NB engine into NA8 - super urgent query

marty085 · Postby **marty085** » Thu Feb 23, 2012 12:24 pm

Okay i'm under the freaking pump at work so I don't have a huge amount of time to search comprehensively and whatever, but for those who are generous enough with their time that they are willing to answer in simple dot-point form, I would be most appreciative. Because this is an urgent query.

Long story short, I'm getting an engine swap into my NA8, and the engine supplier (who I won't name.. yet) screwed up the first engine, gave me an NB engine (not sure whether VVT or not.. i can find out). They then sent me 2nd engine and it's sh*t, bent, missing nuts, bolts etc. etc. saw it this morning. I'm currently waiting to hear back from them what their solution to this is.

Assuming NB engine is not VVT, and a solution is that they give me back that first NB engine with a discount or whatever, what additional NB parts would i need to buy for my mechanic to put it into my NA8?

For example:
- ECU
-
etc.

Also, can i use the clutch kit I just bought for my NA8?

Thanks for your help.

P.S. "Not doing anything" is not an option as my old engine is sitting on the floor of the mechanic's workshop. I've come this far, must go on.

zossy1 · Postby **zossy1** » Thu Feb 23, 2012 12:42 pm

Hi Marty,

AFAIK (and assuming it is non-VVT) you will need to swap intake & exhaust manifolds (EDIT: you will need to use the NB units), throttle body/TPS (EDIT: you will need to fit your na8 units to the NB intake manifold), Cam Angle Sensor (use na8), probably your oil pressure sensor (use na8 - early na8 had variable sensor) and possibly coolant temp sensor too, coil pack, umm... not sure about alternator.

VVT is more involved, though not much more so if you remove the VVT. Easy to tell a VVT engine, it has a large alloy box on top of the valve cover

Will try to link the FAQ on this for ya... brb

marty085 · Postby **marty085** » Thu Feb 23, 2012 12:45 pm

Thanks heaps mate.

First engine was pretty much complete. had all intake, exhaust manifolds, altenator, power steering, compressor. pretty sure it had coil pack too.

Second engine was freaking bare. manifolds, thats it. no coil pack, no wiring harness, nothing.

zossy1 · Postby **zossy1** » Thu Feb 23, 2012 12:54 pm

Marty, check geofiz's post in this thread:

viewtopic.php?t=50581

Re your clutch, it is a direct fit. Make sure you check my edits to the original post above - I hate posting using the iPhone...

Looks like the fuel from the NB is also needed, and you will need to swap on your na8 alternator and also valve cover to play nicely with the na8 CAS.

stb · Postby **stb** » Thu Feb 23, 2012 1:17 pm

Geofix's response in the link above is pretty right. I'm doing the same thing at the moment with VVT and just got everything ready to bolt back in (except coils - ref my last topic!)

Use NA8 CAS, oil pressure sensor (need to lose a bracket off the starter though), coolant sensor. You need to either modify the fuel rail to add a return line or use an NB fuel pump. From what I've read I think the fuel pressure has to be bumped up to 4 bar instead of 3 if you are keeping the NA8 pump. NA8 fuel rail doesn't easily fit (VVT). I needed to block off the EGR system because I have aftermarket exhaust too. You could use NA8 coil packs if you can mount them somewhere.

If you use the NA8 airflow meter and throttle body I have no reason to believe the NA8 ECU won't run the motor reasonably well, except for the VICS on the 99-00 and the VVT on the 01-04.

BadBong · Postby **BadBong** » Thu Feb 23, 2012 1:24 pm

Lightyear has also done a recent 'heart transplant' from his NB to NA so he would be knowledgeable with exactly what are the missing parts.

I've also just PMed you about another option.

