VQ35DE swap progress (now with VIDEO)
Posted: 28 Oct 2007 09:33
UPDATE:
Finally put together a quick video, enjoy:
Once I figure out how to embed it I will do so.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kl75pIjbOL0
Well I was originally going to wait to post up my progress when I was further along, but I'm currently at a crossroad & need a little input on how to mount up this engine, so look for my questions at the end of this post & please provide your input.
So I'm currently swapping a VQ35DE from a 2006 G35 into my Dime along with performing several other mods: R200 conversion, better fuel system with a surge tank, modding the rear LCA's so I can hopefully fit some 225's w/out flaring, etc. I'm finally getting around to mounting up the engine & I have a decision to make. The tranny is the cause for most of my grief, because it's rather large, especially at the back just in front of the shifter it gets fatter & has at least 8" of tranny below the output (where the driveshaft fits in). This makes ground clearance an issue as well as output height in relation to the Differentials height. I'm fairly new to RWD's so some of my questions stem from my minimal research & dealing with driveshafts.
As I currently have it mounted, I have opened up the back portion of the trans tunnel so I can get it up so the tranny hangs out around 3" below the bottom of the floor boards, so the bottom of it will be about equal with the bottom of the exhaust pipes. This puts the trans output 2-3" higher than the differential flange. The distance between them is 44 3/4". This would make the driveshaft angle approx 3°. As it currently sits the engine has a slight slope backwards of 1-2°. I'm assuming this is acceptable, but if it is problematic someone let me know. I can get the engine lower & leveled out, but have to push it forward to do that. This would provide me with better clearances for the headers, & hood fitment/intake manifold design, but worse clearance for the radiator & my rack & pinion would have to mount underneath the crossmember (which means I would need to find a super narrow rack if I don't want bumpsteer).
The engine-
A temporary engine mount-
Current R&P clearance-
So I'm trying to decide what approach to take. I'm hoping just getting all of my thoughts out will help me come to a conclusion but would like to see what you guys think. So here's my questions:
1. Driveshaft- is 3° of angle at both ends acceptable? The diff can be mounted at a slight angle to minimize the difference on the back end if needs be, correct? This might starve the already oil starved front pinion bearing though.
2. Would a 2 piece driveshaft be better? by making the front portion have a more extreme angle but minimize the angle on the back section?
3. Should I leave the engine where it's at (back & higher) with a slight slope, or drop it & go forward to level it out?
If an even more extreme angle at the driveshaft is ok, then I could potentially raise the back end of the trans even higher, leaving the engine at it's current location.
So hopefully you can make sense of my ramblings & provide me with some helpful input. Thanks
Finally put together a quick video, enjoy:
Once I figure out how to embed it I will do so.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kl75pIjbOL0
Well I was originally going to wait to post up my progress when I was further along, but I'm currently at a crossroad & need a little input on how to mount up this engine, so look for my questions at the end of this post & please provide your input.
So I'm currently swapping a VQ35DE from a 2006 G35 into my Dime along with performing several other mods: R200 conversion, better fuel system with a surge tank, modding the rear LCA's so I can hopefully fit some 225's w/out flaring, etc. I'm finally getting around to mounting up the engine & I have a decision to make. The tranny is the cause for most of my grief, because it's rather large, especially at the back just in front of the shifter it gets fatter & has at least 8" of tranny below the output (where the driveshaft fits in). This makes ground clearance an issue as well as output height in relation to the Differentials height. I'm fairly new to RWD's so some of my questions stem from my minimal research & dealing with driveshafts.
As I currently have it mounted, I have opened up the back portion of the trans tunnel so I can get it up so the tranny hangs out around 3" below the bottom of the floor boards, so the bottom of it will be about equal with the bottom of the exhaust pipes. This puts the trans output 2-3" higher than the differential flange. The distance between them is 44 3/4". This would make the driveshaft angle approx 3°. As it currently sits the engine has a slight slope backwards of 1-2°. I'm assuming this is acceptable, but if it is problematic someone let me know. I can get the engine lower & leveled out, but have to push it forward to do that. This would provide me with better clearances for the headers, & hood fitment/intake manifold design, but worse clearance for the radiator & my rack & pinion would have to mount underneath the crossmember (which means I would need to find a super narrow rack if I don't want bumpsteer).
The engine-
A temporary engine mount-
Current R&P clearance-
So I'm trying to decide what approach to take. I'm hoping just getting all of my thoughts out will help me come to a conclusion but would like to see what you guys think. So here's my questions:
1. Driveshaft- is 3° of angle at both ends acceptable? The diff can be mounted at a slight angle to minimize the difference on the back end if needs be, correct? This might starve the already oil starved front pinion bearing though.
2. Would a 2 piece driveshaft be better? by making the front portion have a more extreme angle but minimize the angle on the back section?
3. Should I leave the engine where it's at (back & higher) with a slight slope, or drop it & go forward to level it out?
If an even more extreme angle at the driveshaft is ok, then I could potentially raise the back end of the trans even higher, leaving the engine at it's current location.
So hopefully you can make sense of my ramblings & provide me with some helpful input. Thanks