260DET

If you want NA power with simplicity then what about a domestic V8? Agree with Hoov about keeping away from a NA VG30DE although properly maintained they are reliable but in NA form are too heavy for what you get. VG33E? Not a lot of power but lighter and simpler than the VG30DE.

Seems like the anti S30 phobia is a world wide thing. In AU its the same, S30's costing a fraction of what eg a competitive 911 would cost being handicapped out of contention. Yes you can come second but not win sort of thing. Anyway all the best, keep banging away

Thats not the right attitude, it is the duty of every Z driver to race and beat Porsches, not to have fun

On the choice of displacement, you may find this Datsun orientated calculator useful http://www.ozdat.com/ozdatonline/enginedesign/

Yep, no point in having a good motor if it won't hold together. Presently thinking is a crate L76 with a Comp or Camtech cam, springs, etc and MoTec management should be the go. Just realised that those fabricated sumps like the Autokraft above do not bolt to the transmission so reducing the overall strength of the engine and transmission as a unit

LHX do a custom cast one that looks promising for our S30 and S130 Z cars, Ebay http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/LHX-Custom-Cast-GM-ls1-swap-oil-pan-conversion-LH8-ls2-/320554389641 I believe it measures 5.5" high at the back, 13" long for the thin front part which is 1.5" high but check on all that and post it up.

Yes, perhaps a fabricated steel baffle and trapdoor setup could be bolted in too. The good thing is it looks like a stock sump/oil pan will not hang below the front Xmember so the LS conversion should be practical providing the lube system is thought through.

For anyone else wondering about this, here are some dimensions of a LS truck engine which incidentially is only ~10mm deeper from crank center line to bottom of the sump/oil pan than my VG engine fitted with a VG30DETT sump/oil pan is.

I would not trust a stock sump/pan for circuit racing/road course use, will hook up an Accusump as well to make extra sure. Yeh I could make a windage tray, have done that before.

Thanks B from O, that is helpful and makes me wonder if that OE windage tray will fit in the Autokraft sump/pan.

For any sort of mass produced road car anything more than a two valve pushrod or SOHC motor is just wasteful marketing nonsense. The multi valve engines gained an advantage because they were competing against old technology that had not had anywhere near the same R&D put into them, the LS engines are putting that right. Only thing is the Corvette engine should be turbocharged, not supercharged which is relatively inefficient and panders to the lazy 'I can't be bothered changing gear' lot. Get a bloody auto.

Yes those are the pics I have referred to, very useful. Need to get the total engine height down from 27.5" to ~26" max, preferably a bit less, so perhaps a well baffled steel aftermarket pan. Something like a Autokraft.

Looking at putting a crate LS2 with a modified 4L60E auto trans into a RHD S130. From available measurements the LS is about the same length as the present VG30DET and a touch narrower. Crank centerline height measurements are a bit harder to find, they are important because they dictate how low the LS can be mounted while still clearing the Xmember and steering rack at the front. Does anyone know how far the LS block extends down past the crank centerline? This together with oil pan measurements will help me work out the engine mounting height. Also relevant is whats available in the way of low profile oil pans baffled for road course racing use, remote mounting of the oil filter is OK. I have done some research but advice based on personal experience is always useful.

The S30 needs rear toe in, end of story and everything is not a trade off which is what I tried to explain eg front caster. If you are going to put limitations on what you are prepared to do then its a bit pointless asking for advice and then in effect rejecting it, if I may be blunt

One problem with a S30 is that its very difficult to get big, say 8 degrees, caster at the front which would help turn in. The better the front works from tweaks like that the more the other various settings can be biased towards helping rear grip which is where later model Nissans like the S14 are strong and for example can carry a large front ARB which of course helps rear grip. Got rear toe in? Maybe 5mm? And a bigger front ARB. Its intructional coming from a S30 background and seeing what the later model strut front suspension Nissans can do out of the box.

Say no more http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EE7WGCJS98E&feature=player_embedded

Just do it, you obviously have a sense of humour so just be yourself. If it does not work out who cares, good life experience

Yeh I'll be looking at the paddle shifter option too but more as a DIY project at least for the hardware. A couple of momentary switches, cut some aluminium into a paddle shape..............

This being a non discriminatory forum I'm assuming a $20 postage cost will not exclude furriners from joining in? Haha, only teasing, may the best Murrican win

Had the chance to have a long talk with another southern hemisphere racer who has used an auto for several years and loves it. He does well in open competition too, at a higher level than I am so its the plan, a NA LS with a modded 4L60E after I do Bathurst (300kph max OMG?) over easter next year. The aftermarket support for these autos is incredible so I'm confident of getting a durable and suitable setup. Gotta start saving and give up hookers and coke

Oh dear, how are they going to police that, crazy. A problem has arisen from the no refuel rule where cars are carrying the bare minimum of fuel in order to get an all important good start. Then they have to be very careful with using power later on which produces boring non-racing. I always like the Indy 'push to pass' idea, no rules but you have x seconds of use anytime, your call. Good thinking.

Pics? Particularly of the right side headers/steering area. I'm looking at converting my 280ZX which would have similar problems I guess.

Yeh am still looking at a throttle blipper but with the present setup its awfully complicated and verging on the impractical to do something electrical, although a mechanical device may be practical. Like a lever or clutch pedal operated cable device. The LS auto idea is something for the future but its viability is relevant now. Like the VG could be changed to drive by wire operation if the LS auto idea is not viable.

I'm in love http://www.tciauto.com/Products/TC-%27Street%20Transmissions%27-4.aspx Pro touring is some sort of road course circuit racing series isn't it. Start saving the dolla Richard

Don't get any clutch plate that does not have a sprung center if its a street driven car. Spoils the driving pleasure, fine for an all track car though.