What engine would you choose?

[RSready]

I have a hypothetical situation that I would like to hear your thoughts on. I know this has probably been discussed to death, but this is just a hypothetical situation and I'd like to hear your hypothetical answers!

You've just bought a 240z that is rust free, has been painted once and needs another paint job in the near future. Interior has been removed but is all there. The original engine has been rebuilt but the previous owner took it out and started to swap in a Chevy small block. Other than actually placing the motor in the engine bay, nothing else has been done. He included the original L24 in the sale, which is supposed to run.

The goal of the car isn't to restore it, but just be a fun weekend car with a few modifications (wheels, suspension, seats might be trashed so maybe some vintage-looking racing seats). The car will never be 100% original. You might want to talk it to the odd track day, but no serious racing. You also have access to a nearly free 280z parts car that has a fresh engine in it (but the body is shot).

What engine would you choose? Would you finish the swap and go for the extra power? Go original and put the 240 motor in? Keep with a Datsun motor but go L28?

Again, sorry if this has been discussed 78974452 times just looking for some pros and cons!

[evildky]

do what you are most comfortable with, I'm a fan of the L6 in many forms, the L28ET, loads of potential, fuel injection, simple straight 6 mechanicals, there si also something to be said for a natrually aspirated L6, and that opens up a world of pissibilities, L24, L28, stock high compression, stroked and poked to L31, robello L30 build, tripple webbers, SU's injection, the possibulities are endless, there there are the more modern power plants, te VG30ET, VG30DETT (not a fan), RB25/26 (this is the evolution fo the L6) or somethign more radical liek the 2JZ, and of cource there are the domestic variants, me I'd take an LS over a carbed gen 1 block any day of the weak, there isn't much you can do that hasn't been done ultimately the engine you are most cmfortable sourcing and working on will tend to be the most rewarding for you

[Perrenial Badass]

The original engine has been rebuilt but the previous owner took it out and started to swap in a Chevy small block. Other than actually placing the motor in the engine bay, nothing else has been done. He included the original L24 in the sale, which is supposed to run.
...

The goal of the car isn't to restore it, but just be a fun weekend car with a few modifications (wheels, suspension, seats might be trashed so maybe some vintage-looking racing seats). The car will never be 100% original. You might want to talk it to the odd track day, but no serious racing.

These make me say finish the swap. L24 and L28 might sell for more each than the V8. SBC parts will always be cheaper than any imported motor. A SBC will make it into a fun weekend car with a few mods for less money, and possibly less modification than either L series. If you blow it up racing it, it's cheap to rebuild or replace. And should you change your mind about keeping it lightly modified... it's a V8-powered S30, figure it out! Besides, it sounds like more work to swap the L24 back in than to finish the swap.

I am personally of the opinion that the only legit reasons to stick with an L series is that you don't have the ability to do the swap, you have many spare L-series parts, or you want to keep the car stock to maintain it's originality (or so that you can easily revert it back to stock). Experience with the motor isn't a viable excuse, because if you can't figure out a SBC in less than a week then you have no business modifying cars to begin with.

[truckboy]

Most modern swaps (that are swapped for more powerful engines) will require the engine, ECU, transmission and axles- so that comes as no surprise.your best bet on a Sentra of that vintage is either the SR20DE- found in the SE-R, or the turbo version called the SR20DET. the swap will require what i have listed above but you will have a quick car. However, why don't you just trade it in for a 1999-2000 Sentra SE? for what you will spend on the swap, you could probably buy one of those sentras and they come with the SR20DE engine and I believe a limited slip differential.

[evildky]

Most modern swaps (that are swapped for more powerful engines) will require the engine, ECU, transmission and axles- so that comes as no surprise.your best bet on a Sentra of that vintage is either the SR20DE- found in the SE-R, or the turbo version called the SR20DET. the swap will require what i have listed above but you will have a quick car. However, why don't you just trade it in for a 1999-2000 Sentra SE? for what you will spend on the swap, you could probably buy one of those sentras and they come with the SR20DE engine and I believe a limited slip differential.

sentra? me thinks you posted to the wrong section

[BadQ45t]

I would vote for the 350 chevy. The crate engines you can get a are amazing or you can go for a more vintage one. Parts are available like crazy and you can make it 300-400-500 horse without any issues, just your wallet will determine the number