Nissan Micra K11 QG Engine Swap Mounting Kit

300hp+ on a STOCK engine? Yes please!

Developed through our own Nissan Micra K11 Time Attack programme, the GizFab QG Engine Swap Mounting Kit provides the foundation for installing Nissan's later QG-series engines into the K11 chassis.

Designed to suit the QG15DE, QG16DE and QG18DE, the kit uses the K11's existing engine mounting locations, allowing the QG engine to be physically installed without cutting or welding the chassis to relocate the engine mounts.

The QG family succeeded Nissan's popular GA-series engines and introduced a revised engine block, cooling system, cylinder head and VVT-equipped valvetrain. In our experience developing and competing with these engines, we consider the QG an excellent basis for both naturally aspirated conversions and serious turbocharged K11 builds.

And we've pushed them considerably further than Nissan ever intended...

During our own testing, we achieved:

QG15DE – 280hp on a stock engine
QG18DE – 320hp on a stock engine

More on that further down.

Engine Compatibility

The mounting kit is designed around the following QG-series engines:

• QG15DE – 1.5L
• QG16DE – 1.6L
• QG18DE – 1.8L

The QG15DE and QG18DE are the variants most commonly encountered in the UK, while the QG16DE was primarily found in mainland European-market vehicles.

Suitable donor engines can commonly be found in later Nissan models including various Almera and Primera applications.

What's Included?

The conversion kit consists of three GizFab mounting components:

• Timing-Side Engine Mount
• Engine Mounting Bracket
• Front Torque Mount

The mounts are polyurethane bushed, powder coated and supplied with the required mounting hardware.

The conversion is designed to re-use the OEM K11 rear engine mount and transmission mount, although the exact components required will depend on your chosen gearbox configuration.

Features

• Developed Through Our K11 Time Attack Programme
• Suitable for QG15DE, QG16DE & QG18DE Engines
• Uses Existing K11 Chassis Mounting Locations
• No Relocation of Chassis Engine Mounting Points Required
• Polyurethane-Bushed Mounts
• Powder-Coated Finish
• Mounting Hardware Supplied
• Multiple Transmission Options Possible
• Proven on High-Power QG Applications
• 12-Month Warranty*

Which QG Engine Do I Have?

There are two main generations commonly referred to as Silver Top and Black Top.

Silver Top

Typically identified by:

• Aluminium Engine Cover
• VVT Solenoid Located in the Engine Cover Area
• Tubular Inlet Manifold
• Electronic Throttle Body

Black Top

Typically identified by:

• Black Plastic Engine Cover with Raised Bulge
• VVT Solenoid Located at the Rear of the Cylinder Head
• Cast Aluminium Inlet Manifold
• Cable-Operated Throttle Body

There are differences between QG variants and donor vehicles, so we recommend identifying exactly which engine, intake and transmission you have before beginning the conversion.

Water Pump, Crank Pulley & Chassis Clearance

Although our mounting kit uses the K11's existing chassis mounting locations, this does not mean the complete engine conversion requires zero modification to the vehicle.

Like the older GA16 conversion, the QG engine is physically longer than the original K11 CG engine.

If retaining the conventional belt-driven water pump arrangement, clearance around the water pump pulley and lower crank pulley must be considered.

There are two main approaches:

Option 1 – Retain the Mechanical Water Pump

The chassis leg will require localised clearancing/notching to provide sufficient room for the water pump pulley and lower crank pulley.

Option 2 – Electric Water Pump

An electric water pump can be used, allowing the mechanical water pump arrangement to be removed and the outer section of the pulley arrangement trimmed as required.

This approach can eliminate the need to notch the chassis leg for the water pump.

We can also supply a billet water pump cover for conversions using an electric water pump. Please contact us for details.

RHD Brake Master Cylinder Clearance

On right-hand-drive vehicles, inlet manifold clearance around the brake master cylinder must also be considered.

Clearance will depend on the specific QG engine and inlet manifold being used. Some configurations may require modification or an alternative intake arrangement.

