240sx or Datsun Z?

I am almost 16... a little bit of knowledge of cars... i never worked under the hood or anything... low budget... my dad will pay half of my car (stock) and the car should cost $5000 max.

I am considering either a Nissan 240sx (S13) or a Datsun Z (either 240z, 280zx, or 280z.) If I get the 240sx, I want to make a non-jmd 240sx. I want to do a fixture headlight conversion, and turbo up the ka24 (would twin turbo be possible?), intake, etc. I might build a Silvia instead. If I do, I will drop in an SR20DET, front S15 conversion, and so on. If I get the Z, I want to drop in a small block chevy v8. If not that, I want to update to a newer nissan eingine.

My main concern with the Datsun Z is that it is an old car. It would probably be harder to maintain and more things would go wrong. The interior isnt as comfortable either. I dont know much about cars, so the Z might be harder for me. The Datsun Z also has only 2 seats.

I am looking for something that would turn heads. I am not sure if the 240sx will be as flashy as the Z. The Z is a classic car and it might be fun to restore it. Also, the Z is lighter than the 240sx (not too much). The 240sx has back seats also. There are also a lot more products available for the 240sx since it is a hot car now.

So my main concern is classic vs. modern. Both are about the same performance wise. What would you recomend for a high school kid. Keep in mind, if I buy a 240sx for $5000, i only pay $2500. If I buy a Z for $2000, I only pay $1000. So the more expensive car I get, the better deal I get. What would you recomend for me?

ok, either going the KA route or the SR route is entirley based upon opinion. There are many people on here that would rather go one way than the other. As for twin turbo, it might work but it won't be practical. If you just used a single turbo, then it will more than likely be a larger turbo then the twin's would and therefore you might notice a little bit of lag in the turbo but you could ultimatley get more power out of the larger. If you went twin turbo, then these would be 2 smaller turbos and spool very quickly, almost to where you can't even tell there is lag in the spool up. These twin turbo's will probably not put out as much hp as the bigger single will. also you said you want a non-jdm 240SX. If you want a non-jdm 240 then don't buy the SR20DET, S15 front end or anything, those parts are all jdm. But if you wanted to build the silvia then get those things.

Personally I wouldn't buy the Z, I would just rather have a more modern car. I've never really been a fan of old cars. It's all entirely up to you though. I wouldn't swap in a chevy V8, but that's just because I'm not a huge fan of domestics either.

As for being flashy, I think you would get more people to turn their heads when you fly by them in a 240 SX than in any Z.

Good Luck :)

which do you prefer, sr20 or ka24? I heard that the ka24 would produce more horsepower and definately more torque than the sr20 with a turbo the same size. Haha what about a small block V8 in a 240 sx (it is definately possible:flash: )!

dude if you want a V-8 so bad get a mustang.


I think the whole draw to JDM is geting power out of such a small and effecient engine. puting a v-8 would not only destroy the draw of these cars but the extra weight would destroy the handleing as the f/r weight ratio would be all screwy.

how about a nissan v-8 in a 240 or the z for that matter

a v8 in a 240sx would be phat. I would only buy a nissan or a honda, maybe toyota or mitsu. I am a fan of the V8, especially the chevy V8. I love Z cars and Silvia based cars. I am not sure if I want an old car for my first car because it will take a lot more work to restore it. Also, a 2+2 car is practical for a high school kid (friends, etc.) A phatty Z is my dream so I think I should work on the Z when I get more knowledge and money. I think it would be cool to have a V8 powered Silvia. If not that, I want to put a S15 front clip on a Fastback S13. I am also considering building a non-jmd 240sx (everyone has JMD with SR20DET, and Silvia conversion... it might be tight to build a 240sx using non jmd products and maybe even fixture headlights like a 300zx) I dont know, this is all so confuning... too many options... what do yall think?

Just to fill you in, it's "JDM" not "JMD"
JDM stands for - Japanese domestic market

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I think a comment was made about this in a super street before but I wonder if the people over in japan want our USDM stuff like we want their JDM stuff? :D

How about an old Z with an RB26DETT? :eek: :D

http://www.usq.edu.au/users/degroot/240z/images/car/nat2k1/concours/sinfront.jpg
http://www.usq.edu.au/users/degroot/240z/images/car/nat2k1/concours/sinisha_eng.jpg
http://www.usq.edu.au/users/degroot/240z/images/car/nat2k1/concours/sinisharad.jpg
http://www.usq.edu.au/users/degroot/240z/images/car/nat2k1/concours/Sinisha_front.jpg
http://www.usq.edu.au/users/degroot/240z/images/car/nat2k1/concours/sineng2.jpg
http://www.usq.edu.au/users/degroot/240z/images/car/nat2k1/concours/sinishavents.jpg

Well... probably not on your budget... :(

I'd say get a Z... my 280zxt was only $950 w/150k miles

It needed some work, like shocks/springs/brakes/etc, but it handles good, and is pretty quick stock...

