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.

The old 327 is a heavy iron block, the GM LS1 is an all aluminum block , in fact it weights less than the original inline 6 Datsun motor. I think that engine swaps done with proper engineering on a Z are an attractive option , the ageless design that is exotic in my eyes makes a Z a canvas for a master piece .

Edited July 28, 201410 yr by Z fan

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.

Good points made here, the syndrome of spending money on this car is an illness, but what a wonderful toy .

Sounding more and more like 72OJ. You've already decided that the LS1 swap adds "value". You're really just here to find people who agree with you. Nothing wrong with that, at least you're not randomly posting in other people's threads about how great your car is. I think that that is the real reason 72OJ got banned.

It will be interesting to see what your step-son ends up with and how much he pays.

@ Zed Head, he is a very cool person , you should check out his girlfriend , a true Victoria Secret type model just as sexy as his Z. We have made no decision on the type of Z to be considered , lots of variables on the table .

Edited July 28, 201410 yr by Z fan

I'm thinking this really is 72OJ, under a different name. Couldn't stop talking about how sexy his car was then, now he has to talk about his sexy girlfriend. Somehow, sex always enters the discussion.

I've looked and I can't find any confirmation that the LS1 is much lighter than the L6. Most people consider the transmission as part of the package. When you do that the car gets heavier apparently.

Here's a thread that he (you) might remember. Post #9. - Weight of an LS1 and an L24 - Gen III & IV Chevy V8Z Tech Board - HybridZ See how the discussion devolved, then died.

I predict that there will be an LS engine of some kind in this car, if this thread is really about finding a nice Z for a step-son.

I'm thinking this really is 72OJ, under a different name. Couldn't stop talking about how sexy his car was then, now he has to talk about his sexy girlfriend. Somehow, sex always enters the discussion.

I've looked and I can't find any confirmation that the LS1 is much lighter than the L6. Most people consider the transmission as part of the package. When you do that the car gets heavier apparently.

Here's a thread that he (you) might remember. Post #9. - Weight of an LS1 and an L24 - Gen III & IV Chevy V8Z Tech Board - HybridZ See how the discussion devolved, then died.

I predict that there will be an LS engine of some kind in this car, if this thread is really about finding a nice Z for a step-son.

@ Zed Head, please stop the the OJ comparison , like a stated before , my participation on this site should not be link to my uncle , if you had an issue with him take that with him. The HybridZ thread in your post ended with a scale picture that proofed the point . As for your prediction it will be a clean done California Z with an engine upgrade maybe like this .

Edited July 29, 201410 yr by Z fan

I'm thinking this really is 72OJ, under a different name. Couldn't stop talking about how sexy his car was then, now he has to talk about his sexy girlfriend. Somehow, sex always enters the discussion.

It wouldn't be the first time...

@ LeonV, Please move on , what ever obsession you have with OJ let it go. I repeat my relation with him has no relevance in my participation on this site .

Edited July 29, 201410 yr by Z fan