Hello all,, comin over from HybridZ..looking for opinions

[xcyter]

So it turns out my new purchase 1972 240z is turning out to be less and less a candidate for a V8 everyday. I say this because I keep noticing how original it is and thought Id ask you purists over here about what you would do.

So I think the guys at HybridZ are a bit more into modifying the z's into fire breathing speed machines ( not a bad thing necessarily) than dealing with what I have bought.

So here it is. 72 240z/orange. all original, stereo,power antenna, sales slip,warranty book, jack and tools in original plastic, unmodified, original engine/trans, original everything as far as I can tell.

Ill try and post pics....

Is it clean enough to keep as original or is it not really a rarity??

Kinda put my V8 plans on hole when I started noticing its condition and goodies.

Thanks

OK pics too big to post.. 8 meg camera.. how do i post my pics? :stupid:

[Mike]

You can resize picts pretty easy with Windows XP. Check out this link: http://www.classiczcars.com/modules.php?name=FAQ&op=viewcategory&cid=2

Also check out this thread:

http://www.classiczcars.com/forums/showthread.php?t=25045

[Mr Camouflage]

First opinion: It's your car, do what you like with it.

Second opinion: If you think it's really worth something as an original condition, collectible car, then wack it on ebay with a collector price tag (and reserve) and see if anybody bites. You might get lucky and get enough to pay for another Z and the V8 swap, or you might not, but you will be under no obligation to sell if it doesn't meet the reserve. Then you can do waht you like to it.

[ktm]

It is your car and you can do with it as you like. Saying that, I would sell the car on Ebay and then buy a better candidate for the V8 swap. I myself have a hybridized 240z, but my car was already not original (not modified, but many of the original parts were long gone).

You could easily sell this 240z and with the money buy a 240z AND the parts for your swap. Hell, you live in Reno, just a few hours from the Bay Area. Check out the Bay Area Craigslist and prepare to be amazed. They have more 240z's for sale than all of So. Cal. combined.

[EScanlon]

If your car is as clean and original as you describe, then it IS worth more as an "original, un-modified" than it would be with a V8 swap or other modification...even if it had some problems that would require repairs, such as rust, paint, or replacing some parts.

While the V8 transplants, and other speed modification may be valuable, they are generally only valuable to those owners who would be interested in such a modification, and as a broad general rule, most of those owners would rather effect their own changes than buy another person's modifications. Not to denigrate or in any manner, fashion or form disparage those who chose to do those changes, but they are VERY subjective. One man's "improvement" is another man's "butchering".

That said, there are numerous vehicles out there that are far better suited for a V8 transplant or other speed modifications than the vehicle you describe. I myself have two, one is a 72 with a non-matching engine and a 73 with a 4-barrel carb modification. Both need work, (paint and interior) but either would be better candidates for those types of modifications.

FWIW

Enrique

[het976]

My 2 cents...sell the car to someone who wants a stocker or keep it and enjoy it yourself. It will be worth more unmolested. If you want to to do a V8, shop around and find someone's project that they lost interest in. Much cheaper than starting from scratch. In the end it is your choice and no matter what you do, it will be the right thing...for you.

[beandip]

I agree if the Z has the original engine and is as you say , the Z has more value than if you do the v-8 swap. Now of course it depends on how deep you are into the Z. I have seen several Zs for sale that already have V-8s installed for not much money in comparison to unmolested cars. Keep in mind , a collector that would be doing a restoration wants a all numbers matching car and one that is mostly all stock. They are going to completely disassemble the whole car from one end to the other. So paint is usually not a issue , rust is though big time. If the cars is a #s matching and rust free or almost so It would be a good candidate. My 2cts. Gary

[Mike]

If the car is in good condition, I'd say keep the L-series engine. The V8 swap will require some uni-body modification and bracing to handle the added torque. So, if you have matching numbers, you should definitely keep it stock. A good candidate for a V8 is a car without matching numbers, IMHO.

m

[xray]

If you ask a spine surgeon the best way to treat a degenerated/herniated disc, they'll probably say surgery...if you ask a non-surgeon, they'll say to avoid surgery.

If you ask the opinion of a group of people who enjoy the stock configuration of the Z, they'll say keep it stock.

BUT, well executed V8 or other hybrid swaps can bring good money. To wit: a 1977 280Z sold for 17,000 this year at B-J.

http://www.barrett-jackson.com/application/search/W_SearchSc08.aspx#gridview

Several V8, RB26 and SR20 swaps have sold in the high teens to mid 20s. BUT (big one here) much MORE was spent in executing the swap than what it was sold for. IMO, Restoring a matching umbers Z to stock configuration has a higher probability of costing less than doing a PROPER and HIGH QUALITY hybrid swap. With one exception---#299 or similar junker-level early series I cars where new/NOS parts are too rare to find. The cost to restore that situation is prohibitively high.

Another if: IF Zs get out of the "bargain collector" category, you'll have a better return on a stock Z than if you've modified. That's a big if, but SCM's (Sports Car Market) Keith Martin rates the Z a "B" which is better than prior year's "D" categorization.

http://store.sportscarmarket.com/ProductDetails.asp?ProductCode=BG-DAT-001

Maybe there's hope after all..

With that said, unless you've got 25k+ burning a hole in your wallet you're better off doing a driver refreshing for 10k and saving the rest.

[bigoak]

My vote: keep her stock and either love her as such or dispose of her as such.

If you're stuck on a V8 swap, find a better project car. You'll be ahead financially and end up with pretty much the same ride.

Good luck either way.

Keep reading on the board. Perhaps we'll win you over to the bright side of the force (tip of the hat to Mike's creepy avatar)...