engine choice

[Crash]

Next year i am getting ready to build a new frame and everything. I am going to do an engine swap. My question, which engine (any make) would you guys think would be good. My budget for engine, tranny, harness, and ecu is going to be about $2500. So that in mind what do you guys think. Lets hear some ideas. This is all planning stages right now.

[O.G.Tierdrop]

what you got in your truck now?

[burrsg101]

vg30for the win haha either the vg30et or the vg30dett are both great engines and will produce mad power reliably and both are in your price range

[Crash]

Sorry O.G. I have a KA24DE with a worn out 5spd.
I looked at those but i am not sure i want to go a turbo route. I have
been keeping my eye on the VQ35DE and they are just starting to fall into
my price range. I was also thinking about a chev 4.3 and auto.
these are just some ideas. Pros/cons/o0ther suggestions?
Thanks for the opinions

[Monster2TG]

VQ35DE, you wont be mad you did;)

[Crash]

Thats kinda what i was thinking. I've ridden in G35's and stuff and they seem like they have plenty of power, reliability and not that bad of milage. Mated with a triptronic auto. See if i can pick up a whole car at auction or something.

[burrsg101]

autos boring and the tiptronic is slow and unresponsive so if you go that route get the 6 speed, but dont go with the 4.3. my roomate has a 2001 jimmy with a 5 speed and that engine is a pain is the ass to do anything to plus my stock pathy with its vg30e beat it.

[Monster2TG]

Thats kinda what i was thinking. I've ridden in G35's and stuff and they seem like they have plenty of power, reliability and not that bad of milage. Mated with a triptronic auto. See if i can pick up a whole car at auction or something.

Definetly get the 6speed transmission, you will be even more happy you did. The triptronic will eventually take a shit after some aggressive runs and is expensive to repair.

[lomofo11]

Keep it in the family, go with the vg35de. That would be the s**t! Not to mention they sound bad azz.

[Mr.Ryan]

5.6 litre titan motor! before they switch over to the mopar hemi, you can pick em up for around 2500 but the added costs of wiring, transmission and other odds and ends would put you over your budget.

[mini702]

the vq35de has an electronic gas pedal/throttle body. Intake comes out the back into the firewall. Great engine, complicated to swap. 6 speed is cheap and dime a dozen though.
I'd say vg30de but mines being a BITCH to install. Custom engine mount, custom alt bracket, custom exhaust manifolds, and the wiring sucks. Plus I'm not sure thats all.

[Crash]

The only problem with the 6 spd if i recall is it is too long and the shifter would be in the back seat. As for the auto, i am not into racing anymore. i drive my truck lo and slow. So i am not to worried about it but i will take some measurements on the 6 spd and see what i come up with.

Thanks for the input and keep the ideas comin.

Titan motor would be sick but too expensive right now.

[nislo]

6 spd tranny is not that long at all, I have a 6speed for sale if you want. The shifter won't be any further than 4 inches from where it was before. If anything the 3.5 would be mounted forward a bit for clearance which will place shifter forward even more. I vote for VQ35 you will have some codes you won't be able to get rid of though. There will be a lot of control units that will be un-used for the swap, you will have ABS, VDC(if equipped) CAN system, and Some others systems with DTC's. I wouldn't worry about it though, just as long as all engine control systems work. You may be able to go with a standalone ECU to eliminate some of that. If you do all aftermarket gauges and shit you probably won't have a check engine light to come on anyways.

[nismopu]

go over to hybridz.org and read up on vq swaps those guys have it figured out how not to worry about codes or anything. They've got some trick ideas and stuff is always topnotch quality. peace.

[O.G.Tierdrop]

i say keep it nissan :sheep:

[Crash]

Alright thanks for the input guys. I'm gonna start looking into the VQ. It won't be for awhile cause i am on deployment right now till feb, and then i leave again for another 6 months in July. So it won't be till next winter when i start, but the good thing is that i will have the money to fund this project. If anybody has any .02 cents to add feel free.
Thanks