Transmission Options

One of the aims when developing this kit was to make physically installing a QG engine into the K11 as straightforward as reasonably possible.

There are several transmission routes available depending on the intended use and power level of the vehicle.

Option 1 – Factory K11 Micra Transmission

The original K11 transmission can be retained.

This has several advantages because it allows you to retain the existing:

• K11 Driveshafts
• Cable Clutch Operation
• Gear Linkage
• Existing Transmission Installation

This can make it one of the simplest routes for a basic QG conversion.

A compatible later Coilpack-type K11 flywheel and clutch combination is understood to be required when mating the K11 transmission to the QG engine.

As there are multiple K11 and QG drivetrain combinations, the installer is responsible for confirming clutch, flywheel and gearbox compatibility for their particular conversion.

Option 2 – QG15DE / QG16DE Transmission

The QG15DE/QG16DE transmission can also be retained.

This route requires the later Coilpack K11 OEM transmission mount and rear mount.

Advantages include retaining the original QG15/QG16 flywheel and clutch arrangement and providing a transmission which is generally considered a step up from the standard K11 unit.

However, additional conversion work is required.

Clutch Operation

The QG transmission uses a hydraulic clutch, whereas the K11 uses a cable-operated clutch.

You will therefore need to either:

Convert the QG transmission to cable operation using suitable components from the K11 transmission;

or:

Convert the K11 to hydraulic clutch operation.

An Almera N16 or Primera P12 clutch pedal/master cylinder arrangement can be adapted for this purpose. The pedal assembly largely bolts into the K11 with some trimming, while the clutch master cylinder can be positioned where the original clutch cable guide passes through the firewall.

Additional Requirements

• Gear Linkage Requires Extending
• Custom Driveshafts Required
• Hydraulic or Cable Clutch Conversion Required

We do not currently supply the custom driveshafts for this gearbox configuration.

Option 3 – QG18DE "70A" Transmission

For higher-powered builds, the QG18DE transmission is the more serious option.

The 70A gearbox can be easily identified by the removable plate on the front of the transmission casing, retained by six bolts.

This transmission shares its basic gearset family with stronger Nissan FWD applications, including SR20-powered vehicles such as the Almera GTi, and is considerably better suited to higher-power builds than the standard K11 transmission.

Using the QG18DE flywheel also opens up the possibility of using compatible SR20 clutch options, providing a much greater range of performance clutch choices.

As with the QG15/QG16 gearbox, the later Coilpack K11 OEM transmission and rear mounting arrangement is required.

Additional Requirements

• Cable or Hydraulic Clutch Conversion Required
• Gear Linkage Requires Extending
• Custom Driveshafts Required
• Appropriate Transmission Mounting Components Required

We can supply custom driveshafts for the QG18DE/70A gearbox configuration. Please contact us for details.

QG Engine Upgrades & Technical Information

One of the reasons we like the QG platform is the amount of potential available from what is still a relatively inexpensive Nissan engine.

QG15DE / QG16DE Cylinder Head

The QG15DE and QG16DE use closely related cylinder head designs based around the QG16DE's 75mm bore architecture.

The QG18DE uses the same general cylinder head architecture, with the combustion chamber revised for its larger 80mm bore.

Camshafts

Aftermarket performance camshaft availability for the QG platform is extremely limited.

QG18DE camshafts can, however, be considered as an upgrade for some QG15DE/QG16DE combinations due to their different lift and duration characteristics.

Compatibility should be confirmed for the exact engine combination before installation.

Pistons

QG15DE: 73.5mm bore
QG16DE: 75mm bore
QG18DE: 80mm bore

During our own development work, we successfully used forged Honda D-series/Vitara-style pistons in a QG application after machining the block to the required 75mm bore.

This is not a drop-in conversion and appropriate machining, measurements and engine-building knowledge are required.

We have also investigated piston options from other engine families for the QG18DE. Unless specifically confirmed by us for a particular build, these should be treated as potential development routes rather than guaranteed direct-fit components.

