new to datsuns

[thedatsunkid]

i was wondering how long it would take to swap in a V8 (SBC) in to a 240 or 260z assuming i had all the right parts. is it a simple week end job or would it take several weeks and plenty of beer for my friends or what. also how long would it take to swap in a 280zx motor or mabey just the FI if possible. like the title says im new to datsuns and i dont even have one yet but like my sig says my nova was totaled and im lookin to get a datsun now. thanks for any help

[2ManyZs]

If you have all the necessary tools and parts and are somewhat mechanically inclined in case a problem pops up, you should be able to do it in a weekend with a little help from a friend.

FI is going to take a bit longer as you will need to do some wiring to hook all the wires up to the ECM for power to it, I'd go with a ZX motor with carbs, in which case it would be a simple matter of pulling one motor, and bolting another in its place and transferring things like the intake and exhaust.

[psimkin]

Hey datsunkid; I am just about finished V-8ing my 72 Z and a weekend job might depend on what else you might do to the car?? I stripped out and re-did everything from bumper to bumper and it's been a year of weekends and lots of nights. Once you start looking at things like rads, tranys, wiring, rear ends etc. the time flys, but ,hey, it's been a blast. Think, Plan, DO !!!!! :devious:

[ZmeFly]

and they really arent all that. i had a 74 260V8 that would do 12.95 in the quarter, but it just wasnt a real Z.

i dont know how to explain it but i have had more fun a a inlinerZ then i ever did in the V8 Z.

actually you could go with a ZXT turbo motor and it would be easier, then with the V8 convert and have the same if not more power.

not saying the V8 Z isnt a bad idea, just that its not all that and well, its just old technology.

go with something more updated.

my .02

[Vodkaboy]

Originally posted by ZmeFly

not saying the V8 Z isnt a bad idea, just that its not all that and well, its just old technology.

in another forum i surf on, this fact is debated almost every week. it gets ugly. still, some things to think about.

SOHC inline engines are a more primitive design and predates the pushrod V8's.

Although they are using 'old' pushrod designs, they refine their designs into incredible pieces of work. Take, for instance, the LT1. Still a pushrod V8, but it has had its design refined for quite some time, and it now has decent fuel economy, and some of the nicest, flattest torque and HP curves. It also uses some of the most advanced technology in the world.

one final thing, is that the L28 doesnt even have crossflow heads, which is one of the advantages that is typically inate to SOHC engines.

now dont get me wrong, i have got the best of both worlds, an L28 in a '77 280Z, and a 429 BBF in my t-bird. and i honestly cant say i would ever switch from the L28 in the Z. something about Zs screams for the L6, and V8s just seem somewhat wrong.

[ZmeFly]

and it is true, im by far not a purist in any means of the question, and being from both worlds ie having both types, i just like the six in the Z.

[Leeroy]

Gotta say that I agree...and funny you should say a V8 isn't the best....the L-series of engines recently won an award as one of the top ten engines ever built for a passenger car!! So there!!

But, I gotta say, if you want real power, but still a 6 and a whole heap of technology...go and get yourself an RB25det (others will say the RB26dett...but the 25 is cheaper, more plentiful, single turbo (easier to high flow), and makes relatively the same power from the same boost), and it'll fit not a prob (its also a whole heap lighter than a SBC)...this thread has been debated plenty over the last year...go to the engine section in forum threads and you'll see what I mean.

Just my 2/400ths of $4.

Good luck, don't do what we say...do whatever you'll heart desires, cause its your car, not ours!!

Cheers ppl!

[psimkin]

You hit the nail on the flat spot!! What I found really counts is what you want to do with the car and what you want the car to do for you, sounds like crap at first, but every system in yhe car can be effected by it. Think, Plan, DO!!!!! :devious: