Help me decide, V-8 or restore?
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Help me decide, V-8 or restore?
Hi, I'm new to this site but I'm glad I found it. I bought a '72 Z back in '78. In '84, I dropped a valve and had the idea to V-8 the car. The 240 motor eventually disappeared, except for the carbs and intake. I put a '75 280 motor in it some years back, but never got it running.
My question is, do I rebuild the 280 motor and switch to the carb set-up, use the 280 motor with the fuel injection that's on it, or put in the 350 chevy motor I built? I have the V-8 headers and mounts already, I just need some feedback on what to do. The car was originally a four-speed car, but if I do the V-8 thing, then I will go with an automatic.
Any suggestions or help would be appreciated.
Thanks,
Cliff Matthews
My question is, do I rebuild the 280 motor and switch to the carb set-up, use the 280 motor with the fuel injection that's on it, or put in the 350 chevy motor I built? I have the V-8 headers and mounts already, I just need some feedback on what to do. The car was originally a four-speed car, but if I do the V-8 thing, then I will go with an automatic.
Any suggestions or help would be appreciated.
Thanks,
Cliff Matthews
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Re: Help me decide, V-8 or restore?
What do you want the car to be Speed, and horsepower, then a v8 would be ideal for that,
if you want classic, retain value in the end, keep the 6 in there i spose..
up to you, money is a issue. time is a issue
<font color=blue>76 260z</font color=blue>
The NiteRider
if you want classic, retain value in the end, keep the 6 in there i spose..
up to you, money is a issue. time is a issue
<font color=blue>76 260z</font color=blue>
The NiteRider
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Re: Help me decide, V-8 or restore?
I think if the decision is like that, I would say do both.
I know not a great answer, but you can restore the body to a classic, and have the power to suprize. Im going for a "classic" style, but powerful engine.
I know not a great answer, but you can restore the body to a classic, and have the power to suprize. Im going for a "classic" style, but powerful engine.
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Re: Help me decide, V-8 or restore?
If the V8 is already built you might as well put it in. This is coming from a guy who is usually opposed to the V8 swap, but if it's already together save the money. You could always build a six later and put it back in for authenticity.
Joey
1976 280Z 2+2
2+2s are not ugly
Joey
1976 280Z 2+2
2+2s are not ugly
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Re: Help me decide, V-8 or restore?
Be careful that the motor mounts and headers are the JTR type. Check out Jags That Run http://www.jagsthatrun.com/Pages/Datsun_Z_V-8.html and stop over at Hybrid Z http://www.hybridz.org/
SpeedRacer
SpeedRacer
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Re: Help me decide, V-8 or restore?
I like the V-8 idea, good ole american horsepower, but not if gas is a biggie for ya. One question, why an auto? If your going for a 350 do like the Vettes do, 6-speed Hurst. A Z is allot more fun to drive with a stick. Just my opinion
Good luck
Good luck
Guest
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Re: Help me decide, V-8 or restore?
V8 WITH MANUAL IF YOU CHECK IT OUT DOESNT WEIGH A HELL OF A LOT MORE THAN THE SIX. ALSO YOU CAN CHANGE ENGINE PARTS TO ALUMINIUM TO LOSE EVEN MORE WEIGHT. USE THE SET BACK MOUNTS(JTR ETC)
YOU WILL END UP WITH A MORE POWERFUL POWER PLANT THAN THE SIX. THE PROBLEM YOUR STUCK WITH IS THAT YOU CANT DECIDE WHICH WAY TO GO.I WAS IN THAT PREDICAMENT AS WELL AND HAVE DECIDED TO GO THE V8 WAY. BUT AM DOING IT SLOWLY. MEANING GETTING ALL THE PARTS FIRST, WORKING ON THE 350 CHEV ON THE STAND THEN WHEN I HAVE SOME EXTRA CASH DO THE INSTALL.MINT CLASSIC LOOKS GREAT
PERSONALLY I WANT THE GRUNT AND RUMBLE COMMING FROM MY LITTLE 260Z SLEEPER.
WISH YOU THE BEST.