Connecting Rods

Forged connecting rods are available for the QG platform, with compatible GA16-derived rod options also available depending on specification.

All dimensions and clearances should be verified by the engine builder before assembly.

VVT

All three QG variants feature Nissan's variable valve timing system.

It should not be confused with systems such as Honda VTEC. The QG system alters camshaft timing rather than switching to a separate high-lift cam profile.

During our own performance testing, we did not find the factory VVT strategy provided a worthwhile advantage at the power/RPM range we were targeting.

Head Fasteners

Certain US-market KA24DE ARP head fasteners can be used in QG applications and are an upgrade worth considering when increasing cylinder pressure significantly.

Head Gasket

The QG-series engine uses a steel MLS head gasket from the factory, giving it a useful starting point for boosted applications.

How Much Power Can a Stock QG Take?

This is where things get interesting.

During our own development and dyno testing, we achieved:

280hp from a stock QG15DE engine

and

320hp from a stock QG18DE engine

At these power levels, we experienced the cylinder head beginning to lift against the factory head bolts.

For higher-power turbocharged builds, upgraded head fasteners should therefore be seriously considered.

Important

These figures represent results achieved during our own testing and are NOT a guaranteed safe power rating for every QG engine.

These engines are now of varying age, mileage, maintenance history and condition. The amount of power any individual engine will tolerate depends on numerous factors including engine condition, tuning, fuel quality, boost pressure, ignition timing, charge temperature, detonation control and intended use.

A stock engine surviving a particular power level during our testing does not mean every stock QG engine is guaranteed to do the same.

Wiring & ECU

The factory Nissan Micra K11 engine wiring and ECU will not operate the QG engine as a direct plug-and-play installation.

The conversion will require either:

• A Custom Engine Wiring Loom & Aftermarket ECU

or

• Modification and integration of the QG Engine Loom & ECU

Additional electrical work may also be required depending on the engine generation, throttle body, immobiliser system, dashboard requirements and donor vehicle electronics.

This should be considered part of the overall conversion before purchasing the mounting kit.

Important – Please Understand What This Kit Does

This kit is designed to solve one of the major mechanical challenges involved with the conversion:

Physically mounting a QG-series engine into the Nissan Micra K11 chassis using the existing mounting locations.

It is not a complete engine conversion kit.

Depending on your chosen engine, transmission and vehicle specification, you will still need to consider items including:

• Engine Wiring & ECU
• Exhaust System
• Cooling System
• Water Pump Arrangement
• Intake & Brake Master Cylinder Clearance
• Clutch & Flywheel Combination
• Gear Linkage
• Driveshafts
• Fuel System
• Ancillary Components
• General Engine Bay Clearance
• Transmission Selection & Clutch Operation

As with any engine conversion, there may also be additional issues or requirements which cannot reasonably be covered in a universal product description.

Please approach the conversion with the understanding that fabrication, mechanical knowledge, problem solving and additional components will be required.

This is not a plug-and-play engine conversion.

Professional installation by somebody experienced with engine conversions is strongly recommended.

12-Month Warranty*

This mounting kit is warranted to the original purchaser for a period of 12 months from the date of delivery.

Warranty coverage applies to the fabricated/welded components supplied as part of the mounting kit only.

Our obligation under this warranty is limited to repair or replacement, at our discretion, where inspection confirms a manufacturing defect in a covered component.

The warranty does not cover polyurethane bushes, consumable components, surrounding vehicle components, engines, transmissions, driveshafts, clutches, wiring, ancillary components or any other parts used as part of the conversion.

The warranty also does not cover damage or failure resulting from incorrect installation, physical impact, accident damage, misuse, modification of the supplied mounts, incorrect drivetrain alignment, excessive drivetrain movement, defective surrounding components or use outside the intended application.

No warranty or guarantee is provided regarding the power capability, reliability or service life of the engine or transmission used with this mounting kit.

GizFab Motorsport Developments is an independent aftermarket manufacturer and is not affiliated with, sponsored by, approved by or endorsed by Nissan Motor Co., Ltd.