razomike

Bory: once your project is done, Ratsun will never be the same. You continue to raise the bar. Thanks for sharing, looking forward to seeing the finished product. I've been meaning to connect with you, I finally got the floor boards in my 620 repaired, I also ordered my autometer gauges, hoping you can help connect the new set. I miss driving my truck so much. Cheers, Mike Razo

Bory: Everytime I login to see your build, I'm just speechless! Keep up the great work and thank you so much for sharing.

I guess I'm screwed then, I'm not an Amazon tribesmen, and I'm not in South America. I have been to the country of Chile though, nice place.

No bow hunting here in So'Cal, sorry Banzai... we can probably find a hog you can pet and possibly feed... No hunting...we're all hippies over here. Now if your up for some action, Tijuana Mexico is just a couple hours away.

Banzai, where about you located? Maybe I pay for your plane ticket to Los Angeles, you can stay in my guest room and help me clean up the existing L20, WE'll become good buddies, I'll learn a thing or two about carb-engines and then we'll forget about this crazy engine swap idea? Hell, we can even go to Disneyland in the 620 once its all done? What do you say pal?

Banzai, your such a hater! hahahaha Always a good laugh to see your comments, thank you.

JASON, thank you very much. The greatest help i've received so far, so thank you. With regards to your observations: -VQ35's oil pan & headers seem to be the biggest issues in getting the engine to fit into the 620's engine bay. A custom oil pan and headers will be required. -To fit the trans, we will have to cut into the body, then make a large case to seal the trans in the cabin. -According to our measurements, the front of the engine to the shifter is 62 inches long, so the resulting position of snifter isn't ideal but isn't horrible either. -Limited slip rear-end and upgrading breaking system will be phase II. -Aluminum aftermarket radiator will be a must. -Wiring: we'll use the 350z stock harness, ECM, BCM and IPDM. With a standalone aftermarket ECM (we've found one that should work). -Fuel system will be aftermarket (fuel cell and pump). We might just sit the fuel cell in the bed, we've seen a few examples and it looks clean and simple. -Speedo, don't care much for it, maybe phase II Mounts & Cross Member, we'll do whatever we have to do get them to fit, should be interesting. Might call on Bory (Datstang) to help. That's the plan so far. I'm still working on the body, that's obviously priority. As for the KA, my friend HATES that engine. I had recommended we go with KA because of simplicity and plug-in aftermarket parts and he just about cussed me out. lol - not that extreme but he doesn't like that engine one bit. He said it has to be either VQ35, SR20DET or LS1 (I'd rather keep it Nissan). Thanks again man! You are a saint in my eyes.

Lockleaf: your the man! I can't tell you how much I appreciate the help. I'm sure I'll be back to share the progress as well as the challenges. I was getting rather discouraged with some of the initial responses I was getting in this forum. I knew that if I stayed on it, I'd find a few supporters that would overshadow the critics. Nobody likes a Debbie Downer you know what I mean... I'm going to get the VQ next week, then off to find a 6-speed trans, already spotted a few on craigslist. Meanwhile... the rust battle continues. Doing the undercoating on the bed next week. I'll continue to share some pics.

ECCLES: What an awesome truck, thanks for sharing. VQ35 and VQ30 are very similar in size. If you don't mind, I'd love to exchange emails with you and your friend that did the swap. Its exactly the support I was looking for in case we need any feedback on this potential swap. Please drop me an email, if possible: razomike@gmail.com

Many of you would be happy to know that the VQ35DE will not fit, at least not without butchering the truck's body. Height clearance seems to be the biggest issue. Now considering SR20DET... or maybe even KA24. Will continue restoring body and removing rust for now.

Weekend well spent: cleaned off grime and rust from bed, coated with DYI Herculiner kit bed liner. Came out pretty good I think. Not bad for $100. Next: Bed undercoating.

The L20 is actually pretty good. The problem I have with it is that it runs very very rich, I don't know anybody (and I've asked around my network of friends) for somebody to help service/tune the Carb engine and can't find anybody. Also, didn't know L20's could be upgrades, I'm up for that option, just so long as I can get it running smooth. The person that had it before probably stopped taking care of it long ago cause as I was cleaning it out, I found some pretty nasty junk and dried oil deposits. How can I find a good/reliable Datsun L20 mechanic and tuner? I'll definitely entertain the idea especially if I can get some aftermarket parts to upgrade HP. Also, VQ35 doesn't fit, engine would sit too high, would make it too easy to bottom-out. SR20 it may be.

Pisst? Really? Its a truck dude. I admire your passion, I'll give you that. Like I said, the money is in the bank, way before I even bought the 620. So I took the engine/bay measurements, its going to be super tight but there is enough logical space to squeeze the bad boy in there. Going to sketch it up because the height is what's cutting it super close. Width and length will be a headache but not as much as the height clearance.

Yes, huge. ... 3.5L is a bad ass engine. Worst comes to worst, can always throw in a SR20DET in the 620, then take the VQ35 and find a 350z shell later on. I've seen a few of them go for $2-3 k. Thought I'd get more positive/useful feedback regarding the swap-potential but so far I'm wrong. Let's see how these measurements go. Stay tuned.

DatzenMike: I appreciate the insight. -MONEY, I've been saving, No worries here man. -WORK SPACE, not a problem. -620 already has modern BREAK SYSTEM from Pathfinder, checked. Can upgrade if needed. -My Nissan friend has done swaps. I have not, but there's a first time for everything. -ENGINE PRICE, its legit. Its from a Nissan dealer, not my uncle's neighbor's brother's backyard. I'm Mexican-American so I get a pass on making these jokes because they're often true -hahaha VQ is aluminum block, same weight as KA24. There are some aftermarket add-ons to the VQ35, they're pricey but available. We already pulled out a VQ35 from a 2004 350z, took measurements of both Engine/Trans, 350z Engine Bay. Going to see how those measurements apply to 620. Hopefully we can squeeze in. Pretty Ain't She?