93_Clubman · Postby **93_Clubman** » Thu Feb 23, 2012 1:51 pm

Given yours is a '94 NA8, you'll need to mod the NA8 loom to run an NB8A /B or /C ECU, or even an '96-'97 NA8 ECU.

bruce · Postby **bruce** » Thu Feb 23, 2012 2:08 pm

Not having a go, but I'd get a refund and find another supplier. Who needs these hassles?

zossy1 · Postby **zossy1** » Thu Feb 23, 2012 4:21 pm

93_Clubman wrote:Given yours is a '94 NA8, you'll need to mod the NA8 loom to run an NB8A /B or /C ECU, or even an '96-'97 NA8 ECU.

No he won't. If he runs his own NA8 CAS, TB, TPS, coils etc then it will plug and play.

marty085 · Postby **marty085** » Thu Feb 23, 2012 5:09 pm

Thanks for all the advice. Seriously, can't tell you how much I appreciate it, trying to sort this all out.

Supplier reckons he'll know tomorrow whether he can get any other NA8 engines so if not I may go this route.

Cheers
Marty

zossy1 · Postby **zossy1** » Thu Feb 23, 2012 7:24 pm

It can definitely be done Marty. What's more, the solid lifter NB engine will spell the end of your cold startup rattle forever!

Mate, if you keep having issues, I have an NB engine (non vvt) that has 108k KMs on it, just had a timing belt and runs like a top (whisper quiet) - it is still in the car but I might be able to get it out in a few weeks... Has all the NB bits you'll need too.

93_Clubman · Postby **93_Clubman** » Fri Feb 24, 2012 12:12 am

zossy1 wrote:
93_Clubman wrote:Given yours is a '94 NA8, you'll need to mod the NA8 loom to run an NB8A /B or /C ECU, or even an '96-'97 NA8 ECU.

No he won't. If he runs his own NA8 CAS, TB, TPS, coils etc then it will plug and play.

Yes, he will. NB8A /B or /C ECU, or '96-'97 NA8 ECU, will not plug into the '93-'95 NA8 loom as the plugs are different.

zossy1 · Postby **zossy1** » Fri Feb 24, 2012 6:04 am

93_Clubman wrote:Yes, he will. NB8A /B or /C ECU, or '96-'97 NA8 ECU, will not plug into the '93-'95 NA8 loom as the plugs are different.

WTF are you talking about?

He is asking about pulling an engine out of an NA8. You are correct about the NA8 94/95 having a different ECU from the 96/97 and the NB8A. That is where your "correctness" ends.

You are assuming he will run all the electric accessories from the NB. Now why in hell would he do that? Then he would need to do a loom/ECU swap, assuming he could source a loom/ECU from an NB.

All he needs to do is take his NA8 engine out, remove all the NA8 peripherals (CAS, TB/TPS, CLT sensor, oil pressure sensor, coil packs, etc) from his rooted NA8 engine in the way we have listed, install these onto his fresh NB engine and bolt it in. The NA8 CAS, TPS, etc will plug right into his old loom and play just as it did before with his NA8 ECU.

I am right on this, I promise you.

Bizi · Postby **Bizi** » Fri Feb 24, 2012 8:06 am

Marty, we are all hoping that you can resolve this asap with the engine supplier. zossy1's advice and experience is invaluable for NA8 owners. I look forward to some good news from your end, hopefully without much delay.

If your supplier is in the imported engine business, I think that it's their responsibility to deliver what they sold you in the condition/completeness that you were promised.

Surely if they are in the secondhand Japanese engine business, they can source it (and if necessary re-source from another engine business/importer/warehouse etc) and let you know when you should get it.

93_Clubman · Postby **93_Clubman** » Fri Feb 24, 2012 11:04 am

zossy1 wrote:WTF are you talking about?

This is WTF I'm talking about - read his post. I assume nothing, however you have. And reference correctness - see aforementioned.

marty085 wrote:Assuming NB engine is not VVT, and a solution is that they give me back that first NB engine with a discount or whatever, what additional NB parts would i need to buy for my mechanic to put it into my NA8?
For example:
- ECU
-
etc.