I see lots of V8 and RB-swapped Z's. They get kind of tiring to me--especially SBC swaps. I've seen some in person and seen some of the issues with them (hood latches not aligning properly, engine sitting up high, etc.).
I've seen some pretty off the wall swaps too, like a Mopar SRT10 or Buick GNX V6 powerplant. I gravitate towards those more.
I own a 280z myself and gave some thought to an engine swap, but was wondering if anyone else owned a one-off or had seen some interesting ones.
How about a Jag V12? That makes it a Zaguar
I dont have any of those issues you speak of.
I saw an article on one with an SR20DET swap. While straightforward, I kind of like inline sixes better.
How about a BMW S52 swap?
http://forums.hybridz.org/index.php/topic/79806-rt260-bmw-m-powered/
Best one I saw was a 240Z (not a fan of the styling changes on the later and increasingly bloated 260 and 280) with a Toyota 2JZ turbo engine in it.
There's a very small part of me that has a quiet affinity for the 280Z 2+2s and wants to put an SR20DET in one...
Seen quite a bit on SR20 Z's, but I'd rather have something other than that too. There's a company out there or two that makes a mount kit. Seen a few 2JZ ones as well, but never a BMW slant-6. I wondered a long time ago if a BMW v12 out of an 8-series would fit.
I've tossed lots of ideas around in my head, like a 400 SBC, but around here, everyone wants way too much for a 400 ci (because everyone wants the crank for a 383, which still is beyond me--why throw away 400 cubic inches for 17 less...). After that, I thought about a 300 ci Ford or a 292/250 Chevrolet. They'd be a lot slower to rev than a V8, but lots of guys around here throw away 250's for V8 swaps and lots of bus junkyards and industrial equipment rotting that might have a 292 block or the 300 Ford L6.
Saw at one point someone swapped a S2000 Honda motor in, too bad the J-series V6 RWD conversions haven't really gotten anywhere yet, otherwise I'd really like that idea! Some guys have gotten those to work with GM TH350 gearboxes.
The problem in my neck of the woods is it's really hard to get some of those motors. I can easily go to a junkyard and probably pull a CA18 or KA24DE, but finding a VH45DE or VQ35 or VQ40 is pretty difficult, and a lot to take under my wing...As well as GM LS motors. 'Vettes, GTO's and such very rarely are in a junkyard down here. Quite a few trucks with 5.3 Vortec iron-block engines. I don't think I've ever seen a Jaguar in any local junkyard. However, pulling Honda engines is cake. Can find any D, H, F, or J you want from almost any chassis. Really easy to get Ford Modular motors too, 4.6's especially, but that'd be a pain to fit.
If an LS would fit, I wonder if one of those newer Dodge Hemis would? Sorry for the rambling, just tossing out lots of ideas.
Good looking LS-2 swap, Mr. O. How much did you end up spending overall?
Hmmm...Ford 2.3T in a 280z. :D Seems like some guys have done it in a 510 over on Ratsun. With a 2.5 Ranger crank and a good piston/rod combo, you could get it to 2.8, so it would still TECHNICALLY be a 280...Hehe.
Isher1992 wrote: I wondered a long time ago if a BMW v12 out of an 8-series would fit.
It's basically two M20s side to side - probably would fit, and be perfect if you were trying to put one of those Ferrari replica kits on it. Or just wanted a V12 Z car, which sounds like it would be fun.
I would think RB motors would be a go-to here, packaging problems?
I'd head to a vintage race to hear what a well prepped L28 can sound like before making a swap decision. If you want to do a swap for the adventure of it--- go for it, but there really isn't anything wrong with the L28, and they sound glorious uncorked.
Joe Gearin wrote: I'd head to a vintage race to hear what a well prepped L28 can sound like before making a swap decision. If you want to do a swap for the adventure of it--- go for it, but there really isn't anything wrong with the L28, and they sound glorious uncorked.
Absolutely agree! I've always thought an engine swap in these was not something I wanted to do. There is nothing wrong with the original motor. I was at a track day once and a guy there had a 240Z with a supercharged 2.8L. It's difficult to put into words how good that car sounded, and how fast it was. I really miss my 240Z and will have another. I drove an ITS version for a while and it is still my favorite time ever in a race car.
As for the 280Z, the bumpers are a bit ungainly, but all the goodness of the 240 is still there. When I was growing up, we had a '73 240Z, and a '76 280Z. The 240 arguably looked better, but the 280 was the better driver.
I've always felt the best sounding and best balanced feeling engines were inline 6's! I never did understand changing them out.
I know inline motors have length caused packaging issues. But I have never felt either a BMW or a Datsun/Nissan with a V engine was nearly as nice as they were with the inline motors. The same goes for when Jaguar went to V12s & V8s.
Besides, why would you just want to copy what everyone else has been doing for decades anyway?
MadScientistMatt wrote:Isher1992 wrote: I wondered a long time ago if a BMW v12 out of an 8-series would fit.It's basically two M20s side to side - probably would fit, and be perfect if you were trying to put one of those Ferrari replica kits on it. Or just wanted a V12 Z car, which sounds like it would be fun.
