I bought my '72 240Z in 1974 (4 spd manual CA car), got married and a couple kids in 1980, additional kids 1982 and 1984, and garaged it in 1986, mainly due to radiator related issues (no overheating involved). Not long after I had it repainted (the original color) in 1977, someone dented the right front fender and when a son was learning to drive in 1998, he bashed the garaged door using our 1997 F150, with the Z sitting directly behind it. It needed a new rear bumper anyhow, but not rear end and hatch body work too. There's also at least one shallow roof dent, from something being placed/stored on top of the car. Plastic panels in the interior are shot. Dash has at least one split.

Once in a while I toss around getting it going again, updating in the process. Wouldn't mind having a slightly lighter weight/higher horse power naturally aspirated fuel injected four cyclinder engine with solid state ignition combination, rear disk brakes and possibly an automatic transmission. Keeping it stock or going triple Weber carbs would look nice, but I still remember how it ran sometimes and the engine would need going through anyhow, plus a new clutch would be in order and I don't like sitting behind non-smogged classic cars.

Picking up a salvage Honda S2000 car sounds like one possibility. What say ye?

Big project, but totally worthwhile.

The S2k swap is uncommon, but has been done. Finding an NA 4/cyl in RWD configuration (especially with an automatic) that makes more power than a restored L24 could be a challenge. A GM Sky/Solstice fits that bill as well. KA and SR will leave you at around the same HP, saving a little weight.

V6 makes more sense, if you're staying NA. A VQ out of a Z / G is plentiful, as are the LQ / LS V8 motors.

The engine swap will be the least of your expenses - Z restoration has gotten pricey. What part of the US are you in?

SF Bay Area

Gotcha. Keep us posted, love to help out if we can.

Through a mishap, I have a 3.6 liter Chevy LFX engine and 6L50 AT from my wife's 2012 Camaro. At 323 HP, I figured it would make a great 240/260Z transplant engine. Using the same tranny mount, the front engine mounts are 5 inches shorter than the L6.

Unfortunately, my matching numbers Series I car is not a candidate and I was unable to locate a reasonable shell on the east coast. I ran into a company that makes LFX conversion kits for the Miata. I have decided to go that route. I bought a 2011 Miata hard top convertible with 158 HP and 6 speed AT. Stock it weighs about as much as your Z.

Previously owned a 1999 Miata with 130 HP and 4 speed AT and the difference between the two cars is amazing. I think the 6 speed AT is the primary reason. A modern 6 speed AT has quite a range of gear ratio from 1st through 6th, my 6L50 exceeds 6 to 1. Matched with an appropriate diff, you can have sparkling acceleration and 1500 rpm highway cruising.

I would definitely look for a 6 speed AT especially if you are only looking for a modest HP increase.

djwarner wrote:Through a mishap, I have a 3.6 liter Chevy LFX engine and 6L50 AT from my wife's 2012 Camaro. At 323 HP, I figured it would make a great 240/260Z transplant engine. Using the same tranny mount, the front engine mounts are 5 inches shorter than the L6.

Unfortunately, my matching numbers Series I car is not a candidate and I was unable to locate a reasonable shell on the east coast. I ran into a company that makes LFX conversion kits for the Miata. I have decided to go that route. I bought a 2011 Miata hard top convertible with 158 HP and 6 speed AT. Stock it weighs about as much as your Z.

Previously owned a 1999 Miata with 130 HP and 4 speed AT and the difference between the two cars is amazing. I think the 6 speed AT is the primary reason. A modern 6 speed AT has quite a range of gear ratio from 1st through 6th, my 6L50 exceeds 6 to 1. Matched with an appropriate diff, you can have sparkling acceleration and 1500 rpm highway cruising.

I would definitely look for a 6 speed AT especially if you are only looking for a modest HP increase.

Thank you for what may prove to be some very helpful information.

If you're thinking S2k engine swap I'd keep the drivetrain together. If you want an automatic, I'd look at a 350Z, not a swap, just buy and drive. They can be had cheap, probably less than you'll have tied up in a k swapped S30. Then keep the 240 as stock as possible, or sell it, the most stock and original they are the more they are worth. If you prefer something lighter, look at a miata, great little cars and there is one for every budget these days.

^ That. All of it.

(and hit me up if you want to offload the parts car. )

evildky wrote:If you're thinking S2k engine swap I'd keep the drivetrain together. If you want an automatic, I'd look at a 350Z, not a swap, just buy and drive. They can be had cheap, probably less than you'll have tied up in a k swapped S30. Then keep the 240 as stock as possible, or sell it, the most stock and original they are the more they are worth. If you prefer something lighter, look at a miata, great little cars and there is one for every budget these days.

Thank you!

Keeping everything together with the S2K swap makes sense, as I'd want to start with a "running" complete donor car to get all of the electrical, etc., plus it sounds like a good way to get rear disc brakes and a "correct" engine/transmission/rear-end combination. I also like the idea of a timing chain as opposed to a belt and can just keep driving through, but not in SF.

A suitable S2K donor car probably costs more than an automatic equipped Miata donor car. What about keeping that engine/transmission/rear-end combo together? I'll do more searching about each swap. Performance, maintenance and reliability-wise just about anything should be an improvement on stock. Not much interest here in a soft top or even AC.

