nooB to Nissan, need info on V8 swap

[senate_9427]

Alright i am gonna be buying a 240z hopefully soon. I have aways loved the way they look and was checking out prices and realized they are so cheap. I am in CA so i will get one that is pre smog so i can go the V8 route.

My questions are,

Where can i start when getting the mounts for the V8?

I want to go with a manual tranny, so what would you guys recommend. I was kinda thinkin of an IROC camaro or something along that lines, or would an older 4 spd be better?

And is a 350 the best one to use, i have the most experience with the chevys and that would be preferable, but if there is a better one i am open to other options

what is a rough estimate of putting a motor and trans in, not including the cost of the motor and tranny?

Is there any other modifications to the rest of the drivetrain? Like can i use the Z differential, or does that need to be changed to, and how much does the driveshaft need to be modified?

If anyone can answer these questions that would be great. i hope to get the car and the motor this year and have it swapped by next year if possible. I will then go with a body kit hopefully fender flares, and then a nice paint job, just keep it clean looking.

[Bambikiller240]

I would reccommend that you check out www.HybridZ.org

The vast majority of us on this website stick to stock, or updated Nissan powerplants.

HybridZ is populated by people who do many radical things to Z cars. You'll find TONS more info and people who can guide you from personal experience on just about any type of V8 transplant you might dream of.

[hls30.com]

Clck on this Link. http://www.jagsthatrun.com/Pages/Datsun_Z_V-8.html

Buy the books. They are cheeper than the Beer you would buy a buddy to get him to explain and help!

Follow Carls advice-but post pictures!

Will

[senate_9427]

Alright thanks a lot. and since most of you guys stick to the factory drivetrains, why is that. Do you do it to retain a stock look, or are the engines in the Zs a good motor? I have talked to a couple guys that are into them and i was told that the stock motors are actually good to build.

[ChrisA]

Originally posted by senate_9427

are the engines in the Zs a good motor?

If you have the money, race L28's with injection and turbo have been reported to make well over 500 horsepower. AND you dont have to ruin the car's weight balance by dropping a heavy V8 in.

Moderate money will get you 400 horses easy out of a 280ZX turbo motor.

For me though, the 250 horses in my 240Z engine is more than enough in a 2300 pound car.

I am building a turbo motor for my daily driver though. I have one car that's a guinea pig so its always fun to extract more power from a new toy.

Keep the six!!!!

Chris

[Bambikiller240]

Originally posted by senate_9427

Alright thanks a lot. and since most of you guys stick to the factory drivetrains, why is that.

Like most things in life, it's just a personal preference based on many factors.

Random thoughts:

Some folks like the challenge of redesigning a car.

Making big horsepower in an normally aspirated L6 (Datsun/Nissan) engine can get pricey compared to the cost of similar HP out of a V8.

Weight distribution doesn't have to get messed up if one chooses the right V8 and the installation is done with an eye towards that (see Jagsthatrun's books, or talk to the HybridZ guys for more on that).

Well built L6 engines routinely last for over 200,000 miles.

[ChrisA]

Originally posted by Bambikiller240

Well built L6 engines routinely last for over 200,000 miles.

Ditto!! 180,000 and counting!!

Chris

[gema]

I'd get a V8 swap...

when pigs fly. Nissan L-series engines are amazing. There's a reason I buy Japanese cars, reliability. Why put an unreliable American engine in the reliable Z???

[Steve Parmley]

Find someone near you on Hybrid Z and have them give you a ride. At Sacramento raceway I watched one stock looking V-8 Z turn low 12's. He is now down to 11.1 in the 1/4 mile with his $5000 383 chevy motor. I have more money than that in my naturally aspirated L-28 and around only half the horsepower and torque.

There are many more costs involved in a swap than just the engine. Better brakes, suspension and the thorough rebuild of a 30 year old car that you bought for "cheap". I probably would go V-8 if I was starting again but I have enough power in my L 28 to scare me so I am happy....for now.

You might start with all the rebuild, suspension and brakes before you start adding power. There is lots of great info here on this site and over on Hybrid Z also.

[auxilary]

Originally posted by gema

I'd get a V8 swap...

when pigs fly. Nissan L-series engines are amazing. There's a reason I buy Japanese cars, reliability. Why put an unreliable American engine in the reliable Z???

perhaps you're posting in the wrong forum. This forum is clearly titled "modified Z car"

Who said a chevy v8 is unreliable? Do you have proof of the 350 block that's properly built being unreliable?

Here's a quick comparison: ls1 v8 from a 4th gen camaro makes about 340 (underrated by GM) at the crank with all accessories on it as well as stock exhaust. It weighs less than the stock L6. it sits back further in the Z than the stock L6. I can get one with transmission, ecu, clutch with less than 40k miles on it for about $4500.

quote me how much it would take to build up a naturally aspirated L6 that would make equivalent horsepower (not torque, because then you wouldn't have a case) AND be able to run on pump gas. FWIW, rebello 3.1 stroker kits top out around 260hp as far as pump gas goes.

You could do turbo.... but then again, you'd run into an issue of stock top end on the l28et giving out around 300hp.

Of course, then you could make mild mods to the ls1, and make 400hp with ease...

ps. never heard of an ls1 engine failing or being unreliable...have you?

[zed240au]

i just have to ask yet again when does a zed stop being a zed for me its born that way its always a zed i mean lets count hands up now how many owners here have a zed with no modifications

and midifications to me includes mags aftermarket steering wheels any aftermarket device stereo maybe we can run a pole

To me a zeds a zed whether its running a 6 cy 4 cy turbo v8 rotary i just luv to hear about any one tinkering with a zed and how it changed it

back to the subject decide what you want to use the car for then decide what power you need if your going v8 use the jags that run book its the bible for v8 converisions

to me the v8 is a good in it gives you more power same balance when set up properly has heaps of power increase if you want to go that way

Mick