Ha guys,

Help me out here, please. I have fallen victim to the need for more horse power...imagine that! I live in California and want your opinions on who I should go to to have an engine built. I want a naturally aspirated engine and have been told that I can get a streetable 250HP engine, using triple webers on pump gas. What do you all recommend?

More aggresive camshafts...

2.5" exhuast with a DynoMax muffler

Port and Polish the Head

Headers

Bigger Throttle Body

Fuel Pressure Regulator

MSD ignition or Ignition from a 280Z.

Stronger clutch

That should get you somewhere near that range... somewhere

Edit: wait i read 205HP.. for about 250HP? um...

New pistons and valvesprings.

Good advise PrOx,

What I'm really interested in is recommendations on an engine builder based on experiences with said engine builder. Thanks for the advise though!

Not meaning to diverge from the "classic" part of this forum but once you start pushing in that direction I would think more about a V8 swap. This is coming from "if I knew then what I know now" type of situation. Building a L series motor that high gets expencive quick, you could drop in a stock V8 for the same money or less and easily have 250+HP with room to grow.

Remember once you start pushing those kind of numbers out of a 6 streetability starts going away, the power is in the top end. Light to light you just start getting into the powerband unless you are going to run a real low rearend.

I'm probably pushing $3K+ in my engine with parts and all and could have had 400+HP for the same money if I would have put in a SBC V8.... if I only knew then what I know now....

You really don't need the triple webers...just get the more streetable dual weber carbs....and get the intake and cylinder head ported....

I would also think about installing 280z sized stainless valves...(go for the manley stainless as they are more durable)

Then get the head flowbenched and based on thee #'s get a camshaft custom grind....and tune the carbs to it. I would consider electronic ignition (Have Rebello recurve your distributor to optimize timing)

I would also consider some flat top pistons along with the stroker kit (more displacement keeps the car streetable and the cam a bit more conservative), total seal piston rings and a good balance job to keep things smooth. (streetable comp ratio is 9.5-10:1) on 91 octane gasoline.

A nice coated header and tuned exhaust would round this package out nicely.

This setup would definitely put you in the 250hp at the crankshaft range...

A good Datsun engine builder in the bay area would be Rebello (pricey but good)

Another is a guy named Darrel, an older guy used to be a Datsun tech before

opening his own shop.

again, you may want to look for people in your area....these are just some guys in the SF bay area...

to get there and also get about 28-30 mpg, simply put is a turbo swap plain and simple.

Originally posted by ZmeFly

to get there and also get about 28-30 mpg, simply put is a turbo swap plain and simple.

yeah what he said!!!

start looking for an L28et engine from a 280zx turbo.

Originally posted by 240ZX

Good advise PrOx,

What I'm really interested in is recommendations on an engine builder based on experiences with said engine builder. Thanks for the advise though!

Your first post specified NATURALLY ASPIRATED, so I don't understand the Turbo suggestions. :stupid:

REBELLO is the way to in CA

I'mnot sure if they still exist or not but there used to be a company called ( GUDE) in California.

They build small motors like yours and last I read, they took an L20-B ( 2.0 liter ) and pushed over 300 HP out of it. With basic head work ald moderate bottom end work.

Has any one heard of them or am I just special?

Dave.

The reason turbo comes to mind is because of his Hp goals.

Unless he has the $$$ or knowledge to make an NA motor to provide these

HP numbers.

Well, he asked for advice on a BUILDER for a NA Engine (not on how to build one) putting out those HP numbers. I'm fairly certain that Tom (as a Mech Eng. Tech.) understands that HP costs $$$. Rebello (and Sunbelt Engines) do have the knowledge to get 300+ HP out of a NA L6.

He may end up going Turbo, but that isn't the question he asked for advice on.

Thanks Carl:classic:

I thought I was the only one who understood that he was looking for a builder as well.

So have you heard of GUDE out of california?

Dave