Drax240z

Hey Spencz, lets see some more pics man! Damn I love what you are doing to that car... I hope one day to follow a similar plan, once I have the equiptment to do it! Drax240z

Unfortunatly I don't think i could afford to import a skyline engine... But if they were here, I'd love one! Drxa240z

Just trying to flesh out a few ideas I have for an engine. Does anyone know if there is any alternative to a mechanical oil pump for an engine, other than a dry sump system? I am wondering if an electric pump can be used basically... I want to put an oil pickup where there isn't supposed to be an oil pickup... (take engine A, move sump from stock position B to position C) Also wondering if anyone has had experience re-routing a pickup in an engine, or anything at all that seems related. I suppose I could always move the front crossmember.... Drax240z

I had an 81 (GL model) not that long ago. Yes, 4 wheel disc brakes were standard. The louvers are aftermarket. Sorry but I am not sure about the JTR mounts, my gut feeling is that they would have to be modified slightly to fit the zx's. Drax240z

I figure that in doing this swap I will have to address all the same issues as doing a V8 swap, and very little more. The distance from firewall to centerline on the shifter is 27" for the big 6 cyl tranny, and 26" on my datsun. The engine blocks are both 28" long. I have 4" between engine block and firewall to play with, and about 6" between block and fan. So I can use the shifter as a reference for the whole engine without throwing everything out of whack. The only issue I've overlooked is the sump pan. I do not know where the sump is on the big BMW 6, but those cars are subframed in a fairly similar manner. I will be checking into that today. Honestly I don't see this being more trouble than a V8 swap, except that the engineering hasn't yet been done for me. The buddy that is helping me is a BMW fanatic, and he knows those engines inside out. Definately will be a big help. Drax240z

Well, I am thinking about puting an inline 6 in my 240z. Something a little different however. I've been doing measurements today, and puting this engine in the 240 engine bay seems really plausible... I am looking at either a BMW 3.3l I-6, or a 3.5l I-6. Bone stock form, the 3.3l will put out 220hp. My goal is 380-400hp (flywheel) from whatever engine I choose, and I think it could be done NA with either of these 2 engines. (using a figure of ~320hp max out of a NA L28 with race prep) The reasons? Well, I want an origional car. I need reliability, performance and decent economy too. I know a bone stock BMW 635CSi weighs in at about 3300lbs, and does 0-60mph in 7ish seconds. I'd of course use the BMW tranny as well... The engine is also a "slant" 6, lowering the CoG from where it is with the current Nissan engine. Anythoughts about driving a ZMW around town? *grin* Drax240z

Things I've been pondering for my 73 240z... o Electric moonroof o ABS system o Central locking system o Carbon Fibre kick panels, door panels and possilby all other interior panals as well. o Trip computer (efficiency, range, avg. speed, etc) Yeah I might just be dreaming on a few of these things, others will find their way into my Z. Drax240z

My thoughts that high-tech is basically anything that is new technology. While a lot of what we put in our Z's is newer than the production date of our cars, I am thinking of things that weren't even options when the 1st gen Z was made. Basically anything invented after 83 is higher tech than the datsun could have... Things like user programmable injection systems, extruded aluminum honeycomb, carbon fibre, ABS, traction control systems, killer stereo installations, etc... While some of these things may have been available to the public in 83, they certainly weren't as inexpensive and readily available as they are now! Just my 2 cents on the subject... Drax240z

Well, ferarri and porsche have been doing something similar for years... One way they show off their rigidity is to jack up one corner of the car to the point that 3 wheels are off the ground, then open and close the doors. Doesn't help you measure it, just thought someone might be interested. Drax240z

Birthday coming up and my parents can probably be conviced to buy me something for my car. Just wondering what the biggest bang for my (their) buck will be, urethane suspension bushings or MSA anti-swaybars (1" & 7/8"). Going on a mostly stock 1973 240z, no V8 yet. Drax240z

OK, emailed you about that. Nice to meet more Vancouver people. I know a guy in Surrey you might know, Dan Giroux, ex Nissan tech guy... Pretty good guy to see for factory Nissan parts at better than factory Nissan prices! He's building a 240z with a Z32TT Engine... I'd like to see your car sometime. Maybe we can get together and shoot the breeZZZZZe a little sometime. Drax240z

OK, FrankenZ is just such an awesome name, if and when I go crazy with welders and torches and grinders like Spence, I'm taking that name!! Hehe. Drax240z - FrankenZ to be??

