Engie choices for 240Z (Long...please read)

[Guest Anonymous]

Hi all, i have a 1971 240Z in immaculate condition and im in need of a new powerplant. I have a L28 N/A that is slowly dying and a 5 speed with a R180 Diff.

 

I can get the L28 fully rebuilt as strong as hell for $5000AUS and i can get the gearbox rebuilt with new cogs for $1300AUS, i plan to keep the diff until i blow it. If i get the L28 engine rebuilt it will be reasonably gutsy>>will redline at 9000rpm at about 240-260Hp so there will be no problem adding a supercharger or a turbo when the need arises.

 

My suspension has been fully worked....new springs and shocks, adjustable height and camber, stabilisers and it generally is one of the best handling cars i have ever driven(i have tried but have failed to get it sideways) My brakes have proved to be very efficient, i have 200B discs that have been slotted with racing pads

 

i have considered putting in a rb20DET and a rb25DET but engine mount fabrication and wiring, and ecu will probably be too expensive.

 

Any thoughts or ideas would be greatly appreciated.

 

P.S i want this car to be a daily driver as well as a racer for the time being so V8 engines, rotaries, and rb26dett, and vg30dett engines are out of the qustion.

[jeromio]

I'll bite.

 

I don't know what the current exchange AUS to US$ works out to, but I'd guess it's pretty close - especially since you are saying that the result of your L28 rebuild will redline at 9000 (!) and make 250hp. That trans rebuild seems outrageously expensive though. At any rate, if you have that much dough, I'd suggest:

 

Turbo EFI L28

Any of the 24 valve Nissan L6s (we can't get them here)

350 Chevy

 

Any one of those will make more power. And although I don't know how much the RBs go for there, the L28t and the 350 will likely be cheaper than the NA L28.

 

As to drivability, no way is a 250hp NA L28 going to be civil as a daily driver. I have a very mild NA L28 in my car and even that's on the tempermental side.

 

Also, if you have a NA L28 built to make 250hp, it's going to have much too high a compression ratio for a turbo or SC.

[Guest Anonymous]

I'd have to wonder about the lifespan of a Z motor twisted to 9000 rpm. Inline sixes have to long of a crank to really do that with any frequency. I won't say its not possible because as soon as I do, someone will say, 'Well so and so has one and takes it to ____ (fill in the blank) RPM's all the time!', racing engines may be able to do that, but consider they get changed out/rebuilt after the race. Just knowing what I know of inline sixes, they really don't like that much RPM, unless they've been destroked and are running a very small stroke, even then wear is accelerated.

Also consider the cam timing required will probably require quite a bit of duration giving you next to no low end, which in a daily driver can be annoying unless you don't mind keeping the engine stirring all the time.

I don't know why it being a daily driver and racer would preclude it having a V8, V6. Both offer more displacement, less required RPM's and vastly more torque per displacement than a high strung smaller six.

 

Obviously, your ride, your call, just my $.02 (U.S.)

 

Lone

 

[This message has been edited by lonehdrider (edited December 11, 2000).]

[Drax240z]

I'd say for a daily driven car you'd be much better off with a turbo if you want that power. (or more)

 

Why exclude the RB26dett for daily driver status? (or any of those engines you excluded actually)

 

Just curious as to what you are really after, its kinda hard to tell from how you've worded your post. Let us know!

 

------------------

"Gimme Fuel,

Gimme Fire,

Gimme that which I desire"

-Metallica

 

Drax240z

1972 240z - L28TURBO transplant on the way!

http://members.xoom.com/r_lewis/datsun.html

http://members.home.net/drax77/newpage.html

[Guest pauli]

personally, i'd think that a good condition fuel injected v8 would blow all the rest of those engines out of the water when it comes to daily driver duty. torque torque torque, with decent fuel economy.

[Guest Anonymous]

thanks for your input.....the aussie dollar is worth half of what yours is so pretty much all prices that i have said should be halfed by you.

 

im really looking for something that i can drive everyday as well as race it(not in any classes, they just let car clubs use the track and we can just go nuts on it).

 

I can get a RB25Det with the lot for 4500AUS.

I do not want a v8 as it is too hard to register and insure in such a light car. i cant get anything with twin turbo as it is impossible to insure over here unless you are over 25.

 

im thinking that the l28 turbo is the way to go, get it built up properly and just wind the boost down for when i have to drive it to work.

 

Patrick.

[Drax240z]

If I were in your position then, with the money and choices you have I'd go with the RB25DET. Similar to the L28, but a better engine from what I know. (DOHC and the like)

 

 

 

------------------

"Gimme Fuel,

Gimme Fire,

Gimme that which I desire"

-Metallica

 

Drax240z

1972 240z - L28TURBO transplant on the way!

http://members.xoom.com/r_lewis/datsun.html

http://members.home.net/drax77/newpage.html

[Guest Anonymous]

As you're in Adelaide and you want an easy conversion why not use the VL Turbo. It's basically the L28 bored to 3L and turbo'd it's supposed to be an easy installation with a lot of grunt. I haven't personally tried it and was going to do it originally but then decided on the Lexus V8.

[Guest Anonymous]

that would be an easy conversion but that engine is starting to get quite old. And, if i increase to 3 litres it is going to be much more difficult to register. But, if i am decreasing displacement it makes it much simpler.

 

I like the idea of using a newer engine in an old car, makes it quite retro.,

 

Patrick.