What motor is going to be the least expensive to build, including price to 350 crank horse power in a rwd platform, that is going to hold up to that power constantly BUT is under 420 pounds, also that the trans will hold to that as well.
this is for a 78 280z project.
Thanx in advance
LSx
SBC
SBF
In that order.
What? No spinning triangles? 
LSx will cost more to buy, but no money needed to build. T56 is a big heavy trans. SBC is cheaper than SBF, but don't think it will be under 420# (maybe under 550#) - it's about 100# heavier than an SBF. You can get to 350 pretty easy with SBF roller motor with aftermarket heads ($1,000 new) or grind away at the exhaust ports + decent cam and fuel delivery. A world class T5 will be about at its limit at 320-350 torques. They can be built for more though. Then again, it's enough power to just break the wheels loose - so less drivetrain stress. 
other thought - toyota uz1fe lexus version at about 300hp and supra trans (forgetting the number - 156???). dsm 4g63 turbo?
sbc conversion is well documented with aftermarket support. sbf probably as well.
I wasn't quite sure about weights...
Went through a lot of this putting an SBF in an MGB. Dunno about a Z, but with the MG, the location of the sump (distributor/oil pump) makes a difference on how easy the install goes (interference with crossmember).
Suzuki G13B.. Wait, 350 HP? Never mind.
Small block Ford at that power/weight point. LSx would be easier, but more expensive (and cooler). What about other I-6's though? I hear E36 M3 motors are cheap.
I've seen later model Z car inline 6s work. Just add boost for 350 hp.
I've seen a few with a small block of sorts. Seems to fit well.
Toyota 2grfe? Not sure what prices are like with those, though. Add a low pressure turbo setup and make 350 EASY.
P71 wrote: Small block Ford at that power/weight point. LSx would be easier, but more expensive (and cooler). What about other I-6's though? I hear E36 M3 motors are cheap.
What's your definition of cheap? My experience is that they cost more than a challenge car, typically...and you're a long way from 350 hp.
What about boosting the Datsun 2.8?
Alternatively, an SR20 could meet your requirements...though at 350 hp it may not have the same area under the curve as a N/A V8
Mazda 13BT.
Boy, that was easy!
Small block Chev is a natural fit. Kits readily available, and even if you want to fab yourself, its cake.
LSx.... You can easily get a 5.3 for $500. Cam and spring swap for 350-500. easy 350rwhp. Intake is a little dicey without a distributor, but not hard to overcome. You can mod some mustang headers to fit with readily available flanges. You can also get a steel bellhousing for $350 to bolt up almost any kind of manual trans imaginable. Outside of that, any GM auto rwd fits, you just use 5 bolts instead of 6.
Brian
Nissan VG30E with boooooooooooooooooooost.
SR20DET
1600 Kent Ford, or DOHC 2 litre Neon engnes.
I know that's not what you asked, but it's the only ones I've been through.... 
In reply to Ranger50:
What is this magical $350 bellhousing that mates to many sorts of transmissions?
Two-cycle Mercury o/b engine, attach one end of the out put shaft onto a helicopter u-joint and the other into the trans/rear end from a corvair. Do some looking, junking, and it just might work. After all, you can get o/b, engines rated to put out way more than 400hp all day. With the depressed boating market, outboards are going for a song. Come to think of it, good source for heavy-duty V-8 blocks...
In reply to triumph5:
Sure, how do you propose to handle the cooling, exhaust, output shaft and structural mounts all coming from the same face of your engine.
get a motor out of a wrecked 86 or 87 Grand National or T Type. 350 rwhp is easy with them, and they are light and compact.
In reply to hamburglar:
Tubing and hoses, radiators, welding engine mounts, cut the output shaft (you'r only using the power head) and header wrapping... The original poster didn't say how he was going to use the engine, in what events. Also, the oe manufacturer of these engines has addressed lots of your concers. Routing of the cooling to a radiator wouldn't be that hard. Ujoint on a slip mount...
what about the VQ35 (or is it 37 now) over 300hp stock..getting to 350 on aftermarket injection with some cams and intake/exhaust work should be pretty understressed
triumph5 wrote: Two-cycle Mercury o/b engine, attach one end of the out put shaft onto a helicopter u-joint and the other into the trans/rear end from a corvair.
i had teh lolz thinking about putting an honest 350hp into a corvair transaxle. teh mad lolz.
Ford 302/5.0 with aluminum heads, roller rockers, flywheel, balanced bottom end, 7 quart pan, hi torque starter, T5 weighs same as a 12a with accessories, makes 350 easily and will run forever.
Ask me how I know....or check out my rides
or here http://www.cardomain.com/ride/2845451
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