# Ideas for a 78 Datsun 280z **URL:** \ **Category:** NYSpeed Automotive\ **Created:** [December 11, 2006, 11:15am UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/ideas-for-a-78-datsun-280z/21472 "2006-12-11T11:15:46Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![dozr](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/41988e/32.png) [@dozr](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/dozr)\ **Post date:** [December 11, 2006, 11:15am UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/ideas-for-a-78-datsun-280z/21472/1 "2006-12-11T11:15:46Z")
I think I found a nice one to pick up… and I want to do some sort of motor swap. I am thinking the obvious RB Swap, or the LS1. Anyone know of any low budget BANG FOR BUCK swaps? Anyone know any good sources of parts for these cars? Also how about widebody kits or fender flares… ---
**Author:** ![fairgentleman\_Z](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex034/user_avatar/forums.speedlife.net/fairgentleman_z/32/7263_2.png) [@fairgentleman\_Z](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/fairgentleman_Z)\ **Post date:** [December 11, 2006, 11:19am UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/ideas-for-a-78-datsun-280z/21472/2 "2006-12-11T11:19:58Z")
Best bang LS-1 swap, even cheaper go Iron block SBC, carbed, better weight distribution. Other options SR20/RB20/RB25 or even KA24 (hasn’t this subject been beat to death?) More unique, built L28 (F54 block) with Maxima Diesel crank = 3.1l turbo, custom fuel yadda yadda Personally, I am leaning towards build an L series to rev out to 9 and putting 200+ to the wheels just because its different, not the best bang. Three good sources for parts: [http://www.racetep.com/](http://www.racetep.com/) (poor website, cool parts) [http://www.arizonazcar.com/](http://www.arizonazcar.com/) [http://www.motorsportauto.com/](http://www.motorsportauto.com/) (great for OEMish stuff for resto and fiberglass) If you choose to build an L series motor: [http://www.geocities.com/zgarage2001/heads.html](http://www.geocities.com/zgarage2001/heads.html) I had this page bookmarked, don’t remember why though… [http://geocities.com/zgarage2001/z.html](http://geocities.com/zgarage2001/z.html) There we go, very detailed LS1 write up here: [http://240z.jeromio.com/motorswap/](http://240z.jeromio.com/motorswap/) ---
**Author:** ![boardjnky4](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/96bed5/32.png) [@boardjnky4](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/boardjnky4)\ **Post date:** [December 11, 2006, 11:43am UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/ideas-for-a-78-datsun-280z/21472/3 "2006-12-11T11:43:49Z")
ide probabloy go for an rb25det tons of ppl have done that swap but for a ton of info, you should consult [hybridz.com](http://hybridz.com) ---
**Author:** ![dozr](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/41988e/32.png) [@dozr](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/dozr)\ **Post date:** [December 11, 2006, 11:54am UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/ideas-for-a-78-datsun-280z/21472/4 "2006-12-11T11:54:17Z")
Jeremy, what do these cars weigh? What is typical weight with an LS1 swap or similar? Are there many people who have widened the overall track of the car? ---
**Author:** ![fairgentleman\_Z](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex034/user_avatar/forums.speedlife.net/fairgentleman_z/32/7263_2.png) [@fairgentleman\_Z](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/fairgentleman_Z)\ **Post date:** [December 11, 2006, 12:01pm UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/ideas-for-a-78-datsun-280z/21472/5 "2006-12-11T12:01:46Z")
The 240Z were around 2355+ lbs and started putting on weight from there. I’ve seen people state that the SBC (iron block) weighs less than a car with an L series. And while looking for a site to quote I found one that says it weighs more. So throw that out the window… > One FAQ concerns the added weight of placing a V8 into the Z. The weight increase is marginal (160 lbs more) with a slight shift of center-of-gravity to the rear, (for the set-back design) > **[the Z Car Home Page](http://zhome.com/)** > > Datsun/Nissan Z Car site: 240Z, Datsun 240Z, Z Car, Nissan Z, Nissan Z Car, restoration, repair, history, links, clubs, parts sources, book reviews and more. Although I have never seen any info on changing track and suspension goeomety I have seen fender flares filled up, most likely through wide wheels and tires… ---