-Grendel

I doubt the Japanese ppl are after USDM products. We get all the crappy things here... thats why alot of ppl here are after JDM. I think we should show those Japanese ppl a few things and build a phatty 240sx without any JDM products - 100% USDM!

RB26DETT in a Z???? The RB26DETT is AWD, how would it fit in the RWD Z? It is prolly possible, but very expensive (the RB is expensive and hard to find itself, leave alone labor.) I doubt I would ever be able to afford it. THose of you who say I should get a Z, why? Those of you who think I should get a 240sx... why?

Can someone explain me the differences between 240sx and Silvia models both here and over seas. I want to know as much as I can about the Fastback, Coupe, Convertible, S13 Silvia, and 180sx...

Originally posted by mjeelani
Can someone explain me the differences between 240sx and Silvia models both here and over seas. I want to know as much as I can about the Fastback, Coupe, Convertible, S13 Silvia, and 180sx... Man, it'd be a book... Start with this thread:
http://www.automotiveforums.com/vbulletin/t7991.html

And then read up in here (240SX forum) and in our Silvia (http://www.automotiveforums.com/vbulletin/forumdisplay.php?s=&forumid=214) forum, too.

If that's not enough, open the Directory (http://www.carlynx.com/) and select "Nissan," then Silvia...

If that's not enough, then start a new thread with whatever questions you have leftover... ;)

Originally posted by mjeelani
Those of you who say I should get a Z, why? Those of you who think I should get a 240sx... why?

Zs are fun, fairly cheap, fairly fast stock, and have a pretty big aftermarket... plus there are less teenagers driving bad ass zs... i see kids in 240sx's quite a bit more...

-Grendel

:o ..ha....i dont think u wound want a chevy V-8 in a japanese car....see.
.....japanese car are always about high RPMs and smooth dilivery from a turbo...and the sound of blow off valves in between shifts....if u put a V-8 in it....first of all...the chassie wont hold...due to the massive touque...especially the older Z's...
...and would u like a heavy engine that fuel cut off are at 6K RPM?...
....would u like the push rod or the OHV engines?......mann...dont put a heavy engine in a japanese car...especially when japanese cars have a good reputation of making good handling sport cars....example..Civic...
.....and...well....cuz i`m not a big fan of OHV, and push rod....i took apart a push rod engine that my friend got from a junk yard for fun....
....mann the parts are heavly.....iron block...IRON IRONIRON.....all iron..
...and will u have that much $$ for gas?.......these are concerns about doing what a weird thing like putting in a chevy V-8 in......see....if u put in the SR20(DE)T....<(DE)<means double overhead cams + electronic engine management...= good...
...i`m sure u`ll get 450hp with good tunings and a big turbo....and JDM engine parts...!!...light and fast....then outrun all domestic and finally
NISSAN POWER.!!!!:D :D :D :D :D :D :flipa: :devil:.......see...u got a light car....with a V-8 ur car wont be as responsive and where horse power is important for a light car than massave torque is required for a heavy domestic:flash:

In reply to people in Japan wanting USA products I heard its the fad over there. We want Japanese looking cars they want American looking cars... I read this in the Turbo Silvia for 3k sport Compact Car issue, whatever month that one is but its new or the last issue, read the Tokyo Auto Saloon article. Also in there is a tail of a badass orange 180sx... same color my hatchback will be when its ready for paint again.

yup, its the newest trend there in japan. they're all startin to put crazy exaggerated kits on their cars rather then simple yet functional pieces. weird huh?

Originally posted by SR20DETpower
In reply to people in Japan wanting USA products I heard its the fad over there. We want Japanese looking cars they want American looking cars... I read this in the Turbo Silvia for 3k sport Compact Car issue, whatever month that one is but its new or the last issue, read the Tokyo Auto Saloon article. Also in there is a tail of a badass orange 180sx... same color my hatchback will be when its ready for paint again.

