v8 conversion

[john2092]

i was just wondering if anyone knows the aprox price of converting a 1973 240z or a 1974 260z to a v8....thanx.....

[Zeddophile]

same as the length of a piece of string.

 

No, seriously, that REALLY depends on how much work you are planning on doing yourself, to what standard you are doing it, what motor you are using, and what other changes are required.

 

If you float some ideas of what you want, and how well you want it done, we can give you more of an idea. For example, I could probably chuck one in for about $500, but it would not be very pretty at all, and probably highly un-engineerable.

[john2092]

the only work i would be planing on doing my self is getting all the parts or most of the parts needed. not sure wat motor but probly a 5.2L. everything that needs to be changed in the car to make it perform well.

 

i would want it roadworthy and everythung else

[Azon]

the only work i would be planing on doing my self is getting all the parts or most of the parts needed. not sure wat motor but probly a 5.2L. everything that needs to be changed in the car to make it perform well.

 

i would want it roadworthy and everythung else

 

around 9-10k would be a safe estimate if you get someone else to do it for you.

- Motor + box + electricals +fuel system say 3k for a decent package;

- installation - 2k at least with custom mounts fabrication etc etc;

- chassis strenghtening to accept the new torque - 2k at least;

- brakes - 1k;

- engineering everything 1-2k;

 

And as usuall you will get lots of surprises along the way that will cost you more money - and would you really want to just have a stock motor after all?

[mossy]

My folks have one for sale, I think its one of the early models 69 or 70, and has a chevy small block in it and its engineered in NSW. Its got a wide body kit on it also. I thought you actually couldn't legally put a v8 in a 240 anymore because the rules changed, not sure though. I think they were after about 12k for it

[Vindicare]

When i first bought my 240z, i had aspirations of dropping in a big V8, but if you read DOTARS, the maximum allowable size engine for a registered 240z is something like 4.2l, anything after that required A LOT of engineering to convince the transport people that the car can handle having such a large engine between the rails(brake upgrades, chassis stiffening yada yada). But if you know an engineer that is willing to sign off on it and take that responsibility, more power to you, i just didn't know any that would risk so much. That squished my plans pretty violently, in the end I've decided to stick with the good ol' L series, with a power adder . Just remember to submit your plans BEFORE you undertake the buying of parts, or else you'll be left high and dry. Of course, if you don't intend it to be legal, none of what i just said matters, and good luck with the conversion!

 

Aaron

[George]

below applies to nsw only.

 

from memory you can't stick anything over a 302 since the rule change in 1994 and even that was kind of shifty. i was going to do it a few years back.

 

let me see what i can find....

 

i just checked the RTA site: http://www.rta.nsw.gov.au/registration/downloads/vsi/vsi06.pdf

it's ALWAYS best to check with an engineer. there's no point in asking us anything. we can speculate and give you answers as per weblinks etc but in the end it comes down to your engineer (and how dodgy they want to be).

 

having said that, you take your tare weight and multiply it by their rate. i believe the 240's are listed as 1020 tare on rego papers?? if so:

 

1020 * 0.294 (mono) = 300ci

 

meaning there's no chance in hell you can fit a 350 in it. you could get away with a 302 because i know there are documents out there that list the tare weight a bit over the 1020 and an engineer will accept that. check this thread for more info. 4 years old but still valid --> http://www.classiczcars.com/forums/showthread.php?t=6413

[24OZ]

can i ask why you want a V8 in your Z?

if it is for performance you would be far better with an RB25/26/30 turbo or even better a 2JZ toyota turbo(good for 320hp basically stock with good exhaust and custom tune) bolt ons would get you into the 500hp category without too much sweat

 

having said that i have an RB30ET and a Boss 302 in my 240's.......the V8 is much more pleasant to drive day to day,lazy torque,effortless performance without redlining it,simpler in that there are no electronics and the sound of an 8 there's nothing quite like it!!.....however the turbo six would anihalate it in a drag race or roll on performance on the freeway,but until you see boost(not often in normal driving) it is like a shopping trolley and idles like its electric

 

horses for courses i guess,but i reckon the V8 conversion would be a lot cheaper than a turbo 6(lots of " hidden" costs) and you could probably do most of it yourself.........however don't expect to beat a Z with a decent turbo 6 in it,but you will probably have more fun driving it all the time

just my 2c worth

cheers

paul

ps do yourself a favour and upgrade the brakes either way :wink:

[apsilon]

As Vindicare posted above 4.2 is the max legal in NSW currently (actually it's somewhere between 4.1 and 4.2 but I don't have the exact figure with me). I spoke to an engineer late last year about a V8 conversion.

 

Reason I'm looking at a V8 is simply that I want one. I've had 3s, 4s and 6s, turbos and supercharged but never had an 8. I figure this will be the last car I build up and I'm not interested in Falcadores which is the only other way I could afford a V8 (budget doesn't strech to exotics).

 

Really have to get my project moving again The poor Zed has been sitting untouched since Xmas.

[zedevan]

isn't that the size of hte lexus v8's? i think its a sign so are the supercharger kits availible for them lol

[zdream]

dont kid yourself,it is going to be expensive no matter what direction you take :cry: sorry

[apsilon]

isn't that the size of hte lexus v8's? i think its a sign so are the supercharger kits availible for them lol

 

Yes approx but there's other options as well. You can't supercharge or turbo however. There's different calaculations for allowed capacity of FI Vs NA engines.

[mossy]

So are you keeping the mx5 apsilon?

[john2092]

thank you all for your advise and information. i will take it all into account. but my final desition will most defently to drop a v8 in no matter what, cause i hav alwayz dreamd of having a v8 dato

[Toecutter]

Cool keep us posted. I've got a mate thinking the same thing, he's also searching for a 2 seater atm.

[apsilon]

So are you keeping the mx5 apsilon?

 

The MX5 was sold a few years ago. Great car but 9 years with the same car was enough. Had a 350Z after that which is a nice GT but was too slow and didn't handle well enough for my liking (especially coming from the MX-5). After the 350Z I didn't know what I wanted so drove a Charade around for a year or so while looking at Lotus 7 style Clubmans and some other options before finally deciding it would be the 240Z. I have a MY06 Forester as a daily now and the Zed, whenever it's finished (which first requires starting) will be a weekend and track day car.