Ford 4.9L Swap or KA24DE

[Guest kansaskeith2004]

I have access to a ford 4.9L inline 6 with transmission and a 97 ka24de with transmission both VERY cheap and the ford is brand new rebuilt, i was wondering if anyone could direct me to a writeup on these two in a 280zx, i know i want to swap one or the other, but not sure which one, just want to see if the ford is even possible, because if it is then i think i might go that way.

[80LS1T]

I have never heard of either of those engines being swapped into a 280ZX. I would imagine the ka24de will have more info when it comes to swapping it into a Gen 1 Z so that info could help. But I have never heard of anyone using a 4.9L in any generation of a Z. Doesnt mean it cant be done, just means you'll have to do more test fitting than say a 5.0L swap.

 

Hopefully if someone has done either one of those swaps in a 280ZX they will speak up and help you out!

 

 

Guy

[slownrusty]

Wow...thats an Apples and Oranges choice!

[blueovalz]

I've not seen any documented swaps with either of these as well. Both swaps will most likely require the same amount of mechanical skills and time or work, but the 4.9L is the way I'd go if doing this myself (but obviously more information is required, such as weight, dimensions, etc). The long bonnet of the Z almost begs for the "long engine". The KA24de is what I've got in my '92 SX, and even though they are a neat little engine, I can't see giving up 50% displacement over a basically new engine that would have much more visual "wow" appeal (and torque no less). Make a statement and go with the 6!

[Guest Phailure]

With the extra time/money/effort it is going to take to do a completely undocumented swap, it might just be easier/cheaper to do a l28et swap? Just another angle to look at it from.

[Guest kansaskeith2004]

well i already have an l28et layin on the floor in my garage but it needs all the turbo components, but i have wiring and ecu, the thing is that ive already removed EVERYTHING from the car: doors, engine, everything in engine bay, etc. basically the car is just a shell, i have marked everything while i was taking it out/off cuz ive sandblasted it and am finishing up prepwork for paint. So since it is already in this state of dissasembly, it almost seems too ez, to slide either the 4.9L or the ka24de, since ive done nearly all the work already, thats the main reason im even considering a swap instead of putting either the original na motor or building the l28et, all i gotta do is fab a motor mount, crossmember, and driveshaft right?, then i need to know how to connect the clutch to the transmission of either one, would i use the orignal master cylinder from the zx? or should i use the one from the motor i am swapping in.

[blueovalz]

I'd find out what the bore size is of the OEM master cylinder for the clutch set-up that you want to use (for whatever engine/tranny you chose). Then compare this to the OEM Z (which is 5/8"). If there is a difference (and even a small amount can make a big difference in feel) I'd check into the aftermarket clutch master cylinders (Tilton, Girling, etc) and find the matching bore in them, BECAUSE, these aftermarket master cylinders have an almost identical bolt pattern as the Z master cylinder has (just a small amount of filing in one hole will get it to fit fine) which makes it almost a no-brainer. A small amount of fabrication may be in order for the pedal hook-up as well, but this will be the fact regardless of what you put on if it's not the OEM Z master cylinder.