Should I 3.0 Rebello build, or Datsun 510 ?

[peng155]

Hey Folks,

Now that I finally have the car running, in pretty fine shape I've been contemplating what to do next...

The suspension is pretty much stock, as is the engine (original L24 with 120K miles).. The engine seems to be in pretty good shape.. still pulls real strong.. only thing is it might need is new valve seals.

I've been thinking of either having the original engine rebuilt, or swap in a 280zx turbo engine, or swap in a Rebello built 3.0 engine.. I'm sort of leaning towards the Rebello option with either stock SU's or a pair of the modified SU's to start with, and then swap the SU's out for an after market FI system at a later date.

I figure the motor will run me about 5-6K, and the FI another 2-3K... Oh I forgot this is like a 2-3yr project (engine swap, drive for a year or so, then FI swap) wasn't planning, and can't afford to dump all of the green backs at once....

What has complicated the decision making is that while I was visiting my body/painter guy the other day to discuss having a bit of work done on the car.... he mentions that he has another customer who might be looking to sell his Datsun 510, not sure what the year is... but I've been sort of looking for a 510 and depending on the condition of this one, and provided it's for sale.. I'm sort of at a cross road of what to do.

My 'Z' is strictly a summer cruiser, take it to the Datsun-Nissan-Z get together, not planning on any tracking, or x-crossing the cars.. So I'm looking at spending say 10k on either a motor, or possibly a 510.

What do you guy's think?? And no I really don't need another car in the garage

[Walter Moore]

I have had a similar thought, however I have come to the conclusion that adding horsepower to a stock Z will cause problems. The stock brakes are fine for normal driving, or even some forms of racing, but it you add enough horsepower to get up to serious speeds you will quickly over power the brakes.

I have decided to leave the car as is until something major HAS to be replaced. If I make any more major changes to the car I will start with the suspension and brakes, then once I know those are up to the level needed to support more power I will reevaluate the engine options.

(To be honest however, I have already installed oversize front and rear sway bars. I personally consider that to be a necessary upgrade regardless of the power available.)

[peng155]

I have had a similar thought, however I have come to the conclusion that adding horsepower to a stock Z will cause problems. The stock brakes are fine for normal driving, or even some forms of racing, but it you add enough horsepower to get up to serious speeds you will quickly over power the brakes.

I have decided to leave the car as is until something major HAS to be replaced. If I make any more major changes to the car I will start with the suspension and brakes

Hey Walter...

I've been thinking about the same thing off and on with regards to the breaks on the car... My Fall/Winter project will probably be to install a Wilwood front disk brake upgrade.

[WW2Winger]

Can't help with your decision, but if you want to put SUs on a Rebello motor, I have a set with the manifold that I first sent to ZTherapy for overhaul, ($600) then, when Rebello built my motor, he did his magic. Included would be the air horns and the K N individual filters. Let me know.