Hi to all, I am a complete noob to engine swapping, but I have a '87 B2k that is trying really hard to throw a rod, and a broken '85 Nissan Maxima with a good engine. So naturally I was thinking about swapping the Max's VG30E into the B2k. I assume I would need to get a rear wheel drive transmission to fit the engine, I was thinking about a Nissan FS5R30A or FS5W71C from a 300zx. Also, I am wondering about the ECU, drive shaft/diferential, and fuel system.

maybe this would be more appropriate for a nissan forum, but I wanted to get the other half's point of view.

 

If you run a Nissan transmission, you might need a custom driveshaft to mate it to the Mazda differential.
The fuel system is going to have to be converted over to run EFI. A new pump, fuel lines and some fittings at least.
As long as you use the wiring harness from the Maxima, it shouldn't be a problem with the stock Nissan ECU either.

 

It sounds cost prohibitive to me to make a Frankenstein like this. It would probably be cheaper to buy a Nissan truck with a bad engine to do this swap.

 

Thanks for the info blasphemous. Wow this will be allot of work, can't wait to get started. it will probably be kinda expensive with all the custom stuff. I hope it's worth the effort.

 

Depends on how much of the work you can do yourself. In the next few weeks, I'm getting started on my SAS. Driveshafts and spring mounts are about all that's left on the list. Anyway...
Find a friend with an acetylene torch and a welder. Fab up your own engine mounts and trans crossmember, if you need one. Drop in the engine (long block) and tranny. Once engine and tranny are installed and set, measure for driveshaft (talk to a shop to get the proper measurements). You could probably even use the Nissan tranny and Mazda differential yokes and just have the Mazda driveshaft sized with the proper yokes. Install wiring harness and route into the cab. Mount ECU in an accessable spot where the harness will reach. You'll need to connect linkages and/or modify them now, throttle and tranny cables/lines. Also, you'll need to wire up the starter to the Mazda ignition. Plumb the radiator, some aluminum tubing bends and rubber connectors with clamps should work alright.
The most you'll have in it is some money for the metal for motor/tranny mounts, cables/linkages, tubing, connectors/clamps and maybe some electrical hardware. I don't see you needing more than $500 and maybe a few friends, cash in a favor or two.

 

Any suggestions on what to do for the fuel pump? The B2k's pump puts out 3-5 psi, but the vg30e's EFI needs 30-37 psi.

 

A Walbro universal 255lph fuel pump would be more than enough and only cost you about $100.

 

thanks brah.

 

If you have the tools you could always put the maxima fuel tank and pump in, although the universal pump would avoid making modifications to the fuel gauge wiring.