Guest Whitebread Posted March 27, 2005 Share Posted March 27, 2005 I've been lurking these boards for over a year admiring everyone's projects and wishing I had a Z car to convert myself. Well, I found 2 280Z's and my father seems enthuastic about purchasing them and doing a complete restoration/V8 conversion. The cars seem to be in great condition besides a little rust on the body and the typical ware and tare expected from an old vechile. I'm 16 right and will be a senior in HS next year. I feel it would make a great senior project. I'm really excited and I jsut wanted to share my enthusiasm. BTW, just a quick question. Of the 3 models, the 240, 260 and the 280, which would be best for a V8 conversion? If I do this it's going to be with the 2 280s but I'm just curious as to which you think is best. Also, I have some experience working on cars and with engines. I'm not diving into this with absolutely nothing, but it will be a damn steep learning curve. I can't wait. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
datsunlover Posted March 27, 2005 Share Posted March 27, 2005 Welcom to the forums, and the wonderfull (and sometimes painfull) ownership of old datsuns! I'll get to be the first to say it this time.. Use the search function, you'll find a few topics around that should get you started. Personaly, I'd use a 280 for a V8 swap as it is a little stronger to begin with, and there are more of them around; meanimg more availible parts, and generaly cheaper prices. Cons would be big ugly bumpers, they're heavier, and smog might be an issue depending where you live.. Good luck and have fun man! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Whitebread Posted March 27, 2005 Share Posted March 27, 2005 Thanks for the kind words. As for the technical aspects of the conversion, I'm not conserned with weight, general consensus is that the 280, after the swap, isn't that much heavier than the 240 and is still much lighter than compariable sports cars on the market today. I planned on removing the bumpers from teh beginning, as well as doing other things. Thanks, I think I'm going to enjoy this very much. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rags Posted March 27, 2005 Share Posted March 27, 2005 Where in NJ are you? The red 260 in my avatar is a V8 car. Also, one of my friends just bought a V8 280. His has an automatic trans that we will be changing to a 5 speed very soon. Maybe you and your father can make the trip up to Syracuse for the convention in August. It should be a really good time with lots of Z cars! Joe Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Whitebread Posted March 27, 2005 Share Posted March 27, 2005 I'm in Mercer County, so driving to NY is a possibility. I'll see if I can attend, thanks for the invite. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
strotter Posted March 27, 2005 Share Posted March 27, 2005 I'd have to agree with DatsunLover, all things being equal the 280 is likely the best car for the swap. It's a bit heavier, but most of the mass is in things you'd like to have - heavier sheetmetal, reinforcement where it's needed, and whatnot. Replacing the bumpers is trivial, and some sweet hood vents (which in my opinion might actually work to cool the engine compartment more effectively than the stockers) are available from John Washington. Mine is a 240, and frankly it's a bit tinny and light - if I'm ever hit by some massive overweight undercontrolled SUV it'll ball up like tinfoil, no doubt. Not knowing NJ smog laws, though, I'd be concerned about that aspect - do they do smog checks on vehicles of that age? If not, I suppose you're golden. As an aside, I must say that you're a well-spoken young man. Polite, too. As a high-school teacher, I have to say that it's rare that a young dude like yourself plans things so carefully and so far in advance. You'll make an excellent addition to HybridZ. Good luck with your project, ask for our help when you need to, and welcome! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Whitebread Posted March 27, 2005 Share Posted March 27, 2005 Strotter At this time, I'm unsure of New Jersey's smog laws, but I will check tomorrow and, if I am not smog exempt, then I will just have to take the steps to make a V8 conversion legal. As for weight, I looked in the door jam of that yellow Z and it said that the gross weight was about 3175 pounds. I, personally, am not to conserned with vechile weight. Even if we broke 3000 pounds with the conversion (and I don't think we will) the car will still have a higher power to weight ratio than most sports and performance cars today. Plus, power is fairly easy to come by with an SBC. Not to mention, I'm not looking for a superfast car, I need/want something to learn on first. And the extra weight is attractive for it's safety benefits, as you said. Edit: Our goal for this conversion is to create a street legal, light weight, summer track car. Big HP is cool but I think running around in the twisties is more fun. So, we'll probably strip most of the creature comforts and only drive the car when weather conditions are condusive to a pleasurable ride or track day. Thanks for the compliments and thanks for the help! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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