Site CONSENSUS on early Z with V8 transplant

[psdenno]

This thread has strayed so far from the original topic that it's neither informative nor pleasant to be a participant. It's dead to me and I'm moving on.

Dennis

[Zedyone_kenobi]

To me a Z with a V8 is no longer a Z but is nothing more than just another kit car. Kit cars can be valuable and desirable to some. But is NOT a Z. Too much has to be changed, and the car is a miss match of parts.

But the value is tough. You will certainly make more money keeping it OEM. Perfect car with a V8 value is probably less than Perfect car with an original engine. But again, if you find the right guy at the right time, anything can happen. Your odds are better with an original car if $$$$ is what you are seeking.

The only kit cars I have ever been able to stomach is the factory 5 cobras and the well done Porsche speedsters.

A V8 Z, nope, never liked it. Seen too many hacked up cars to waste time looking for one done right. I get zero goosebumps when I pop open the hood of a Z and see huge corvette plastic engine covers. I get far more weak in the knees when I see triple Webers/Mikuni's on a straight 6.

[Z fan]

I ask to the well verse Z aficionados , I lately have seen some real clean early Z's with late LS1/LS2 GM engine transplant and ask , does this increase or decrease the value on this Japanese classic car .

Word by word of my initial post, this is the topic at hand. A simple question that has been transform into a cyber inane battle by some site members.

Edited July 26, 2014 by Z fan

[Mark Maras]

A friend has a 73 Scarab. Beautifully done inside & out with a 327, Given my choice, I'd take one with an inline 6. The power of the 327 is impressive but it changes the whole feel of the car. I don't think the exra weight up front helps much either. He won't drive it in the rain anymore, He says it's too squirrely, Even in the dry, if you're going for WOT, the car had better be pointed straight. Seems to me that something has been taken away from the Scarab, maybe just good old driveability. I love my Z in all weather, even snow. (should have kept those tire chains Geoff) and it is by far the most fun car you can drive year round. There is a limit, deep snow.

[Scarab155]

A quick look at Hemmings classifieds -- which typically represents the upper end of the "asking price" for 240Z's (you indicated in your post "clean early Z's) shows asking process from a low of $10,000 to a high of $ 16,000. one was recently listed at $25,000 but I do not know if it sold at that price. The same condition "clean early Z's with a GM LS1/LS2 conversion (most have automatics but some are standard) sell for between $ 15,000 and $20,000. so the answer to your query is YES. There was a fantastic Z from northern California that had EVERYTHING done to it with its LS conversion that was asked for $40,000 + and ultimately sold for $35,000.

Forget factory Scarabs (to be fair I own factory VIN # 155 Scarab) They START in the mid $20's and go up from there depending on the VIN #. You can do this mental comparison with US made "restomods". If the underlying car -- fully restored -- is worth upwards of $25,000 - $50,000 then a fully restomod might bring $ 35,000 -$75,000. I'm weatch9ng Mecum now and that seems to be the case. So early Z's do not have the same lift as a classic 60's car when each have been restomoded.

Good luck in your search -- keep in mind that to hold the power of an LS1/LS2 a WHOLE LOT -- and I mean A WHOLE LOT of suspension, unibnody/frame strengthening, brakes, steering and wheels/tires have to be done. If not you've got a straight line bottle rocket.

[Zed Head]

Could you post some links, or an image of the page data? I looked and only see six 240Z's for sale and a price range, but that's it. That would be a good resource and could answer his questions. I'd like to browse through it myself.

Datsun 240Z for Sale | Hemmings Motor News

Research Classic Car Pricing | Vehicle Price Guides | Hemmings Motor News

[Zed Head]

This web site looks interesting. A few V8 Z's. Didn't see any LS1's but haven't made it through the pages.

240Z | Makes | Z CAR TRADER ? Free Datsun/Nissan Classified ADs

Edited July 26, 2014 by Zed Head

[Z fan]

A quick look at Hemmings classifieds -- which typically represents the upper end of the "asking price" for 240Z's (you indicated in your post "clean early Z's) shows asking process from a low of $10,000 to a high of $ 16,000. one was recently listed at $25,000 but I do not know if it sold at that price. The same condition "clean early Z's with a GM LS1/LS2 conversion (most have automatics but some are standard) sell for between $ 15,000 and $20,000. so the answer to your query is YES. There was a fantastic Z from northern California that had EVERYTHING done to it with its LS conversion that was asked for $40,000 + and ultimately sold for $35,000.

Forget factory Scarabs (to be fair I own factory VIN # 155 Scarab) They START in the mid $20's and go up from there depending on the VIN #. You can do this mental comparison with US made "restomods". If the underlying car -- fully restored -- is worth upwards of $25,000 - $50,000 then a fully restomod might bring $ 35,000 -$75,000. I'm weatch9ng Mecum now and that seems to be the case. So early Z's do not have the same lift as a classic 60's car when each have been restomoded.

Good luck in your search -- keep in mind that to hold the power of an LS1/LS2 a WHOLE LOT -- and I mean A WHOLE LOT of suspension, unibnody/frame strengthening, brakes, steering and wheels/tires have to be done. If not you've got a straight line bottle rocket.

@Scarab155, thanks good info .

[Oiluj]

As for V8 conversions, I've always felt that if I had the desire for a "go fast" Corvette powered sports car, I'd buy a Corvette.

Dennis"]

I consider V-8 conversions to be a matter of personal taste, though personally, I'm with Dennis on this one. __ The L-Series drive trains just seem "right" in these cars.

To answer the original question, as far as value goes, I think it's very much dependent on the quality of the build. A high-end, professional quality V-8 conversion will be more valuable than a typical garage-built car. The majority of garage-built V-8 conversions seen on eBay or Craig's list seem to sell for relatively low money. __ Also, a "real" Scarab is not the same as a modern V-8 conversion in terms of collector desirability and value. __

If we believe the articles suggesting that our 240Z's will be increasing in collector / $ value, it "might" be wisest to build an 100% stock restoration, or a well done (and reversible) resto-mode with the original drive train.

Many of us have invested far more into our Z's than their current market value, and suspect it will be at least five years before my Z will "might" worth what I have spent on it...

__ My impression is most of the people on this site don't consider their classic Z's as "investments". I certainly feel that way, and pending a fiscal or health issue forcing me to sell it, I plan to be driving my Z for many years to come.

[Hunter260Z]

I agree with post # 50 and # 57.When you replace the motor with a V8 it's no longer a Z. Love my SU's and 25-27 mpg on the highway.

[chris b]

Let's face it - 'Beauty is in the eye of the Beer holder'

For me I go with in period modifications rather than the V8 or turbo rice-power transplant.

[siteunseen]

Let's face it - 'Beauty is in the eye of the Beer holder'

Magical beer!