WTB another car

Something cheap and restaorable.

I was thinking a 300zx or maybe something else. What engines and stuff come in this? Ive found one here for 500bux.1985 300zx (http://www.autotrader.com/findacar/vdetail.jtmpl?car_id=149275632&dealer_id=&car_year=1985&make=NISSAN&distance=25&max_price=&model=300ZXTURBO&advcd_on=n&end_year=2004&min_price=&first_record=26&certified=n&address=85051&search_type=used&advanced=n&start_year=1983&=&color=&cardist=25)

Go the Redneck route; get a 70's 240z :icon16:

Go the Redneck route; get a 70's 240z :icon16:


Or the mitsu route. Get a 1 or 2g gsx and never loose off the line again. Hey at least youll never loose from 1st gear..=)

Or the mitsu route. Get a 1 or 2g gsx and never loose off the line again. Hey at least youll never loose from 1st gear..=)

and also its very easily upgraded. i'd go 2nd gen eclipse cause it looks better imo.

The 300ZX was available with the VG30DE 3.0L V6 throughout its lifespan. There was a turbocharged version later on in the first generation (Z31 chassis) and it can be coaxed to produce quite a bit of power.

The Z31 chassis was independent all around, with Macpherson struts at the front and coil springs w/trailing arms at the back. The naturally aspirated version put out 178bhp stock, with turbos making 228bhp. Interestingly enough, the Z31's are lighter than their successor, the Z32, by 400lbs, weighing in at a still somewhat portly 3,055lbs. The aftermarket support for the Z31 isn't as large as it is for the more popular Z32, but the engine internal bits and pieces are interchangeable. Also, as you see there, Z31's are infinitely cheaper to pick up than Z32's in similar shape.

It's a decent buy, and it'll certainly be good for getting you into the whole realm of true performance cars.

Aight but ive been told to get a Datsun 280z or 240z cuz they are lighter and put a 350 in there.

Aight but ive been told to get a Datsun 280z or 240z cuz they are lighter and put a 350 in there.

mynismo is selling his V8 swaped 300zx :evillol: for cheap, if thats the rote you want to go it would be cheaper for you just to buy it rather then build it.


However IMO dont put a V8 in the fairladys put in a SR20det or better yet a skyline Rb25det(Correct me on the name). Their are so many other motors you could put in that wont mess up your weight distribution as much.

However IMO dont put a V8 in the fairladys put in a SR20det or better yet a skyline Rb25det(Correct me on the name).
It depends on which skyline. The GTR has the RB26 DETT. The newer GTS-T models (R33 and up) have the RB25 DET motor, as you stated.

Wouldnt a skylines engine be expensive as hell?

Wouldnt a skylines engine be expensive as hell?

RB25's are like 7k IIRC. But I'm prob wrong.

I have around 1200 bux to work with right now.

1200 won't get you a hell of a lot. The z31 will run a 14 with just a few minimal mods. Unfortunately, if you want to make a lot of power, you'll have to install and intercooler, since the stock car doesn't have one. If you get some more money, the 1g eclipse gsx is fast and fairly cheap. They also respond well to bolt ons. Don't get a 2g, they come with a lesser turbo, and they're twice the price. They do look cooler though... Mk3 supra turbos are also decent cheap speed.
How much does mynismo want for the z? How much is "cheap", and where is he? I might be interested...

Or better still, get an old Camaro RS or Mustang 5.0 for about 500, sans the engine of course, save another grand or so, build a three hundred, three fifty horse motor, doing most work yourself, and run it. If you know anybody, you can get a chevy small block for next to nothing, and the parts for a camaro are cheap and plentiful.

Another thing about the 2nd gen DSM's is that they have a weaker reciprocating assembly. In order to get better throttle response, Mitsubishi created a lighter crank that tends to "walk" as it gets up in miles. A very common practice amongst DSM guys on a budget is to swap in the 1st gen crank so that they can safely run more boost.

As far as mynismo's Z31 is concerned, it's here in Cleveland, Ohio and I think he was planning to get around 5k out of it. It's a decent car, but you'll want to do some rear end work and install some subframe connectors or a rollbar/rollcage. It's a decent car, but needs some help to be a true terror.

