stevo_gj

Excellent, thanks very much moonstone that is very helpful! I have gotten off the phone to my mechanic and one of the guys in the club and the club member got an auto electrician to wire up his EFI for about 1000 after he installed all the other parts like ECU harness injectors himself. I didn't talk to him about the ECU though, so I'll have to have a chat to him about that. My car mechanic, not a huge Z fan, suggested buying a Nissan Patrol engine, the single carby L28, dropping that one in and selling off the old engine. (or not and keep in the shed for a future conversion when i can afford it ) He said he would charge 200-300 for that job so I would end up paying that plus the cost of the engine, (1-2K?). So my options are: Attempt to convert the 2.9L L28 back to EFI keeping high compression and putting a standard cam back on: Dues Ex just replied to my email and said that the conversion was absolutely possible I just need to buy the wiring harness, surge tank, fuel pump, ECU, manifold etc. Probably looking at 1000 for auto electrician, approx 400 on the parts (car club member said he could sell me almost all of them). I would install almost all of it with help from that club member and then send it off to be wired up. Risk is that I'm not sure the conversion will sit well with all the parts, like the ECU. Cost : $1500-2000 -or- Buy an L28 (apparently between 300 for a 2nd hand one and a LOT for a reconditioned one) from a club member off a 280zx, buy all parts and get mechanic to install then auto electrician to wire up. Probably end up spending a bit over 2K (1000 for wiring, cost of engine + parts, cost of mechanic) Cost: $ 1700-2400 -or- Buy an L28 from a nissan patrol, drop it in and dont worry about having to modify much. Cost would be 1000-2000 for engine, 200-300 for mechanic to put together. Cost : $1200-2200 I'm just guesstimating these numbers, but at least I now know what my options are and have an idea what its going to cost me when I go look at the car.

That sounds like a good option, I will have to look into that. However I am no engine expert, and I will be paying for labor on all these things which will probably cost a fair amount. But getting a different engine is certainly an option, thanks What do you think about replacing the cam with a stock one and replacing the carbys with EFI as a solution? Do you see any benefits or problems with doing so, compared to replacing the engine? Thanks for your advice, I appreciate it

Great, thanks very much for that input, I'll have to look into the aerodynamics of the car to solve the fume problem. I'm afraid however that the smell the car is producing is less worrying to me than the fuel efficiency, which ultimately will leave me way more out of pocket =x. Today I went to a motorkhana event with a few of the brisbane Z car club members, all very friendly and welcoming guys. Had a good long chat with them about what possible things I could do to the Zed to fix the other problems. According to them, the best thing I can do within my means is to convert the triple carbs to EFI, and replace the current cam with a standard one. They believe that doing so will greatly improve fuel efficiency and driveability. There was also some talk about lowering the compression, as I am not really keen on buying high octane fuel for a daily driver. What are the thoughts of this forum on this solution? Remember that lowering the power doesn't concern me. Thanks again guys

Hey guys, I'm NOT that new to the forums, surprisingly. I've been lurking for a while and now that I've actually had something to ask I figure I might as well introduce myself. I'm steve from brissie, studying mechanical engineering. I'm interested in buying a 2 seater 240/260 but I've got one issue I need answers on, if you are mechanically minded check out my question in the fuel systems section I would really appreciate any help. http://www.viczcar.com/forum/index.php/topic,2371.0.html Otherwise, I look forward to meeting you all on the forums, Steve

Hey all, Long time lurker, first time poster. Usual story, young driver infatuated with Zs since early high school now halfway through uni (mechanical engineering) and actually on the market for one. I know your probably thinking mate put this in the WTB section but I have a couple questions that are very relevant to fuel systems (or so i think). Sorry mods if I have put this in the wrong place I have been looking at the red 260 for sale in brisbane by Dues Ex, heres a link to his thread if you haven't already seen it. Beautiful car and from the sounds of it very well priced. http://www.viczcar.com/forum/index.php/topic,2018.0.html Now here is my question: What options are there for converting the engine on that car, or another like it, to make it a better 'daily driver', and what kind of costs would I be looking at? Better 'daily driver' would be: Less smell inside cabin, better fuel efficiency, greater ease of driving in peak hour traffic. 70% of my driving is me going to uni and if you live in Brisbane then you know the nightmare that is coronation drive. I have considered having two cars with the second as my daily driver but I simply don't have the garage space for it. Now don't get me wrong, I straight out love Zs but I just can't see myself being able to drive a Z with triple carbs every day. I know that it is very fuel inefficient and probably hard to drive in stop start conditions, and the smell inside the cabin is apparently pretty bad. I don't want to get any other car, and if there was a way I could convert the engine that would go some way towards fixing these problems then I would be very satisfied. I'm not particularly concerned with power, losing some to fix the other things wouldn't bother me at all. I know its probably not going to be feasible to do this, but damn it, since when has that stopped any Z enthusiast before! I appreciate any advice you guys want to give, and I look forward to reading your replies Steve