Which engine would you choose??

[Dave]

alright boys, I will consider your Chebby V8 option; I have usually ruled the LSx out as being a relatively expensive build. Anybody want to provide some pricing on a engine + manual trans so I can figure out how much that swap would cost?

For the most part, I've avoided the SBC b/c thats what everybody and their mom puts into Zs. I kinda wanted to do something a little different that would be able to reliably meet my goal without being on the verge of blowing itself up.

And Pete, you're absolutely right. I'm going to get it running on the carb'd motor so I can sort the other stuff out first; this like hypothetical thread is just to get my thoughts rolling. Adding power will probably be the last thing this car gets...

[Andy]

FWIW, I wouldn't listen to any suggestions from folks who haven't swapped engines or built a track car and suffered all of the horrid setbacks and frustrations that come with it. I would trust your gut instinct over most folks, including my own.

[Mike]

-1 vote for sbc. it's sweet, but it just doesn't feel right to do that to a 240. 260? 280? go for it.

[WRXtranceformed]

FWIW, I wouldn't listen to any suggestions from folks who haven't swapped engines

Been there

[CaptainHenreh]

A quick Car-Part.com search brings up some LS1's (pullouts from a Camarobird) for around 1500 bucks, and a quick ebay search brings a trans for about the same. (There's an LS2 out there for 3k) But that's buying the parts piecemeal, your better option is a wrexx0rd Camarobird/GTO/Whatever. Then you're sure to get all the parts you need, and you've got a 350-400hp (out of the box).

If you think you can spare the weight, an iron block LT1 or similar would be stupid cheap. I bet it could be done (complete with a 6 speed) for under 2 grand.

I mean, if we're just dreaming here...

I think RJ had a good idea with the 350Z motor also. There's one on ebay (auto trans and cut harness, but just an example) for 400 bucks: Item number: 320356628266

[D_Eclipse9916]

FWIW, I wouldn't listen to any suggestions from folks who haven't swapped engines or built a track car and suffered all of the horrid setbacks and frustrations that come with it. I would trust your gut instinct over most folks, including my own.

Ive tried and failed miserably building a track car with turba. NOOOOOO turbbbbaaa.

[Jeff]

What about a Hemi? Call me crazy but you can but a 5.7L truck hemi for what? $1000-1500 from a j/y? Mopar makes a kit to put a 4bbl carb on it and such. You can get a bell housing to bolt any oldschool chrysler tranny to it (4-speed is the best you could do manual unless you want to get a Challenger 6-speed....$$$$$) I mean, if you want to be different, there is your chance. The trucks had like 350hp on the EFI system...strapped to a 4-speed w/ a 4bbl I would imagine it would be pretty freakin sweet.

[Jeff]

Oh, Dakota 5-speed might work.

[Dave]

Hemi would be neat and different, is it an overhead cam design? If so, it's probably too wide (the ford motors are squeeze on these cars, otherwise would be looking into their 4.6 a lot more). Sounds like the trans options are a little limited there too.

Agreed that a wrecked camarobird is the best option, and probably the only one I'd consider, to go that route. I'll consider it, but it sounds like it would be just as expensive overall as #3 (and would also fit into that category, aside from being no turbo...)

[Jeff]

Hemi is cam in block 90degree V8...come on Dave. It would be super cool.

[ViPER1313]

Just an idea :twisted: . LS1 is a better call though.

[CaptainHenreh]

Agreed that a wrecked camarobird is the best option, and probably the only one I'd consider, to go that route. I'll consider it, but it sounds like it would be just as expensive overall as #3

Your secrecy makes it difficult to compare apples to apples. :-p

Adam makes an interesting proposal, and cheap. Not much hp, great sound.

[WRXtranceformed]

An LS swap might have a tad more initial cost up front (although don't underestimate how cheap you can find those engines for in a junkyard) but in the long run when you're looking for more reliable power, you're going to save a TON of money going that route.

[Kaan]

RB26 with the RWD trans and rear end

[ViPER1313]

Agreed that a wrecked camarobird is the best option, and probably the only one I'd consider, to go that route. I'll consider it, but it sounds like it would be just as expensive overall as #3

Adam makes an interesting proposal, and cheap. Not much hp, great sound.

It just looks right at home in there:

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[Mike]

you know, this might be a first, but i think adam's idea has some merit. that motor is the man.

[ViPER1313]

While SHO swapped anythings are cool IMO, even I would go for a LT/LS1. You *could* do a budget 240Z / SHO combo using an SHO motor / Ford Aerostar bellhousing / T5 trans but it would require a ton of custom fab work for mounts and would probably cost more than a GM based swap in the end. The SHO motor also suffers from being huge compared to the LT/LS1.

[Dave]

While SHO swapped anythings are cool IMO, even I would go for a LT/LS1. You *could* do a budget 240Z / SHO combo using an SHO motor / Ford Aerostar bellhousing / T5 trans but it would require a ton of custom fab work for mounts and would probably cost more than a GM based swap in the end. The SHO motor also suffers from being huge compared to the LT/LS1.

Adam, that link is hot. A TT 3.2 SHO motor would definitely be sick in the Z. However, as you noted, it requires a lot of custom work. There are probably very few people on here that realize that guy's intake manifolds have been reversed since the stock ones actually point the TB at the firewall on a Z. That's the only major custom work that I see other than mounting it, but I'm sure there are others

As you also noted, the LSx would be an easier swap, but not as cool. I also fear that parts for the SHO motor might be getting a little harder to come by before too long.

[CaptainHenreh]

There are probably very few people on here that realize that guy's intake manifolds have been reversed since the stock ones actually point the TB at the firewall on a Z. That's the only major custom work that I see other than mounting it, but I'm sure there are others

You know you can just flip the intake around...right? No custom work required.

[Dave]

I was always under the impression it was more work than a simple flip...