Initial Z

Well if I have to have a computer for that then there rely is no point to try a carb setup other than personal appeal (right?). So do you know what control unit your going to use with your swap? I haven't looked too much into them as it'll be a while before I'm ready for one.

My information is coming from an article in an Sport Compact Car magazine. This was from an issue from about 2 summers ago. They did a vq35 swap into a 240sx.

My understanding of the drive by wire issue is that its so integrated into the rest of the car that it's easier to replace the TB and go with an after market ECU. As for the efficiency of a carb setup on the VQ, it's something I would have to take into consideration. Although I doubt anyone els has done this so it may be difficult to tell exactly how big of a difference a carb setup would be from FI. -Nate

So I have been tossing this idea around in my head for a while and decided to start doing some research on it. I plan on using a VQ35de to power my Z and I know that there is a bit of trickery involved in this because of the electronically controlled throttle body. From what I have gathered you have to replace it with a pathfinder T/B and use an after market ECU. There is a good chunk of change in doing that witch is why I'm looking into using carbs. The first issue I see with this is that there is little space left between the engine and hood. My first inclination towards this would be to use a setup that would fit under the stock hood. If not than alter the hood or replace it with a suitable one. Secondly, I'm not sure if the distributor is reliant on the FI system and if it is I'll need to figure out a way around that. Thirdly I'd have to fabricate a manifold to mount the carbs to. Are there any other considerations I've left out? Do you guys think this would be any cheaper than the standard procedure for this swap? I'm guessing it's not going to be much cheaper if at all but part of me just wants to do it for "cool" factor. Just to do something different. If a vq35 powered 240Z wasn't enough. Thanks, Nate

Oh yea, that's what I ment. Some how I get the Sentra and Altima mixed up.. Thanks for the words of encouragement!

Ok, I take it from the lack of response that you guys don't like my idea. Thats fine I can take it. I ordered my tranny today so I have that to look forward to. Next I need to save up for the engine. I'll be looking for a Sentra or Maximu vq unless I can find a 350z vq at a good price. There is a Sentra vq for sale here in Portland that comes with the FWD tranny all for $800. anyone know what that tranny is worth? Well I'll keep ya posted.

OK, thanks guys. A couple more questions regarding the VQ35... Has anyone ever seen a carburated VQ35 and or what do you think of that as far as performance, cost, practicality, coolnes? (I"m kinda thinking about doing 3 SU carbs and making it look like it was a factory option engine with original style air cleaner.) Also what kind of power numbers are possible with the VQ35 in NA form?

That would be my thought too. I just want to make sure before dropping a bunch of money on something thats going to give me a hassle.

That 510 looks like it's going to be sweet ride. I couldn't get the links in the first page to work though. Any one have any idea where I could find out if the FWD VQ will mount directly to the RWD tranny?

So Ive been looking into the vq35 swap for my 240z and was wondering if its much trouble to mount the 350z tranny to a vq35 from a FWD car such as the Maxima or Sentra? It seems like FWD versions of this engine are quite a bit less expensive and more common than the RWD (although not quite as powerful). Also if anyone knows of a good source for these engines with in 200 miles of Portland Oregon I'd like to know. Thanks

Can you show an examples of this? Where there ever any rally Zs with front ends like this one that where mass-produced? I rally like the no nonsense, rough and tumble look of this car. It could have something to do with the orange paint reminding me of the General Lee.

I found this pic or a 260 2x2 while doing a google image search and I rely like the way this air dam looks. Do any of you know if this dam is available to buy or is it just a custom thing? Thanks, Nate

Thanks, that helps, I was looking at an e-bay auction for a 280 RQP that's in my area, but now I guess I wont be pursuing that. As for how much needs to be replaced, I need; the area from the front bottom section of the fender arch to the bottom rear corner of the door opening, the arch of the fender about 4-5" in, and all the way around, and at the back of the fender where it starts to rap around the bottom corner of the car, and up front that where it raps around to meet the tail light. So, basically the hole thing. but i did just check out the Tabco and it looks like they might have what i need. as far as searching the junk yards is it very likely that i would find something or is my best bet going to be to look for a privet seller? yes i know this is a very general question but I'm just trying to get a feel for where would be the bets use of my time in searching for the panel. Once again thanks, Nate

So, did I just ask a really dumb question? Is that why out of the thirty people that have viewed this thread as of now, no one has replied? Or do you guys really not know? Don't get me wrong I'm not trying to be an jerk about it I just thought it was strange that I haven't gotten a response yet. Thanks, Nate

Hey guys I'm in need of a replacement drivers side rear quarter panel for my 73 240, my question is are the panels on a 260 or 280 the same? Or do I need to get the panels of a 240? Also what could I expect to pay for a good quarter panel? Thanks, Nate

well I'm trying to make a car that i can race in scca road races so i have to use the SU carbs from the Z cars, otherwise I'ed look into that. Thanks though.

