My 450Z Build thread - VH45DE Swap
09-19-2010, 10:40 AM
#62
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lol i know that but im saying how they do it with out it. Im not saying im going to do it. My other friend with a Z wants to do a 1' and below and he got the impression that he can very easily and i just dont want him messing something up.
09-20-2010, 01:13 PM
#63
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Thanks for the updated pics...
09-21-2010, 12:18 PM
#64
Update
Things are going pretty good with the swap, run into problems with the headers. Had to do some fabrication on them, passenger side header is finished and on the engine, and the driver side header is being re-made for the 2nd or 3rd time (can't remember which aha). They keep getting too close to things, so hopefully 3rd time's the charm!
The headers should be completed and on the engine around Thursday, as Craig is getting back surgery today and will be out of commission for today and half of tomorrow. After the headers are finished it looks like it'll be time for the wiring harness; luckily since Craig's done more than 20 VH45 swaps (mostly in 300ZX's), he said it won't be a huge big dramatic soap opera.
On a non-engine note, got some things in for the Z today. Unfortunately my last phone broke so I can't show you how my rear camber arms looked, but it was time for some new ones. During the time one of the last owners had the car, the rear camber arms had gotten completely thrashed and then just realigned to fool anyone that the camber arm was in such bad shape. Being a blind imbecile, I didn't notice this when I purchased the car. The carfax was clean so I thought it was all good, but this sort of explains why one of my headlights looks like a cheap aftermarket one, one of my front reflectors is a cheap aftermarket look alike, and why there is a web of cracks and scuffs along the passenger side of the front bumper, as well as some strange bumper fitment on that side as well. Joy.
But anyway, I just got in my new Eibach adjustable rear camber arms. Thanks Z1 for the great price.
Also I was able to score this Corbeau seat from a friend for next to nothing.
As you can see it needs a bit of cleaning for obvious reasons (I think my cats like to make love to it or something, don't see how the hell they got hair near the top of the seat as well), but it was a pretty nice pick up. Not sure I'm going to put it in the Z though, the spring wear marks don't fill me with much confidence... It is very comfortable and SUPER light though, if I could get it re-padded I might consider putting it in the Z.
I also just ordered a new carbon fiber HR hood from Aero Designs USA on here, also thanks for the great price and smooth communication. Now trying to decide between old fashioned cheap hood pins or the new Aerocatch flush-fit ones. I can get a pretty good deal on the Aerocatch from a sponsor, but am still not sure if I want to spend that much more money on them. Any suggestions?
More pics later, going to try and head down to Austin tomorrow and snap some pics of whats going on.
On another note, anyone in the Texas region heading down to XDC this weekend? I'll be there covering the event for Driftworks, if you'll be there let me know and we can swap numbers and meet up while we're all over there.
*DISCLAIMER* Extra JDM-ness added to pictures by putting bamboo behind it. Eyes may implode due to JDM-overdose. Do not stare at for extended periods of time.
The headers should be completed and on the engine around Thursday, as Craig is getting back surgery today and will be out of commission for today and half of tomorrow. After the headers are finished it looks like it'll be time for the wiring harness; luckily since Craig's done more than 20 VH45 swaps (mostly in 300ZX's), he said it won't be a huge big dramatic soap opera.
On a non-engine note, got some things in for the Z today. Unfortunately my last phone broke so I can't show you how my rear camber arms looked, but it was time for some new ones. During the time one of the last owners had the car, the rear camber arms had gotten completely thrashed and then just realigned to fool anyone that the camber arm was in such bad shape. Being a blind imbecile, I didn't notice this when I purchased the car. The carfax was clean so I thought it was all good, but this sort of explains why one of my headlights looks like a cheap aftermarket one, one of my front reflectors is a cheap aftermarket look alike, and why there is a web of cracks and scuffs along the passenger side of the front bumper, as well as some strange bumper fitment on that side as well. Joy.
But anyway, I just got in my new Eibach adjustable rear camber arms. Thanks Z1 for the great price.
Also I was able to score this Corbeau seat from a friend for next to nothing.
As you can see it needs a bit of cleaning for obvious reasons (I think my cats like to make love to it or something, don't see how the hell they got hair near the top of the seat as well), but it was a pretty nice pick up. Not sure I'm going to put it in the Z though, the spring wear marks don't fill me with much confidence... It is very comfortable and SUPER light though, if I could get it re-padded I might consider putting it in the Z.
