Datsun Roadster Forum-311s.org

Dave wrote:If you're not dead set on a Nissan powerplant, you might want to consider the Ford Z-Tec or the Miata swap. Both engines require less work than an SR to swap in (ie time savings) and should be easier to come across nice examples in a donor car than the KA.

I'm not dead-set on anything yet. But I do think there's something cool about a "brand-appropriate" swap. I have debated long and hard though about a Buick 231..... 'cuz that's a motor I know intimately.... and I can build 300hp out of it pretty easily / reliably....

but they're less common than they used to be.... (I guess I shouldn't complain much, as I've certainly grenaded my share of 'em)

so what's a good donor for the Z-Tec? how's the aftermarket support (bolt-ons, etc) does it come in a rwd car? (I'd obviously need a gearbox as well)

Well, I'm not exactly the right guy to answer those questions. SR20-DET, absolutely! Z-Tec, not so much.

Mark (Stickerman) has a Z-tec which required no chassis mods to fit in. He's also got it hopped up with some performance add-on goodies. He's this board's authority on all things Z-Tech related.

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OOOOHHHH....
Now I'm liking that. is that a rev-happy motor? what does it red-line at? and what kinda power you making?

is the "type-5" the old t-5 (tremec, as I recall?) Mustang trans?

da-man wrote: SPRISO and Alvin: exactly the sort of info and opinions I was looking for.

No prob. We're here to help, not hinder.
If fabrication is your fancy and time and funds are on your side, do you want 300+ Nissan hp? Turbo SR20 or KA24 would be ideal.

Now if brand is a non-issue then I suggest doing an LS2 swap! NO one has done this before(to my knowledge) and you've got 500hp potential with minor mods.

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Alvin wrote:If fabrication is your fancy and time and funds are on your side, do you want 300+ Nissan hp? Turbo SR20 or KA24 would be ideal.

Now if brand is a non-issue then I suggest doing an LS2 swap! NO one has done this before(to my knowledge) and you've got 500hp potential with minor mods.

unfortunately, time IS an issue... and the biggest one. Money too, but not like time.

Just to throw a wrench into the mix, You had mentioned Buick...I'm starting to scrounge parts for a Buick/Rover 215/3500 aluminum V8 swap. Olds 215 works too, but less parts interchange, couple extra head bolts. All Nissan is cool if you can make it work, but as you seem to be saying, you want best power for best money spent.
About $1000.00 will get you the motor and associated stuff, I know it fits under the hood, have seen photos, minor clerarance issues with steering column and #7 exhaust manifold runner, and skys the limit on displacment and horsepower depending on crank/block selected up to 4.0 litre easily, bigger if needed. Any 215 or Rover bellhousing will fit, t-5 trans or Rover 5 speed, front cover oil pump etc , I believe , is the same as a V6. It ends up weighing less than what came out, looks cool as hell and makes big power. If you want to have fun, engrave "NISSAN " into the valve covers. A good Edelbrock 4bbl carburetor or a Holley 390 and an HEI and it is reliable. Would not need any wiring harness changes, just extending wires. Plenty of them out there and people playing with them for TR8's and other conversions

That said, the U20 I have is alot of fun, a bit short on off-idle brute power, but nice when you get into the zone.

Da Man,
Another alternative is the venerable 2.3L Turbo motor. (You just KNEW I was going to toss that in, didn't you all? ) LOL
This engine came in Merkur XR4Ti, Mustang SVO, Thunderbird Turbo Coupe, and its Mercury sister.
Pros:
1. Cheap as any motor you will find.
2. Bulletproof bottom end with a stock block/crank, and more HP headroom potential than you will ever dare to use. Trust me on that one.
There are guys making over 600 HP with stock bottom end, just add good aftermarket rods and the rest is good.
3. Excellent race parts aftermarket support at: http://www.esslingeracing.com/
4. Bolt up a T5, custom driveshaft and go.
5. Big boost makes torque that is, in a word, freaking addictive. Wait, that was two...

Cons:
1. Crappy flowing head, you will need a good porter to take care of that.
2. Heavy, all iron. My roadster is a tad nose-heavy. But Pro #5 makes up for it in fun factor.
3. Ford ECU is 30 year old technology.
4. Ford wiring harnesses are dodgy, old and brittle. Yikes...
5. You will catch some crap from purists who hate non-Nissan power in a roadster.

OK, there it is; 5 of each.
And YMWDV.
Your mileage will definitely vary.

Karl

how about a viper v-10 swap. hell it's your car, the faster the better. lol good luck.

well, believe it or not, I seriously looked at a BMW 750iL yesterday, as a donor car. that's a 5L V-12.
not the MOST power.... but a V12 would be a hoot in that car.... the way it'd sound.....

but I couldn't decide before the opportunity was gone.

s'all good... i'm still lookin', and waiting. can't do much til winter anyway.

I've been toying with a sick idea lately. I've spent bunches of time and money on my race car and shouldn't even think of changing up now. The idea still creeps into my head. I was thinking about getting a 2.3 liter Mazda Millenia supercharged V6. It is small and light. The problem is that it is a miller cycle motor. The coolness is that cams from a probe or MX6 would drop right in for a Otto makeover. Of course, the compression would be 14 to 1 but maybe there is a set of cheap parts bin rods or pistons that will work. The overall displacement is still smaller than my KA24DE but having that supercharged v6 would be cool. I bet it would make bunches of power with the IHI supercharger putting out 30 psi. I'd do this swap for someone if they would buy two of everything, one for them and one for me.

Later,

What is the downside of the Miller cycle?

Miller cycle is all about fuel efficiency. They give up a lot of power in order to get better milage. It is basically a four stroke motor with really high compression. The intake valve stays open during the compression stroke which allows reversal of flow back into the intake manifold. The effective compression ratio is after the intake valve shuts which may calculate out in the 8 to 1 range or less. A supercharger is used with this low effective compression ratio. I think the 2.3 millenia is rated at 210 horsepower with 22 pounds of boost. I would expect at least 400 if it were an Otto at that boost level. Unfortunately, the Millenia didn't get very good gas milage with it so it was kind of a flop.