Also, when it comes to weight distribution, a V8 is better in a FR chassis than a straight-six because a V8 is shorter in length. Most of the S30 chassis V8 swaps I've seen have placed the engine well behind the front axle centerline.

http://www.datsuns.com/images/280z-v8.jpg

Here's a picture of one of these swaps. And here's the Stealth Conversions kit he used, which retails for $325.

http://www.jagsthatrun.com/Pages/images/DAT-200.jpg

DAT-101 and 102 are setback plates. 103 and 104 are spacers, while 105 is a transmission-body spacer. 106 is the transmission crossmember. 107 is a firewall hood latch bracket and 108 is a removable hoodlatch bracket. 109 is the bracket for the radiator. Finally, 110 is a driveshaft flange and then there's 111's, the replacement speedometer cable.

Again, it's a $325 kit.

How much does a 350 V8 weigh though? Is it not much more than a stright 6?

Anyways sounds like a RB motor is out of your price range. So I still would go with my other suggestion a SR20DET. You can get those for less than 2grand. As you know the SR is an awesome little Nissan motor that’s used in 240sx's a lot and I think it would be a great fit for a fairlady. And it will weigh so much less then the V8. However it all depends on what you want. Are you looking for a drag car or a autoX? Still though the SR would be a better all around motor than the V8 and with gas prices the way they are it would save you a buck or two. Thats one of the reasons mynismo is selling his V8 Z.

Well sorta both autox and drag. Im gunna set it up more for autox but enough power to go 12's or 13's or better in the drags.

Also i was thinking of putting the turbo 300zx v6 engine in there. Would that be a good power house?

I dont see why not but its going to cost you more.



GET THE SR!!!!!!!!!!!

What are the specs on the sr? Whats so special about it?

Also what cars come with it?

yep watch out for that crankwalk. I have 117,000 miles on my 97 gst and never any signs of it. The biggest repair I had so far was my clutch(3rd one yet). I just put in my $100 14b first gen turbo and kicking out about 300+hp. There are so many diffrent stories about 2gen dsms. But in my case the only problem I have is the $417 a mo. insurance.

Thats a red turbo convertable for ya. LOL.

get a turbo KA into a old 240z, that would be pimp haha. SR is over rated and expensive. Everyone just says "ya get a SR" like its the solution to all your performance problems, and they don't even know anything about it to top it off LOL.......

KA? i dont know all these import engine codes and stuff?

But in my case the only problem I have is the $417 a mo. insurance.

HOLY $#%!

Oh yeah and Ecotec, the KA that SR20DET is refering to is the stock engine in the 240sx......2.4L DOHC that puts out about 155 hp.

a turbo KA will spank the pants off a SR in drag racing. Mod for Mod the KA will produce more power, and have more broader, higher torque band. Maybe its the added .4L of displacement, maybe its the KA DOHC excellent flowing head..... all I know is they are faster, and can handle just as much power if not more. They use a Iron block over an Aluminum block, have a longer stroke, long rod, forged crankshaft, forged connecting rods, pistons are the only real weak spot and even in stock with good tunning it can see 350rwhp+. I have only heard of one, maybe two SR's that put out more then 700rwhp. I know of a few KA SOHC's used in drag racing applications that put down 750rwhp+. I think its a good engine for drag racing, its ok for track racing with a couple valvetrain goodies...

People just think JDM is good, its what all the japs use. They only have the SR20 motor over there, everyone thinks thats what all the top S chassis tuners use so the KA must be crap and swap it out for a SR. This is some pretty dimwit thinking once you know some stuff about the KA. I like both motors, they both are good in their own ways. i just hate it when people think the SR is the only good 4 banger from Nissan. In fact with less money, slapping on a turbo to your KA24 will smoke the shit out of a SR swap. Most SR swaps range above 3k+usd when all said and done. For an easy 2k you can turbo your KA, sometimes way less, depends on how you want to do it. Most stock SR swaps make 185rwhp, most basic KA turbos make 220+rwhp.....

think about it lol

Find a KA24 and a 70's 240z. Would it be a pretty easy swap compare to the v8 or the sr20? And the 240z's way what a mear 2350? Plus the weight of me. It would be a pretty fast car.

Damn, Ohio's a bit far from northern california...

I'm not sure how easy a KA into a 240z would be. There would probably be quite a bit of computer rewiring type stuff, which would make it harder than your average honda swap. You might have to change more than that as well.

SpyderEclipse: How many tickets have you had???

If you're thinking about doing the KA24 swap, you'd better get cozy with a welder and some steel, because there's no available kit for such a swap.

And, as Spiff said, the KA is computerized. Unless you want to tweak a magneto ignition system and use a dual-Weber carburetor intake setup on the engine, it'll be insanely difficult to just get the engine to run properly in the 240Z's engine bay.

