Guest Anonymous Posted July 19, 2001 Share Posted July 19, 2001 Hello, First of all, I know this is a Z forum, but seems like Chevy into the Z the most popular by far in this type of conversion. I figure I’ve come to the right place for help, even with my 240sx, but it’s still a Nissan. I am obviously new here, and I am crazy, just like the rest of you guys and gals. I have an 89 240sx with a lot of miles. I have other choice for engine swaps and all, like the well popular SR20DET, CA18DET, and even the RB20DET. But I like to be different, and if you notice closely, those are all variations of turbo-powered engines. I want to work with a wide power band, with plenty of low-end torque. Okay, enough of the BS, here are my questions. The 240sx weights around 2650-2700 lbs dry. I know an LS1/T56 doesn't add so much weight to the car, how would it handle after the swap? Will tire spin be uncontrollable? Since the torque is at such a low rpm, and that the car is so much lighter than the F-body. I think the Z car is a lot lighter than the SX, how does a 350 powered Z run? Controllable whatsoever? Does anyone on this board know someone who has done this swap before? I can swap in a R200 LSD diff in the back end from a 95 240sx, I was wondering what is the tallest gear set that will fit in there (for the purpose of saving gas). Lastly, where can I get a good deal on a LS1/T56 combo? Anyone know of a good recycler out there? I am in North California, if that helps. Thanks in advance. -Matt Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DavyZ Posted July 19, 2001 Share Posted July 19, 2001 Matt, welcome to the forum. It seems like we are growing into new areas all the time--many members own other cars too, so the "menu" here keeps expanding. The idea of a V8 powered 240SX has some great appeal--they are good handling, good looking little cars that are looking for a bigger motor. The Z runs like a bat out of you-know-where with a V8, so I think the 240SX would be similar. Don't worry about handling so much. Why? If you have already upgraded the suspension and wheels and tires anyway, that will be enough. An LS1/T56 combo would be the bomb in that little car. It would still be controllable and docile in town...until you mash the gas pedal. Can you handle the speed? A V8Z was the fastest car I had ever been in and left me shaking after the "demonstration." If you enjoy that kind of thing, you have found a new home. As for engines & trannys in Northern California, look up GM Sports Salvage in San Jose on Old Oakland Road. They have it all and lots of it. They are used to guys buying their engines for swaps, etc. Hope this helps. Davy Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mike C Posted July 19, 2001 Share Posted July 19, 2001 As far as rear gear, with the .50 overdrive of the T56, even 4.10 are only effectively 2.05 in top gear. Even with 24" tall tires you should be fine with any gear, but 3.54-3.70 is what I would recommend. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest zfan Posted July 19, 2001 Share Posted July 19, 2001 Wow!! Sounds like an awsome swap! Whats funny is I just came from an exhaust shop in Dallas and they had a straight, clean 240sx, 1991 I believe. They are asking 800 for it, the motor is toast and the rest of the car is clean. Oh yah I already have one project and the Mrs. would come unglued!! Oh well was fun while it lasted. Good luck and keep us all up to date. Mike Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Anonymous Posted July 20, 2001 Share Posted July 20, 2001 Do you know from which car I will be able to find a 3.54:1 gears? Would it be a bolt-on affair? I am seriously worry about mounting the engine correctly and all. Swapping into a 240sx is different then swapping into a Z because I dont have pre-made (pre-engineered) bolt-on kit like the ones from JTR. I am not a mechanic, but I have friends who are majoring in Mechanical Engineering, so I hope that would help a little. Does anyone know where I should start if I want to construct my own mount kit? One more thing, I was reading a article about putting a LT1 in a FD, and found out there is something called the "torque arm" that connects the middle of the chassis to the tranny. What is this arm for? I dont have much working knowledge of the f-body, please forgive me. See the picture of the arm on a 3rd gen Rx7 here: http://members.tripod.com/~grannys/hagen8.jpg Thanks. quote: Originally posted by Mike C: As far as rear gear, with the .50 overdrive of the T56, even 4.10 are only effectively 2.05 in top gear. Even with 24" tall tires you should be fine with any gear, but 3.54-3.70 is what I would recommend. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Anonymous Posted July 20, 2001 Share Posted July 20, 2001 The first thing I would do, is find a wrecker with a LS1 and and go and ask them if you can take a few measurements. Most of the wreckers are pretty cool about such request. Armed with your measurements, give a cursory glance at the 240sx and look if the overall length is ok, the width and so on. Interference generally, (assuming the hole is big enough to fit it) will be in the steering column area and posibly the starter area, transmission tunnel at the bellhousing as well as back by the shifter (the T56 is BIG). Look at the Pan on the engine, will it clear your crossmember in front? If not, can you find a replacement pan that will? Those are some of the questions you'll need to answer before the sparks fly so to speak. I'm definitely not trying to discourage you from doing it at all, it sounds like it'd be neat, just giving a few thoughts on what you might want to check. V6's of course are another option, I'm not sure of its size but a Buick GN V6 (turbo) would be pretty cool in there, and plenty quick, Scottie-GNZ has one in his Z and runs low elevens (scaring the 10's!) with it. Not sure on its width, someone else asked about this very swap recently, and was leaning more towards Nissan V6's (Which might be kinda wide I donno, but they're light). Oh well, good luck with whatever you decide to do. Regards, Lone Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Owen Posted July 20, 