[alex_0227]

I thought about the model T, but restoring something thats 80 years old or building from scratch is going to be way too hard and expensive. How about restoring a Datsun Z-series?

I saw some nice Datsuns on ebay for arround $100 that could probably be restored. Good idea?

I called a used engine place and they wanted $500 for a 305 Smallblock Chevy with under 80,000 miles on it. Is that good? Would it make sence to put that into a small car like the Datsun or maybe a V-6 for everyday driving?

Alex

[redlightning]

The only one I worked on was a 1970 that my brother in law had.I liked it a lot and thought it was pretty easy to work on.For a beginner the dual carbs might be a little tricky.His had a lot of rust,which is why he sold it.The v8 is probaly the way to go .But I liked the inline 6 and dual carbs.

[Gearhead forever]

Those early 70's Z's are getting scarce. I heard that Nissan or another company was buying up old cars and factory restoring them.....(rumor maybe) If I was to rod one I'd go with a featherweight eight or keep the inline buzzin half dozen....I think a heavier motor would ruin the integrity of its handling. A guy in my area turned one into a roadster with stripes and big alloy rims. Its a super sharp car.....

[dinger]

I've got a friend thas has built 2 v8 z cars.. One has a crate LT1, it's crazy fast. A v6 for everyday would probably keep you out of trouble and be a good driver. Kits are available. Good luck, Dan

[280zxWith305]

thats exactly what im doin.. 383 stroker in a 83zx... the motor doesnt weigh THAT much more.. it doesnt affect handling.. infact gives you better 50/50 weight because the engine can set back farther.. the only thing you have to worry about is goin too fast.. if you can get it to hook up its officially declared a street missile... heard bin laden is buying up a few to use against us

[draven]

Not to hijack your thread or anything but quick question while we're on the topic of z cars. I've been thinking about buying one sometime in the future as a strip only project. Does anyone know which year/model's are the lightest of these cars? If so what do they usually tend to weigh? I'm looking for a really light vehicle and these seem to be very light and not that hard to swap a v8 in to which is what I'm looking for. It's either one of these for a project after I'm done with my truck or a hellacious street bike, I think I'd be safer with the car as I have severe lead foot syndrome.
Thanks

- Brad

[OneMoreTime]

Either 240 or 280z car shoudl work..by the time one guts out the car and does a tube frame not much left anyway..check out artmorrison.com for the super car chassis for some idea of the chassis..

OMT

[brainsboy]

The datsuns are a great project. The datsun in my photo is a 240. They have lots of room in the engine compartment and you can find alot of V-8 conversion packages that make v8 swaps easy if you dont have a welder. One of the problems with them is finding one that is not rusted out. They tend to rust out under the trunk area and the bottom side of the windshield rails.
One of the tricks for the 240's is to use 260 front springs with a 1" lift of the 240 strut spring seat. This works perfect for V8's. You can replace the front calipers with the toyota 4x4 calipers, they bolt directly on and give you better stopping power.




Ben

[dinger]

." Does anyone know which year/model's are the lightest of these cars? If so what do they usually tend to weigh?"
There's a guy in town with a 240, he runs in the 9's with a small block chevy built to the gills. Strip only. He went on his top last Nov., hit some oil. A little roof damage, the car is ultra light, I'd have to ask him the weight. The one buddy says the same as 280ZX about the weight and weight transfer. Japanese Muscle car? A semi-sleeper also with the right stock look retained. Dan

[draven]

Originally Posted by dinger

There's a guy in town with a 240, he runs in the 9's with a small block chevy built to the gills. Strip only. He went on his top last Nov., hit some oil. A little roof damage, the car is ultra light, I'd have to ask him the weight. The one buddy says the same as 280ZX about the weight and weight transfer. Japanese Muscle car? A semi-sleeper also with the right stock look retained. Dan

Is that the guy with the picture up on the wall in Millers speed and marine? Just wondering because Tom there had mentioned a z on the wall going on it's top and I'm pretty sure the guy was local.

Thanks for the info guys.

[ViperMonster800]

Restoring your Datsun is great idea. My neighbor's son is restoring a 260Z and I hear him start it up and it sounds nice. I have never restored a Z-series but they seem they would be relatively easy to restore.

Selling that 305 Chevy engine is a good idea, 500 bux sounds about right for under 80,000. I would know that if you put that 305 into a Z-series, the engine would weigh it down alot making it slightly harder to turn corners... this is of course IF you can put it into a Z-series. You have to look at the clearance of the engine compartment in the Z-series first. And look at the specs of the 305... see what might potentially be a problem: will everything fit under the hood (or get a custom over sized hood), linkage of the steering, will a Chevy tranny fit in the Datsun?

It takes time to make sure you do it right and can accomplish it.

This is my very first post... rate me.

Hope that answered some questions. Bye.

[280zxWith305]

im not going with the 305 anymore.. going with a 383 stroker.. more torque for an already light car.... www.hybridz.org is a GREAT site on z cars... everything you need to know for SBC SBF and other Exotic engine swaps into z cars... couple guys have 454's in um and i've even heard of dodge viper engines... the room is there... www.ratsun.com proves the 454 statement lol... tire liftin at its best. the way the car is built its like they WANTED you to put a SBC into it lol.. only real problem you will run into is driveline angle.. you have to keep it as straight to 3* or less as possible to reduce vibration... and header choice.... the steering box is in an odd place... but ppl on hybridz know as there are 1,000's of ppl that have done the swap. hope this helps.

[brainsboy]

240's are going to be the lightest of the series, keeping streetable they usually weight in at anything from 2300-2800lbs. I was around 2600lbs with the blower. I was streetable but striped down, no A/C, no heater assembly, bare bone setup. Had a passanger seat but didnt have seatbelts for them, lol, I loved the look on their faces when I would rip down the road, and they are trying to find the seat belts...

[alex_0227]

Originally Posted by dinger

I've got a friend thas has built 2 v8 z cars.. One has a crate LT1, it's crazy fast. A v6 for everyday would probably keep you out of trouble and be a good driver. Kits are available. Good luck, Dan

What would be a best V6 engine for a datsun (I'm planning to get just the body and frame, no engine or transmission, so it probably won't be the kind it had originaly)? I know I'll probably won't race it much, just use it to put those a******s who brag about their pickups, which really belong to their dads, lay some rubber, etc. and I don't want to be refilling the thing every other day. Gas prices are crazy here in NY!
Do they have smallblock chevys in V6?

Alex

[oldschoolrods]

No there is no small block chevy v6 its just a chevy v6. It would be best to get one with the origonal engine/transmission that maybe just needs motor work. BUT if your deadset on that I'd reccomend the 4.3L chevy v6