How to lop a cylinder off your Z!

chrisvega

Well-Known Forum User
Is your friend based in South Wales ? I have a 65 Stepnose which is also ex-SA which I am looking around for someone to do a similar GTA recreation with at the moment. If it is the same guy, apparently he can work on Datsuns no problem but Alfaholics have an exclusivity clause on all his Alfa work.
 

Woody928

Events Officer
Staff member
Club Member
Yes, pass me the bucket please !
:rant:

Call me old fashioned but this continual bastardisation of the S30 range baffles me.
It is a Datsun/Nissan FFS !
At least respect heritage to some extent if you must do an engine swap and keep it marque specific.

You never see serious classic marques cheapened in this way.
Does not happen with Alfa Romeo, Jaguar, Porsche, Mercedes, Ferrari, MG, Austin Healey etc etc whose owners are generally fiercely proud of the heritage and tradition associated with their particular marque and would laugh at such a notion.

The resto mod scene has been and always will be met by a love hate relationship from people. It constantly amazes me the amount of different types and makes of cars have been LS swapped, there seem to be no limits to that. Talking about one of the quoted makes I know, there’s several V8 Austin Healeys that I know of and even one with a Nissan straight six as well. They’re out there however it hasn’t got the same appeal as it does in a chassis such as the S30.

The S30 has been and will continue to be resto modded because they used to be very affordable, they have a massive engine bay which can house most engines , very simple mechanics, a very good suspension design for its age which can be easily upgraded with modern tech, the list goes on…. Japans car culture also very much likes to modify and personalize which doesn’t transfer to the UK where things are generally far more traditional!

I try and walk a fine line between the two, I want to keep the OEM aesthetics and an L series heart with carbs however all of the suspension, brakes, gearbox, diff, electrics etc are disposable and should be modernised to enhance the driving experience in my opinion. I imagine it probably leaves my car in quite a niche bracket only appealing to more serious drivers if I were to ever let it go.

I’d never personally do the swap, but actually think it’s really cool. He'll get some mega power output and it’s quite clearly being built for the owner who doesn’t have concerns over future resale value anyway.

On another note the Alfaholics GTAR290 is near the top of my dream car garage, I just don't have the 150-250k budget to commission one of their cars! They are works of art as well as driving weapons.
 

chrisvega

Well-Known Forum User
I try and walk a fine line between the two, I want to keep the OEM aesthetics and an L series heart with carbs however all of the suspension, brakes, gearbox, diff, electrics etc are disposable and should be modernised to enhance the driving experience in my opinion. I imagine it probably leaves my car in quite a niche bracket only appealing to more serious drivers if I were to ever let it go.

A good post you made there Woody.
I think your take is the perfect balance and don't think it puts your car in any niche, most will fall into that category to some extent or other and it would not de-value or only appeal to more serious drivers if you come to sell on. Will be equally desirable (and maybe more so to some) as long as the mods/upgrades are not too extreme or personalised.
 

AliK

Vehicle Dating Officer
Staff member
Club Member
I often wonder the same question putting an L28 in mine and not having a matching numbers car anymore. Although I am hanging on to the original just incase I ever sell the Z and it becomes a point of contention.

But it seems the Z world is full of family / period mods. The question is will that landscape change as the "traditional" buyers start taking serious note?

The way I look at it is very similar to Mr Woody: I want a driver's car that feels classic but is enjoyable and safe in modern traffic.
 

Woody928

Events Officer
Staff member
Club Member
A good post you made there Woody.
I think your take is the perfect balance and don't think it puts your car in any niche, most will fall into that category to some extent or other and it would not de-value or only appeal to more serious drivers if you come to sell on. Will be equally desirable (and maybe more so to some) as long as the mods/upgrades are not too extreme or personalised.

I hope none of that came across as patronising given your knowledge by the way. Always interesting to hear another opinion, I guess the only thing that makes me say that is the way the 'US Series 1 market' (I'll run and hide now) seems to be going with the top bracket cars having to be OEM everything. Over here I guess my aims would probably appeal to most realistic classic car enthusiasts though (Not that I ever plan on selling).

I often wonder the same question putting an L28 in mine and not having a matching numbers car anymore. Although I am hanging on to the original just incase I ever sell the Z and it becomes a point of contention.

