kce

Any chance someone has a picture of 240z running XXR 517s in 16x8 that I can see? I'm sure there's one in the wheel show thread, but I probably shouldn't be digging all the way through it, while I'm at work.

Awesome. Thanks for the suggestions.

So I'm really digging on Watanabes like the ones on shika808's 71. However, they seem pretty expensive... as in $550 a wheel expensive. Can anyone recommend a slightly more affordable wheel that looks similar? I'm more into just the general shape than the name so I'd welcome any suggestions that look similar to the R-types. Thanks.

I figured that was the case, but it seems like a lot of effort and expense just to gain access to a greater variety of wheel options. Is the choice in 4-lug wheels really that limited? It seems pretty decent to me. Maybe it's just one of those things where you absolutely *need* a particular wheel and it's only available in 5x4.5 pattern...?

I've seen a few threads on doing a 5-lug conversion. My question is why would you go with a 5-lug pattern over the stock 4-lug pattern? Is it just because of the greater variety of 5-lug wheels? Better brake choices for 5-lug hubs?

That's nuts. My Toyota 4x4 has a 3.0L and gets like 18mpg. I am officially jealous. Needless to say, I do alot of walking.

Currently I'm reading through Chris Werner's How to Rebuild GM LS-Series Engines and I'm finding it useful. I really like the idea of a 400hp engine that can get close to 30mpg if I drive nice and have overdrive. You just can't get close to that kind of "have your cake and eat it too" situation with a carbed small block chevy. Anyone with a Gen IV retaining the Active Fuel Management (displacement on demand) stuff? If so, how difficult was adapting it to the S30? Thanks for all the great info.

Sure, that makes sense. My big objection to fuel injection is 1) the cost of the retrofit and 2) difficulty in tuning. Now I realize the second objection is relative but I'm pretty much a carburettor guy and most of my experience is there. But 30mpg is music to my ears. I'll have to reconsider my induction prejudices.

For those of you with an LS1/LS6 swap into your Datsun I'm curious to hear what kind of fuel mileage you are getting. Obviously, if you have an V8 swap fuel mileage probably isn't your top priority (it isn't mine either) but I imagine it's nice to have a daily driver that doesn't need a fuel tanker as a support truck (particularly in this economy). I've heard some pretty crazy claims come down from 4th-gen Camaro owners about getting anywhere between 27mpg to 32mpg (*cough BS!) in sixth gear with mostly light-foot highway driving. The S30 is probably significantly lighter... I wonder if they're getting similar or better numbers. If you can, please post relevant information about your induction system, exhaust and any other internal modifications you've made to the engine. I'm particularly interested in comparing the numbers between fuel injection and carburetion. Also your transmission and differential gearing if you know it. Thanks!

Does anyone have any experience with this car cover? I know it's spendy but for those of us that have to keep our car outside in the harsh Pacific Northwest it seems like the better cover you buy the better off you'll be. I'd just like to hear if someone else has experience with one of ZStore's covers and if they think they're worth the $180. Thanks.

So good luck, bad luck.... I recently got offered a job (hooray! good luck), but unfortunately it is located in Alaska (bad luck!). I don't have access to a garage up North and I'm pretty sure the climate would eat my car alive so I think I'm going to leave it here in Oregon. Luckily, I have relatives in the area that are willing the take the car in. So, since I probably won't be back for at least six months... does anyone have any advice for moth-balling the car? It looks like I'll have to leave it outside which isn't ideal but beggars can't be choosers. It seems like a good car cover is necessary. Any recommendations? Which material? Should I increase the coolant/water ratio in the cooling system? Should I spray some oil in the cylinders to prevent rust? Should I drain the float bowls, and put Sta-bil in the fuel? Any tips? Letting the car sit outside isn't my first choice (getting rained on ) but I suppose I'll just make the best of it. Thanks!

First off, thanks for all the good replies. I certainly appreciate it. I didn't quite look at it that way, but you make an excellent point. Any engine swap (especially a SBC) that includes a significant increase in horsepower is going to make suspension work necessary. At the risk of sounding like a newbie: What exactly is MegaSquirt, and ITBs? Google tells me MegaSquirt is a EFI engine managment computer system but I'm still in the dark exactly why I'd want one? You'll have to bear with me here, all my experience has been on carborated SBC or diesels. As for ITBs, I have no idea? That's comforting to hear. I've heard that the rods on the L24s are forged? Is this true? If it is the case, getting them shot-peened and replacing the rod bolts with ARP hardware is probably the way to go. I'm betting a set of forged pistons are prohibitively expensive for the L6 engines (~$800 for a set? I am so spoiled by SBC prices), which is why you said I *could* get by using the stock ones... That almost sounds like a challenge! I've never owned or worked on a car with a turbo (well except a Cat engine) so building them and tuning them has always seemed like a black art to me. In fact, working with *any* electronic engine management has! However, the scream of any NA engine as rips to the top its powerband... sniff, it is a beautiful thing. I'm assuming these numbers are on top of the L24's stock "200hp" (I doubt mine makes close to that). Pulling another 220hp out of my current L24 is definitely an option I'll consider. Getting something like 350-375 hp total out of it would be amazing. The only thing I'd like to mention is that my off-the-top-of-my-head guess is that an EFI conversion (tank, pump, regulator, lines, manifold, injectors, etc.) comes close to $5K with everything all said and done and we haven't even started talking about cam swaps, head work (some of which I can probably do... although head-porting is the blackest of black arts), and new pistons (presumably to raise the compression level)... so $10-12K said and done? For that price, I could just go with something top shelf like an LS6 and have plently left over for that badly needed limited slip differential (and other suspension work). With the added bonus that I can actually drive the car instead of spend 6-8 months building an engine!

My apologizes, there's so much information on this site it's a bit overwhelming. Thanks.

So I recently bought a '73 240z which is basically my dream car. I've wanted one ever since I saw that youtube of the 240 with supercharged SBC when I was like 16 or 17. However, because I am broke the only major work I can afford to do on the car is imaginary. So let the bench racing begin! Now am I very much a chevy small block guy, not only do they fit my style but I've built a few of them. This makes the idea of a small block swap into my 240 a pretty attractive idea. Looking at some possible engine builds, I think I can put together a pretty stout (like 400-450hp) 383 for around 5K (my father and I have plenty of SBC parts... last I checked he's got like three blocks squirreled away in the garage!). That's a power-to-price ratio that's pretty hard to beat. However, the L-Series engine is definitely cool too. The more I drive and fiddle with the car, the more I am learning to appreciate it. I've looked around but I haven't seen many engine builds so would anyone like share their favorite? I'm looking for something that is streetable, but that doesn't mean tame... so lumpy idle, long-warm up times, etc. not an issue. My specific questions: Is there anyway to beat (or break even) with the power-to-price ratio you get with an SBC using a L-Series? What kind of horsepower, torque and engine profile (dyno maps be would sweet!) can you expect with a decently built NA L-Series, or a turbo-ed L-Series? If you know the relative cost of your build, and you don't mind sharing I'd love to see it. If any members have L-Series builds they'd like to share, I'd love to look at 'em. Thanks!