R30 motor decision

all your DIY needs
User avatar
torqued
Datsun God
Posts: 2125
Joined: Sat Jul 19, 2008 11:49 am
aka: Adam
Location: Christchurch

Re: R30 motor decision

Post by torqued »

keeping in mind rb30e are getting up in price as the drift boys snap them up.

Do you think they will still be perfered over a vq30de / vg30(d)e etc.

I suspect after market support for them would be better
"It's ok, we know what to do...we talked about this a lot on the internet."
User avatar
DJZ
Datsun God
Posts: 2599
Joined: Mon Apr 05, 2010 6:56 pm
Location: Christchurch

Re: R30 motor decision

Post by DJZ »

I think the main thing is the cars they are going into and the ease of fitment, if you want to put an RB into an S13/14/15 it's a simple as changing the cross member, trying to put a VQ30DET into an S13 is a completely different story, trust me, I know.

The VQ's are beautiful motors though and the turbo ones are easy to get power out of and remember they haven't made an RB engine since what, about 2002?
Nissan 280ZX
Project thread
Other Nissan 280ZX
Project thread
User avatar
torqued
Datsun God
Posts: 2125
Joined: Sat Jul 19, 2008 11:49 am
aka: Adam
Location: Christchurch

Re: R30 motor decision

Post by torqued »

From what ive read i cant see getting a VQ in there too much of a drama. Few people are fitting them into S12 and R31s. Havnt seena r30 one yet
DJZ wrote:The VQ's are beautiful motors though and the turbo ones are easy to get power out of and remember they haven't made an RB engine since what, about 2002?
Totally agree.
I remember a while back a guy I met fitted one into a s14 with great results.

Atm from what ClassicDat said im thinking something 3L NA with room to move.
Just want that perfect starting point
"It's ok, we know what to do...we talked about this a lot on the internet."
User avatar
DJZ
Datsun God
Posts: 2599
Joined: Mon Apr 05, 2010 6:56 pm
Location: Christchurch

Re: R30 motor decision

Post by DJZ »

My mate just sold an N/A rear drive VQ30DE for $100 hah, I should have stashed it away when I was offered it.
Nissan 280ZX
Project thread
Other Nissan 280ZX
Project thread
nick_m
Datsun Master
Posts: 1437
Joined: Tue Jul 22, 2008 5:56 pm
aka: Nick m
Location: Christchurch

Re: R30 motor decision

Post by nick_m »

How about an L28/L31 Stroker?
They are cheap to build, can get good power vs reliability and will be good enough to go round and round about the middle of the field I would think. All while learning to drive and getting it to stop and handle. By the time you have out grown that you would probably have a better idea of what class you want to race in.
I reckon get it done cheap and reliably (and more importantly quickly) and get out racing. Nothing substitutes seat time. I made that mistake, I should have been racing years ago if I but I pine to hard
User avatar
nzeder
Regular
Posts: 57
Joined: Sun Dec 07, 2008 11:12 pm
Location: Auckland
Contact:

Re: R30 motor decision

Post by nzeder »

nick_m wrote:How about an L28/L31 Stroker?
They are cheap to build, can get good power vs reliability and will be good enough to go round and round about the middle of the field I would think. All while learning to drive and getting it to stop and handle. By the time you have out grown that you would probably have a better idea of what class you want to race in.
I reckon get it done cheap and reliably (and more importantly quickly) and get out racing. Nothing substitutes seat time. I made that mistake, I should have been racing years ago if I but I pine to hard
Have you built a L31? To do it correctly is not cheap. Ie don't use a truck piston (reads KA24 piston, they are heavy and the rings are to large) you want 45mm triples that is up to 2k + by the time you get them and jets/chokes to suit your larger engine. Then for good power budget 5k for head development, add more $$ for new rods, forged piston, rings and bearing, block prep, arp studs etc then exhaust to match to get the most out of all this work and don't forget a good fuel pump/fuel system.

Do it right and you have 270-280 rwhp...do it cheap and you might be lucky and get 190-200 rwhp
76 RS30 260z road
73 RS30 260z track
Previous
70 HS30-00016 240z
72 HS30 240z 2.8 track
71 HS30 240z 3.2 road/track
79 HS130 280zx
82 HS130 280zx T top
2x 73 KP710 160JSSS
74 KB210 120Y Coupe
71 510 1600 Deluxe
Dattochriswagon
Datsun God
Posts: 2289
Joined: Sat Jul 19, 2008 10:19 am
Location: nothere

Re: R30 motor decision

Post by Dattochriswagon »

Aaron(datto horder ) is building one at the moment for the H331/C110/C10
User avatar
torqued
Datsun God
Posts: 2125
Joined: Sat Jul 19, 2008 11:49 am
aka: Adam
Location: Christchurch

Re: R30 motor decision

Post by torqued »

Arh Cheers Chris.
I need to talk to him regarding a different matter. So two stones one bird, or something like that
"It's ok, we know what to do...we talked about this a lot on the internet."
nick_m
Datsun Master
Posts: 1437
Joined: Tue Jul 22, 2008 5:56 pm
aka: Nick m
Location: Christchurch

Re: R30 motor decision

Post by nick_m »

nzeder wrote:
nick_m wrote:How about an L28/L31 Stroker?
They are cheap to build, can get good power vs reliability and will be good enough to go round and round about the middle of the field I would think. All while learning to drive and getting it to stop and handle. By the time you have out grown that you would probably have a better idea of what class you want to race in.
I reckon get it done cheap and reliably (and more importantly quickly) and get out racing. Nothing substitutes seat time. I made that mistake, I should have been racing years ago if I but I pine to hard
Have you built a L31? To do it correctly is not cheap. Ie don't use a truck piston (reads KA24 piston, they are heavy and the rings are to large) you want 45mm triples that is up to 2k + by the time you get them and jets/chokes to suit your larger engine. Then for good power budget 5k for head development, add more $$ for new rods, forged piston, rings and bearing, block prep, arp studs etc then exhaust to match to get the most out of all this work and don't forget a good fuel pump/fuel system.

Do it right and you have 270-280 rwhp...do it cheap and you might be lucky and get 190-200 rwhp
I think you missed the point of my post entirely. You can definitely build a reliable 'race' motor for cheap, it wouldnt be a class winner, it might only make 200whp but who cares, it would be cheap and quick to build, reasonably quick, reliable and he would be out racing. Then he can learn to race and setup the car and add a gruntier/different engine after that. Agreed, L31 probably isnt really a cost effective option (I just really like them) but refer back to Vaughns post about racing his zed with a near std L28, thats what Im getting at. Just get a moderate motor in there and race!
Also you probably didnt realise but Adam used to be a mechanic so he is well capable of buttoning a motor toegther which would save on costs
User avatar
DJZ
Datsun God
Posts: 2599
Joined: Mon Apr 05, 2010 6:56 pm
Location: Christchurch

Re: R30 motor decision

Post by DJZ »

For the difference in power vs. cost you'd be better of just sticking with an L28 + cam + triple carbs, maybe some flat top pistons if you can find a set around.
Nissan 280ZX
Project thread
Other Nissan 280ZX
Project thread
Post Reply