Hey, I am a new s12 v6 owner and I plan on doing a turbo build. I know you guys know these engines in and out so I though I would lay out my planned build for you to critique.
Right now I have a NA VG30E. I have not picked up the car yet so I do not know if it is a W block or not. Either way. The engine has a little over 100k on it. I think this will prompt me for a rebuild. Since I am rebuilding, I might as well strengthen internally. VG30dett forged pistons and h beams should fit perfectly from what I understand. Next would be acquiring some OWO heads. Should not be too difficult. Cam though, is there a nissan cam that can give better performance or do I need to look to Isky? Secondly, if I do get a hotter cam, does the valvetrain need to be improved? Also, do I have to change the intake and plenum? I would then have some custom manifolds to allow me to route the turbo to the passenger side of the vehicle because the log style exhaust does not work on the s12 very cleanly. This goes to a hx35 turbo. Not sure yet on MAF or injector sizing
Confirm my buid
You could also use VG33 heads. They are larger exhaust studs (a common failure part on VG30s), flow better than the VG30 heads and are a direct bolt on. You will want to ditch the VG33 cams for sure though. The cams in your VG30 are better than the stock VG33 cams. If I remember right Z31 turbo cams are the tallest factory cams Nissan sent to the US market, otherwise you will need to go aftermarket. If you are going with a crazy turbo build tougher valves are always a good idea.
You will not "have" to change the intake plenum. The stock S12 intake is about the only one that will fit under the hood. The Z31 intakes look very similar so they will probably work. Pathfinder intakes are too tall and require cutting the hood which is too bad because they are the best flowing design. Do some searching around in the tech and build forums and you will find lots of information. There is a remote mount setup that has a very informative build thread that springs to mind.
VG33 and OWO heads are the same thing. They are technically a W-series (as opposed to the earlier A or B series), but have a few differences in water ports as compared to other W-series heads. A number of Z31 guys have used them successfully, but I'm not sure with what head gasket. OWO heads are generally considered best, as they have bigger exhaust studs, the W-series shaped ports, and the cleanest castings.
For reference, the head casting numbers OWO and 85E are w-series. 21V and V52 are A/B-series, crappier port design. See the second post in the first link below.
DETT pistons won't work with the single cam engine - the valve clearance cuts are all wrong. DETT rods (which are the same as the NA rods) will fit, but you'll need a custom wrist pin bushing if you keep the VG30E pistons. DEs use a 22mm wrist pin vs the E's 21mm. The original rods are good up to ~500hp if I recall, and lighter than even the performance DE rods.
The z31performance.com forums have a lot of good info if you search a bit, but doesn't appear to be working right now.
Link dump of VG things I've collected:
VG34 build - not wholly relevant, but covers some of the basics like interchangeability, etc: http://www.nissanpathfinders.net/forum/topic/31418-building-a-vg34-and-installing-it-in-my-88-pathy/?hl=vg34i
Another VG34 build, with some stuff on head and head gasket compatibility: http://www.motoiq.com/MagazineArticles/ID/1298/Project-Pathfinder-Part-10-How-to-Build-the-Nissan-VG30E.aspx
A/B series and W-series interchange info: http://xenonzcar.com/z31/Wseriesmain.html
VG30 vs VG33 - what fits what: http://forums.nicoclub.com/true-differences-vg30-vs-vg33-t337554.html
More on VG30 vs 33, good details on the heads: http://nissannut.com/maintenance/vg33e_upgrade/compare/
to confirm on the vg33 heads on the vg30 block as I am currently rocking on my SEv6 87, the head gasket matches both heads and the block with no issues.
I had to notch 2 of the exhaust manifolds (1 on each side) to massage it to fit as it is .5mm off with one of the studs on the head vs the manifolds. VG30 cams fit nicely inside with no issues.
Link dumps are an excellent source of input! I am using the motoiq for building my future VG34 when I acquire the vg33 block.
Lots of interchangeable parts between the VG30 and VG33 with varying benefits. I used Mr510s VG34 build as a guide for mine but there are so many ways to go no single thread will have every answer. Just research, ask, plan and you will have lots of options.
Wonderingraven, what head gasket did you use? Do you know if you have a W-series or A/B-series block?
Just remember, it was the victor reinz one OEM spec for the s12 sev6 I assume W series.