Guest bastaad525 Posted August 29, 2005 Share Posted August 29, 2005 this is gonna be a long one, you've been warned. well I'm sitting at work.. it's 1am and I'm bored off me bum, and just kinda daydreaming, thinking about Z's and going fast and stuff when suddenly I got this kinda crazy idea. It goes like this... I've already done a lot on my 240, spent a lot of money, and it's come along okay... had a lot of wrinkles to iron out... and though it's pretty quick, in the end, as is for almost all of us, it just doesn't seem fast enough So.. i'm thinking.. well I'm pretty sure I could sell it for about $5k, give or take... well i mean, when it had a blown head gasket, people were crawling over each other to offer me $3500-4000 for it, so it's at least gotta be more than that. Then, I also have this '91 Sentra SE-R, which is in great shape and is a fun little car. They seem to be relatively popular and somewhat rare, so I could probably sell it pretty easily as well... though unfortunatley the value seems to have dropped FAST in the year since I bought it... it might be good for around $2k. So that would give me $6-7k to play with. Now that could buy me a really... nice....hybrid Z. I'm thinking something ohhhh in about a 350 size ( ), with upgraded suspension and brakes (preferably with a manual trans). Something that will probably even look nicer (interior and/or body) than my current Z... hell the few Z's I've seen in that price range have usually been REALLY nice and 'done' or very close to done... I don't consider my Z being ANYWHERE close to done, and unfortunately, the amount of money it would take to get it to where I consider it 'done'.... heh... well maybe by the time I retire (I'm 27). Anyways... it'd be great if it were something I could drive every day, something easy to work on and figure out (carbuerated 350 would be nice... I frickin HATE L28ET EFI now...). Heck, it'd probably be faster than my current Z as well (is 300rwhp too high to hope for?). And if I luck out with suspension and brake upgrades... handle better... brake better... heh... it's a no-lose situation. And of course... since I'd be sorta 'trading' one Z for another... I would probably end up with something close to the same value as my current car... I'm talking like, okay I've invested X amount of dollars in my Z, and yeah of course I'm not gonna get anything near that much when I sell it. But, every hybrid Z I've seen always sells for WAY less than what the owner has invested... and since I'd be selling the Sentra too... that much more to spend, I'm probably gonna get a Z with a lot MORE invested in it than what I have in my turbo Z. So I would kinda come out on top and not feel like I just totally lost out. So what do you guys think? am I just wasting my time even thinking about it, or does it seem like a good idea? Anyone have a done or near done V8 Z they'd want to trade for a near done (just needs body work, decent paint, and a good brake upgrade... then bigger injectors and upgraded turbo if a high 12/low 13 second quarter mile isn't fast enough for ya ), plus one well taken care of Sentra SE-R with new paint and very clean interior? Heh... yeah right... I wish it could be THAT easy. Anyways... oppinions would be appreciated Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Phantom Posted August 29, 2005 Share Posted August 29, 2005 I saw a really nice Ford 302 240Z go for just under $9K last week on Ebay. I saw the car in person about a month ago and the ebay description was pretty accurate. Dollar-wise, with a little patience, you could probably pick up a decent conversion for what you'll have. Remember - you'll be selling one set of 'opportunities to overcome' for another. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mike kZ Posted August 29, 2005 Share Posted August 29, 2005 ...not to mention you won't have any ride, until you find a nice V8 car, if you sell both of yours. I doubt you will find someone to swap a V8 car for yours, we know better. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tim240z Posted August 29, 2005 Share Posted August 29, 2005 I doubt you will find someone to swap a V8 car for yours, we know better. :lmao: :lmao: He he he .... too true!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest ON3GO Posted August 29, 2005 Share Posted August 29, 2005 i dunno, i had 2 V8 Z guys wanna trade me there Z's for my L28ET car.. maybe they were fond of my tail lights, i dunno ... i think it could be a good idea, but remember when you buy another project like this V8 Z will be, your getting awhole bunch of new problems. just like your Z, but atleast you got most of them figured out or if a new one pops up atleast you know where to look to fix it. mike Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JMortensen Posted August 29, 2005 Share Posted August 29, 2005 Gas prices might be a motivating factor. A carbed V8 is also more likely to trip one of those smog sensors. Would something like MSnS take care of all your problems with the turbo setup? Would it give you the power you're looking for? How does that compare costwise? