whp
Getrag transaxle in newer 911 turbo or GT2 should suffice but i had a hard time looking for the prices other than from Porsche dealership which will run into 5 figures.

Jeremy@Altered · 04-02-2009, 05:06 AM

Also make sure you look at some Cadillac transmissions as well. Thats how a lot of the Fiero kit car guys got the Chevy 350s and LS motors to fit in the back and work. I used to hang with some welders back in the day that did crazy kit cars.

VK would work with a Altima tranny mounted to it, the VK is a very tall motor though, you could probably figure out a better option.

03-29-2009, 11:40 AM	#1
caerulln Registered User Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Malaysia Posts: 8 iTrader: (0)	VK motor mated to Altima transmission in mid-engine config - POSSIBLE? Please move this thread if this is in a wrong place. Been wondering for a long time. Can the VK motor be mated to Altima 6MT in a mid-engine configuration in a custom tube chassis? 1) Want to build a custom mid engine car 2) Must be at least a V8 (I'm looking at VK or LS). I figured how to do a V6 but need a V8. 3) Conversion from FF to MR is relatively easy. FR to MR I don't know how unless using Porsche transaxle (eg. with LS motor). I don't fancy using old Porsche tranny. Everything must be able to be obtained new. 4) I'm postulating that since Altima is using the VQ35DE in FF config (I believe the mounting is different but transmission coupling is the same as in FM config?), I can swap the motor to a VK (with an adapter plate which is available for the FM motor). Mounting will be a much lesser issue. 5) How different is the 6MT in an Altima compared to the 6MT in the Z in terms of reliability, ability to hold power & compatibility to 350z aftermarket products? Will go NA 1st, then will develop a custom twin turbo. Target: 600 whp For those who have an idea, let say I'm going to use an LS motor (LS3 or LS7), how do I go with that? No FF is using an LS. I don't mind any joke or critics but make them positive. I've been here long enough

03-29-2009, 06:51 PM	#5
Jay'Z I ♥ CarbonFiber 2004 Nissan 350Z Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Carbon Fiber, Texas Posts: 9,998 iTrader: (101)	__________________ **<<<<< DB'Z , Completed Show/Go!! , Click here * Before Posting in FI, { My Modifications } >>>>>***

03-29-2009, 07:03 PM	#8
Jay'Z I ♥ CarbonFiber 2004 Nissan 350Z Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Carbon Fiber, Texas Posts: 9,998 iTrader: (101)	__________________ **<<<<< DB'Z , Completed Show/Go!! , Click here * Before Posting in FI, { My Modifications } >>>>>***

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03-29-2009, 12:03 PM	#2
Vas@Extended Vendor - Former Vendor Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Westchester NY Posts: 1,645 iTrader: (16)	I dont think u will find much help here for the altima. Try, Nissanclub.com. ... and yes, anything is possible with a lot of money.

03-29-2009, 12:21 PM	#3
caerulln Registered User Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Malaysia Posts: 8 iTrader: (0)	A lot of money - yeah kind of Unlimited - no The main expenses will be the parts. Labor where I live is far cheaper than what it is in USA. Mechanic in US gets roughly the same pay of an Executive Director of a company here

03-29-2009, 06:34 PM	#4
OHH NOES Registered User Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: New York Posts: 27 iTrader: (1)	So youre building a custom tube chassis and you want to be FWD? Whyyyyyyy???

03-29-2009, 09:55 PM	#9
caerulln Registered User Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Malaysia Posts: 8 iTrader: (0)	LOL don't be so harsh on the newbie guys. For those who are not familiar with custom mid-engine homemade cars or kit cars, the easiest route is to use front-mounted (engine mounted in front of the front axle) FWD. Just push it to the back. That way, it is automatically in front of the rear axle = mid-mounted RWD. Transmission is usually cable operated. So no problem.

03-30-2009, 05:12 PM	#10
_Donovan_ Regular Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: U. S. A.(PA, MD, AZ) / Romania Posts: 307 iTrader: (3)	Something like this? http://www.factoryfive.com/table/ffr...TM/GTMkit.html

03-30-2009, 05:52 PM	#11
h2kSPiG Registered User Join Date: May 2004 Location: Baton Rouge, LA Posts: 35 iTrader: (2)	I know the Maxima/Altima FWD 6MT is cable shift, so if you use some custom cables, it should not be too hard otherwise. You would then need an adapter plate, flywheel and clutch.

03-30-2009, 05:53 PM	#12
caerulln Registered User Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Malaysia Posts: 8 iTrader: (0)	yeah the gtm is using LS motor with porsche transaxle. Any other choice?

03-31-2009, 12:58 PM	#14
caerulln Registered User Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Malaysia Posts: 8 iTrader: (0)	Found this http://www.ls1tech.com/forums/conver...iero-swap.html So LS motor transverse mounted in mid-engine fiero is possible. Yay!

04-01-2009, 03:00 AM	#18
caerulln Registered User Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Malaysia Posts: 8 iTrader: (0)	Thanks for all the infos. It will be quite some time before I start working on this. Still researching about chassis & suspension design. & also looking for tranny that will reliably hold 700whp Getrag transaxle in newer 911 turbo or GT2 should suffice but i had a hard time looking for the prices other than from Porsche dealership which will run into 5 figures.

04-02-2009, 05:06 AM	#19
Jeremy@Altered Banned Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Maryland Posts: 352 iTrader: (0)	Also make sure you look at some Cadillac transmissions as well. Thats how a lot of the Fiero kit car guys got the Chevy 350s and LS motors to fit in the back and work. I used to hang with some welders back in the day that did crazy kit cars. VK would work with a Altima tranny mounted to it, the VK is a very tall motor though, you could probably figure out a better option.