I'm looking into replacing my flat top carbs for my 73 Z with the earlier round top SU carbs but don't know if there a certain year of round top SU I should get? Are all round tops and components the same? If not what's the best version / combination of components for producing power? thanks, nate

Hey all sorry it’s taking me so long to reply, i got really busy with finals and work and my car and everything else. anyway it looks like the print lab is not going to be available to me over the summer so I’m not going to be able to make any prints for awhile. sorry. As far as how i made it i just found a bunch of high rez pictures of a z that looked pretty similar to how i want mine to look like and used those as reference to create the line drawings then i scanned them, and through the wonder of photoshop i manipulated them until I got the composition that i had invisioned in my mind. then i scanned in the drawing for the “tribal†design and the red splatter and put them all together. the crit went well everyone really liked it especially my instructor. He told me that this is the kind of stuff i should be making instead of what i had been doing for previous projects which had been at least related to fantasy art. Well thanks for the support i’ll keep you posted if i create any more Z related art. ~nate

Thank you all for your positive comments! When I started this project I knew I was going to show it to all you Hybrid Z guys so I tried to make it an image that inspired me and would intrigue other Z heads. The car that I drew is pretty similar to how I want mine to look and I chose to only use Black and red because I plan on painting it black with red accents. My illustrations class is tomorrow so ill let you guys know how the critique goes. Feel free to use it for your desktop. But anything ells pleas ask. I would love to be able to sell prints of this to help me pay for my Z project. Although I’m not sure what I would charge fore such prints. If I made them, they would be approximately 8” X 21” and on good archival quality mat paper. If someone wanted a larger or smaller print that could be arranged too. If you guys who are interested in a print could give me a ballpark figure of what you would pay for a print we can start to work out some kind of deal. Also if I where to only make a limited number of prints to sell, would that influence what you want to pay? Thanks again for the support, Nate

Ok, so I'm an illustration student at Pacific Northwest College of Art here in Portland and I got and assignment to create an icon of something that inspires me. Sense I recently got my first Z, and have been working on restoring/modifying it I thought this would be the perfect subject for me. Let me know what you guys think of it. Thanks, Nate

Thanks for the info guys! One more thing is there a consensus on what kind of media to use? And what diameter nozzle to use with that kind of media? Thoughts on effectiveness, price, availability? How much media can I expect to go through on my Z? I was thinking I would use walnut shell because it's not harsh on the metal and it's biodegradable (I'm planning to do this outside). Thanks, Nate

I’m almost at the stage in my restoration/modification where I need to blast my Z to get it all cleaned up for body work and paint. I have been looking to get a sand blaster to do the job my self and save some money but I’m not sure what to get. I don’t want to spend over $200 if possible (including shipping). In my search I found on ebay lots of adds such as this one... http://cgi.ebay.com/20-GALLON-HIGH-PRESSURE-SANDBLASTER-TANK-SAND-BLASTER_W0QQitemZ4450234920QQcategoryZ43570QQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem Have any of you used a blaster like this? Would it work for doing an entire car? Well thanks for the help in advance. Nate

I'm in a simaler position, I know I want to do this swap its just a matter of saving up for it and getting every thing I need. I dont know how far you are from Portland OR but one of my friends told me about a shop in town that can do the swap and they have the engines in stock. hear is the web sight for the shop http://www.preracing.com/ I my friends girlfrends dad had them drop an sr20 in his two 240SXes and they look and run great! So I called them up to see what they would charge to do it in a 240z. The guy told me that they had never done that swap befor but that they would definatly be able to do it. As far as a price goes, he guesed it would be around $4,500. for parts and labor or $2,500. for just the parts. So any way just thought I'ed put that out there as an option. I think I'll just get the parts and try to put it together my self and if I get stuck I'll hand it over to them. well good luck! nate

I just looked over that poste about the turbo convertion. I think i still would rather do the sr20 swap so I think I'll just do an engine rebuild at moste and save my money for the sr20. But thaks for showing me the info it was intresting to read.

Thanks for then info guys. That sucks about your poste. Sounds like you hade some good info in there. If I know I'm know I'm going to be wrighting a lot I'll do it in some kinde of word prossesing program first then cut and paste into the poste. Well if you feal up to it could you give me a list of parts and prices for rebuilding my engine into a 300hp turbo? Or if thats covered in the link you sent thats cool I havent had time to read through it all cuz I need to go to work soon. ok thanks fo rthe help.