Hahahahaha, man great story. I've got tears in my eyes just thinking about trying something like that. Glad that you made it home in one piece though, I can see how you might have been a little worried about it! Drax240z

I can understand wanting to have power steering for medical reasons... but for any other reason I have to wonder why you'd want it at all! In my books nothing beats the response and feel for the car that you can get only with non power assisted steering. When McLaren cars made the F1, they refused to put in power steering for the very same reason! Drax240z

That's pretty steep, but I take it that its identical to his c/w carbon fibre? Pretty light front end... Hell you'd probably save more than enough weight to offset a V8 swap. I shudder to think how much shipping something like that would be though... Would be almost a shame for other Z's to steal such an origional concept, but I certainly understand his desire to offset the costs of building his car somewhat! Drax240z

One more thought. I was looking at Jim Biondo's page (that guy with the custom front end, been in chevy hi-po and turbo & hi-po mag lately) and on that page he says he'll make them for other people. Its something that looks good, is better aerodynamically and hasn't been done to death! Thought I'd add this to the discussion. Drax240z

Cool mod! Maybe its something I should look into doing too, just to save some dough. Let me make sure I have this right, you made the U shaped brackets out of sheet metal, and made them so they hole the sway bar tight to the frame, with no bushings? Does that sound correct? Any problems you ran into doing the swap? Drax240z

Since I've allready payed for it and ordered it, I'll just take that one. Maybe I should have asked around for an used copy, but generally I've found people don't sell that type of book... I've seen that link before, and its a good one! Thanks anyway. Drax240z

Idea's are all I need for the Ford really. I'm pretty confident that I can do what needs to be done to do it, the question is whether I can afford the extra machining/parts/etc that it might take. Unfortunately I don't think I could afford shipping on an engine. I tried to get an exhaust shipped to me from chicago and it was going to be almost $200US!! I'd probably pay more for shipping than I would for the engine. Drax240z

I just ordered this book from summit racing. Wow, pricy! Almost $70 canadian to get it to me, it better be good. The thing is I am leaning more along the lines of doing a Ford 302 swap than a chev 350... If I could find a 327 I'd jump on it, they are pretty hard to find though. Anyway, how do you guys feel about the JTR book? Is it really that good to justify that much dough? I wish I could look through it before buying it... Drax240z

Just looked through the MSA catalogue... they don't seem to have 1 1/8" fronts, the kits they offer are 1" front and 7/8" rear. I am thinking about getting this kit in the next couple of weeks, anyone have it and care to share a few thoughts on the pair? ------------------ ------------------------- Drax240z - 1973 240z

The 6 speed was really just a pipe dream, I really can't afford to put the amount it would take to get one into the tranny. I am hoping to do the engine and tranny with a very tight budget!

I am seriously looking into going the V8 route in my 1973 240z. I was thinking that a 302 Ford would be nice, but after a bit more education it seems the chevy swap is quite a lot easier. I am definately going with a 5spd (or 6), no automatics will really be considered. The help I need is in trying to decide an engine to go with. Ideally I'd like to buy a car with a 5 spd and the engine I want, then take both out and basically part out the car. (have to be a cheapish car though) NOt against doing a mild rebuild of the engine before putting it in. Anyone have any ideas on what cars I should look for to get a decent smallblock and a 5 spd other than cameros/firebirds? Also, should I look for a 350, 327, 400 or another smallblock? I've heard nothing good about the 305 so I'll stay away. Thanks, looking forwards to becoming a part of this forumn! ------------------ ------------------------- Drax240z - 1973 240z