Engine swap

[james3189w]

I have a VR4 motor that i bought for $700 from my cousin that was rear ended by a truck. Would the engine and awd tranny fit in my 96 base model 3kgt? Would there be any major modification needed to fit it?

[youngcaradvc]

Do you plan to make it AWD, if so then you may need a deep pocket. Im not an expert but I believe you will need a drive shaft, whole new rear end, and not to mention all the little things including computer. If you plan to keep it FWD then I believe your tranny will be able to support that engine if you beef it up a little bit. Its been done before, I think about 7 or so people have done it (dont qoute me on it). Is your 3000gt a SOHC or DOHC? There might be more complications if it is single overhead cam, it may just be easier to take off the turbos, piping, and intercooler off of the engine and put it on yours (if DOHC of course).

Other than that I really do not know, but just to let you know, its not a walk in the park to an everyday Joe (or James lol).

[Linebckr49]

96 base 3000gt still had the DOHC engine. it wasn't until 97 that the base trim received the SOHC.

yes, a DOHC turbo (VR4) engine will drop right into your car. but since it has 8:1 compression pistons, you should also transfer over all the turbo parts. otherwise, you'll have a very slow car. FYI, the NA DOHC engines have 10:1 compression pistons. so you're basically looking at doing a TT conversion with a TT motor swap. its been done before many times, but read in the FAQ thread where it talks about it specifically and what modifications you'll need to do to make all the turbo parts fit. its pretty much all bolt-on, but there is some minor modification required.

[james3189w]

I have a vr4 motor with awd tranny, would that fit no problem without cutting into anything, or would it be easier to use the fwd tranny?

[Linebckr49]

Originally Posted by james3189w

I have a vr4 motor with awd tranny, would that fit no problem without cutting into anything, or would it be easier to use the fwd tranny?

1) the real question is: are you gonna just use the vr4 motor w/o turbos, or WITH turbos?

2) but WHY do you want to swap in a vr4 motor? what's wrong with your current motor?

the awd tranny will work, but you'll have to modify it to run in FWD mode. the AWD tranny is stronger than the FWD tranny, so if you plan on turning up the boost then this is ideal. also, the AWD tranny has taller gearing compared to the FWD tranny. for example, top speed in 3rd gear on the FWD tranny is 85. top speed in 3rd on the AWD 5 speed tranny is 120. but to efficiently use the taller gearing, you'll need the help of the turbos.

please answer questions 1 & 2 before we get into the details.

[mikes_3r]

Originally Posted by Linebckr49

1) the real question is: are you gonna just use the vr4 motor w/o turbos, or WITH turbos?

2) but WHY do you want to swap in a vr4 motor? what's wrong with your current motor?

the awd tranny will work, but you'll have to modify it to run in FWD mode. the AWD tranny is stronger than the FWD tranny, so if you plan on turning up the boost then this is ideal. also, the AWD tranny has taller gearing compared to the FWD tranny. for example, top speed in 3rd gear on the FWD tranny is 85. top speed in 3rd on the AWD tranny is 120. but to efficiently use the taller gearing, you'll need the help of the turbos.

please answer questions 1 & 2 before we get into the details.

Top speed in 3rd in a 6 speed VR4 is only 100mph at 7000 rpm.

[james3189w]

Originally Posted by Linebckr49

1) the real question is: are you gonna just use the vr4 motor w/o turbos, or WITH turbos?

2) but WHY do you want to swap in a vr4 motor? what's wrong with your current motor?

the awd tranny will work, but you'll have to modify it to run in FWD mode. the AWD tranny is stronger than the FWD tranny, so if you plan on turning up the boost then this is ideal. also, the AWD tranny has taller gearing compared to the FWD tranny. for example, top speed in 3rd gear on the FWD tranny is 85. top speed in 3rd on the AWD tranny is 120. but to efficiently use the taller gearing, you'll need the help of the turbos.

please answer questions 1 & 2 before we get into the details.

With turbos of course, my old motor has 150K miles on it and the valves are bent because the tensioner went while i was driving. How would i modify the tranny so that it is only fwd? And will the stock motor mounts would fit in the stock location? On my car went 40 in 1st, 70 in 2nd, 105 in 3rd.

[talskinyguy]

You will want the engine wire harness, ECU, and fuel pump out of the VR4 also. Everything is basically a drop in replacement. The only major thing you will need to do is weld the VCU on the transmission.

[jason_bet]

what year vr4 did you get the motor from?

[Linebckr49]

Originally Posted by talskinyguy

You will want the engine wire harness, ECU, and fuel pump out of the VR4 also. Everything is basically a drop in replacement. The only major thing you will need to do is weld the VCU on the transmission.

since good replacement VCUs are hard to find for the AWD Turbo cars the really need them, try to find a blown/fried VCU to weld instead of welding (and ruining) a good VCU. you could easily sell your good VCU on 3Si or ebay, and find a fried VCU for a fraction of the price of a good one.

[james3189w]

I got the engine from a 93 vr4. Dumb ? but whats a vcu?

[Igovert500]

vicous coupling unit.