How about a thread specifically for debating the best engine you can put in a 280zx(or any Z for that matter) and why. I want arguing here! Make it interesting. Oh, and please don't post any false information, lets keep it legit. Who want's to start us off. OK, I will.

LS1. (boy am I asking for it). Let me explain. It's lightweight compared to other big engines. It's OHV design makes it lighter than alum. V8's with OHC. IT's VERY streetable, runs off pump gas while putting out outrageous numbers, parts are cheap as hell, IT FITS, & most importantly to most of us (besides power) it's affordable compared to alot of other swaps. You can pick an LS1 with low mile for less than $3k. Which ain't much considering any other engine swap besides the L28ET, which will never make as much power of pump gas as the LS1(or any SBC for that matter). I just prefer the LS1 over the other SBC because it's lighter and the fuel injection has all the bugs worked out.

All right, lets have. Tear me and everyone else a new one

 

I would love to drop a fully modded powerplant from a last generation R34 Skyline in my car... done up like the "Veilside" Skyline that put's out 1200 ponies. Actually, I've often wondered if there would be a way to get the whole drivetrain into the ZX and power all four wheels. Now that would be INSANE.

Rod.

 

YES THE R34 WOULD BE VERY SICK OR RB26TT THE REAL DEAL BEAST

 

RB's Arew awsome but as far as power/cost.. It is not happening.. Plus what happens when you throw a rod??? 5k+ engine down the drain.. Has any one here bee to www.darius240z.com ?? LS1 with a vortech S/C

 

He's right, If you take the money + time it would cost to put one of these in your Z, you would be better off starting a quest to import a skyline, or buy one that's already here and registered.... they ARE more abundant than they used to be. And I don't mean that you're gonna see one today on your drive home from work, but when you search for one on ebay, it's almost guaranteed that there is going to be one for sale... a couple years ago, that was almost unheard of.

As far as other engines go.... there is one simple quote that applies: NEWER IS BETTER. The L28E is an awesome engine (in 1980). 25 years later... sure, you can make a hell of a machine with it, but again, your are looking at time and money. Also, I look at it like this:

If you already own an L28ET, and it's still alive and kickin', STICK WITH IT. that turbo engine is awesome. If you have an L28E, and you KNOW your grandma's car can outrun it, you have TWO options that won't cost over 3,000. 1.) SBC 2.) L28ET. One would be EXTREMELY happy with either of these compared to the L28E. and that my friend's brings us to the never-ending battle of N/A vs. TURBO.

 

I've heard of atleast one person trying to do this. The only problem was that the with the all wheel drive in place, the engine sat so far forward that the radiator had to be relocated to the front of the core support. That could make for some awkward handling with that much weight that far forward in you car. Oh, and don't get drawn in by the big horsepower RB26dett's. This motor is far from bulletproof. It is notorious for cracking between cylinders. The RB is very stout, but pushing that much horsepower would destroy the engine in no time flat. Those 1000+ RB powered skylines are either for show, or they have the engines replaced almost everytime they head down the track. And that's the N1 block which is supperior to the one you find in your run of the mill skyline. For 500-600HP, the RB is a very reliable motor, and will last a descent amount of time.

If you want a small displacement motor that can handle extreme amounts of horsepower, than it the 2JZ-GTE. Now that motor IS bullet proof. I'm not a big fan of the Supra, but that motor is untouchable in the world of small displacement motors. 3.0L for those who don't know that can put out 1000+ (not on stock internals) without having to be rebuilt or replaced everytime you fire it up! Still cost you an arm and a leg though

 

On that, I would have to disagree. The 2JZ-GTE is prone to blowing out head gaskets. You don't necessarily have to rebuild the engine, but you'll spend a lot of time pulling the head and replacing the gasket, over and over again.

I know a guy with one in his 1st gen Z making 550hp and he replaces the head gasket about once a year.

As for best bang for the buck, there's no doubt the LS(T)1 is the way to go. Cheap source for parts at any race shop in the country and you can make crazy power with little effort and there is only a marginal increase in weight with the LT1 over the L6.

