Max BHP from engine?

Russ

Russ

Club Member
Hi,

I know there was a turbo version and you know I plan on a SBC engine but lately my dad has been moaning and I've been getting sentimental so whats a sensible bhp achievable (money no object) with or without the turbo engine? Just curious maybe I can keep it pretty much all Datsun...

Cheers

royeng1.jpg

http://www.mjpauto.com/engine.html
 
The most sensible first step for any super power engine is to find a car to put it in!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Wot you reckon Nipper??? <img src="http://www.zclub.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/biggrin.gif" border="0" valign="absmiddle" alt=':D'>
 
Oi!

Did you know that in just 9 days I finish exams, just 13 days and I start work, that means just 13 days and

I AM READY!

I'm getting a new motorbike come beginning of June but after that it's time to look properly, hopefully mid June my 306 might be sold and that'll fund the Z (providing I can get insured on one), if not it's time to look for a project car and wait another year to get it up together (when I'll be 21 and can insure).

Just so you know at work my dad, uncle and I boxed off about 1000sqft in a unit and the four poster and shop are all going in there to store/restore this Z and a couple other vehicles...

I am ooooh so ready!

Keep your eyes peeled pmac for a Z for me... also you'll need to think of a new thing to take the michael outta me on cos soon not having a Z won't work &nbsp;<img src="http://www.zclub.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/tounge.gif" border="0" valign="absmiddle" alt=':p'>
 
Oh and I thought to keep my Z Karma on the good side I might have the 240z as my fun car and do a proper towards concourse on a 260 2+2, saving another one you know.
 
I'll send you a pic of my latest 240Z project when it arrives next week!!! &nbsp;Just to remind you wot one looks like!
On a more serious note I have a late 260 2+2 arriving soon which is a viable resto project, ie not a rot box. Could be for sale at the right money!
On the other hand I might just get my 9" disc cutter out and get to work. &nbsp;The less left the more rare they become !!
Wot u reckon then nipper??? <img src="http://www.zclub.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/tounge.gif" border="0" valign="absmiddle" alt=':p'>
 
Photos of said project would be nice <img src="http://www.zclub.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/smile.gif" border="0" valign="absmiddle" alt=':)'> You sure you have enough room for it??? I could always take care of it for you...

Well really I wanted to get a 240 first but it depends on how keenly priced this 260 2+2 is, afterall I can't have you MURDERING every Z that comes you way <img src="http://www.zclub.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/tounge.gif" border="0" valign="absmiddle" alt=':p'>
 
Sorry to butt in chaps

If you do decide to break the +2 i could do with some decent interior bits and pieces. Although to be honest i'd rather see the old girl back on the road instead of a pile of spares &nbsp; <img src="http://www.zclub.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/sad.gif" border="0" valign="absmiddle" alt=':('>
 
Hi toopy, anyone can join the war zone, so welcome to our war/forum. I think I have already sent you a message/ email about 260 int trim. So get in touch off forum and I can tell you wot Ive got in stock.
I can usually have four cars at anyone time nipper before I start farming them out to my local mafia network of Zedders/traders. So no danger of running out of room!! Sorry bout that!
Pics n prices will be available soon!!
 
Good good, I have started planning the conversion now so if anyone wants to stop me doing it then you need to act soon! <img src="http://www.zclub.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/biggrin.gif" border="0" valign="absmiddle" alt=':D'>

One point though is if I have a 2003 engine and a 1971 car am I gonna get a Q plate!? <img src="http://www.zclub.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/sad.gif" border="0" valign="absmiddle" alt=':('>
 
That's because you STILL aint got anyfink to put the b****y hypothetical engine in!!!
 
Well I reckon I have the rest of my life to sort it, so say another 80 years, then if I only spent £1k a year (+ inflation) then it totals £80k in todays money.

Seriously though at what point is the head gonna crack? the Z32 is good for 600bhp but obviously most of the other parts aren't.
 
Oh I forget to bitch at pmac!

Peter: Well I have two dashboards now and rear 2+2 seats which is more Z bits (all be it from the wrong cars) than your average 240z owner so I have one up on some people, and theres nothing like planning ahead. Trouble is I think age has set in and you just can't remember what bhp is reasonable for said theoretical engine, I guess things at your time of life seem that much faster anyway so theres no need for performance hikes... &nbsp;<img src="http://www.zclub.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/tounge.gif" border="0" valign="absmiddle" alt=':p'>
 
200 - 250 bhp is reasonably achievable without any major work to the cylinder block and its internals.
Anything more than that is going to cost a fortune, and if you managed 300+ you'll start changing gearboxes and diff's more frequent than the cars oil.