But it seems the Z world is full of family / period mods. The question is will that landscape change as the "traditional" buyers start taking serious note?

The way I look at it is very similar to Mr Woody: I want a driver's car that feels classic but is enjoyable and safe in modern traffic.

Build the car for you, I'm in the same boat and don't have a 'matching numbers' engine. When I eventually find the money and get around to it I would also like a mildly built L28 and installed.

I'm of the opinion that you'll always have buyers after either very usable classics which is what we both want with our goals or the collector types who want a perfect example exactly as it left the factory. I'll leave that nonsense to someone else though :smash:
 

chrisvega

Well-Known Forum User
Don't read me wrong Mark (Woody), I may say I am old fashioned but I am not an OEM originality buff, it's just non-marque specific engine swaps that are my red zone. As you said the engine is the heart and soul of the car and so it's integrity is lost if swapped for another marque, it's like being unfaithful and dis-respectful to your car. An opinion only, shared by some/the market and not by others.

My own most used and favourite 240Z is a resto-mod so I'm all for a creative modern approach to a build and it is probably far more extreme than your intended departure from OEM. Like yours for aesthetic reasons it looks fairly standard from the outside but under the skin is the difference to make it more suited to modern day driving. Importantly for me it still runs an L28 retaining the heritage of the line - albeit an ET fuel injected turbo version good for 300bhp which is more than enough in the real world.
 

IbanezDan51

Well-Known Forum User
Yes, pass me the bucket please !
:rant:

Call me old fashioned but this continual bastardisation of the S30 range baffles me.
It is a Datsun/Nissan FFS !
At least respect heritage to some extent if you must do an engine swap and keep it marque specific.

You never see serious classic marques cheapened in this way.
Does not happen with Alfa Romeo, Jaguar, Porsche, Mercedes, Ferrari, MG, Austin Healey etc etc whose owners are generally fiercely proud of the heritage and tradition associated with their particular marque and would laugh at such a notion.

Don't be so naïve Chris :D,

People have been swapping LS motors in Ferraris, Austins, MG's, Mercedes, Jaguars and plenty of Porsches (yes in the back of 911's!) for years. I think it's just more common with Datsuns as the cars are well...more common.

I'm much of the opinion that, if you own the car, do what you want with it.

Its like telling someone they can't fit a new heating system inside their pre-30's un-insulated character property because its not in keeping with the period...

Dan
 

chrisvega

Well-Known Forum User
Funny man Mr.IbanezDan :EXTRAlol:

Of course you can do what you want with your own car and I never said otherwise but that is not the point here at all. I am merely passing an opinion which you may not agree with but many people I know share it including serious collectors, dealers, enthusiasts, auction houses etc etc.....

Whilst engine swaps and changes have been going on for years I prefer my cars to be more 'classic' than 'custom'.

Your central heating in a character property analogy ? You obviously did not read the post directly above your own ? Quote " My own most used and favourite 240Z is a resto-mod so I'm all for a creative modern approach to a build "

That's it I'm out on this one now.
Not going round and round in circles any more :banghead:
 

STEVE BURNS

Club Member
And this swap is not to shabby either
1118.jpg
 

IbanezDan51

Well-Known Forum User
Haha I’m only pulling your leg, look at how I’ve restored my new car. Tried to keep it original and period as I prefer it this way - safer with me behind the wheel too........
 

toopy

Club Member
I try and walk a fine line between the two, I want to keep the OEM aesthetics and an L series heart with carbs however all of the suspension, brakes, gearbox, diff, electrics etc are disposable and should be modernised to enhance the driving experience in my opinion. I imagine it probably leaves my car in quite a niche bracket only appealing to more serious drivers if I were to ever let it go.

I’d never personally do the swap, but actually think it’s really cool. He'll get some mega power output and it’s quite clearly being built for the owner who doesn’t have concerns over future resale value anyway.

I'd agree totally with Woody, I want an L series heart in my car, although matching numbers is neither here nor there, with standardish body, definitely no arch extensions for me! however underneath, given the money, as modern as possible.

But I do like the look of plenty of other peoples cars, there just not always what i would want to live with, and as far as engine swaps go, the well engineered ones with the attention to detail on some is off the chart ;) absolutely gorgeous.

Im also very much in the 'it's my car, and I'll do what's right for me' camp, especially as its not for sale.....ever, like never.....ever! :p
 
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