Engine Swap. What Engine to Use?

Post by **DannyCarter91** » Tue Feb 24, 2009 6:21 pm

I have a 1980 datsun 720 4x4 King Cab. I want to swap out the engine with a 6 cylinder or even 8 cylinder if i could fit it. I am looking for an engine that would be an easy swap and would match up with my 5 speed tranny. So If i could figure out what engine to put in it, I would do it. Thanks for the help.

Post by **2kredz3** » Tue Feb 24, 2009 7:02 pm

i have dreamed of an SR20DET, of course the trans wont mount up so you would have to get an engine and trans combo.

6 cyl swap (and V8 for that mater) would be rather difficult due to the placement of the transfercase front diff and fuel tank for routing exhaust and other vital things. in line 6 cyl might work but then your looking at how long it is.

a popular swap is the ka24 4cyl.

Post by **DannyCarter91** » Tue Feb 24, 2009 7:37 pm

I am looking for a significant change in hp. Can I get more hp with the ka24 then the L20B. What vehicle is the ka24 out of. What major changes are involved in this swap.

Post by **PEZi** » Tue Feb 24, 2009 7:51 pm

the ka is out of both the hardbody pickup and 240sx

they're turboable so hp goes way high!!!

Post by **breadbox** » Thu Feb 26, 2009 9:47 am

VG30 came in v6 pickups and pathfinders i do believe. I have seen a few of these in local yards.

However if you know anyone familiar with ford/chevy v8s, they can be done cheap and usually require fabbed mounts for motor and trans and a custom drive shaft to the transfer case. The problem with these is exhaust piping but trucks are usually high enough for clearance. Width of the vehicle might make it difficult to fit massive motors in the bay comfortably.

Post by **phlebmaster** » Thu Feb 26, 2009 9:55 am

I wonder how a VG would do in my 620.

Post by **IMH** » Thu Feb 26, 2009 11:49 am

phlebmaster wrote:I wonder how a VG would do in my 620.

It's do able. I've seen a VG30 in a 521 and in a 620. Didn't look closely at the fabrication it obviously would take to do it but having seen the two examples I know it can be done. The VG30E looked like a tight fit so the VG30DE would likely be impossible.

Post by **PEZi** » Thu Feb 26, 2009 12:10 pm

phlebmaster wrote:I wonder how a VG would do in my 620.

it be 10 times better to throw in one of the new age NISMO frontier engines in it!!! now that would be fun!

Post by **DannyCarter91** » Mon Mar 02, 2009 3:15 pm

So is there a certain year of the hardbody or 240sx that would fit best in my 1980 720

Post by **PEZi** » Mon Mar 02, 2009 7:04 pm

DannyCarter91 wrote:So is there a certain year of the hardbody or 240sx that would fit best in my 1980 720

any year would be fine... while the engine is the same you should try to get the one from the truck because i've heard the oil pan from the 240 has clearance issues with the suspension....

all parts between the two are swappable tho... ie: 240 head fits directly onto truck block etc... all depends on what you want to do... keep in mind a ka-t is a great way to make big power

Post by **TH01HRtP** » Mon Mar 02, 2009 7:59 pm

hey PEZi303, thanks for pointing me out to this forum!

im interested in swapping motors for my 84 720 as well. ive already got 2 KA24Es though. one in my 240sx, and the other being built for boost (to put into my 240sx).

you think i could tow my 240sx with a stock KA24E? i know its great on bottom end torque, but i dunno.

would i need the harness and ECU from the truck if i used the truck motor?

and i understand the Z24 tranny bolts right up, but what if i wanted to use the KA tranny? swap bellhousings?

Post by **PEZi** » Mon Mar 02, 2009 8:29 pm

TH01HRtP wrote:hey PEZi303, thanks for pointing me out to this forum!

im interested in swapping motors for my 84 720 as well. ive already got 2 KA24Es though. one in my 240sx, and the other being built for boost (to put into my 240sx).

you think i could tow my 240sx with a stock KA24E? i know its great on bottom end torque, but i dunno.

would i need the harness and ECU from the truck if i used the truck motor?

and i understand the Z24 tranny bolts right up, but what if i wanted to use the KA tranny? swap bellhousings?

i'm not 100% sure as to what you would need to use the ka tranny... but i'm sure someone does and will chime in soonyou would indeed need the harness and ecu... but as far as towing with the KA24E... only if you don't plan on driving it very hard. it as what you need to pull the 240 on a trailer or something... but a lot of stop and go won't be fun and i can't imagine highway speed would work out very wellthe VG would work out perfectly but not many people have done it and it would require a few more mods

Post by **TH01HRtP** » Tue Mar 03, 2009 6:24 pm

thanks for replying.

yeah, i actually wanted to go v6 if i could. im guessing the people that have done it are using the VG30E.

gotta find someone who has done the VG swap and see if i can glean some info on it.i dont plan on going fast or anything, i just want a truck that can tow my 240 to drift events.

Post by **PEZi** » Tue Mar 03, 2009 8:34 pm

yeah... in that case the vg would probably work best.... good luck on finding some info!

Post by **datsunnl320** » Sun Jun 14, 2009 4:06 pm

will a L18 fit on a 1964 datsun 320 ? Or does anyone know what will fit other than the stock engine, without doing major adapting ? THANKs!!

Post by **breadbox** » Tue Jun 16, 2009 2:29 am

Don't see why it wouldn't work.

I say get a z22 and an L20 and build a stroked L22. Not that anyone will do this for a simple swap.

Post by **flinterman2000** » Thu Jun 18, 2009 4:52 am

A fanless L28 would bolt on the existing tranny. Would need to wire in electric fans. Good increase in power. No cutting involved only adjustments to the engine mounts.

Post by **Old Rob** » Mon Jun 29, 2009 8:39 pm

Check out http://www.powerbyace.com and email thier tech.

Post by **breadbox** » Tue Jun 30, 2009 9:02 am

that flywheel lock is sweet.

Engine Swap. What Engine to Use?

Engine Swap. What Engine to Use?

Re: Engine Swap. What Engine to Use? (DannyCarter91)

Re: Engine Swap. What Engine to Use? (2kredz3)

Re: Engine Swap. What Engine to Use? (DannyCarter91)

Re: Engine Swap. What Engine to Use? (PEZi303)

Re: Engine Swap. What Engine to Use? (breadbox)

Re: Engine Swap. What Engine to Use? (phlebmaster)

Re: Engine Swap. What Engine to Use? (phlebmaster)

Re: Engine Swap. What Engine to Use? (2kredz3)

Re: Engine Swap. What Engine to Use? (DannyCarter91)

Re: (TH01HRtP)

Re: (PEZi303)

Re: (TH01HRtP)

Re: Engine Swap. What Engine to Use? (DannyCarter91)

Re: Engine Swap. What Engine to Use? (datsunnl320)

Re: Engine Swap. What Engine to Use? (DannyCarter91)

Re: (Old Rob)

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