VQ30DET Off Road Racer
VQ30DET Off Road Racer
"Pinocchio nose"
- Vehicle: Custom Off Road Racer
- Engine: VQ30det
- Engine Modifications : Moved the wastegate line for actuator to manifold. Boost runs at 9 psi. Also has a cooler and 3” exhaust.
- EFI: Link ECU
- Transmission / Clutch: VG30 box, HD single plate 6 puck clutch
- Transmission / Clutch Modifications: Removed the remote shifter setup from the box and made it shift from the top of the box.
- Driveshaft / Diff / Axles: Custom tailshaft using Nissan Pathfinder yoke Diff is a 4.4 Torano with std LSD
Here we have a tried a proven VQ conversion that has been through the ringer and come out a champion. Dirks VQ30det Off road Racer was the winner of Class 4 Championship for the State of Western Australia 2006.
The EFI is NZ sourced Link. Dirk found the wiring easy and had it knocked over in a single weekend. Tuning was then carried out by Hyperdrive. The results you can see are a very linier 274.6 rwhp. Rev limit is around 7000 rpm though Dirk says it never realy needs to get there. There is so much tourqe you can really use all of each gear.
The custom engine mounts are very sturdy, as they are in fact solid mounts. The suspension is all custom. With Dirk making everything from the botttom / top arms to the diff arms himself.
- What inspired the use of the VQ30 engine?
- No one else had tried it. Had easy access to the engine and I figured I could make it work.
- What’s it like to drive?
- Its LOTS of fun. Has more HP then you would ever need.
- Who did the work on the car?
- All the work was done in house.
- Is there any other engine you can compare it to?
- The car has had VG30det, VG30de and a VG30dett. This is the best engine by far.
- Biggest Challenge with the conversion?
- The adapter plate to get the gearbox in.
- Things that have broken / gone wrong?
- After 5 rounds of racing tore all the teeth of 3rd gear. Also killed an OS triple plate clutch, it was rubbish to drive anyway.
- The cooling system works a bit too well. Struggle to keep the car running at operating temperature a bit of the time. The scoop at the rear for the radiator can be raised or lowered. In cooler weather its lowered to allow less air to the radiator to try and get it warm.
- Would you do it again?
- “Fuck Yer” and you can quote me on that.
- Is there another car you would like to see the VQ30 in ?
- Nissan Navara ute would work a treat. You'd only need the stock HP and you would have no traction.
- When asked if he had plans for a bigger turbo, dirks reply was
- “Why the hell would you do that ?”
If you want to see more of Dirks racer there is an Event on in Brookton 2nd of June 2007.