2001 Share Posted July 20, 2001 Couldn't see the picture...anyways, welcome! I agree that car would be great. Check my links on my page for some LS1/LT1 dealers. http://v8zcar.topcities.com/s30z/otherv8z.htm If they can fit V8s into FCs and FDs, it should be possible for yours as well. And the 3.54 gear, try the Q45 diff (do a search here) shouldn't be too hard because its the same as the Z32 diff which gets swapped into 240SXs a lot right? Good luck! Owen Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BLKMGK Posted July 20, 2001 Share Posted July 20, 2001 RX7 have a torque arm much like th eF-bodies. It's used to control wrap up of the rear diff and plant the rear as the "arm" tries to lift the car somewhere in the middle. If you look in the Mustang world you'll find that torque arms are a popular bolt on to gain traction. If the SX has one great, if not no sweat. I was SHOCKED to find a torque arm under my RX7 Still lot's to learn about that car... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fl327 Posted July 20, 2001 Share Posted July 20, 2001 that 240sx v8 swap is a pretty cool idea i think, its got a tough rear, looks cool, and its rwd! whats not to like. i think you should do it, im trying to get my buddy out here to do it, but he is a scardy cat.... do it. tire spin is something we all have to live with, just learn to like it Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Anonymous Posted July 20, 2001 Share Posted July 20, 2001 The Rx7 is a live axle car? I thought it was independent? Regards, Lone Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Anonymous Posted July 20, 2001 Share Posted July 20, 2001 About swapping to a lower pumpkin gear ratio, what exactly do I need? The ring gear and the pinion? quote: Originally posted by Owen: Couldn't see the picture...anyways, welcome! I agree that car would be great. Check my links on my page for some LS1/LT1 dealers. http://v8zcar.topcities.com/s30z/otherv8z.htm If they can fit V8s into FCs and FDs, it should be possible for yours as well. And the 3.54 gear, try the Q45 diff (do a search here) shouldn't be too hard because its the same as the Z32 diff which gets swapped into 240SXs a lot right? Good luck! Owen Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Anonymous Posted July 20, 2001 Share Posted July 20, 2001 I just found a problem. Unlike the Z and the Rx7, the SX has the steering column right under the strut tower (few inches BEHIND the front axle line). This might cause a fitment problem. Does anyone have picture of the LS1 F-body from the underneath? I will need a lot of information before making up my mind that this is the swap to do. Where else will I be able to find this information? quote: Originally posted by FAIRLADY 327: that 240sx v8 swap is a pretty cool idea i think, its got a tough rear, looks cool, and its rwd! whats not to like. i think you should do it, im trying to get my buddy out here to do it, but he is a scardy cat.... do it. tire spin is something we all have to live with, just learn to like it Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DavyZ Posted July 20, 2001 Share Posted July 20, 2001 You can always find more info from the F-body forums out there. They can guide you a bit better with respect to that--take your time to do the research. You could potentially move a steering shaft with some universal steering joints from Flaming River or Borgeson, etc. Don't let the small stuff spoil the swap--do some ample research on getting around or changing a few things if you have to before dumping the project. Believe me, "Where there is a will, there is a way." Davy Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fl327 Posted July 21, 2001 Share Posted July 21, 2001 dont let the steering column get in the way of your search to become the king of import racing.... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Owen Posted July 21, 2001 Share Posted July 21, 2001 "About swapping to a lower pumpkin gear ratio, what exactly do I need? The ring gear and the pinion? " Stuff I've seen on the internet, people have just been swapping the entire assembly out, carrier and all. I'm not technical enough to do the swap of the internals. Owen Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
blueovalz Posted July 21, 2001 Share Posted July 21, 2001 I've got a '92 240SX that has undergone a lot of the brake and suspension upgrades that I did to the Z. With 160k on the motor (and it still runs like a dream), I am also wondering about a swap when the motor eventually does go south. The problem I see with a swap like this is the short bonnet compared to the Z. Instead of the engine being behind the front axle, it will be sitting over the front axle. Exhaust manifolds (headers) will have to deal with the strut towers. Also, this OEM 4 is a lot lighter than the L24 and thus a significant amount of front end weight will be added with this swap. Advantages, the steering rack and crossmember are under the motor, and for us front sump guys, this could help in the oil pan clearance issue that I had with my Z. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BLKMGK Posted July 21, 2001 Share Posted July 21, 2001 Lone - RX7 is an independant rear but it does indeed have a torque arm. Really surprised me! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Anonymous Posted July 21, 2001 Share Posted July 21, 2001 Me too, didn't even know they used them on IRS's, although thinking about it, it probably would lift the car a bit(as the diff rotates off its rubber mounts instead of bashing into the floorpan's like our Stock diff's do) and lessen squat (well probably not alot, but I'm sure Mazda wouldn't have done it for no reason they're pretty sharp. Interesting.. Hmm, the T56 already has that mount available... Regards, Lone Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DavyZ Posted July 21, 2001 Share Posted July 21, 2001 Oooo, something new to add to the (never ending) project! Davy Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Anonymous Posted July 22, 2001 Share Posted July 22, 2001 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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