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wheelman Posted August 29, 2005 Share Posted August 29, 2005 I don't know that I'd rely on someone else's project car to be a daily driver either. As Mike stated, chances are you're just buying someone else's problems which you then have to find and fix. I'd stick with what you have and look at MSnS as Jon suggested. Keep that Sentra and eventually turn it into your next project. Wheelman Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest bastaad525 Posted August 30, 2005 Share Posted August 30, 2005 ehhh... well my motivations for even considering all this are.... even a mystery to me It was just a thought that occured to me late at night when I had nothing better to do. But now that I think about it some more.... About being a daily driver... well the Z would probably be fine as a daily driver, it has been before. It's not so much that I don't trust the car... but more, I don't trust the people around me. With L.A. traffic I'm constantly afraid I'll get hit, and with L.A. A*holes I'm constantly afraid someone might spot my IC or boost gauge and figure out the car has something worthwhile in it and try to steal it. Reliability wise, I think I'm past all the major problems that came with buying a SUPPOSEDLY rebuilt motor that was actually a motor on it's last legs. The chassis itself... well it's a 33 year old chassis, things are going to fail on it. I've already taken care of many of the possible problem areas such as brakes and suspension. The rest of the drivetrain seems fine, and almost every piece of rubber (hoses, belt) are new on the car so no worries there. And no, I don't think MS would 'take care of all the problems with my turbo setup'. Sorry but I'm still not convinced that MS is not going to be just as prone to bugs and problems that I'll have to figure out, same as what I've dealt with with the stock EFI. There's a whole section of the forum filled with guys having problems getting their MS's running or running right, why should I think I would be any more lucky? Not saying it's a bad system, don't get me wrong, I'm still very impressed by what it offers for the price, I'm just saying... it's still a relatively complicated do-it-yourself affair with plenty of room for making mistakes on the install and tuning. And yeah, gas mileage IS a big factor, another reason why I dont drive the car nearly as much as I'd like anymore. At 17-19mpg, and no choice but to run 91 octane, and about $3.00 a gallon for said 91, it's gotten pretty expensive to drive this thing. I wouldn't be surprised if I could get a mild V8 setup with a manual 5 speed or 700R4 and my low 3.54 diff to give me better gas mileage than that. About emissions sensors... heh... as rich as my car runs, and with no cat, I've little doubt that anyone getting of whiff of my car is gonna notice it My motivations for being interested in the V8, are simple. #1 I've really grown to dislike turbo lag... I've had a few V8 cars, a mustang, a camaro, and a galaxy... and heck, even my N/A L28 was a quick, torquey and responsive motor.... anyways, I just really find myself yearning for that instant KICK I used to get from those motors. #2 I'm just really tired of EFI, especially THIS EFI. With all the carbeurated cars I've had, figuring out running problems usually was very simple and quick, and fixing them was usually the same way as well. With the EFI, there are just so many components to look at, and any time the car is doing something it shouldn't be doing, you usually have to look at most of them before you figure out which is at fault. It's annoying, and on some problems, like my light misfire at idle (which has been there from day one of the swap and which I have spent many hours and dollars trying to get rid of), I finally just gave up and accepted them. So those are the why's, now that I think about it. Well... being w/o a ride for a short while wouldn't kill me... been there many times before. And I just found out, one of my best friends is actually interested in buying my car for $5k... he knows as much about the car already as anyone... It really is tempting...... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tim240z Posted August 30, 2005 Share Posted August 30, 2005 Do it..... Do it...... Do it..... Do it...... Do it..... Do it...... Do it..... . . . . . . . . . . . . . Oh....and did I mention: Do it..... ......I kill me Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest flash Posted August 30, 2005 Share Posted August 30, 2005 (1),Homey the clown said the scarab scared him he sold the original 350 motor & tranny I got the body, set up & ready to go. (2), I own one of the sweetest g-nose Z body's around Warehoused for 15yrs./ 315 zr/16's on rear w/orig. hre jap wheels all around fully flaired w/ whales tail / finished fiberglass never been on the street & since completeion, never had a motor. Give me a call / 408/836-4708 / Flash It's all about buy, sell, trade. It's all about one Z lover helping another. It's all good. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tim240z Posted August 30, 2005 Share Posted August 30, 2005 (1)' date='Homey the clown said the scarab scared himhe sold the original 350 motor & tranny I got the body, set up & ready to go. (2), I own one of the sweetest g-nose Z body's around Warehoused for 15yrs./ 315 zr/16's on rear w/orig. hre jap wheels all around fully flaired w/ whales tail / finished fiberglass never been on the street & since completeion, never had a motor. Give me a call / 408/836-4708 / Flash It's all about buy, sell, trade. It's all about one Z lover helping another. It's all good.