I also just ordered a new carbon fiber HR hood from Aero Designs USA on here, also thanks for the great price and smooth communication. Now trying to decide between old fashioned cheap hood pins or the new Aerocatch flush-fit ones. I can get a pretty good deal on the Aerocatch from a sponsor, but am still not sure if I want to spend that much more money on them. Any suggestions?
More pics later, going to try and head down to Austin tomorrow and snap some pics of whats going on.
On another note, anyone in the Texas region heading down to XDC this weekend? I'll be there covering the event for Driftworks, if you'll be there let me know and we can swap numbers and meet up while we're all over there.
*DISCLAIMER* Extra JDM-ness added to pictures by putting bamboo behind it. Eyes may implode due to JDM-overdose. Do not stare at for extended periods of time.
Last edited by Deedilus; 09-21-2010 at 12:43 PM. Reason: Hood pins + Disclaimer
09-21-2010, 09:20 PM
#66
Yeah man, I saw! Big props with doing the work yourself. HAHAHAHA, are those the same seats!? Got any suggestions with the whole spring thing? I don't know if I need to try and get it re padded or just replace it all together.. I got it for so cheap I would love to use it!
Just remembered I haven't posted these two pics, so here you guys go:
Engine resting in it's new home last week.
New radiator, thing is MASSIVE!
The grille delete is done now, gonna get a picture when I head up there next.
Just remembered I haven't posted these two pics, so here you guys go:
Engine resting in it's new home last week.
New radiator, thing is MASSIVE!
The grille delete is done now, gonna get a picture when I head up there next.
09-29-2010, 02:49 PM
#70
And I thought my new CF hood was going to come in today but it didn't, so I'll do an update when I get it tomorrow or the next day. The driver side header should also be finished as well, we're needing to remake it so that it goes around the drive shaft.
10-01-2010, 09:13 PM
#73
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My buddy who knows I'm obsessed with VH swaps sent me a link to this thread. Nice work. I'll be doing a VH swap in a different car for my next project. One of the best engines ever made in my opinion. They are unbelievable, too bad they don't have much aftermarket support because of the vehicles they were offered in. I love the VQ, but the VH is just incredible.
10-02-2010, 03:42 PM
#74
Thanks Nealoc, always nice to get props from someone who knows the VH. I'm right there with you, it's an incredible and amazing engine that's capable of tons. I'm debating whether to go turbo later on, I've heard that it's very easy to get 600whp out of these on stock internals with a simple turbo set up. But that's later on.
So a little mini update, turns out I get my hood Monday, so at least I have an official time now. Got my flush aero catch hood pins (Thanks to Driftworks as always for the excellent price and fast shipping), and also finished wrapping my center console with some extra Neffy wrap lying around. The header will be done soon and Craig is planning on having the car running and driveable on Tuesday, then it's just testing everything and making sure everything is fine.. Hopefully he's right!
And I figured some other people might want to see more when it comes to cutting the useless battery and fluid compartments from inside the engine bay, these cuts were done when everything was getting started and they need to be refined and rolled back a bit because they're sharp as ****!
Hopefully I'll be able to post up a video of it running on Tuesday.
So a little mini update, turns out I get my hood Monday, so at least I have an official time now. Got my flush aero catch hood pins (Thanks to Driftworks as always for the excellent price and fast shipping), and also finished wrapping my center console with some extra Neffy wrap lying around. The header will be done soon and Craig is planning on having the car running and driveable on Tuesday, then it's just testing everything and making sure everything is fine.. Hopefully he's right!
And I figured some other people might want to see more when it comes to cutting the useless battery and fluid compartments from inside the engine bay, these cuts were done when everything was getting started and they need to be refined and rolled back a bit because they're sharp as ****!
Hopefully I'll be able to post up a video of it running on Tuesday.
Last edited by Deedilus; 10-04-2010 at 09:25 AM.
10-08-2010, 05:40 AM
#79
Hahaha not at all. I think I saw you leaving when we got there, but I was inside the blue S13 that came in with the pink S13 with the VH45 in it. It was the first time he drove it and was running super rich, but it still ran and was an absolute monster.