Your opinions on v8 conversions

[76Datsun280z]

I thought it might be fun to hear your opinions on v8 conversions on these cars. To me, I wouldn't do it in a Z car because to me it would just kind loose the "heart" of what makes these cars so fun and cool. Not that it wouldn't be fun to have a v8 under the hood, it would just loose the essence and feel of the car and I'm a huge fan of these of engines and these engines are part of what makes a Z a Z if you get my drift. If I wanted more power, I would modify the stock engine.

[jmortensen]

When you look at it objectively most of the arguments against the V8's (heavy, low rpm limit, ruins handling, "old" tech, etc) don't really hold water. In the end it's your car, so do what makes you happy. If you want really big power its tough to beat a V8 conversion, especially when you consider bang for the buck. If you want to learn more about V8 (or any other) conversions, a trip to hybridz.org is in order. You name it, it's probably been done over there, L28ET, L31 and L32, BBC, SBC, SBF, Mopar small and big blocks, 13B, 1JZ, 2ZJ, 7MGTE, SR20DET, RB25 and RB26, Jag V12, BMW V12, and I'm sure I'm missing some others.

[=Enigma=]

As a kid, I always admired the Scarab conversions and this was what I thought my goal would be when I grew up. However once I started learning more about the history of the 240Z and had a chance to drive and listen to one, I knew I had to keep the original motor, or at a minimum stay within in the genre. That said, my present plans are to store the original L24 and swap in a pumped L28. I have no plans to stray from this objective at this point. If conditions allow, I may add a 280Z to the stable in the future and that would be a definite V8 candidate.

[red_dog007]

I myself was looking at LS/LT/RB/SR motors for my 240z. Though thinking it over for a LONG time, I am just going to stroke it and triple carb it. Keep more of the 240z heritage and the the carb heritage. Right there before carbs were switched to efi. It costs a lot of money, and gains aren't as big as a V8 conversion, but it is much more worth it imo.

Basically no one has carbs, or even knows that they are. I know of a few people who think that they are crap and old school equaling no power, but a lot of race cars today have carbs on them. Would be super fun to own people old school style when racing against their twin-turbo DOHC, VVT motors.

Plus those swaps are all over the place. I prefer to do something that only a handful of people have done if that. There is a video on Google of a 3.2L L28 stroker with triple webbers and boy does that thing sound mean. Sounds like a monster V8 also.

Plus I don't even need that much of a power increase to get 2300lbs to go 0 to 60 in the 5.5 to 6.5 second range which is all that I am looking for. 200hp to 230hp is all that I would need, and a mean sounding stroker triple carb should get me that power.

http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=-2382048404444900926&q=datsun+240z

I want my 240z to be the same as that but with the L24 block @ 2.7/2.8 liters.

[sblake01]

A proper V8 conversion, that is, one that doesn't twist the uni body construction of the Z into a pretzel, is and expensive proposition. There are a lot of bad V8/Z swaps out there and only a few that were done 'right'. There was a guy that belonged to the Absolute Z Club in SoCal that had one with a 383 Chevy stroker, 6 speed Mustang trans, complete custom frame, Corvette independent rear suspension, four wheel discs, Vintage Air AC system, custom leather interior, etc. The car looked factory built and cost a small fortune to build but it was the cleanest V8/Z swap I've ever seen to this day. (And I still don't like them)

[Project_BBZ]

These days the GM LSx series engines are hard to beat in all around power, weight, mpg, handling, etc.

I like lots torque though too.....

[dade280]

Im not really a big fan of the v8 or sr20 conversions. RB swaps i dont mind as much as its still a straight 6 and made by nissan.

[m4xwellmurd3r]

sure the v8 swap is cool and is mean/fast/wicked

but you lose the sound of the L6 running at 6000rpm singing it's heart out.

the tone of a zed's L6 will keep me wanting the L6 to stay. Whenever i punch the gas and pick up the rev's, that engine start's singing a beautiful song that no other 6 cylinder has ever sung before. (except right now she's not singin...damn rich issue)

[EScanlon]

If I had a Z shell and no stock motor for it, but I did have a Rotary, or a V6 or V8 readily available, then it would be a definite consideration. The only limitation (to me) would be the money and knowledge necessary to make it work correctly and without problems.

But to remove a motor simply to put in a bigger or different style engine requires being enamoured of just that type of experience. Like Red-Dog said, just another conversion wouldn't be enjoyable. Finding and getting a Rotary, or a V12 or ??? to work would be challenge enough to make it enjoyable for the experience. But again, you need to enjoy doing that type of work.

However, in my opinion, to remove a good engine for the sake of swapping it out, is why this kind of venture gets a bad name. At least amongst other enthusiasts of the car, and I would venture to say that it goes to other marques as well.

There are enough cars out there that have bad engines that could use the "transplant" to keep them on the road without sacrificing a car with a good engine just to do the operation.

I like painting cars, but I can't say I would paint my car once a year just for the sake of it. I'd rather paint a different one, whether mine or someone else's.

My 2¢

E

[That Ozzy Guy]

You can always come paint my car

I've had both stock and v8. Both have been fun and in a perfect world I'd own a stock daily driver and a v8 for drags/fun. There is something very appealing driving a 240 with a v8 though. The power to weight is great and you can balance them extremely well. This car is perfect for v8's. Well, almost. The body could be a tad stronger.

[Goose52]

This car is perfect for v8's. Well, almost. The body could be a tad stronger.

I put in a 331 small-block Chevy back in 1977 and still have wrinkles in the firewall from the unit-body winding up !

I went with the SBC as triple carbs on the L motor weren't going to give me the power I wanted with streetability, and turbos were mostly still in their infancy back then, as was electronic controls and aftermarket FI options. It was the best way to make big power. OTOH, it was before the easy availability of things like aluminum heads and the other neat stuff used on the later Chevy engines that would have improved the balance of the car.

I ran the SBC for 5 years and started getting caught up in smog issues as well as other factors and ended up putting an L-28 in the car in 1982. I sorta miss the "sleeper" days but the L-28 is still fun, AND, I'm more than 25 years older and don't drive quite as fast any longer ...

[Zs-ondabrain]

I would talk to ( VIPERREDLS1Z ) over at Hybrid Z. His name is Dave and he lives in southern part of Oregon and does those V8 conversions all the time. He races them also, so he could give you a real good idea of pros and cons of the V8 conversions in a 240Z.

I just installed power windows and locks and a keyless entry system along with one of my parking light upgrade harness's into an LS2 converted 240Z. Very nice car and PLENTY of power. Very clean install as well.

this is his Z.

http://www.picturetrail.com/gid14620511