"GhostZ" (GhostZ)
01/01/2014 at 07:57 • Filed to: None
3
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"GhostZ" (GhostZ)
01/01/2014 at 07:57 • Filed to: None | 3
| 12 |
To own this before the end of the year. And then maybe with silly horsepower.
Team6.1
> GhostZ
01/01/2014 at 09:50 |
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I've been toying with the idea as well for a year or so. What kinds HP numbers do these get crazy at?
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GhostZ
> Team6.1
01/01/2014 at 10:07 |
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Depends on what you mean by crazy. 200HP (+30%) will make them 'lively'. 300HP in one (usually through a well-built L28ET, or a cheap SBC/SBF will outrun pretty much any non-exotic on the road. 400HP is about the limit without some chassis modifications and bigger tires (although the upgraded R200 differential in the 280Z can take oodles of torque) and 500HP is a low 10-second car.
A 300HP car with upgraded brakes (front and rear discs) and rubber is a track monster. It's .13HP per lb, which is close to a Corvette Z06, and supposedly they stay composed even at those levels.
The real shame is that the motor is basically useless for tuning. It's rock-solid reliable and fun, but it's a heavy (2.8 liters, but heavier than a ford V8!) non-crossflow, with almost no aftermarket. So either you go for a balls-out turbo kit and blow your motor up at 300HP, or you do an engine swap to make the same power reliably. The lack of aftermarket make anything over 300HP on the stock motor absurdly expensive, or extremely unreliable.
The way to do it is to buy a 1975-1977 280Z, in an ugly paint color, for a few thousand at most but in good mechanical condition/little rust. They are the least desirable, but also the most capable mechanically. The 240z (same chassis, but 69-73 instead) are some of the best to drive stock with the best resale value, but have the worst upgrade potential. Tear the bumpers off of the 280z, and go for an engine swap with whatever your budget can afford. They make mount kits for most conventional V8s, and an SBC only adds about 50 lbs at most, but shifts the weight back. An SBF will drop the weight by 50 lbs instead.
For me, the ideal build would be a VK or VH engine with a gentle turbo kit, to keep it Nissan. Those engines are great build platforms, if a little expensive and complicated compared to an older American V8.
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Team6.1
> GhostZ
01/01/2014 at 10:23 |
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Awesome, thanks for the info. Yeah. The engine swap is what scares me ths most, having never done one. Other than that I just don't think it'd have enough HP for me to compensate.
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GhostZ
> Team6.1
01/01/2014 at 10:29 |
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The engine swaps are extremely easy, like I said, they sell bolt-in kits. The engine bays are also exceedingly easy to work in as well.
What kind of HP were you expecting? For $10000 worth of work ($1000 junkyard engine, $500 mounts, $1000 misc $3000 upgraded engine components, $4000 turbo/SC kit) a 280Z could run with 800-900HP Mustangs all day, depending on tires and gearing.
The Enigmatic Zer0
> GhostZ
01/01/2014 at 11:30 |
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Good luck sir. I have one myself. I have new floors, headers, and an exhaust I have yet to put in. I just haven't had the time/space. I also hope to have Triple Webers by the summer so we'll see. Please keep us posted. I'll be on the lookout. I really want to do an RB25 swap and make the Webers work on that. Frankenmotor. Mine is a '73 by the way. Enjoy.
CPT Speedbump
> GhostZ
01/01/2014 at 19:12 |
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I'll take one too! and 300 hp? I've got a VQ35de and transmission in my driveway ;) just need to be removed from a 350Z
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GhostZ
> The Enigmatic Zer0
01/01/2014 at 22:37 |
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Inspired by that? Rocky Auto made a carbureted, naturally aspirated RB30 engine for one of their Zs.
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The Enigmatic Zer0
> GhostZ
01/02/2014 at 00:11 |
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Not inspired by that specifically, some Japanese guy with a carbureted RB26 in an R34, but damn if this RB isn't delectable. That's just wow...
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GhostZ
> The Enigmatic Zer0
01/02/2014 at 00:37 |
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They did it to also drop the weight of the RB engine, which is pretty heavy. I think with the turbos, exhaust manifold, and intake manifold all removed it's like 100+ lbs lighter.
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Team6.1
> GhostZ
01/02/2014 at 05:30 |
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Not sure. Depends on if I just grab one for a fun old car to work on or if it's more of a track day/autox/drift project. Also love 510's as well. Really want to cage something, put in a 5 pt harness and straight pipes, take it to the grocery haha. Maximum not-utility
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The Enigmatic Zer0
> GhostZ
01/02/2014 at 13:05 |
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I imagine that they make quite a bit of power going N/A in the RB30 and the Z is very probably extremely fun to drive with all of it's power at the press of your foot. Do they have any video of it?
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GhostZ
> The Enigmatic Zer0
01/02/2014 at 14:01 |
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I looked up the specs exactly. It's about 300HP and 1070kg, which is about 100 shy of a full load on these cars, and double the power. The engine and drivetrain swap (including a beefier LSD) probably added 200lbs, then removing the intake and turbos dropped it by another 100 pounds, and then the carbon body panels brought it back down to stock weight, while doubling the power.