I'm not familiar enough with the AP1&2 front and rear subframes to visualize swapping them, might be easy, most likely not, very very not. The AP's do have a neat electric power steering, and as you mentioned much improved brakes. The swap is possible for sure whether you do drivetrain only or complete subframes or even something radical like setting the Z dody on the AP floorpans. Just not sure the juice is worth the squeeze but if it's what you want, go for it. There are a lot fo well documented s2k swaps into miata's, you might also find some in old brits, locost and exocets. I honestly don't think you'll be happy with the K swap, all their power lives at the top of the powerband and unless you want to constantly work to stay in the power they feel less peppy than a miata in the bottom of the rpm range. Great for racing, terrible real world traffic.

When I suggested miata, I meant just driving a miata, I would never see the miata as a swap donor. I also wouldn't want to drive an automatic miata. they are just brilliant cars. An early miata is within 1' of track width and wheelbase of an early 240Z, also within 100 lbs of curb weight, but with 30% less power. But better brakes and the best stock shifter on the planet. Buy a hardtop and leave it on if you like a lid, the cars are just tossable and fun, I've owned 4, might be picking up another soon. I'm not the biggest fan of a convertible but on a miata it adds to the go kart like sensation of driving one.

SR20DET anyone?

evildky wrote:When I suggested miata, I meant just driving a miata, I would never see the miata as a swap donor. I also wouldn't want to drive an automatic miata. they are just brilliant cars. An early miata is within 1' of track width and wheelbase of an early 240Z, also within 100 lbs of curb weight, but with 30% less power. But better brakes and the best stock shifter on the planet. Buy a hardtop and leave it on if you like a lid, the cars are just tossable and fun, I've owned 4, might be picking up another soon. I'm not the biggest fan of a convertible but on a miata it adds to the go kart like sensation of driving one.

Again, ^ THIS.

With the exception of: "30% less power" - I don't think that's the case for the 1.8. Even if it is, a small turbo kit on a Miata is $3k new, and you've got 200 reliable HP, which will stroll away from any early Z with authority.

I used to make fun of Miatas. I will go on record as saying it's probably the most fun car I've owned. I have an 04 MSM and a 99, and they're both a hoot to drive (different, but equally fun).

A front / rear subframe and powerplant swap from a donor Miata actually makes more sense than the S2k. Cheaper, for sure - both initially, and down the road.

Do a search for "Miata Datsun 520" and "Miata Datsun 411" to see two phenomenally-engineered track cars using Miata guts. I'd do a

MazdaSpeed Miata swap in a 240Z all day long. Put the powerplant up against the firewall (6" BEHIND the front axle, btw) and have a wickedly fun, reliable, cheap car with perfect weight distribution and 200+ hp.

Notice I said "an early miata". The early cars were like 116 hp iirc, later cars got all the way up to 140 but still fell way short on torque. I actually have this stupid desire to put miata subframes under a B13, round headlights, shave the bumpers and fab roll pans front and rear....

Hell. Yes.

That sounds so badass it burns.

AZhitman wrote:
A front / rear subframe and powerplant swap from a donor Miata actually makes more sense than the S2k.
Cheaper, for sure - both initially, and down the road.

Do a search for "Miata Datsun 520" and "Miata Datsun 411" to see two phenomenally-engineered track cars using Miata guts.

I'd do a MazdaSpeed Miata swap in a 240Z all day long. Put the powerplant up against the firewall (6" BEHIND the front axle, btw) and have a wickedly fun, reliable, cheap car with perfect weight distribution and 200+ hp.

Thank you. This is sounding pretty good. Am still thinking six-speed automatic, though I'm not sure about turbo/automatic compatiblity and even the 3rd gen Miata engine is rated at 158 hp, a slight increase over the stock 240Z 150 hp. I'll just keep the hood closed when parked, and happily and effortlessly motor around.

Is a front subframe swap be the easiest way to pull off the engine/transmission swap, otherwise does it mainly involve custom motor mounts? Wouldn't keeping the original steering be simpler and molest the 240Z less?

And what about other rear-end options as far as a drive shaft, gearing and disc brakes?

GerryO wrote:

AZhitman wrote:
A front / rear subframe and powerplant swap from a donor Miata actually makes more sense than the S2k.
Cheaper, for sure - both initially, and down the road.

Do a search for "Miata Datsun 520" and "Miata Datsun 411" to see two phenomenally-engineered track cars using Miata guts.

I'd do a MazdaSpeed Miata swap in a 240Z all day long. Put the powerplant up against the firewall (6" BEHIND the front axle, btw) and have a wickedly fun, reliable, cheap car with perfect weight distribution and 200+ hp.

Thank you. This is sounding pretty good. Am still thinking six-speed automatic, though I'm not sure about turbo/automatic compatiblity and even the 3rd gen Miata engine is rated at 158 hp, a slight increase over the stock 240Z 150 hp. I'll just keep the hood closed when parked, and happily and effortlessly motor around.

Is a front subframe swap be the easiest way to pull off the engine/transmission swap, otherwise does it mainly involve custom motor mounts? Wouldn't keeping the original steering be simpler and molest the 240Z less?

And what about other rear-end options as far as a drive shaft, gearing and disc brakes?

This is not a bolt in swap at all, it's a cut weld fab and repeat swap, not something that's reversible. If you don't want to cut and weld you'll be keeping the datsun subframes and drivetrain.

Of course.

But if you're gonna go, go big.