For a car that weighs in at about a ton, 200 - 250 bhp/ton is quite enough for a road car/ occassional track car.
Christ ! I've outrun Porsche's on a lot less. Anyone can drive fast in a straight line, it's all down to how big your balls are when the bends appear.
 
Ask yourself what sort of car you want - interesting, fairly exciting everyday driver or a race car that you also happen to drive on the road. You need to build the car (and the engine and transmission) with your expectation of use firmly in mind.

As you probably know, I once built and ran a small block Chevy engined 240Z. I built it for road use, knowing I would occasionally drag race it. It was a usable road car up to a point, did acceptably well in the sort of road rallies the Z Club was allowed to run in the dark ages and gave a lot of enjoyment. But, to make it a successful drag racer meant installing a less road-friendly rear axle, stepping up on cam profile, running NoS etc. It was capable of running 10.4 second quarters, but you wouldn't take it shopping (often) or drive to the race track without ear plugs and a cushion or two (I exaggerate really, but the point is, build to your desire).

You can have 300bhp or more from a Z engine and drive it on the road, but I wouldn't guarantee that you would enjoy it for everyday use. The SBC is a great compromise due to the huge application of V8 torque for which you can forgive almost anything, but the exercise will not be without heartache.

And just because a Z32 owner claims 600bhp, don't believe it until you have seen it proven in a real world application. The drag strip is the world's cheapest rolling road - it measures real-world performance (including the driver) and is a great leveller. It is unforgiving of bulls**t.
 
A friend of the family has a Z32 with ~280kW at the wheels.

His girlfriend can't drive it, cause the clutch it too heavy.

He's thinking about selling it, cause it's too hard to drive on the street.

He now prefers to drive his stock 2002 WRX over the Z32.....

How sad.:(

150kW at the wheels is plenty for a 'driver' S30 coupe.
 
Watt on earth is this kW stuff when its at home? <img src="http://www.zclub.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/smile.gif" border="0" valign="absmiddle" alt=':)'>

Ok basically my interest in Z cars came after spotting videos of Darius' 240z (try http://www.darius240z.com), its a wicked car. I'm going for something driveable to an extent but fast road/occasional trackday/sprint car. I know doing all three could be a compromise but I have plans to do sprints properly in different vehicles and trackday car plans. It will not be a daily drive, just a wicked weekend car.

I like the SBC idea because it'll be an enjoyable project AND for the money its a good way to get reliable power. However it does feel like I'm taking the cars heart out and losing its soul when I change the engine over so if I could get something near it, enough to get a v quick motor without sacrificing reliabilty then I'd do that, although I can't see it.

Time/money is no object really, it would be nice to have it done in 5 years and its whatever I can/can't afford over that time.

Cheers
 
From the real world:

The quickest conventionally tuned 240Zs down the quarter mile have run 13.7 seconds and top 100mph comfortably. These are the exceptional cars. Typical modified 240Z is mid to low 14 second and just under 100mph.
Your mild SBC 240Z will beat the 13 second contenders easily and do it in a different way - less revs, more grunt.
An example of an extreme 240Z is Dean Bottriell who has turbo blowing through Lotus Esprit Turbo &nbsp;triple D'ellortos, monster intercooler and a sniff of NoS (single fogger nozzle, not direct port injection). The car has run 12.4 with terminals over 110mph. This is lots quicker than any UK based Z32s who have dared face up to the drag strip challenge, including at least one claimant of 600bhp. Some otherwise mildly tuned Z32s have broken into the 12s with the aid of NoS.
My old 280ZX with the BBC claimed "only" 730bhp normally aspirated and no NoS and that ran regular 9.30s at 146mph and on one memorable occasion, 8.46 seconds at 156mph with a healthy dose of the (no) laughing (matter) gas.
 
Russ : Time/money is no object really, it would be nice to have it done in 5 years and its whatever I can/can't afford over that time.
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In which case have two.

A nicely tuned fully trimmed road car with some good suspension, and a stripped out small block NOS hungry drag racer.

?
 
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