Dyno results of Rebello rebuilt engine

[landmizzle]

Hi all,

You may recall several months back that I almost sold my 240Z on Ebay. Fortunately, rational minds on this site set me straight and I saw the errors of my ways.

Since then, I've had Rebello Racing rebuild my engine. I thought you might like seeing the Dyno results.

Click here http://sclenden.users.sonic.net/240Z/Rebello 240z.xls

Rebello has a package where they use the original block and head from your 240Z and bore and stroke it out to 2.8 Liters using a 280Z crank. This package is for the semi-purists crowd that what to retain number matching blocks but add a little more grunt to their engine. In addition, 280Z intake and exhaust valves are installed in the head which is lightly ported. Dave Rebello spoke with me at length about what I was wanting from my engine and based on that conversation installed a cam that he thought I would like. Dave won't release the specs on the cam but, I can tell out that I love the finished product.

Some basic instructions I gave Dave Rebello...

I informed Dave that I wanted more mid to high end horsepower and torque. I could accept some gas mileage lose especially if would occur only when I "stepped on it".

My car is equiped with a 5 speed from a 280ZX (read tall geared, especially in 5th) and 3.54 rear end.

I have a 18 lbs. Maxima flywheel and 2.5 inch exhaust with a stock exhaust manifold.

Random thoughts on the results...

My baby is much more torquey accross the rpm range than before.

Cam really comes on from 4000RPM and higher. Between 5000 and 6000 RPM she's really singing. Feels like the pull you get from a 4 barrell carby when the secondaries kick in.

A bit of a loppy idle.

Gas mileage went from 28 MPG to 23 MPG on the highway. Consistently get 20-21 MPG in the city or when "stepping on it".

Currently running SM needles which work great. BTW, the SM needles weren't installed at time of dyno.

Intake and exhuast difinetly bottle-necking component of engine setup. I may install headers at a later date.

Engine responds to sutle changes in tuning. Everything from enriching to leaning the needles, dampening oil, needles themselves, ignition timing, air box cover on vs. off, etc. High performance=high maitenance. I love it. It's not as bad as it may sound though. However, you will notice effects with subtle changes and if you're one to tune to perfection, be prepared to be more thoughtful and patient.

Dispite the tall gearing, she acclerates very good and consequently is long legged at cruising. 3300 RPM @ 80 MPH. Would probably really rocket with a 3.9 rear end but I really don't want to go that route, especially with the price of gas now.

Rebello isn't cheap but they seem to do quality work and warrent the engine for life. My engine now has about 10K on it and is running smooth as ever.

Anyway, thought I share my experiences. Hope someone finds it useful.

Best Regards,

Landmizzle '72 240Z

[lonetreesteve]

Cool! Do you mind telling us what Rebello Racing charged you?

[landmizzle]

Hi Lonetreesteve,

The total price for me was $4700. The break down was $4200 for the engine work and porting and an additional $500 for the dyno tuning.

Best Regards,

Landmizzle '72 240Z

[2003z]

Hi Lonetreesteve,

The total price for me was $4700. The break down was $4200 for the engine work and porting and an additional $500 for the dyno tuning.

Best Regards,

Landmizzle '72 240Z

very nice!

[chickenwafer]

Very nice setup. I'm sure if you go with the headers like you mentioned you will get some more ponies and responiveness.

BTW: Does Rebello work on turbo motors, like an F45 from a 280ZX? Or is Rebello stricky an NA worker?

Dave

[landmizzle]

Hi chickenwafer,

To be honest with you, I don't know if he works on turbo engines or not. I would be surprised if he didn't but, ya' never know. I do know that they work on various engines including 60's muscle cars. They had a very nice Boss 302 when I was there.

His web-site is here www.rebelloracing.com Give em a call.

I noticed you're located in Pittsburgh. If that's Pittsburgh, CA, your right next door to his shop.

Best Regards,

Landmizzle '72 240Z

[g72s20]

Thanks Steve! . A very informative post. I have a growing interest in the characteristics of the Nissan L6, and your .xls file along with your explanation of what you were after is just great. I hope you go with the sound of long headers into a twin system. I would love to hear a Rebello engine "bellow" through one of these.

Jim.

[xray]

Very informative....220 rwhp and 210 lbft--nice! Sorry for the blitz of questions that follows.....

I guess he bored the block over 0.120 with L28 crank to get to 2753cc. Did he use L28 rods or L24? If he used L24 rods, did he say anything about how he corrected the deck height problem (2.7mm above the deck) that appears to be created? Stock 280 flattop pistons, or custom? What kind of head gasket?

What's your CR? (Only a guess), but should be right at 10-10.5:1? No detonation problems, I hope.

So he installed 280Z intake and exhaust valves--why do you think overboring the intake valves to 44mm still causes some intake restriction? Were the valves unshrouded? Do you think it's a manifold issue? Rebello sells overbored SUs--maybe that's the bottleneck and you just haven't realized you need a set of those (evil grin)!

Headers should be a fine addition since I bet the stock exhaust manifold is not designed to receive that much airflow. Wouldn't go above 2.5" for the exhaust as it may overdepress backpressure....

Sorry for the questions, but I am real interested in the same setup. Unfortunately, I have to live vicariously through your experience as shipping my L24 to California from NC borders on prohibitively expensive...well, they just approved a North Carolina lottery, so maybe there's still hope!

Look forward to seeing some 1/4 mile and 0-60 numbers when the exhaust manifold and rear end get reworked (sounds like that's what you're eyeing next.)

Congrats!

Steve

[landmizzle]

Hi Steve,

Yawza! You sure do have alot of questions. I'll try to answer what I can.

First off, the dyno ratings is from the flywheel not the rear wheels.

Compression ratio is 9.8. Primarily because I wanted to use pump gas. Even so, I have to run premium to avoid pinging. As she stands now, with A/C on going uphill, with lights on, during a hot day, she doesn't ping.

The intake restriction I'm referring to is the air box or perhaps carbs, not the head itself. This is based on my experiments during tuning and with the aircover on and off.

Yeah, I have thought about those 365 CFM SU's. Sounds sweet. Not sure if that might be too much flow for my engine. I'll have to check with Rebello. Then again with the price of gas now.......

I'll keep the current 2.5" exhaust (your correct about the backpressue issue IMO.) but may go with headers. We'll see. Need to think about it.

Your questions about the rods and such; I'll have to get back to you on it as I don't know the answer. I'll check with Dave Rebello though, and let you know.

Best Regards,

Landmizzle '72 240Z

[code3z]

Im looking into a Rebello 2.7L motor for my Z. Id like to ride in your car to see and feel the difference. You got time to drive me around? Im coming from the East Bay.

[texasz]

Thank you for the post, I'm looking at their 3.1L stroker myself. :devious: