Calico

anyone interested in selling a mt kit?

very interesting thread

I was curious if anyone knew of any threads or ways to eliminate weight in the z31 & s130 cars. Wheile the cars dont seem that large in comparision to other sports car in the similiar class the Zs are always some of the heaviest? Was curious if anyone knew exactly? I noticed the fd rx7 is around 2800lbs in comaprison to the 280zx but the z31 is around 3klbs, does anyone know what the major diff is in all 3 of these front engine, Rwd sports coupes?

Mike-thanx for the insight. The e36/46 was a suggestion from another memebr & while i like the car ill prolly not beable to afford it. The same goes with the z32. The car is have now is relatively quick but it lacks in certian areas. generally i would perfer to be able to have a newer drivetrain that is a v6. the series 2 would be ideal but THERE are no swap options availible, the turbo grand nat motor would be a close 2nd due to the pre existing intercooler, manifolds, turbo ect. Im from North east PA. Rareity isnt the only reason i picked the s130, the other is because they carry a turbo option, which means it appears normal if one hears a turbo under the hood. They are said to be stronger and arent in such a demand, the last reason is because i am a sucker for t-top cars. I want a very fast car that handles well and i want to run a mild motor. The SBC is simplest but not me choice ideally. Overall the car i build must surpass what i already have in most ways. The car i have not is a Grand national. Which means the car i build has to be lighter, handle better more aero dynamic + good swap potential. It would need to be quiet, streetable manners, good gas milage + boosted. The series II is the more up to date drivetrain & w/boost it would surpass the older grand nat motor. The grand nat motor comes stock w/ turboed, intercooled, exhaust manis, strong tranny ect. I was also considering the vortec 4.3 w/ turbo syclone typhoon manifolds & some forged low compression SBC pistons. Even tho they arent as stout as the 3.8 veriatives I could but a universal crossmember and bolt it up w/ 700r4. I wouldnt need much power to put a s130 in the high tens/low 11s so i doubt i would be pushing the limits too far.

Okay here is the basic update. 1. i see alot of ppl talking about the structural integrity of the early Z cars. Does the 280zx chassis suffer from the same plights as the s30? http://www.baddogparts.com/ makes stuff for the s30 but i didnt see much for the s130? 2. I will most likely be goint in the direction of a SBC 350 for ease of installation, maybe boost down the line. 3. Although i would really perfer a newer V6, 4.3, Series II would be ideal or even the grand nat motor. There is an conversion page about the grand nat motor but only for the s30 chassis, does anyone know if there are any major differences in the engine bays that would keep the swap from being duplicated? http://www.turbobuic...eally-long.html 4. I keep hearing the major problem with the s130 is the steering arm/box clearences, can anyone clearify or explain a way around this? On another note I was looking into the s12 s00sx, anyone have any expirence with these models? 2600lbs is pretty light.

Braap-I had an interest in the e36/46 but they are a lil out my price bracket. suspension, wheels, ect will prolly be more than my grass roots style builds. Novacain-good to know the motor mts can hold up to those levels. Geking-the lt1 is a small block chevy because the CID is still 350cid. I think over all id perfer the z32, 2nd would be the z31 but the cheapest would be the s130 because of the pre-existing mount kits.

this is very interesting

Yeah i love the z32 as well. Ive had two of em and wanna get a 3rd for a lsx swap but Sikky performance is takin forever. I noticed the zs are kinda heavy, what exactly makes em so heavy since they arent really that big? Anyone have any idea what a set of custom motor mounts for a z31 or s130 should go for, id really like to use the series 2 GM motor! Just an average range? Just curious but Anyways I most likely will look into the e36 more!

micheal-I have a few friends with lsx rx7s & i hate how the fcs look. idk im not a mazda guy, i like GM & nissan. Weird i guess. Geking the turbo buick does 19 city/25(+/-)highway.The reason i ruled out the lt1 is because they have some pretty hihh compression & i'm scared of opti-spark! Your right tho i saw one for $200 in a u-pull it today. Braap i completely agree with you about the bmw. The reason why i didnt put them on the list is because parts from bimmers are expensive. I was def considering one and i talked to a guy who sells a lsx kit for them & the RX7 and it came out to something like $2-3k installed running plus the price of drivetrain. Idk maybe i would look into an older e36. So the z31 isnt stout in the handling dept? The 280zx either?

Starting in 2011 im gonna try to build a all around weekend warrior/doubled w/ daily driver duties. The choices came down to the Z31, s130 & Turbo Buick regal. The candidate has to be an all around capable car; drivability, decent gas mileage, tune ability, comfort, handling, straight line performance, decent handling, aerodynamics, good braking system, decent after market support & a sleeper. What ever I pick will be automatic Trans. 4l60e, 700r4 or 200r3. I. Option 1 Finish building the Turbo RegalIt needs the interior put back in it, Rear bumper, ebrake cables & exhaust. Id do some bolt ons to get it into the low 12s easy. *Pros: Decent drivability, decent gas mileage, tune ability, extremely comfort, , straight line performance, decent after market support & a sleeper, easy parts accessibility + many types of swap kits. *Cons: poor handling, aerodynamics, anemic braking system, kinda old, no one wrenches on em & Problem is that the more you push turbo Buicks the more prone they are to reliability issues. A. I would also build a turbo LSX for it on the side. B. Build a 4.1 turbo motor. II. Option2 S130 (280zx)Chassis The pros: 280zxs are relative cheap since they are over looked plus are a sleeper, if someone pulled up on a turbo one they would assume its stock & slow. They are light(2800lbs+/-) and can be pretty competent with a closer to stock motor (than the heavier turbo regal + Z31) & would get decent gas mileage. While a little old, they still have competent suspension, can provide decent straight line performance ,looks are decent, relatively aerodynamics, good braking + decent after market support. +can support skyline, Z31 & s13/14 suspension parts. The cons: old a lot are rusty, parts arent as accessible, not as beautiful as the other gen Zs. Limited swap kits aside the SBC JTR, which wont let it be a quiet sleeper. Motor options would be A. TPI swapped SBC- Sbc are cheap but the TPI isn’t, there are kits out for the swap but idk how much power can JTR mounts can take? This would be the simplest route because it’s a common & simple swap, So all id have to do is get turbo exhaust manis made. Unfortunately there is no mistaking the sound of a v8=no mo sleeper. B 3.8 Series II swap-Would be ideal, they are commonly found, cheap (+/-300), reliable, efficient & relatively unknown. Downside everything will have to be custom, turbo exhaust manis, mounts, down pipe, ect. & twalton is the only guy I know who did the swap. He said its not a hard swap tho. http://forums.hybrid...__1#entry639813 C. Grand national 3.8 swap- Would be the 2nd easiest, I wouldn’t have to fab up exhaust manis & I already have a complete drive train to work with, The car would be lethal fast & would have lots of aftermarket support. Id have to get the fuel system up to par & get a custom down pipe &,driveshaft but that would mostly be it, aside from mounts. Problem is the Gn’s engine is getting old in comparison to some of the new drive trains out there. There is an conversion page about it but only for the s30 chassis, im curious if there are any major differences in the engine bays? http://www.turbobuic...eally-long.html III. Option 3 Z31 Chassis Please compare the Z31(3100lbs) vs. the 280zx(2800lbs). Pros: The z31 is a little newer & usually easier to find in good shape. Has a lot of the new car amenities, 5 lug disk brakes, more aerodynamics, reportedly superior handling. Cheap. If I can find a Z31 w/a SBC V8 already swapped in it then all ill have to do is build the turbo system. This would be ideal. Cons are no kits exists to swap anything in the Z31, so the s130 has the advantage. Motor options: A. 3.8 Series II swap B. Grand national 3.8 swap C. SBC V8

mckinny motorsports sells kits right?

If i find an already swapped v8Z then i could even swap the the converted LT1 style intake for SBC http://www.lt1intake.com or millican@sethirdgen.org

Starting in 2011 im gonna try to build a all around weekend warrior/doubled w/ daily driver duties. The choices came down to the Z31, s130 & Turbo Buick regal. The candidate has to be an all around capable car; drivability, decent gas mileage, tune ability, comfort, handling, straight line performance, decent handling, aerodynamics, good braking system, decent after market support & a sleeper. What ever I pick will be automatic Trans. 4l60e, 700r4 or 200r3. I. Option 1 Finish building the Turbo RegalIt needs the interior put back in it, Rear bumper, ebrake cables & exhaust. Id do some bolt ons to get it into the low 12s easy. *Pros: Decent drivability, decent gas mileage, tune ability, extremely comfort, , straight line performance, decent after market support & a sleeper, easy parts accessibility + many types of swap kits. *Cons: poor handling, aerodynamics, anemic braking system, kinda old, no one wrenches on em & Problem is that the more you push turbo Buicks the more prone they are to reliability issues. A. I would also build a turbo LSX for it on the side. B. Build a 4.1 turbo motor. II. Option2 S130 (280zx)Chassis The pros: 280zxs are relative cheap since they are over looked plus are a sleeper, if someone pulled up on a turbo one they would assume its stock & slow. They are light(2800lbs+/-) and can be pretty competent with a closer to stock motor (than the heavier turbo regal + Z31) & would get decent gas mileage. While a little old, they still have competent suspension, can provide decent straight line performance ,looks are decent, relatively aerodynamics, good braking + decent after market support. +can support skyline, Z31 & s13/14 suspension parts. The cons: old a lot are rusty, parts arent as accessible, not as beautiful as the other gen Zs. Limited swap kits aside the SBC JTR, which wont let it be a quiet sleeper. Motor options would be A. TPI swapped SBC- Sbc are cheap but the TPI isn’t, there are kits out for the swap but idk how much power can JTR mounts can take? This would be the simplest route because it’s a common & simple swap, So all id have to do is get turbo exhaust manis made. Unfortunately there is no mistaking the sound of a v8=no mo sleeper. B 3.8 Series II swap-Would be ideal, they are commonly found, cheap (+/-300), reliable, efficient & relatively unknown. Downside everything will have to be custom, turbo exhaust manis, mounts, down pipe, ect. & twalton is the only guy I know who did the swap. He said its not a hard swap tho. http://forums.hybridz.org/index.php/topic/68027-3800t5-swap-started/page__p__639813__fromsearch__1#entry639813 C. Grand national 3.8 swap- Would be the 2nd easiest, I wouldn’t have to fab up exhaust manis & I already have a complete drive train to work with, The car would be lethal fast & would have lots of aftermarket support. Id have to get the fuel system up to par & get a custom down pipe &,driveshaft but that would mostly be it, aside from mounts. Problem is the Gn’s engine is getting old in comparison to some of the new drive trains out there. There is an conversion page about it but only for the s30 chassis, im curious if there are any major differences in the engine bays? http://www.turbobuicks.com/forums/buick-v6-turbo-hybrid-cars/19425-so-you-want-3-8-turbo-z-car-long-i-mean-really-long.html III. Option 3 Z31 Chassis Please compare the Z31(3100lbs) vs. the 280zx(2800lbs). Pros: The z31 is a little newer & usually easier to find in good shape. Has a lot of the new car amenities, 5 lug disk brakes, more aerodynamics, reportedly superior handling. Cheap. If I can find a Z31 w/a SBC V8 already swapped in it then all ill have to do is build the turbo system. This would be ideal. Cons are no kits exists to swap anything in the Z31, so the s130 has the advantage. Motor options: A. 3.8 Series II swap B. Grand national 3.8 swap C. SBC V8

The GTP motor is basically the supercharged version of his motor. Problem is that the GTP is fwd and datsuns are RWD. you could use a rwd 4l60e but then the blower would face the firewall.

I believe McKinny motor sports makes a kit. I know alot of ppl talk about the now obsolete 200ZR mounts, pan and cross member (JDM)

so for say a nice 400hp daily driver what would be the best route as far as trannys go in a vg30det powered z32

does anyone have any more info on this topic?

search my threads, i had one talking about this topic. Basically it will work IF the Dett manifold could bolt on to the vg30det heads. The ports are diff/rectangular vs oval ports or something like that.

thanx man for all the info ill take your advice and report back with what i find.

Has anyone ever swapped the single turbo vg30et into the z32 chassis? do you know if the vg30et would bolt in a z32 300zx?

no noe has any input? any lsx swapped z31s?

I have owned a few z32s off and on. Currently i am racing a buick gn but i occasionally toy with the idea of getting back in to the z but this time I'm considering getting a z31. The main reason i havent got another z car is cause of high prices and scarcity of parts. I have never drivin a z31 and would like some feedback. What is the general concensus of the often over looked z31? How does it feel @ high speeds and how does it handle the curves? Has anyone ever though of swapping an lsx in one? How about aftermarket support? brakes ect. How is it in comparison to the z32, rx7, mk3 supra,280zx and say maybe a 94 lt1 camaro?

well just reaching out as i could def use the support from the community. shoot me a Pm for ideas and suggestions