**Author:** ![newman](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex034/user_avatar/forums.speedlife.net/newman/32/7569_2.png) [@newman](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/newman)\ **Post date:** [December 11, 2006, 12:03pm UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/ideas-for-a-78-datsun-280z/21472/6 "2006-12-11T12:03:38Z")
your boss said he’d sell? ---
**Author:** ![fairgentleman\_Z](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex034/user_avatar/forums.speedlife.net/fairgentleman_z/32/7263_2.png) [@fairgentleman\_Z](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/fairgentleman_Z)\ **Post date:** [December 11, 2006, 12:08pm UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/ideas-for-a-78-datsun-280z/21472/7 "2006-12-11T12:08:58Z")
But the real question is, are you ready to pick up the chicks? ![http://zhome.com/picturelibrary/280zx_4.jpg](http://zhome.com/picturelibrary/280zx_4.jpg) ---
**Author:** ![fbrendan](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/d26b3c/32.png) [@fbrendan](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/fbrendan)\ **Post date:** [December 11, 2006, 12:12pm UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/ideas-for-a-78-datsun-280z/21472/8 "2006-12-11T12:12:56Z")
Ls1 :tup: When I walk this lady down another $500, I’m doing that with a '72 240. 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![woz](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex034/user_avatar/forums.speedlife.net/woz/32/7605_2.png) [@woz](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/woz)\ **Post date:** [December 11, 2006, 12:15pm UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/ideas-for-a-78-datsun-280z/21472/9 "2006-12-11T12:15:31Z")
ls1 simple swap, tons of info on it and it makes as much power (maybe more) as the rb25 n/a t56 6spd trans, mounts would not be difficult, headers that clear the steering shaft would probably be the only issue, and theres a company that makes the headers for Z cars i belive. ---
**Author:** ![EvoMR](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex034/user_avatar/forums.speedlife.net/evomr/32/7186_2.png) [@EvoMR](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/EvoMR)\ **Post date:** [December 11, 2006, 12:43pm UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/ideas-for-a-78-datsun-280z/21472/10 "2006-12-11T12:43:58Z")
Just looked on ebay and saw this: [http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/1971-Datsun-240-Z-V8-CONVERSION\_W0QQitemZ270066312813QQihZ017QQcategoryZ6187QQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem](http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/1971-Datsun-240-Z-V8-CONVERSION_W0QQitemZ270066312813QQihZ017QQcategoryZ6187QQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem) Anyone know the car or owner? ---
**Author:** ![66impalass](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex034/user_avatar/forums.speedlife.net/66impalass/32/7429_2.png) [@66impalass](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/66impalass)\ **Post date:** [December 11, 2006, 12:48pm UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/ideas-for-a-78-datsun-280z/21472/11 "2006-12-11T12:48:37Z")
> [@EvoMR](#): > > Just looked on ebay and saw this: [http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/1971-Datsun-240-Z-V8-CONVERSION\_W0QQitemZ270066312813QQihZ017QQcategoryZ6187QQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem](http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/1971-Datsun-240-Z-V8-CONVERSION_W0QQitemZ270066312813QQihZ017QQcategoryZ6187QQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem) > > Anyone know the car or owner? I don’t know but what the fuck ![http://i4.ebayimg.com/05/i/000/7d/d3/355c_12.JPG](https://canada1.discourse-cdn.com/flex034/uploads/speedlife/original/3X/4/d/4dcb57651a75abfd07fb36c70c6c5108c49bdb34.jpeg) ---
**Author:** ![Jagermeister](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/f19dbf/32.png) [@Jagermeister](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/Jagermeister)\ **Post date:** [December 11, 2006, 1:04pm UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/ideas-for-a-78-datsun-280z/21472/12 "2006-12-11T13:04:42Z")
Sweet potential project. :tup: ---
