jeromio Posted June 5, 2001 Share Posted June 5, 2001 If you do a L28T with only basic power upgrades - blow-off valve, intercooler, stock ECU, a Scottie downpipe and new exhaust, you should be able to get out at less than $1500. I say that having no experience at all (I have researched this - saving my own dollars for some kind of engine upgrade). Long blocks from most yards can be had for ~$500. If you already have a 5sp, you can just use that. Intercoolers are around $400 or so. Piping, misc. etc. rounds it out. This will make enough power to get the car moving. Certainly if you want monster power - anything over 250, then you're into the bucks as Evan says. But, one way to think about it is that it can be a much more step-wise thing. Get it running in stock form, low boost - it'll be quicker than the L24. Then, as your dollars accumulate, you add the other bits. Definately an easier swap. It's a bolt in. With the V8, you gotta add in the cost of the mounts, the radiator, the transmission, driveshaft, headers, twice the exhaust. It's gotta be pricier. I am lately being swayed by the idea of the 302 though - very plentiful in the yards and at pretty decent prices. Definately do as your friend recommends - take care of chassis, brakes, suspension, etc. first. You should budget for around $2K for that stuff (not including wheels) depending on how much of the work you can tackle yourself. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Anonymous Posted June 5, 2001 Share Posted June 5, 2001 I love seeing the inline motors modified, and I'll admit I'm constantly impressed by what they are able to put out. The V8 swap is not as visually alluring (unless its like Darius's supercharged LT1, or a LS1 aluminum motor) perhaps as the L-6 or other turbo motors with all the plumbing, but it does have the advantage of torque. Much is made of peak HP, but torque is what throws your butt back in the seat and the V8's do that at low rev's in great bucket fulls. Its very sedate if you stay out of it, but nail it and it goes mental immediately. I am able to drive in higher gears and still have more power than smaller turbo motors which require things to be stirred a bit more to get good power (with the exception of Scottie, his GNZ sounds pretty brutal all the time and John Scott's 4.3 which sounds like pretty instant power with the supercharger on it... Its a preference of course and I'm cool with either, man if its got wheels or breasts, I'm there. Regards, Lone Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DavyZ Posted June 5, 2001 Share Posted June 5, 2001 For a Honda, that little car is very impressive. I'm surprised at a price of "only" $6000 for that kind of horsepower out of a small engine like that. I happen to think it'll cost much more... I say this with all due respect: $6000 for 11's with the Honda or $6000 for space travel with a V8. I say that tongue-in-cheek, but a V8 can make gobs of power with that much money. I guess it comes down to how much a person wants to spend and what appeals to them. No offense on the comments--I'm just a V8 kinda guy I guess... David Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Scottie-GNZ Posted June 5, 2001 Share Posted June 5, 2001 DO not rule out the 4-cyl turbo as a swap option for the Z-car although I would not do it in anything but a lightweight 240Z. One of my buddies here in Orlando (also a friend of Stony) has an early RHD Silvia with the 1.8L turbo, T04E and SDS and he ran a 12.0 @ 119. Let me repeat that, 119mph and yes it should have been quicker but he had massive wheelspin. He went to 255 Advans and tried a 7000 RPM launch and broke the tranny. Surprise . His car weighed in at about 2600lbs with driver and that computes to 340RWHP that purrs like a kitten around town. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Anonymous Posted June 5, 2001 Share Posted June 5, 2001 Thats good performance specially out of 1.8l's. I've seen 2.3 Fords turbo'ed that put out about 400 horse and hold together fairly well (relatively speaking, we are talking more of a race engine here, don't expect 100,000 mile between tune ups ). I take nothing away from small displacement turbo'ed engines. Anything that puts out 2 or 2.5 hp per litre is pretty damn amazing in my book. I'd like to see a Z (or Zed hehe) with all glass everything and a nice turbo'ed twin cam 4 cyl. motor, it'd be quick and probably handle really well with all the setback. Regards, Lone [ June 05, 2001: Message edited by: lonehdrider ] Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BLKMGK Posted June 5, 2001 Share Posted June 5, 2001 I've always wanted a 2.3liter 4cyl Turbo'ed Pinto I've spoken to guys thathave done this and know someone with a Merkur that hums - fun fun! The circle track guys here use 2.3liter Fords and rev them to 8K or so all night long on stock rodsparts. It's pretty amazing! I take nothin away from the smaller engines but just don't want the hassle of engineering it all myself. Heck, a TT rotary in a Z would be wild but the V8 is documented to the hilt thanks in no small part to this site... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Owen Posted June 6, 2001 Share Posted June 6, 2001 Documentation for sure, how much time and money would it take to mount an inline 4 in the Z? Unless theres some kits out there we havent heard of. I would either go L6 turbo or V8 for ease and the amount of knowledge out there. You said you're in Palmdale? Have you been to the junkyard heaven over in the Burbank/Glendale area? Couple of weeks ago a friend that went with me was quoted $350 VG30DETT and $350 for the 5-spd tranny. Come to think of it, there was an '83 turbo longblock for $300, tranny was automatic though. Owen Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Anonymous Posted June 7, 2001 Share Posted June 7, 2001 Is that junkyard you're talking about right off of the freeway? If so, I've seen it, 'cause my uncle lives down that way. $350 for a VG30DETT?! Was it in decent running condition for that price? If only they had some wrecked Skylines... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Owen Posted June 7, 2001 Share Posted June 7, 2001 I don't really remember which freeway but I have the business cards at home. Email me and remind me. The engines were all out of the cars and lined up in the yard, I wonder how one could check the quality of a removed engine without actually tearing it down? Owen Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Anonymous Posted July 7, 2001 Share Posted July 7, 2001 It seems that we are thinking alike. I am considering either a L28 Turbo or a SR20DET swap. I have found an abundance of information on the RWD SR20DET. The motor and tranny go for around $2500 to $3500 depending on the year. The most expensive motor has variable valve timing. Stock they put out around 200 to 250 hp. This motor is very light and compact. The 510 guys love this motor. There are so many performance parts for these motors it's overwhelming. Although the SR20DET is related to the SR20DE found in the Altima's and Infinity G20's, they won't pass SMOG tests in certain states. Some of the internals are beefed up from their SR20DE cousins, most of internals are the same. The accessories, like the fuel pump, alternator, starter, etc, are not interchangeable with the SR20DE found here in the states. I am also considering the L28 turbo swap because it would be a relatively easy swap as opposed to the SR20DET. Parts would also be easier to get. I would definetly do the L28 turbo swap if it could save me $$$$. I would be satisfied with around 270 hp if I could retain most of the stock components. I'd be glad to share any info I come across. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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