There was a woman who used to post here who did just that - she had a Z car with a BMW V12 and a Ferrari GTO body kit. From the photos she posted it was a very well done car.
How about lighter and much faster? 400 BHP LNF turbo 4 cylinder?
Rupert wrote: Besides, why would you just want to copy what everyone else has been doing for decades anyway?
For me, it was benefiting from everyone else's R&D. It's been done enough that there are parts and knowledge already available. Otherwise, I would have just stuck with the old 3.0L stroker motor.
I'm a bit of a purist, I prefer 6 cylinders only. Mostly because you can hear a V8 or 4cyl any time.
That and who doesn't want to hear a straight 6? Mine hasnt been on the road in two years due to the L28 blowing up. I just picked up an L28ET to drop in it. Well until I can buy an RB26 for it. I just want it back on the road at this point.
I've always wanted to try the BMW v12. It'd sound even better and theres plenty of space in the engine bay. So my vote is for that or a bmw/toyota I6.
~Alex
The BMW V12 is pretty but not high output. Go for the Toyota DOHC I-6 - great engine.
Isher1992 wrote: The problem in my neck of the woods is it's really hard to get some of those motors. I can easily go to a junkyard and probably pull a CA18 or KA24DE, but finding a VH45DE or VQ35 or VQ40 is pretty difficult, and a lot to take under my wing...
I'm not up on my VQs numbers but wasn't a VQ version in a E36 M3 ton of pickups, Pathfinders, Maximas, Xterras, etc? How hard is it to make one of those perform as good or better than a 350Z engine? I'd say VQ just because you could probably mount it behind the front axle and have some really nice balance.
If you really want more cylinders, keep it in the family-Infiniti/Titan V8.
ShadowSix wrote: RB25DET? I would think RB motors would be a go-to here, packaging problems?
i've seen a local RB26DETT swapped one- it fit good from what I could tell.
Rupert wrote: Besides, why would you just want to copy what everyone else has been doing for decades anyway?
Maybe if I was putting a small block 350 or an LS motor into it. I see a lot of that, hardly see other swaps (like the Buick GNX V6 swap I mentioned). Same goes with the RB and SR motors, lots of people put those in 280's, but never see other Nissan engines. Maybe an occasional VQ35DE/HR, but never something like a VQ40DE or VH45DE (seen a few on the 'Net), or even a VK56 (Which would probably be hard for some people to get their hands on).
In reply to mndsm:
It fits and there's mounting kits out there and it's been done before--The problem for me is the expense of even getting my hands on an RB motor. It blows my mind, I have to go online like eBay or one of these engine selling sites, and even then, the cost of the engine alone is 2000.00, usually thereabout, with usually over 100,000 miles, so then I'm looking at a rebuild on top of that. Meanwhile, I can buy a brand new OE engine for my daily driver (a Honda Fit) for about 900.00. Kinda comparing apples to oranges, but the "junkyard pullout" route isn't an option for an RB-series motor for me, as they just don't turn up in junkyards here in the Midwest.
Junkyard_Dog wrote:Isher1992 wrote: The problem in my neck of the woods is it's really hard to get some of those motors. I can easily go to a junkyard and probably pull a CA18 or KA24DE, but finding a VH45DE or VQ35 or VQ40 is pretty difficult, and a lot to take under my wing...I'm not up on my VQs numbers but wasn't a VQ version in a E36 M3 ton of pickups, Pathfinders, Maximas, Xterras, etc? How hard is it to make one of those perform as good or better than a 350Z engine? I'd say VQ just because you could probably mount it behind the front axle and have some really nice balance. If you really want more cylinders, keep it in the family-Infiniti/Titan V8.
That's the VQ40, that was in the Xterra and Pathfinder. I've looked into that before, there's some minor differences. The VQ40, iirc, has direct injection while the VQ35 does not.
Joe Gearin wrote: I'd head to a vintage race to hear what a well prepped L28 can sound like before making a swap decision. If you want to do a swap for the adventure of it--- go for it, but there really isn't anything wrong with the L28, and they sound glorious uncorked.
Only problem I have with the L28 is just that the automatic that came with it in the 70's didn't have overdrive, and the performance of the A/T isn't as good as a manual twin, but as I said earlier, pretty limited for me to drive a manual.
Post crazy a bit, but trying to catch up.
I've also tossed around ideas of doing a stroker build up, and using a MLS headgasket to keep a very mild compression ratio, maybe do a small T3/T4 hybrid turbo with a 4-barrel carb on E85, running no more than 9psi, if even that. AZC's 4 barrel manifold would probably work well with a 500cfm carb, with a MSD 6AL box and a good distributor, like a GM HEI conversion. But that'd be much later, as I have to even get the car back together first!
I just posted this thread, because I like seeing what others have done and been creative with, and although some popular engines don't fit, there's quite a few that do!
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