YOU WILL END UP WITH A MORE POWERFUL POWER PLANT THAN THE SIX. THE PROBLEM YOUR STUCK WITH IS THAT YOU CANT DECIDE WHICH WAY TO GO.I WAS IN THAT PREDICAMENT AS WELL AND HAVE DECIDED TO GO THE V8 WAY. BUT AM DOING IT SLOWLY. MEANING GETTING ALL THE PARTS FIRST, WORKING ON THE 350 CHEV ON THE STAND THEN WHEN I HAVE SOME EXTRA CASH DO THE INSTALL.MINT CLASSIC LOOKS GREAT
PERSONALLY I WANT THE GRUNT AND RUMBLE COMMING FROM MY LITTLE 260Z SLEEPER.
WISH YOU THE BEST.
Guest
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Actually, that's not entirely true...
If you use light weight parts on a small block Chevy (SBC) like aluminum heads, water pump, intake along with a gear drive starter the engine will weigh no more the the L6 you removed.
Since the engine is a V type it is much shorter and lower than the very long and tall SOHC L6. Now, using the JTR method, it will be installed completely behind the front axle. The weight distribution will go from 52%-48% rear stock to almost 50%-50%. Since the weight also sits lower in the car the center of gravity will also be improved. The end result is a MUCH faster car that actually handles better that a stock one.
So do it - it's a great conversion and you will love the results.
SpeedRacer
Since the engine is a V type it is much shorter and lower than the very long and tall SOHC L6. Now, using the JTR method, it will be installed completely behind the front axle. The weight distribution will go from 52%-48% rear stock to almost 50%-50%. Since the weight also sits lower in the car the center of gravity will also be improved. The end result is a MUCH faster car that actually handles better that a stock one.
So do it - it's a great conversion and you will love the results.
SpeedRacer
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Re: Actually, that's not entirely true...
a good L28 turbo engine, would weigh more than the standard L6 anyway, with all the wiring, turbos, pipes, coolers, everything for that would weigh it down a bit, but with an extra 40kg and 3-4-500hp will you notice that extra 40kg-60kg??
also remember that youd wanna get bigger brakes and stiffen the chasis with a cage maybe, extra weight, but its safety.
<font color=blue>76 260z</font color=blue>
The NiteRider
also remember that youd wanna get bigger brakes and stiffen the chasis with a cage maybe, extra weight, but its safety.
<font color=blue>76 260z</font color=blue>
The NiteRider
the Dude
Joined: Mar 2002
Posts: 381
From: Bay Area, California
Re: Help me decide, V-8 or restore?
"V8's are heavy as compared to the Z . One of the most endearing qualities of a Z is it's handling. Put the V8 in and that is gone. "
Wrong! With JTR style conversion that puts the block closer towards the center, the weight distribution is a lot closer to 50/50 than it was with the stock Lseries block. and believe me, with double the HP and torque, the extra weight isn't noticeable. The stock L-block isn't exactly light either - having driven v8 Zs before I can say that with manual steering I found it easier to make u-turns with the v8 because the weight of the block does not sit solely on the front tires. Besides, a small block chevy with aluminum heads and a world class t5 (if you're not going over 280-300hp) will weigh only 100-150lbs more than the stock motor, and it'll be more evenly distributed through the chassis.
Believe me, with the proper set up, the v8z can leave an Lblock Z in the dust around track and autoX.
Wrong! With JTR style conversion that puts the block closer towards the center, the weight distribution is a lot closer to 50/50 than it was with the stock Lseries block. and believe me, with double the HP and torque, the extra weight isn't noticeable. The stock L-block isn't exactly light either - having driven v8 Zs before I can say that with manual steering I found it easier to make u-turns with the v8 because the weight of the block does not sit solely on the front tires. Besides, a small block chevy with aluminum heads and a world class t5 (if you're not going over 280-300hp) will weigh only 100-150lbs more than the stock motor, and it'll be more evenly distributed through the chassis.
Believe me, with the proper set up, the v8z can leave an Lblock Z in the dust around track and autoX.
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