mason4300 Posted July 7, 2006 Share Posted July 7, 2006 Ok, my mom drives a Lexus SC400 with a "4.0L V8 DOHC 32V FI" engine in it, I believe. Anyway, its a great car, but it's really heavy, being a luxury car and all, but the engine's pretty powerful. So what do you guys think about dropping one of these into a 280z? I don't know a ton about the cars yet, so I don't know. Just a thought, your guys' suggestions would be helpful. P.S. if you have one of those "any car other than a Nissan sucks" mindsets, please don't pick no without giving it considerable thought. I don't kind putting a toyota engine in my Datsun, it's certainly less desacrating than putting a Chevy in! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wheelman Posted July 7, 2006 Share Posted July 7, 2006 The swap has already been done at least once. I say go for it. Do some searching on this site and you'll find several threads discussing the idea. Wheelman Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mason4300 Posted July 7, 2006 Author Share Posted July 7, 2006 ok, thanks, thats actually what I was just about to do. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mario_82_ZXT Posted July 7, 2006 Share Posted July 7, 2006 I've been looking at that engine as well. So far this is what I understand: - Cheap to get ahold of. - Usually rebuild not required, most of the time just need to check the lash on the scissor gears. - Very narrow DOHC, should easily fit. - More aftermarket support overseas, especially Australia. - Only automatics available stock, but there are adapter kits out there. - Built NAs can rev to 10k RPMs (so I've heard) - Flat plane crank (mmmm Ferrari sound) - Has been done in a 280zx - Aftermarket barely catching up, apparently stock cams are very limiting, and companies are barely starting to make performance ones. Hmm... that's all I can think of now. Mario Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mason4300 Posted July 7, 2006 Author Share Posted July 7, 2006 Ah, great list, that helps me out a bit in what to look for. pretty much the only reason I wouldn't/can't do this is my dad knows shyte about Japanese engines. On the other hand, he knows plenty about American stuff because his dad built (and still built) hot rods all his life. Not that I wouldn't mind having one of my grandpa's engines in my car, that'd be even better...thanks guys Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mtcookson Posted July 7, 2006 Share Posted July 7, 2006 Flat plane crank (mmmm Ferrari sound) aftermarket? i know stock they're a standard 90 degree crank. happen to have a link on that? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pete280z Posted July 7, 2006 Share Posted July 7, 2006 Go for it. Especially if it's a flat-crank V8 (I've got no idea). The sound of that engine in a Z would be fantastic. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mason4300 Posted July 7, 2006 Author Share Posted July 7, 2006 here's a pic of the engine I could be buying. It's a '91-95. My mom's car is like a '99 or something, I think her engine is better than the older ones, but I know that this one would fit, anyway. (sorry about the image size, it won't stay scaled down for some reason...) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mario_82_ZXT Posted July 7, 2006 Share Posted July 7, 2006 Sorry... I went digging even more and it turn's out I was wrong But they can still rev! Also, I think it is 280zx Racer on this forum who put it into a 280zx 2+2. I also think that it's the SC engine that is rear sumped. Mario Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mason4300 Posted July 7, 2006 Author Share Posted July 7, 2006 heh, that sounds pretty familiar. Yeah, I always liked the SC400, so when I found that I could fit an engine from one into my car, its needless to say I was interested. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wheelman Posted July 7, 2006 Share Posted July 7, 2006 The JTR (jagsthatrun.com) Chevy V8 swap manual has a picture of one in an S30 chassis. Wheelman Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sparky Posted July 8, 2006 Share Posted July 8, 2006 But they can still rev! O-M-G...dig that sound! looks like I just added another engine to "The List" Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mason4300 Posted July 8, 2006 Author Share Posted July 8, 2006 Cool, i'm glad I didn't end up looking like a fool asking about this engine. I didn't really think anyone else had done it, I was surprised to see (relatively) how many have already been done. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gollum Posted July 16, 2006 Share Posted July 16, 2006 If you go back and look at threds in this "other engine" section you'll see lots of posts about this motor in the last 6 months or so. It's been kind of a buzz word. Seems like nobody here noted the actual engine name. The motor is called a 1UZFE All engines have codes like that, just like a 240Z, 260z, and 280z are all "S30" cars becuse S30 is the chassis model. The 1UZFE is a great motor, but the one i've seen put in a S30 car has little documentation on the net, and the one in the 280ZX had a modified oil pan plus other modifications. It's a recent thread you shouldn't have trouble finding it. If there is anyone who's ever put any motor in a Z, odds are they've heard of or are a member of hybridz. I'll never doubt anyone's plans to put any motor in a Z, thanks to the wild projects i've seen here. I say go for it. I'd recomend the older engines since the newer ones (like your mom's) are the newer ECU standard OBD2 and that creates more hurdles to overcome in swaping. The newer ones are also VVTi wich is neat, but not needed. The newer ones also have a better head design but are a bit wider. For more info go here. http://lextreme.com/ Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mason4300 Posted July 16, 2006 Author Share Posted July 16, 2006 Thanks a ton for all the info, it's been great to learn all this. I don't think i'll be putting a different engine in it for a while, so right now i'm just getting the stock one nice again. In the future, I'll remember all this. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest sack face Posted July 18, 2006 Share Posted July 18, 2006 Go the VH45 or 41 ! But in saying that the 1UZ is a brilliant engine, and has been proven to be reliable, powerfull and cheap a million times over. I just think nissans should stay in nissans if you can Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mario_82_ZXT Posted July 18, 2006 Share Posted July 18, 2006 Price a 1UZ versus a VH.... From what I've seen the VH is a lot more expensive, and also a lot wider. Mario Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mack Posted July 18, 2006 Share Posted July 18, 2006 actually, VH's are starting to show up in a LOT of U-Pull-It type junk yards., complete engines, flywheel to fan with wiring and ECU can be had for about $275. and some labor, of course. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TimZ Posted July 20, 2006 Share Posted July 20, 2006 I just think nissans should stay in nissans if you can Looks like somebody forgot what web forum they were posting to. This is hybridZ.org in case you've forgotten. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest sack face Posted July 20, 2006 Share Posted July 20, 2006 That went over my head did i say something wrong ? Sorry if i did. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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