**Author:** ![newman](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex034/user_avatar/forums.speedlife.net/newman/32/7569_2.png) [@newman](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/newman)\ **Post date:** [December 11, 2006, 1:06pm UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/ideas-for-a-78-datsun-280z/21472/13 "2006-12-11T13:06:57Z")
yeah. he totally ruined the car with those tails. ---
**Author:** ![RedGoober4Life](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex034/user_avatar/forums.speedlife.net/redgoober4life/32/7610_2.png) [@RedGoober4Life](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/RedGoober4Life)\ **Post date:** [December 11, 2006, 1:13pm UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/ideas-for-a-78-datsun-280z/21472/14 "2006-12-11T13:13:11Z")
blow it up? They were fat and lethargic. ---
**Author:** ![TrueBlue](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex034/user_avatar/forums.speedlife.net/trueblue/32/7245_2.png) [@TrueBlue](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/TrueBlue)\ **Post date:** [December 11, 2006, 1:49pm UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/ideas-for-a-78-datsun-280z/21472/15 "2006-12-11T13:49:04Z")
LS **2** ![http://memimage.cardomain.net/member_images/6/web/438000-438999/438021_107_full.jpg](http://memimage.cardomain.net/member_images/6/web/438000-438999/438021_107_full.jpg) ---
**Author:** ![Coldaccord](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex034/user_avatar/forums.speedlife.net/coldaccord/32/7272_2.png) [@Coldaccord](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/Coldaccord)\ **Post date:** [December 11, 2006, 3:30pm UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/ideas-for-a-78-datsun-280z/21472/16 "2006-12-11T15:30:24Z")
ls1 woiuld be tight the z forum i browse is hybridz as previously mentioned Dave Palermo, former prez of the Rochester z club, finished his ls1 swap last summer and its fucking bad ass ---
**Author:** ![Jon](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/3bc359/32.png) [@Jon](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/Jon)\ **Post date:** [December 11, 2006, 3:50pm UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/ideas-for-a-78-datsun-280z/21472/17 "2006-12-11T15:50:57Z")
289 ford/WC T5 combo. Weighs about the same as a LS1,less complicated,something different,siqqqqq revs. ---
**Author:** ![Coldaccord](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex034/user_avatar/forums.speedlife.net/coldaccord/32/7272_2.png) [@Coldaccord](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/Coldaccord)\ **Post date:** [December 11, 2006, 4:07pm UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/ideas-for-a-78-datsun-280z/21472/18 "2006-12-11T16:07:47Z")
i have a 289 block in my basement for sale too… ---
**Author:** ![neurokinetik](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex034/user_avatar/forums.speedlife.net/neurokinetik/32/7270_2.png) [@neurokinetik](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/neurokinetik)\ **Post date:** [December 11, 2006, 4:12pm UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/ideas-for-a-78-datsun-280z/21472/19 "2006-12-11T16:12:46Z")
I wouldn’t want to deal with the hassle of a JDM-only engine from a “don’t know what you are buying” standpoint and for the cost and availablity of upgrades. Bang for the buck, you can’t beat a domestic V8, IMO. Do this swap, then all we need is somebody with an LS1-swapped Supra to have the big-three of Japan all properly swapped and bastardized. 😃 ---
**Author:** ![King](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex034/user_avatar/forums.speedlife.net/king/32/7329_2.png) [@King](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/King)\ **Post date:** [December 13, 2006, 8:00pm UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/ideas-for-a-78-datsun-280z/21472/20 "2006-12-13T20:00:14Z")
[http://www.autospeed.com/cms/A\_2655/article.html](http://www.autospeed.com/cms/A_2655/article.html) that is ALL [Next page](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/ideas-for-a-78-datsun-280z/21472.md?page=2)