XCYTER Posted January 7, 2008 Share Posted January 7, 2008 The 260z has a stronger frame than the 240z and it is still smog exempt is it not? (1974) Wouldnt the 260 be a better candidate for a v8 swap than a 240 ?? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TrumpetRhapsody Posted January 7, 2008 Share Posted January 7, 2008 Yes I believe they'd be smog exempt, anything 1975 or under IIRC. The later months of "1974.5 260z" as they're sometimes referred to are based off the 280z's somewhat beefier frame. So technically yes, maybe a little stronger, dunno about "better" per se. Alot of guys like the originality of the first model Z car, and like to do 240z v8 swaps for the prestige. Something about Z cars deviating from the original race inspired ideals as they were redesigned through the years. I'm no expert, that's just the feel I get from what i've read, hope it helps. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rturbo 930 Posted January 7, 2008 Share Posted January 7, 2008 why not a 1975 280z? it should still be smog exempt, no? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TrumpetRhapsody Posted January 7, 2008 Share Posted January 7, 2008 Yep, should be IIRC. That's why I want one, best of all worlds Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MJLamberson Posted January 7, 2008 Share Posted January 7, 2008 I dont think it makes to big of a difference, theres been succesful v8 swaps in all s30s Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
COZY Z COLE Posted January 7, 2008 Share Posted January 7, 2008 If you have the option of choosing between a smog exempt model of years 70-75, these three words are a major deciding factor.... RUST...RUST...RUST The condition of the car is the first thing to look at.... LARRY Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pop N Wood Posted January 7, 2008 Share Posted January 7, 2008 There have been countless discussion on this very topic. Lighter weight, harder to find, more costly to buy, better looking 240 vs. stronger, more common and generally cheaper 280. Plus FI gas tank and usually R200 vs. R180 in favor of the 280.. (a lot of opinion in this paragraph, opinions will vary) But I agree with Cozy, look for a solid car. Rust can take all the joy out of the project. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Administrators BRAAP Posted January 7, 2008 Administrators Share Posted January 7, 2008 why not a 1975 280z? it should still be smog exempt, no? I guess it would be state dependant. This is quoted from the FAQ regarding Cali smog law. A 75 280Z would have to go through smog testing, 1974 260-Z and early cars do not. Again, this could be state dependant. http://forums.hybridz.org/showthread.php?t=100533 I had a long conversation with a Technical Advisor at the California Bureau of Automotive Repair (BAR) regarding some of the finer points of engine swaps. This is what I came up with: Vehicle family Rule: Engine must come from a vehicle from the same family, ie. light duty to light duty, medium and heavy duty to same. What surprised me was the family range. Everything from a mini to a 1 ton truck is considered light duty, and engines can be interchanged. Everything greater than 1 ton pickup is considered med/heavy duty and thus cannot be used as a donor into a car. Catalytic Converters: CATs are not required to be installed on vehicles that did not come with them installed from the factory. Kicker: OBDII donor vehicles have post CAT O2 sensors. These cannot be disabled in any way. Without the CATs, the PCM will throw a code, thus creating an issue with the conversion. So, although the CATs themselves are not required, if the Donor vehicle is OBDII, then by proxy, they are required. Misc. Emissions controls: EVERY piece of emissions package is required from the donor vehicle. That would include fuel tank (to include fuel pressure sensor), evaporative canister and all lines from and to the tank. Referee inspection: Pre-75 vehicles (vehicles not requiring smog tests) do not have to be referee certified. However, CHP (or any law enforcement officer, I suppose) can write you an emissions citation, which would need a visit to the referee to sign off to cancel the citation (fixit ticket). Apparently, the State is actively looking at modified vehicles for emissions violations (roadside checkpoints as mentioned previously) Well...that should answer about everything....... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TrumpetRhapsody Posted January 7, 2008 Share Posted January 7, 2008 Interesting thread link, thanks Braap. Hmm well thats not cool, I thought 75's were exempt. Don't 75's lack alot of the smog stuff installed on the later 280z's? Do they even have cats? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
COZY Z COLE Posted January 7, 2008 Share Posted January 7, 2008 One more time about CA. SMOG RULES... I would never of modified my car the way I did if my 1975 280Z had to be smoged... It's 1975 and older that are smog exempt in CA. AS OF NOW..... LARRY Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pop N Wood Posted January 7, 2008 Share Posted January 7, 2008 I think at the time Tim240 posted those rules CA had a rolling 25 or 30 year exemption. Shortly afterthat it got capped to 75 and earlier. Might explain the descrepancy. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Juarez88 Posted January 9, 2008 Share Posted January 9, 2008 It's 74 and earlier in CAL. I asked at a woman at the dmv about 6 weeks ago when I registered my 73 240z. It sounds a little confusing because the law is something like " anything pre 75 is smog exempt". anyway, looks like 280z's don't make the cut off date. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
COZY Z COLE Posted January 9, 2008 Share Posted January 9, 2008 It's 74 and earlier in CAL. I asked at a woman at the dmv about 6 weeks ago when I registered my 73 240z. It sounds a little confusing because the law is something like " anything pre 75 is smog exempt". anyway, looks like 280z's don't make the cut off date. The misinformation on Smog Exempt car model years in CA is unbelievable. Read this section taken from the CA. DMV web site... http://www.dmv.ca.gov/vr/smogfaq.htm#BM2536 Does my vehicle qualify for a smog exemption? Smog inspections are required unless your vehicle is: Hybrid 1975 year model or older Diesel powered Electric Natural gas powered and has a Gross Vehicle Weight rating of 14,001 lbs. or more. Motorcycle Trailer THE 1975 280Z IS SMOG EXEMPT IN CA...... LARRY Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
firm Posted January 9, 2008 Share Posted January 9, 2008 Wow, reading this (and several other smog laws in Cali) makes me really glad that I don't live there. Here in Texas it's 25 year old cars and older are exempt to emissions testing. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gollum Posted January 9, 2008 Share Posted January 9, 2008 Yes it's 75' and older that's smog exempt in CA. In my opinion it's better to start with the 240Z. Better to start lighter and add weight where you WANT it, don't you think? If you were willing to sacrifice weight for the sake of OEM rigidity the 280ZX would be a better option than a 280Z, but that's a whole nother ball of wax (has to be smogged, diff suspension problems etc). But as stated before by cozy and others, rust and overal shape are bigger factors than the badge or year of production. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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