OK, I've been trolling around for 2 years, and due to lots of circumstances and the like, i haven't been able to do any motor mods on my car. But now it looks like I'm finally getting close to doing it.

However, I have a simple, straight forward question to ask: if you had to choose and/or do it all over again, which would you take: An LS2 swap, or a simple engine build (read: pistons/rods) and TT?

I've called a few places, and the swap vs TT kit is about the same price (give or take 2K or so). On one hand, the VQ has had so much work done by many on this board, that it's fairly easy to know where to go, and what to expect. But let's face it: things can go wrong.

However, you would be taking an engine made for a different car (read: GM) and throwing into another (Nissan). Unfortunately, I haven't been able to find enough info regarding the longevity of this swap.

What would you rather go with? Although I'm leaning towards an LS2 swap, I wonder if there are other factors Im missing...??

 

tt ls2

 

jk.


really tho. do what you want to do. not what people on this message board suggest. lets face it; you know what the verdict will be on this forum....

 

a simple engine build and TT will be faster than a stock
(or even mild bolt on) LS2 if you build it right the first time. I say keep it simple on the VQ and put a nasty TT kit on it

 

Why? Stick with the VQ, have it built, and you could make 500rwhp with pretty much any TT kit out there.

 

^^^agreed...i guess...

BUT MOM, the LS2 is soooooooooo coool!

 

I thought about this swap for a while myself. I was planning on keeping my STS kit with a larger turbo but the more I researched the more I realized that the VQ is a great platform and I would pretty much just be throwing money away. There is a lot that goes into this swap and IF and thats a big IF you can get it done for the same price or even close to that of a TT build for the VQ you will have a stock LS2 when you could have more hp with the VQ.

The LS2 is an awesome motor. I know a guy that put one in his RX-7 and it is a beast, but he had a blown rotor motor, not a perfectly good VQ.

 

It's up to you man. From what I've read from the many members on this board that have built their VQ's have SOME sort of problem or headache. I'm not going to say the age old cliche' that everyone says, but there are "expenses" that go a long with a built VQ TT. If you're ready for those and possibly some time down every now and then I would build your motor.

***Another word of advice*** You want to look at people that have built their motor and actually DRIVE their car. Not some garage queen that sees weekend drives. There are some members on this board that drive their built TTZ's everyday and there are some that drive them every WEEKEND. If you want to enjoy the car on a daily basis without having to worry about will my BUILT motor hold up I would do the LS2 swap http://www.hinsonsupercars.com/ is a good place to start.

 

Yeah, I know theres a lot of things that can go wrong w/ a built TT/VQ. Plus, I like to read the info provided from those who have a reputation of pushing their cars the way it's meant to be pushed. However, my car (even stock) sees only about 2-3 days of driving a week (roughly 200-300miles/week), since my DD is my Titan.

Bigcloud,
you brought up a good point, which i failed to mention: the worry about having my motor hold up....thats the reason why I'm leaning towards the LS2 swap. However, I'm not sure what issues are common with this route, which is the reason why I posted this thread.


either way, I know i'd be happy with either route...again i'm just curious as to what issues are common on LS2 swaps.

 

I really don't know what to answer for that question. That three option puts diff style power. It's up to what you want to do with your car.

 

I have experience with plenty of turbo VQs, and LS swaps. A good friend has a modified LS1 powered S14 240SX, and we just recently started and tuned our heads/cam LS2 in FD RX7. Assuming the LS engine is going to stay NA, there is no question in my mind what I would do... turbo VQ.

 

if you have a 05 or older and you really want an LSX motor. sell your Z and buy a C5 02+ Z06. you'll literally have saved thousands, probably close to 10k as opposed to doing a swap. use that 10k to supercharge the z06. Game over. why jerry rig a 350z LS2 when you can have a car with an LS3?

 

I would do the ls2 swap just because pretty much EVERYONE on here with a built TT setup (whether they admit it or not), has had problems with there motor of one kind or another. It will just be a headache and money pit and you wont get the reliability that you're hoping for out of a built motor tt setup. Honestly if I were going to drop that kind of money on FI'ing the VQ I would keep a stock motor, get a greddy or jwt 530bb kit, boost it at 8-9psi and call it a day. If/when the motor fails just replace it. I know I may get flamed for suggesting that but with all the trouble that i've seen guys having with there built motors (not to mention waiting for times up to a year), I would just choose to go the "disposable motor route"

 

Being a huge Nissan fan I couldn't imagine putting a Chevy motor in my Z. Not taking away anything from the LS motors, but I agree with Nexx you want a LS motor buy a Vette or Camaro.

 

did you pass your **** test?

and you think a LS2 motor swap is straight forward and trouble free?

 

Thanks for the replies, and not for flaming a noo-b.

To Hal@IP: Yeah, the LS swap was being done to stay N/A

To Nexx: I have a G35 sedan. And since I have a 1 year old, I need the rear seats. Plus, I just ordered a Recaro toddler seat, hahahah

Again, thanks for the replies. I'm just trying to see what issues can (or will) come up with a bastardized Nissan/Chevy swap

 

Why not do a vk56 with 45 heads? Keep it Nissan NA. With that bolt ons and JWT cams you could see 450's.

 

Why not just forget the whole thing..

 

Why not just say we did it and not do it

 

If kids are gonna ride in the car buy a Vortech and call it a day.