which engine to go with?

[TomoHawk]

I wish I could say that about my area, Zedy-wan.

Around here, you have to have a triple-chromed (intake, carb, alternator, a/c) Chevy V-8 in your (Model T!) or you won't get enough votes for last place. Plus chromed engine bay, and all the other usual blingy stuff like louvers and "candy-apple" or flames.

I don't have the tripples, but most parts on my engine are polished or chrome-"painted" and the best I get is a good look by people that already know what the car is about. I'll try some cavilino emblems, maybe.

Personally, I'd be happy to check out any straight-6 that's been done to-the-nines, and there are two here that I know of. One's in a 60s Ford pickup and one is in a Maverick.

[gnosez]

BSW - as someone who decided early on not to install an L28 turbo, an RB, or a LS motor and instead started with a stock L24 and have ended up over the last 14 years with a foolish 3.2L (L28 stroker with triples making 358@crank) running on 100 octane, do whatever makes you happy.

And yes, if you increase hp then you MUST increase your braking ability. As to the thought that all the hp is wasted because it just means you end up spinning your wheels and can't stop, well that is not quite correct until you get up over my level of rear wheel horsepower (or have trouble knowing how to artfully use both your right and left feet in unison). There are traction limited Zs with LS/LT/RB/L28-turbos and those folks got what they wanted.

As to S30 body Zs (70-78) being happy with just 150-200 hp, I have only to look in the engine bay of any of the early Bob Sharp race cars ( let's say they made a tad more than 200hp and might have handled just fine) or drive a friend's Z with over 400hp and the only issue is that I hit 140 as I transition into 4th gear. That said I understand the need for balance (think AC Cobra with a 289 instead of a big block) so plan your build in a holistic manner taking into account how you will use and where you will use your Z.

And if my engine couldn't go 30 minutes without a cylinder wall issue being a concern, I'd replace the engine or engine builder.

[gnosez]

So which engine is in the car now? The L24 making 240hp or the L28 making 285+ with a CR of 13.5? Can either spin the tires? Does going from a stock 150hp to 285 make the car handle any differently? In the dry, no. Do you need more brake? Yes.

[Stanley]

First you talk about a swap, then keeping an L6, now back to a swap. That's OK though, sounds like you want figure all the options.

An L6 can go plenty fast, Pierre Perrot had one up to 160 mph at El Mirage in the 70's, and there's a member on this site that runs the quarter mile in the mid-twelves with SU's. If that's not fast enough you can turbo it or run a side draft belt-driven blower.

For engine swaps, I like to see something different. There are a lot of RB twin cam swaps in my area but I bet they'd get some attention in Louisiana. Plus it's keeping it in the Nissan - Datsun family and it's a high-revver. How about a twin-turbo V6 from a 300zx? Probably some around in early Z's, haven't seen one yet, though. Or even one from a late-model Z-series. Or be a real iconoclast, find the biggest rotary engine available, and swap that in. Of course the best swap would be an S-20, with the 2400cc kit (available in Japan). That one would be pure Z-ness. Maybe expensive though.

Nothing like that for me, just working the best possible tune and a few minor mods, and experimenting with shift points to get the best out of what I have. Also, especially for a sports car, sometimes going fastest is mostly about the driver and suspension. Not wrecking or getting tickets is important too.

I think my car is fast enough. Well almost. Maybe MSD next, hear a miss occasionally at top end. Would hate for that to happen when I get a perfect light.

Edited April 6, 2014 by Stanley

[240260280z]

Maybe a BMW 3.2litre S54 engine and transmission transplant from a Z3 M series... NA and ~ 350HP. Saves having to build a stroker.

8,000rpm redline too.

[240260280z]

Maybe a BMW 3.2litre S54 engine and transmission transplant from a Z3 M series... NA and ~ 350HP. Saves having to build a stroker.

8,000rpm redline too.

[bsw1221]

Through lots of research and all the comments. I am going to keep it nissan. I just have to decide if it will be the l28 or rb25. And so far leaning toward the L28. I lean more to the purity of it and that most people look for bigger and better but efficient is often overlooked. It is appealing to me. Thank you for all the various input and links. As soon as I am settled on my new location the build begins!

[Zedyone_kenobi]

Bravo, if you ever have any questions, please do not hesitate to ask your brethren here...

I am always wiling to help out a fellow south Louisiana buddy.