Thinking about a Z for the first time

[Fahrenheit]

Hey guys, first let me introduce my self. My names Fred and I'm a recovering alcoholic....opps wrong forum. What i really mean is i'm thinking about going Z for the first time. It all started when I saw this pic on a random google image search.

As yoda would say "in love I fell". Now I've been searching and reading up on these cars for the past few days. I just need some super basic info. In that pic, what year is that car abouts? When I look a different years i see nothing that looks like that front end. When I go to buy said car what should I be looking for as common problem areas? My over all goal is to swap in a LSx motor after getting the rest of the car up to spec. I would like to dive it while i collect parts tough. Any help would be great. Thanks guys!

[Gary in NJ]

Well, according to the badge on the front fender (behind the wheel) it's a 240Z. However, the hood has been modified and so have the break components. I'll go out on a limb here and say (judging by the NACA duct on the hood) that the engine has been swapped for a V8 too.

Good looking car though.

Good luck with your Z addiction.

[Fahrenheit]

Could you go over the diffrences in the body of the 240 260 280? I know engine size makes the name but what body changers are there? Engine size don't matter being a lsx will live there

[sblake01]

Welcome! The car you pictured is considerably modified and, despite the emblem on the fender, it could be a 240, 260, or 280. The cues that would distinguish it as one or another have been pretty much hidden by the modifications. That vent on the front fender is actually a 1977-1978 280Z hood vent. I won't post my opinion of this car...this is your thread and you like the car apparently and that's all that matters. If you do a search you'll find that the differences have been covered extensively over time on this site. Though you'll find some info here, you'll find that there are other sites, such as HybridZ, that are more geared towards things like V8 conversions and highly modified cars as the one you pictured.

[Zedyone_kenobi]

There is so much not stock in that car it is hard to tell. The side panels front and rear bumper, the hood, the numerous scoops, the steering wheel. It could be any model year really from 1970-1977. the lack of turn signal in the grill would make me lean toward an earlier car but that can ALL be modded.

My question to you if I should dare ask it, is why a swap. I mean a swapped LSX is about as common place as a honda civic. Leaving the L-series in there and building it up would be more original. Not so sound like a downer, but the L series is a great race proven platform to make very good power.

[Fahrenheit]

Well I agree the stock motor would be a cool build but nothing beats the cheap hp and tq and ease of repair of a lsx. I just want to get the best car to start with.

[sblake01]

I can vouch for the HP an TQ of a LS2 (see my signature). But there's nothing cheap about properly building a V8 powered 240-260-280Z. They're unibody cars and without proper reinforcement you'll twist them like a pretzel. Not to mention the driveline/suspension/brake systems that need to be brought up to speed to be on par with that type of power.......

[Fahrenheit]

Yes I know. I will set up the car right to take that kind of power. Just looking for a little info on the cars before I jumped in and bought one blind

[Arne]

If a V8-powered Z in the style of the picture is your goal, I'd recommend using one of the later 280Zs as a platform. There were many improvements over the lifespan of the original Z body that make a later car (say, '77 or 78) a better starting point. The 280Zs will all have rather large bumpers, but those can easily be replaced by the aftermarket parts used on the picture car, or something else similar. But the later cars are (slightly) less rust-prone, have better wiring, many will have stronger diffs, etc.

[Fahrenheit]

Hey thanks great info! I still cant find a good reference of the differences between the models and years but now you gave a me a year to look for. Im assuming the Z cars have some sort of after market fiberglass supply for different front ends and such?

[sblake01]

Yes I know. I will set up the car right to take that kind of power. Just looking for a little info on the cars before I jumped in and bought one blind

If you're really looking to do a V8Z, I strongly suggest you do the research. You'll need more than 'a little info' to do it right. I just don't think you realize what's involved.

[Fahrenheit]

I think i have a really good understanding of what will be needed. I've done V8 swaps into too different cars that don't come with a V8. A Mx5 and a Fiero for the record. Now granted both of them where done with bolt in kits with bolt in chassis reinforcements and the Z is looking like a harder car to do but thats whats makes it fun.