VQ35DE swap progress (now with VIDEO)

[thisismatt]

Congrats on getting it running!

[hang_510]

wOO hOO

[xlr8r]

I still haven't taken any video yet, but I did work out the tune. The ignition map was really bad so I fixed that & the car is night & day different. It's lot faster now & the great thing about the VQ is how responsive it is in a light chassis. The instant I hit the gas pedal it leaps forward.

I plan on putting some cams in it from the "rev-up" version of the VQ engine which have a little more duration & OVER 1mm more lift than the current stock cams, to give it a little more bump in power.

[turbo wagon]

I envy this project still!

[xlr8r]

Thanks, man. I guess it's fun to create a little envy amongst fellow enthusiasts but it's even more fun to drive this thing. To mention some of my experience driving the car I'd say:

The car does have fairly decent grip with the 225's in the back I fit under the stock fenders, though I do I have to be a little cautious about how much I apply the go pedal while turning. I had the back end kick out pretty bad while showing off mid-turn onto a onramp with my wife in the car for the first time, & it took a few quick moves on my part to save it (let's just say she hasn't been in the car since). Straight line acceleration is solid, the only time I noticed it slipping was after/during a light sprinkle of rain when I accelerated up an onramp & noticed the tires spinning a little in the first few gears. Of course starting from a stop requires a somewhat conservative "launch" unless I want to perform a burn-out.

The car is really responsive & fun street car. It will perform great at the track if/when I have a chance to take it out to Miller Raceway, or dodge some cones. It's probably fairly quick in the 1/4 mile with some slicks, but at this elevation it takes boost to be quick at the 1/4 mile but that's not important to me.

[five&dime]

Just in case you didn't know.... I hate you

[hang_510]

(let's just say she hasn't been in the car since).

sounds like putting her behind the wheel is out of the question too.



OK, feel free to send me ALL the details so i can start mine now

[xlr8r]

The main way I prevent her from driving it is my seats are fixed in place & low. She is 5'-1" (that 1" inch is very important to her) so she can't reach the pedals or see over the dash. That last drive with her makes her a little less upset & more understanding of why I don't want her driving the car.

Don't hate me guys, I envy most of you that have nice paint jobs & dent/rust free panels.

[xlr8r]

Here is some video I've been promising for some time now. Enjoy. I'll have to try to take some more that really shows the speed of this car.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kl75pIjbOL0

[djlotus]

That car is full of win

[510ER]

Thats pretty sweet! Nice work!

[defdes]

Here is some video I've been promising for some time now. Enjoy. I'll have to try to take some more that really shows the speed of this car.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kl75pIjbOL0

Your videographer needs a steady cam!

[xlr8r]

Your videographer needs a steady cam!

Yeah, I took a bit more video but couldn't use it because she, my wife, was all over the place with the camera.

Here's a few more pics of the car like the CV axles

[jeffball610]

I'm doing the same rear end swap. How much did you need to shorten the axles, if at all?

Very nice project. Get that camera mounted and get us some more video!

[sdterrible1]

Why didnt you run the exaust through the hole in the crossmember??