Reminds me, I need to call John and ask him how his LS2 build-up is going. Haven't talked to him in about 4 months. He should be nearly done by now...

 

L16 is the best. Light weight, about 70 whp, and gets good gas milage with a carb.

 

I got a buddy with the 2jz motor and I agree with LWW.. Once a year blown headgasket on 24PSI and water injection.oh and stock motor.

 

I saw an article on www.zhome.com about a 5.0 Ford swap in a first gen Z. The engine is 40 lbs. lighter than the L28 and sets back closer to the firewall than the Chevy because the dist is in the front giving the car a 51%/49% weight bias. You can get 400hp on one carb and have a good all around daily driver and still get fair mpg on pump gas.

 

If I were going to ever do an engine swap on my ZX, it would at the very least have to be another NISSAN motor. My friends and I have a name for Z cars with non nissan powerplants... it's "BASTARDIZED".

If I wanted a chevy... I'd have bought an old Z28

Rod.

 

Jabo, I saw a Skyline last friday night. I was out at the local hang out "street racing" location and an R32 pulled up. I talked with the owner for a while, he was pretty cool. He said he waited for 2 months to get ahold of one. Anyway, it was white with nice wheels, had an RB26DETT, after-market exhaust, and a dry sump oil setup. Im not sure if it had any other mods, none that I could see and I didn't ask. Pretty cool all in all, the first time Ive ever seen one just driving on the street haha.

Oh yeah, he said he paid a little less than $30K for it.

I have a video of it and some other videos from that night if anyone wants to host them.

 

awesome drew, I think we should all get together and buy a domain collectively that everyone who wanted to upload pics/vids could have access to...

As for the Skyline, that's awesome, Ive never seen one in person... It's always been a dream of mine to own one since Gran Turismo 1 came out for Playstation! That's been like 8-9 years ago... ONE DAY. Mark my word!

 

I dont get skylines, there honestly not that great.. They are badass, but for the money to get one here it is not worth it to me.. My friend is in Iraq and he said he can get one for 24000 USD and that is R34 all wheel drive TT

 

Hear, hear....

You put a chevy engine in it, it's a chevy. I believe in keeping the Z cars original. Otherwise, why not buy an old used chevy and throw the motor in that ??

Carl

 

im a bit of a purist myself.. no sense mixing companies internals with diffeerent chassis's.. i say if you swap out the engine keep it nissan.. and me.. i think ill stick with my L28ET.... one day.. thatll be L28ETT... if anyone wants my input.. strive for an L28ETT.. if you do the work yourself you can have a BADASS engine for 3000...

 

My fantasy engine swap I'd like to do is a little different. I want to install an SR20VET from the X-trail. 276 hp, lightweight 4 cylinder with Nissan's version of VTEC seems like a good recipe for good all around performance.

 

3K for a bad *** turbo motor is right.. I will post my reciepts when I am done with my swap I am getting really close right now though.. oh well I am thinking 500WHP is a good new goal..

 

s/c you are a bad bad man............................ 500whp

 

I won't believe it till I see a dyno sheet. That would be awesome if you pull it off though.

 

I have to agree about dropping a Chevy motor in a Z. Nice, but not all that impressive. I'm looking to get 200rwhp on an n/a motor. That, to me, will be impressive.

 

Im looking to get 250rwhp on an N/A motor. Maybe im shooting a little high but anything over 200hp will be okay with me.

 

LS1 is it. great horsepower, light car and engine=great go-fast

 

defintaley a new chevy 350 twin turboed
that would burn rubber. on car domain theres a guy thats got one in his black 240 there were a couple vids but i cant find em. in one he SMOKES and R1 hes also going along at a pretty good pace, he shifts from prolly 2 to 3rd and compltely fish tailed the car. it was nuts

 

That was a super-charged LS1. The guys name is Damian and he is a real popular guy on www.hybridz.org