johnymd
Club Member
I was under the impression that the sr20 and mx5 1.8 engines and boxes were pretty much identical weight wise. Engines: sr20 = 136kg, mx5 1.8 = 131kg.
If you have better info on complete engine/box weights then I’d like to here.
I would agree that the sr20 would be a much nicer swap but I here it requires frame modification to fit. My preferred choice of engine would be a period Datsun engine like a u20. I’d like around 150hp if I’m going to swap and really don’t want to start cutting the car.
If I just highlight my current direction for this car then you can see my think (but please don’t stop the suggestions or ideas from coming).
My current favourite car is the ratty silver/grey 240z. I love the look and originality and don’t care its underpowered. It’s a hoot to thrash around in and ultra reliable and simple. I want the roadster to be the same. Keep the original look and spend very little on it. Fix the brakes and get it running. Current engine is not an option anytime soon (but may go back into the car in the future). I have a good complete mx5 engine and ready to go that could be up and running in a few weeks with no body/chassis mods and a minimal cost. This should give me a reliable sunny day car and if I don’t open the bonnet then who will know. I can leave all the existing roadster wiring as is and just use the coil feed to power a stand-alone engine loom (same as I did in the ratty car) which is totally reversible. I put a battery on the car yesterday and everything works so no need to touch the existing wiring.
I need to keep things simple, quick and cheap so I can carry on with the other Zed’s I’m building.
If you have better info on complete engine/box weights then I’d like to here.
I would agree that the sr20 would be a much nicer swap but I here it requires frame modification to fit. My preferred choice of engine would be a period Datsun engine like a u20. I’d like around 150hp if I’m going to swap and really don’t want to start cutting the car.
If I just highlight my current direction for this car then you can see my think (but please don’t stop the suggestions or ideas from coming).
My current favourite car is the ratty silver/grey 240z. I love the look and originality and don’t care its underpowered. It’s a hoot to thrash around in and ultra reliable and simple. I want the roadster to be the same. Keep the original look and spend very little on it. Fix the brakes and get it running. Current engine is not an option anytime soon (but may go back into the car in the future). I have a good complete mx5 engine and ready to go that could be up and running in a few weeks with no body/chassis mods and a minimal cost. This should give me a reliable sunny day car and if I don’t open the bonnet then who will know. I can leave all the existing roadster wiring as is and just use the coil feed to power a stand-alone engine loom (same as I did in the ratty car) which is totally reversible. I put a battery on the car yesterday and everything works so no need to touch the existing wiring.
I need to keep things simple, quick and cheap so I can carry on with the other Zed’s I’m building.