Now, by comparison, the Chevy V8 swap is relatively painless, offers a substantial gain in power over the 150hp straight-six, and can be done on the cheap.

http://www.gmpartsdepot.com/store/product1.asp?SID=8&Product_ID=962

http://www.gmpartsdepot.com/store/images/24502609_large.jpg Available at the above link for $3,569, turn-key minus carburetor, producing 355hp and 400lbft of torque. That's for a brand-new engine with aluminum intake and cylinder heads. Figure since an all iron small-block weighs in at 575lbs, it'll weigh 490 with aluminum heads and intake.

a turbo KA will spank the pants off a SR in drag racing. Mod for Mod the KA will produce more power, and have more broader, higher torque band. Maybe its the added .4L of displacement, maybe its the KA DOHC excellent flowing head..... all I know is they are faster, and can handle just as much power if not more. They use a Iron block over an Aluminum block, have a longer stroke, long rod, forged crankshaft, forged connecting rods, pistons are the only real weak spot and even in stock with good tunning it can see 350rwhp+. I have only heard of one, maybe two SR's that put out more then 700rwhp. I know of a few KA SOHC's used in drag racing applications that put down 750rwhp+. I think its a good engine for drag racing, its ok for track racing with a couple valvetrain goodies...

People just think JDM is good, its what all the japs use. They only have the SR20 motor over there, everyone thinks thats what all the top S chassis tuners use so the KA must be crap and swap it out for a SR. This is some pretty dimwit thinking once you know some stuff about the KA. I like both motors, they both are good in their own ways. i just hate it when people think the SR is the only good 4 banger from Nissan. In fact with less money, slapping on a turbo to your KA24 will smoke the shit out of a SR swap. Most SR swaps range above 3k+usd when all said and done. For an easy 2k you can turbo your KA, sometimes way less, depends on how you want to do it. Most stock SR swaps make 185rwhp, most basic KA turbos make 220+rwhp.....

think about it lol


I like the KA but didnt sugest it because why is he going to buy a kA then have to spend a few grand for a turbo kit. The SR will be cheaper and will have the power he wants. If he already had the KA then I would say keep it but he dosnt. Also he would have to pay for most of the labor because he does not know alot about motors. So turboing a KA would just be to much work for him.

Ive decided on the 350. But now need the car to do it in.

Well if your going to go with the 350 then you want something light. You dont really need something light but whats the point of buying say a muscle car and putting a V8 in it? So I would say go with the 280Z or CBASS's "wet dream" a RX7 with the V8 swap. Pretty much any light Rwd sports car.

The 240z is lighter but about near impossible to find.

You know what would be cool is to put the 350 in a 240sx :evillol: I have never seen it done but it would be pretty cool. And why not be different?

yet 700lbs of difference

The 240z is lighter but about near impossible to find.



What you mean? I bought mine the first day I looked online... They're out there. Just widen your search parameters, I looked with in a 100 mile radius of my house and found my Z... like 95 miles away or some shit. I figured if it made the drive back to my house, it was a good buy and semi-reliable. :lol:

Got it for only $2700 and its a rust free example of a 240z. It's also already got a 5 speed transmission swap, supposedly better geared rearend out of a 2+2 model and a LSD. Interior needs to be redone, but thats nothing really.

The interior is so small, you're not replacing a whole lot. All I need to do is replace two seats, the dash and heater/fan control mechanism. :lol2:

Just remember, You are buying a 30 year old car. It WILL come with problems. Unless you buy a perfectly mint example that's totally been gone through. You're in for some head scratching and pissed off times.

Especially, if the car you buy still has a points ignition system like mine. I had to learn how to work with that, wasn't hard but it was a pain in the ass.

The car's are noisy to ride in, the ride is a bit rough. No power steering with fat tires (like mine) on the front makes for fun slow speed turning.

You have to WANT this car in order to like it. If you just buy it cause people said it'd be cool to throw just about any motor into it... or to build up the original motor. You're buying it for the wrong reasons.

All in all... it's a fun car. I love mine... except each morning when I go to start it... that's an experiance. :grinno:

the closest z ive found is in cali. 780 miles away. It has a good amount of rust tho. The floor boards starting to deterierate. I could just get a 280z they are mighty plentiful here.

the closest z ive found is in cali. 780 miles away. It has a good amount of rust tho. The floor boards starting to deterierate. I could just get a 280z they are mighty plentiful here.



Well, there ya go. Find whatever you can, if you like it.. then Enjoy the wonders of the Z.