Asking your 2 cents

[Rex]

As I put on my flame proof suit, I ask what's the Z community's opinion on swapped Z's?

I'm looking for either a completed car, or a solid roller/chassis in the Balt area for my brother to do the swap at the shop he works at.

Ideally, a well tuned SBC with a TH400 mated to the back of it in a Z31 or Z32, but "donor" cars make it more likely to be a S130. If I can find the pieces at the right price, I may have them also do a convertible conversion.

Want, want, want .

[81na ZX]

Don't know about here, but pick up a copy of Jags that run ( http://www.jagsthatrun.com/ ), search for it online, go to hybridz.org and spend a few days reading posts.

Its very common, especialy in s30 or s130's. Fairly rare in z31/32, probally due to engine bay size.

[Rex]

Thanks, been doing alot of reading and research. And you're right, the Z31/Z32 is much rarer, but has been done (I think)



Click for ad, it's old and the "completed" car was listed on racingjunk.com.

[NSR240sxe]

Rex....man....come on. There was a reason I didn't reply with a place that had info on swapping a SBC into Z's. Cause its wrong! lol

I love ya man, but I'm sitting here shaking my head in disbelief. You can pick up an SS or Z28 Camaro for cheap, could always go that route as a daily or something and beat on that as opposed to ripping the heart out of a Z car.

I dunno, up to you, but definately not my cup of tea. Nissan motors belong in Nissan's.

-This is NSRZ32 by the way, Steph was browsing the forum and I was like "hell no, I gotta reply" lol

[evildky]

the only way I'd swap the V8 is if I popped my L6 or needed more then 450whp that being said yeah it'sbeen done: S30, S130, Z31 and Z32 have all undergone the transplant, if you really want extra cylinders I'd suggest the Infiniti V8 with a custom intake and a pair of turbo's but to each his own, and BTW the S130 looks better with it's top than chopped

[evildky]

and oh yeah that one has a V8 in it too

[Rex]

I would only swap a V8 in if the existing motor was completely lunched, otherwise it would have to have a V8 already.

[Altiman94]

I don't see any reason why not. The sbc has much better power potentional than any z31 motor. They are cheap to gather parts. The swap wouldn't cost much more than rebuilding the engine thats in it. I say go for it.

[nsrZ32]

why not an RB25DET or even better an RB26DETT with rb25 transmission in a Z31? Not super expensive, there's parts out there to make it a direct swap, and it would be from the proper family

[Rex]

Well, I do know where there's a crate VH45DE that I could score for ~$2k shipped, but I'm hoping to find a turn key car. If not, I'll get my brother to start putting parts together and it will be next summer before I could even begin to think about driving it .

I guess an RB in a Z31 would be sweet ...

[Rex]

Let's just say for what a used/imported RB25 or 26 would cost I could have a bad arse SBC, with off the shelf replacement parts.

The other option is RX7's with V8's they're a hot item as well .

[AZ-ZBum]

Let's just say for what a used/imported RB25 or 26 would cost I could have a bad arse SBC, with off the shelf replacement parts.

BINGO!!!!!

[Rex]

One of them I've found has Keith Black heads, a Tremec T5 manual transmission and runs mid 11's . All that in a sexy S130 body can be found in the $5k to $8k range.

Tell me how you say no to that?

[nsrZ32]

How will the car perform in things other than a straight line? Or are you just looking to build a car that's quick from A-B?

I dunno, I guess I'm in a minority but I think it kinda kills the beauty of an RX7 or a Z to rip out the motor and drop in motor from another manufacturer. *shrug*

[Rex]

Let me look for the video clip of the RX7 on an autox.

As for the swap, if you're careful, it will pick up only about 100 lbs, but it won't all be to the front, as the V8 (generally) sets lower and farther back. Combine that with a battery relocation and you may gain 200 lbs total, but not throw the balance off.

And for the motor change, I'd think someone like you with some old hot rod/show car connections (maybe I'm wrong) would see it's no different than all the Ford F-100's that have been restored/customized and the fact that so few of them have Ford motors.

It's just and idea, that was partially driven by the fact that I found a few Z31's for <$750, and my Dad has a few SBC's lying around. Take those things and add my brother in Baltimore that does custom fabrication and I "hoped" I could get one on the road for cheap.

I should just find an M30 'vert, drive it 'til the motor lunches adn swap in a JDM turbo motor.

