Reflection

Unfortunately cutting and welding is a required part of putting a VQ into an Rx-7. There is not enough clearance between the hood, firewall, subframe, steering rack, trans mount locations, etc. I spent a LONG time agonizing over the problem prior to cutting and welding on the car. The motor mount differences between the FWD and RWD are not really an issue. The biggest problem is the nissan motors are front sump and the Rx-7 frame is best suited for a rear sump engine. Another issue is the coolant pipes that come out of the rear of the engine on both FWD and RWD models interfere with the firewall. I fixed that problem by moving the firewall . If you want to easier swap for a VQ into something I hear it fits pretty good into a nissan 240. Intake clearance may be an issue though. The 240 swaps I have seen used maxima motors with various solutions for the intake.VG's have totally different blocks (and are steel). If you want to bolt up a 350z trans you need to use a VQ engine.Thaniel

After 8,000 miles

 Been a LONG time since I updated you on my project too by the look of it.  I remodeled about every room in my house, replaced almost all the windows and....Oh probably more interested in the car.

We'll I've put about 8,000 miles on the car with the maxima motor driving it. Since I moved to VA I haven't had much time to work on the car but since I had a crappy starter set up. I did squeeze time in to put a 350z oil pan and windage tray on the car so I could use the 350z starter. I had to make a 1/2 inch spacer for the starter due to the fact my flywheel is different. I also had to make a bracket to hold the front crank sensor. All and all that turned out great and the starter works just like it should.

Oh while I was at it I swapped out transmissions. The 350z trans I had ground horribly in 3rd gear. A common defect that wasn't really publicly known about when I bought the transmission. Anyway I had purchased a 2004 transmission which didn't have the defect. My brother and I installed the trans one night and finished about 11:30pm. When assembling the shifter I had the idea to shift it through the gears. Guess what it was locked up. I had heard of this before on other cars and I was thinking how STUPID I was for not checking prior to installing it. So we removed the trans again and managed to get the shift forks back in the right position and reinstall the trans. I think we were done a 1:30 or 2am or something. Install remove install all in one night. It was a bit of work for me anyway.  

The new trans shifts great. The starter set up is wonderful. I found the broken wire going to my front crank sensor that was causing stalling. Car was running great.  Did I mention I hit a deer with it....Actually it didn't hurt it much. IT was night and it didn't break any of the lights just crinkled the passenger fender a little. Did knock the deer down though and it left some fur lodged in the front skirt. My cars not a show car anyway so I'm just driving it with the crinkled fender.  

I STILL do not have a sway bar on it, no P/s and No A/C. I want to rebuild the brakes. I haven't had it weighed (I feel bad about that) and I haven't gone to the track. WE only have 1/8 mile tracks near by and 1/8 mile time aren't respected enough for me to bother with the hassle.  

This year I have been dropping of my kids at school on the way to work. I have thought about purchasing a 4door car to drive as it would be more comfortable. I showed a picture of a 3 series BMW to my each of my kids separately if they would like to ride to school in this car. Much to my surprise they both asked the exact same questions and gave the same answer. After seeing the car they asked "how fast does it go?" I told them that it would be about as fast as mommy's car (a Nissan maxima) they each said No I'd rather go in red car. It as a proud day for me as a dad.  Now I'm thinking of a BMW with a LS1 engine? That might be the ticket. It's been done before too so I wouldn't be unique but it could be fun anyway. If I could just get my hands on a decent priced and decent condition 3 series BMW.......