Where is that 180SX at? what page? I literally read all of these magazines front to back over and over and I don't remember seeing that. I think there was an orange S15 silvia but I don't remember the 180.

its not in that magazine, but somewhere I saw a pic in the Tokyo Auto Salon of the "Rough World" orange 180sx, they also have a matching S13 coupe

http://www.djelektrique.com/ebisu2/action4.jpg

heres a pic of them together, kind of blurry so the color looks more red then orange, but it looked real nice in the showroom.



:bandit:

Originally posted by mjeelani
I doubt the Japanese ppl are after USDM products. We get all the crappy things here... thats why alot of ppl here are after JDM. I think we should show those Japanese ppl a few things and build a phatty 240sx without any JDM products - 100% USDM!

RB26DETT in a Z???? The RB26DETT is AWD, how would it fit in the RWD Z? It is prolly possible, but very expensive (the RB is expensive and hard to find itself, leave alone labor.) I doubt I would ever be able to afford it. THose of you who say I should get a Z, why? Those of you who think I should get a 240sx... why?

Some of you guys need to do a little more research before answering this kids questions...

Go for the 240 or 280 Datsun Z!!!!!!!!!

The RB26DETT is a perfect fit for the early Datsun Z car and it looks like it came from the factory. Oh but its AWD, so what! If I remember correctly the skyline came in RWD models as well. All you have to do is mate the RWD tranny to the RB26 and poof* problem solved. The datsun Z is A LOT cheaper than a 240sx. Where I live in Phx Az, you can find Z cars from $1000 and up that you can drive home! The RB26DETT is very affordable as well, and in most cases it costs less then a SR20DET. Hows $3500.00 sound? www.okinawaimportmotorsports.com

As far as the V8 SBC swap (my personal favorite). Whoever said the Datsun Z's chassis cant handle the torque of a V8 is smoking crack, unless the chassis is rusted out. Go to www.jagsthatrun.com and order yourself the instruction manual for the Datsun V8 swap, very important. JTR also sells the motor mount kit you'll need as well, +-$600. There are hundreds of HAPPY Datsun V8 owners running consistant 10,11, and 12 second ET's.

For around 6-8k, you will have a reliable classic Datsun that will EAT SR20DET 240's for breakfast. Plus, you'll have a unique car with a coolness factor of 10.

Oh I almost forgot, go to www.hybridz.org ! Its a Datsun motorswap forum and the guys there are very helpful. :D

Hello everybody, I am a new member, so forgive me if I step on anybody's toes. I do have some important information to share about a datsun v-8 conversion versus a datsun L-series build-up (modifying the stock motor) versus a jdm 240sx. I have a 1978 datsun 280 z ste. (ste is sport track edition) a fairly rare car by my experience. My good friend has a datsun 240zg (euro style) with a chevy smallblock conversion. I have yet another friend with a heavily modified 240sx. collectively we spent over $200,000 on our cars. My 280 is pushing about 400 rwhp without forced induction or nos, my friends 240z is at about 650 rwhp without forced induction or nos, and my friends 250sx is banging out an amazing 450 rwhp with a modified nissan twin-turbo setup and a wet nos system. the three of us took our rides on a projected 6 hour drive from here to portland international raceway's drag strip and road course.

the resulting trip took us about 3 1/2 hours and 4 speeding tickets.

at the track, the 240 z v-8 ran mid 11's due to traction problems associated with a heavy front end and loads of power. the 240 sx did slightly better with high 10 second passes. but, my 280z 6 cylinder belted out the best time of all with a 10.434 @ 138 mph.

Z's are amazing cars, i picked mine off the conveyor 20 ft away from the car crusher. however a z car is a bigger investment than i am sure a 16 year old wants to make. First and foremost is the Z car's arch nemisis (rust), to find a z car that is rust free is a losing proposition. second is the money pit factor. unless you rip it down to an empty shell and recondition and replace everything, you will have to replace everything at one month intervals for the next ten years. If its a v-8 conversion you want, you are looking at a lot more work and money and a lot more time at the drawing board figuring out spring rates and gearing ratios.

for a 16 year old or anybody not swimming in dough and a regular daily car, the best way to go is the 240sx. its newer, more reliable, and a lot easier to get horsepower out of, without taking a lot of durability. it may not be a classic, but i drive a toyota tracel to work everyday. the Z is parked most of the year.