[/quote'] How about some pics? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest flash Posted August 30, 2005 Share Posted August 30, 2005 I'll do what I can asap I'm new at this The only thing between me & 30ft. of rubber has been the last 3yrs. with a tall blond canadian Whats the big issue over five Z cars anyway? Pheonix rising in a month Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest bastaad525 Posted August 30, 2005 Share Posted August 30, 2005 hmmm thanks but... it'd have to be a running car with drivetrain already present. Since I would have no car to drive around in, and really can't afford to do a whole 'nuther project installing a new drivetrain. I might regret passing up that scarab later, but trading two running cars for a shell is just not something I couldn't do right now. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest flash Posted August 30, 2005 Share Posted August 30, 2005 no offense / I wouldn't want the sentra If I ever decide to advertise the cars are history To me it's like having gold stashed away in a safe, but then what good is it. Just thought I'd offer / The girlfriends history & I'm having to re-evaluate finances I've got an extremely low mileage "new" 5speed tranny & a 6 into 1 header with a 3in full exhaust for the car . New radiator w/ fan & etc... everythings new. Thanx for the thought A friend wants to trade me his running 350 santa clara built scarab I'd rather have something clean that will run someday than some thing thrashed that runs / I have a new car for transpo Stay strong Bro, Flash Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest bastaad525 Posted August 30, 2005 Share Posted August 30, 2005 ahhh okay well that changes things. So you'd want to just trade Z for Z? THAT I might be interested in. But then you do say at the end there... you'd rather have something nice that would run someday than something thrashed that runs now... well my car isn't really 'thrashed' but it's not the cleanest car on earth either. Definately needs some body work and a 'real' paintjob, also still needs a few things in the interior. Runs great though and is plenty quick with plenty of potential left in it to go even faster. Well yeah if you can post pics that'd be great, IF you really are interested, I may just take you up on a trade for one or the other (probably the scarab) if it's something I could just pick up an engine and trans and drop it in... chevy parts are cheap. By the way if you want to see my car you can click the link in my sig to see my cardomain page... no good pics of the interior unfortunately but you can see the body and engine bay + dyno sheets. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest flash Posted August 30, 2005 Share Posted August 30, 2005 I'll be in touch Pics asap / Thanx ecflashsjk@yahoo.com Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest bastaad525 Posted August 30, 2005 Share Posted August 30, 2005 in the meantime I'd like to ask you some questions if that's alright... 1. what years are the cars? 2. About the Scarab, what all does it have done to it? Does it have the full Scarab body kit? Does it have any suspension upgrades? Brake upgrades? How is the interior and exterior? Nice paint? ANY paint? 3. Just to be 100% clear, the Scarab is 100% setup for the Chevy motor already? So I wouldn't need to make/buy custom mounts or anything like that, just buy a motor and trans drop them in and go? Is it set up to only accept a certain trans? I really want to run a 5 speed manual OR, a 700r4, no three speed auto tranny... how hard would it be to adapt one of these trannies if it is not already set up to accept them? 4. Does it already have a differential?? 5. Also any details you can provide about the Gnose along these same lines like what it has or what it would need, specifically, to get it driveable. I strongly prefer the scarab though if only because a) I never was that fond of Gnose S30's, and I wouldn't want something that looked TOO nice... I want something I can drive w/o worrying about stupid stuff like people even TOUCHING my car or birds bombming it... I dont think I'd ever want a car with really nice paint only because I'd be to freaked out to ever park it anywhere or even take it out of the garage Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest flash Posted September 3, 2005 Share Posted September 3, 2005 I still have to get to the shop probably tues. no body kit the suspension & brakes, I don't know, i'll check tues. The car is red Nice black interior All the mounts are there for the swap It was running an auto tranny, the b&m shifter is still in place & evidently it needs a gas tank, where it went, I don't know clean blk enkies w/good tires the rear fender wells look as if they were prepped for flairs that never got done. straight body w/ good rubber seals & glass & I'll check out the type of rear end Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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