VG33E installed into VG33ER

aanshelm

Test Drive
Location
Cold Lake, AB
Hello. Wondering if anyone would know if a VG33E (normally aspirated - N/A) engine block will operate properly with supercharger? My son rolled his 2003 xterra auto (low kms and still runs well) that has a VG33E. The body is a write off. I found 2003 xterra auto, supercharged and perfect body that needs an engine. I was thinking of removing the VG33E long block out of the totaled vehicle and put it into the supercharged vehicle (VG33ER). I've read on other forums information about the two different types having different compression and that there are different pistons in the VG33ER block. Would I have to replace the pistons or is the compression thing not that critical?
 

Muadeeb

Nissan al Gaib
Admin
Location
Dallas
If the NA engine is 100% good then I'd swap that, the ECU, and a few pieces of engine harness into the new body. My understanding is the SC doesn't net. _that_ much of a gain.
 

Mirage

<img src="http://i164.photobucket.com/albums/u7/ra
Founding Member
Location
Greenville SC
I'd do it, the compression ratio bump will give you a little bit more power over the plain -ER block. You will definitely want to run premium gas for knock resistance, maybe knock back the timing an extra degree to help that as well.
 

P&P

Need Bigger Tires
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Location
Middle TN
I did this 4 years ago. You should do it now without hesitating.

If the NA engine is 100% good then I'd swap that, the ECU, and a few pieces of engine harness into the new body. My understanding is the SC doesn't net. _that_ much of a gain.

The ECU and wiring harness he want's is from the supercharged truck. He does NOT want to swap in the ECU out of the N/A truck that the engine is coming from. He DOES want to swap the injectors from the s/c engine to the donor engine. The Lower intake manifold has a different setup for bolting the supercharger mounting adapter so he needs to swap that over, adapter plate, and obviously the supercharger.

I believe the a/C compressor and crank pulley will need to be swapped over as well, in addition to all the brackets on the front of the engine for the idler and tensioner pulleys. When you have the 2 engines next to each other it is a very straight forward process dressing the engine correctly for the s/c setup. I did it from a minivan engine so I had to swap ALL the accessories and the oil pan as they are different for the FWD setup. You won't need to do all of that.

The supercharger does pretty well for a factory forced induction setup. ~5-6psi nets ~50lb-ft of tq at tq peak and quite a bit under the rest of the curve.

In terms of being a high boost high power adder system, no it is not that. If you wanted to add an aftermarket engine management and put an MP90 on top of the engine you could do pretty big things.


I'd do it, the compression ratio bump will give you a little bit more power over the plain -ER block. You will definitely want to run premium gas for knock resistance, maybe knock back the timing an extra degree to help that as well.

It can be run with the factory timing settings and under 'premium' rated gas. 6psi on 9:1 compression is perfectly safe. with the factory ignition curve and 87 octane unless it is hot and you are towing. Then you will get some knock.
 
Last edited:

aanshelm

Test Drive
Location
Cold Lake, AB
Thanks for all the replies. That's great information. I'm going to start this project in a couple of weeks. Stay tuned, I may need more help in the future.... I'm a little bit electrically challenged! lol!
 

P&P

Need Bigger Tires
Site Sponsor
Location
Middle TN
Shouldn't be any electrical to mess with outside of u clipping sensor harnesses and plugging them back in.

Take your time and label everything as you take it apart a bit should go back together just fine.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
 
I had a N/A 5-speed 2002 SE that was totaled..
I replaced her with my current S/C Automatic 2004 SE.

It's still a 4,000+ pound truck, not a hot rod or anything like that. But, you will notice a significant power difference. Go for it!
 

aanshelm

Test Drive
Location
Cold Lake, AB
Power But Won't Start

So, a lot has happened since my last post. Engine was pulled and refreshed with new pistons, rings, lifters, water pump, knock sensor, etc. Engine turns over, has fuel pressure, has spark. Thought I may have installed the timing belt incorrectly. Went back in again to check.....belt was in correctly. Took it in to local mechanic and he said. It's either the security system locking up or the ECU isn't working. Said there is no electrical pulse to the injectors. Connected a code reader and no codes come up, just blinking, which means "A blinking monitor icon means the monitor has not run yet and finished it's self testing"? It's 3 hours to the nearest Nissan dealer. Should I buy a used ecu and see if that corrects the problem? OH...my ECU is pt# MEC07 430 B1 9002. What is the new or compatible part number for this ECU.
 

spddm0n

Test Drive
Location
United States
Did you end up getting this swap worked out? I'm just starting the same process. :)
I'm interested in reliability with VG33E pistons in the block with the supercharger (reliability). Are you finding any issue with increased compression ratios and the forced induction? Any knocking or risk of piston damage?

Power But Won't Start

So, a lot has happened since my last post. Engine was pulled and refreshed with new pistons, rings, lifters, water pump, knock sensor, etc. Engine turns over, has fuel pressure, has spark. Thought I may have installed the timing belt incorrectly. Went back in again to check.....belt was in correctly. Took it in to local mechanic and he said. It's either the security system locking up or the ECU isn't working. Said there is no electrical pulse to the injectors. Connected a code reader and no codes come up, just blinking, which means "A blinking monitor icon means the monitor has not run yet and finished it's self testing"? It's 3 hours to the nearest Nissan dealer. Should I buy a used ecu and see if that corrects the problem? OH...my ECU is pt# MEC07 430 B1 9002. What is the new or compatible part number for this ECU.
 

spddm0n

Test Drive
Location
United States
Hey - Is information on the factory ignition curve published anywhere? I would love to see what that looks like. :)

It can be run with the factory timing settings and under 'premium' rated gas. 6psi on 9:1 compression is perfectly safe. with the factory ignition curve and 87 octane unless it is hot and you are towing. Then you will get some knock.
 
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