Half dreams, half reality. A new bike could flush all these ideas

[81na ZX]

While I hate piston engines in RX-7's, in a Z it makes some sence.

The L series is HEAVY! A small block, AL heads, 5 speed weighs the same or less than a stock L series... A LS1 weights less than a L28. A small block Ford weighs alot less. A T56 weighs more than a Nissan 5 speed (LS1+T56 = L28+5 speed)...

So with a LS1, the engine is farther back, lower, and more weight is between the seats than with a L28

[PalmerWMD]

Question is why?

At our Last Kentuckiana Dyno day, we had a couple of Z32's in the mid 400's whp on stock internals.

Fred..

[Rex]

Question is why?

At our Last Kentuckiana Dyno day, we had a couple of Z32's in the mid 400's whp on stock internals.

Fred..

I would only swap a V8 in if the existing motor was completely lunched, otherwise it would have to have a V8 already.

Let's just say for what a used/imported RB25 or 26 would cost I could have a bad arse SBC, with off the shelf replacement parts.

And I'd hope to see those kind of numbers in a flatter lower RPM curve .

Assuming I could find a Z32 in good mechanical condition for the money I'm talking about, I then would not have the money to do the hp upgrades for some time.

Good question/suggestion.

Kinda neat to see this much traffic in the Z Gen Chat forum.

[Rex]

I should probably just take over my older brother's 71 510 coupe with a NAPZ, side drafts (I think) and a 200sx 5 spd, but that's all the way down in South GA.

[nsrZ32]

And for the motor change, I'd think someone like you with some old hot rod/show car connections (maybe I'm wrong) would see it's no different than all the Ford F-100's that have been restored/customized and the fact that so few of them have Ford motors.

I know I know I know lol

I think they should stick with a "proper" engine as well though, basically all cars should have an engine by their manufacturer if swapped in my opinion. Also for what its worth...the old cars we have that I've had a big hand in all stayed with a similar engine. Cougar - 289, Plymouth Fury - 318, Mustang - 302, etc.

Regardless though when it comes time for you to do whatever I'll help you out any way I can. Whether I'll like it is another story, but hey it's your car

If you can go with a 510 then do it! I love those little cars. M30 would be sweet too, there was one in the paper here 3 weeks ago for 2100.

I like all the life in the Z forum, lets hope it keeps up and spreads to other threads

[PalmerWMD]

M30: with Manual and RB25 swap..

Fred..

[evildky]

I should probably just take over my older brother's 71 510 coupe with a NAPZ, side drafts (I think) and a 200sx 5 spd, but that's all the way down in South GA.

if you don't want it I'll take it

[Rex]

if you don't want it I'll take it

Talked to him tonight about it, here's some of what he said about it ...

- Rear was modified by relocating "something (he lost me here)", so that the tires are standing up straight, not tiltes in.- Short front struts, not cut, something liek 10"??- Brake, 510 front discs, 240 rear finned aluminum drums- 79 200sx "dog leg" style single piece 5 spd- 200sx 2 liter motor, dish topped pistons- Comp built race head, shaved, big valves, and agressive cam- 2 liter down drafts carbs, but has some "su" side draft carbs

Then he went on and on about the doors closing completely and flush??

He still wants it, but lives in Wash state and the car is in South GA. I think he'd let me take it as a project, but I want something closer to "jump in a ride".

[jEzTeR]

A SR20DE-T (I'm guessing that it is a USDM sr20de 200sx motor) in a 510 would make for a great car!

I have wanted one of those for a long time.

[evildky]

A SR20DE-T (I'm guessing that it is a USDM sr20de 200sx motor) in a 510 would make for a great car!

I have wanted one of those for a long time.

I think I'd save my money and turbo the CA20 thats already in it, plenty of miney left over for a nice 4 wheels disk conversion, clutch lsd and cv shaft conversion

[jEzTeR]

I thought he said it had the 200sx motor all ready in it?

[Rex]

It's out of a 1979 200sx, don't think that was the SR, but I dont' know??

[evildky]

79 200sx had a ca 20 with a napz head, great lil motors had one in my 82 stanza

[evildky]

actually I believe all the rear drive 200sx's had the CA20 witht he obvious exception of the later SE models which had the VG30E, and all the 200's I've seen came with the nap Z head, I don't think they all had the nap Z head but it seems a lot of them did

[jEzTeR]

That makes more sence. I was thinking that a FWD sr would make for an odd combo with the RWD 510.