How much power?
 

Just bought a 73 204z. The car is not running right now but I plan on doing all the minor work and have the pros do the performance. My question is, how much power can I get out of the original OHC motor? I'm hoping to get about 230 - 280 hp. Is that possible? or Am I dreaming?

you could get maybe 170 stock i think thats what i read from it'd stats but it depends on what kind of money you have.

I have the money to do it. I just wanted to do it with the original motor. I don't want to go out and buy another. So I'm willing to do whatever it takes. I just want to know before I started.

Good thing you have $$$... 280hp will cost about $10k. Rebello makes some killer L series motors: http://www.rebelloracing.com/eng_info.htm

Or for $5k you could have a 300hp+ built turbo motor... half the cost... more power... but who'd wanna do that?!

Not looking to go out like that, just want the car to pull when I get on the gas. I kinda figured 230hp was far fetched when the original only pushes 150 at best and that was 1973. Do you have any ideas to what I can do to get the most out of this motor?

So when you say you have money... maybe you should specify how much you are willing to spend. :D Then we can see what mods are an option for you.

Truly, the money is not the problem, but I want to keep the original motor. I can put a 350sb with no problem, but I want to keep the car as close to original as I can.

You can keep the orig motor... but to get 280hp, you'll spend close to $10k... and having an "original motor" that isn't original anymore kinda defeats the purpose of having an "original motor."

-3.0L/3.1L Stroker = $2000 (unless you are lucky & find an LD28 crank)
-Head machine work = $1000
-Block machine work = $1000
-Tripple carbs = $1000
-Motor hardware = $1000
-Exhaust = $500
-Other needed accessories = $1000 - $3000

the l24 is a good motor but dont look for those numbers out of it. get your hands on a l28 and its going to take a hot build to get close to those numbers
nismo pretty much gave u the run down. i guess if u have the money prove us wrong and get a 280hp out of a l24. go over to hybridz.org and do alot of reading. you will get confused and anxious. we can try to help you out as much as we can.

Right, Right!!!! LOL. What I should have said is original-looking. You know, putting V8 motors in the Z just takes all the originality out of the car in my opinion. The shell is a Z but the insides are totally different. Anyway, what can I do to get the most hps out of this motor?

What I just said...

Gotcha, thanks!

If you can do headwork and such yourself, you will be in business. My buddy built a l31 stroker engine for his race car s130, and he did all the big work his self. He dynoed it at 347hp @ 7700rpm at the wheels!. This car will blow your mind. Ive ridden in it. I watched him race it, and he got the car to 160 mph on the 1 mile straight (on a track I forget the name of), and he was babying it! All in all, he spent no more than $3000 dollars on the engine, I can guarantee that. Its fuel injected btw.

best bet, make usre the engine is sound, full exhaust better carbs perhaps and a cam lightened flywheel and up the compression on the motor. usually you can achieve that by simply shaving the head down (at a machine shop of coarse)

The L28 turbo is "original" looking and even says Nissan Turbo on the valve cover. Its all L-series too. Go that route and you'll have your 280hp and enough change to put one tank of gas in it. :)

Thanks 280GTY that exactly what I'll do.

you could go with an L28ET. still a Z motor, still an L series motor, still an inline 6, but with creamy turbo goodness. far more cost effective.

Found a L28 engine
 

Ok peeps, I found a complete L28 engine with 5 speed transmission. Clutch was replaced 6 months ago, has new fan clutch. 98,000 mi on engine. After reading all the comments and advice the only thing missing from this motor is it not a turbo.

So why do you want that motor?

Just so you dont waste your money, that engine and tranny probably isn't worth more than $300

do some more searching. The turbocharger itself is certainly not the only thing required to have an L28 turbo. The pistons, head, distributor, and fuel management are all different on the turbo engine.

I thought the L28 is what you guys suggested. The motor is complete and it only cost me $100. So you telling me its not worth it and to find a L28 turbo?

That's not a turbo motor... The L28ET is a turbo motor. The motor you posted puts out about 135hp.

liar! ^^^ it says under my hood it makes 170hp at like 5300 RPM's hoods dont lie!!!

Damn..........That was a bad deal!