"For around 6-8k, you will have a reliable classic Datsun that will EAT SR20DET 240's for breakfast. Plus, you'll have a unique car with a coolness factor of 10. "

welp for 6 or 8k into a 240z with a v8 swap you might be able to eat the sub 5k dollar sr20det swaps, but you won't be able to eat the 3k KA24det setups muhahah! v8's aren't really that fast, I've only been impressed with a couple of them. For all the hype Im surprised they aren't a HELL of a lot quicker. And yes a high torque v8 will bend a Datsun frame. Just cause they make a book about the conversion doesn't mean its as safe as Ft. Knox. If they made a book about putting a top fuel engine into a pinto do you think it would be alright? lol........

i am in agreement with sr20power on this one, however, as a teenager with limited funds and a need for transportation to school and work, a 240sx is more practical. its cheap to get small jumps in horsepower out of and still retains its drivability.

i have spent over 40k on my datsun so far and i am about 50k short of where i aimed. 40k into a 240sx buys a lot. hell maybe even a skyline if you know the right people. Z's are bad news for anyone who can't afford to replace every part in them and still have a car to drive to work and school.

It's a prety hard decision. Let's get a few things straight first, about having the fuel cut of at 6k rpms, what do you think the KA24 cuts off at? Just a lil higher than that. The V-8 in a Z really isn't that bad, I've been thinking about that recently, it's not too much maintainance, and you won't have to deal too much with turbos and stuff unless you really want a whole lot of power. The V-8 engines are that much heavier either. But it's all up to you, old cars require a little more maintance... but the Z is a good bit lighter. Well, have to go. Good luck.

240z With A Rb30det Awd Conversion. That Would Be Killer And Expensive But Whatever.

I Love The 240z, They Were Way Ahead Of Their Time And Still Look Like They Belong On The Road Today.

DOHC.............................................. .................................................. ...................................
need i say ne more

dude if you want a V-8 so bad get a mustang.


I think the whole draw to JDM is geting power out of such a small and effecient engine. puting a v-8 would not only destroy the draw of these cars but the extra weight would destroy the handleing as the f/r weight ratio would be all screwy.


Accually, i'm ashamed for saying it, but if you look in the sleeper issue of sport compact car, there is a 240Z with a small block chevy swap, and apparently its fast and they said the weight balance is better than stock

thats cause a 240z is rear weight biased I believe, most cars are front weight biased.

Man... I haven't posted in a while..... Anywho......
This old school versus new age battle will never end. Let's look at it this way. You're in high school. Let's face it, you need the gas mileage. Plus, this is your first car. I don't think you'll wanna be bangin out 11's out of the driver's crib especially if you don't have that much experience behind the wheel or under the hood. But if you do want the v8 go out and get yourself a Stang. I know I luv mine :biggrin: . They're quick and fun and could get you killed as fast as anything else. I still say get the 240. It's great car and you can do anything you want to it and won't have to worry about the serious rust factor you'll have with a Z.............. Peace

I know a person that swaps 240/280z's to 350 chevy blocks i dont see how much harder it can be to cram a RB25DETT under a 280z ( i hear theres lots of room in those ) and to fix the AWD problem u can get a old R33 or 32 tranz and pop that on for some RWD. Doesnt seam that bad if u know some one who can fabracate the parts good.

and if the RB26DETT doesnt work rember 350 chevy blocks fit well in there.

"doesnt seam like it would fit comparing the size of the engines, but it fits like it was made to go there"

i belive one of the Execs. at Nissan has an 280ZX thats powered by an RB26, has Re-worked suspension with skyline links, and the install looks like it came from the factory... well, i guess it did technically came from the factory. anyhoo, if you dont work at Nissan and dont make a mil a year I bet thats gonna cost quite a bit. so given your situation id say go 240SX.

http://www.wanganmidnight.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=236

CAN'T DECIDE, THEN JUST GO THERE.

I also have a early 70's Z car. I was going to put in a Chevy V8 like many do, but if I could easially drop in a RB26DETT I would much prefer to take that route. What would be entailed in dropping in a RB26DETT in a Datsun Z???

screamnwheels@hotmail.com

I also have a early 70's Z car. I was going to put in a Chevy V8 like many do, but if I could easially drop in a RB26DETT I would much prefer to take that route. What would be entailed in dropping in a RB26DETT in a Datsun Z???

screamnwheels@hotmail.com
i dunno, but id reccomend starting a new thread about it

i have that issue but its damn old.

and does nissan make a v-8? i cant recall one. or is there one in the trucks now i dont follow up on trucks much

although I'm a big fan of the silvia I voted for the datsun z since it just is a beautiful classic car, that I would get at any point, if it just wasn't that expensive :P