wingnutthehutt Posted April 10, 2006 Share Posted April 10, 2006 Not to throw stones at the whole project, but I think your miles per dollar are doing down as this thread gets longer. Might be a good time to do a spreadsheet and crunch some numbers. My two cents. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jmead Posted April 10, 2006 Author Share Posted April 10, 2006 I've got a 240z shell with a blown engine, everything else in good condition. LD28 engine w/ 5 speed transmission - $1700 L28ET turbo and exhaust manifold - $400 Intercooler - $250 Heavy duty springs for extra weight in front - $400? Propane Injection System - $250 (diy) New fuel lines, wvo tank, filter, heater - $500 (some diy) extra $500 for spare parts and because nothing ever goes according to plan so I've got $4k to take a lifeless shell and turn it into a one-of-a-kind "sports" car that potentially has little to no fuel costs, and at very least somewhat comparable performance to the original engine while getting double the normal gas milage. Seems fair to me I'm not really expecting this swap to pay for itself anytime soon, if ever. Really, I just wanted a project that comined my interests and had a result that was worth the money invested, at least to me. And I also doubt I'd be considering this if it werent for the fact that I've got a beautiful shell just waiting for an engine and I happened to be reading alot about biodiesel at the same time. Plus I've got a free summer and a little extra money....not for long Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wingnutthehutt Posted April 10, 2006 Share Posted April 10, 2006 That's reasonable, have you found out a real world price for the waste oil converesion systems? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MikeK280z Posted April 10, 2006 Share Posted April 10, 2006 There are two types of "french Fry systems". One where the car will run on this refined oil; for the second the gas tank is filled with diesel fuel and there is a supplemental tank installed for the french fry oil. The car is started using the deisal, then a switch is flipped to draw fuel from the supplemental tank. Before shutting the car off the switch is flipped back to the diesel tank. Search a few VW forums. The second system sells for less than $1000, and the oil refinement is not as great an issue as the first system. Either way, I would suggest doing your research to know what you are getting into. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
(goldfish) Posted April 11, 2006 Share Posted April 11, 2006 Do you really need an intercooler? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kennysgreen280zt Posted April 11, 2006 Share Posted April 11, 2006 Do you really need an intercooler? Yes, as with any turbo motor, too much heat will melt pistons. And on a motor with no fuel compensation for boost, it would be more important. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
83_maxima Posted May 4, 2006 Share Posted May 4, 2006 I just found this thread. Hopefully the starter is still watching... You should join our "NissanDiesel" forum if you want to find a lot of information on these engines. We are quite knowledgeable and the forum owner is *very* knowledgeable about these engines. $1700 seems like a lot to me, but I also plan on picking up a very nice 83 maxima, spare motor and spare trans this summer for less than that, but I am lucky and have stumbled upon one hell of a deal... Since you already have the engine and are getting ready to install it, let me say a couple things. First, about the 5 speed tranny: when installed on diesel engines they eat mainshaft bearings. It might be worthwhile to up the size/strength of the bearing before you install the engine and tranny. Second, about BD,SVO and WVO. BD is a great fuel and when processes *correctly* it can be a great fuel, when processed *incorrectly* it can be terribly damaging to an engine. SVO and WVO are not very good fuels. The engine will run on them, but it is hard on the already old injector pump and can cause coking of the injectors and ring lands eventually killing the motor- due to the additional chemicals found in the unprocessed VO. Third, about turbocharging: the 280zxt ex. manifold does bolt up to the head. The thought is to use a 300zx turbo and downpipe and have a custom exhaust made. You can't run a lot of boost because you can't add fuel, but 7-8 lbs will clean up the exhaust, add a little bit of power and improve fuel efficiency to some degree. I plan on doing this once I get my car. It is more or less a bolt on mod, but you can't over boost it or you will melt the motor down. An intercooler would help, but seeing as how you can't run *too* much boost on the engine it is not really necessary. BTW: the 240 that was coverted to LD28 turbo power is currently for sale in Denver on craigslist for $15,000. So, welcome to the world of LD28s. I'm glad to see that someone else appreciates them as much as a select few of us do! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
240Zed Posted May 4, 2006 Share Posted May 4, 2006 Speaking of alternative fuels, anybody know if this guy finished his electric 240Z? http://users.wpi.edu/~sethm/240Z/ sorry for the thread-jacking, maybe i should start a new post in other engines. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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