V8 In an 89 240 Fastback!!!

[BboyOxygen]

I'm really considering dropping a V8 in my 240 for the sake of being different.. <img src="http://www.zilvia.net/f/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/smile.gif" border="0" valign="absmiddle" alt=''> &nbsp;Anyway I have a few questions that maybe you guys could help me out with... Before I ask them, if you think I shouldn't put a v8 in my car then dont even bother responding because I dont care about your opinion, I WANT TO DO IT and I HAVE THE RIGHT TO DO IT.

Anyway, Here are the questions:

Should I put a chevy 350 or a ford 302 in?
I'm thinkin about a shortened ford 9" rear end.. Any other ideas?
How about suspension and braking.. I'm pretty lost on this part so if you have any input please let me know!

Thanks a lot for the help!

[DSC]

I don't think you should do it...but I'm replying anyway because I want to and I have the right to <img src="http://www.zilvia.net/f/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/wink.gif" border="0" valign="absmiddle" alt=''>

I'm not sure if you've really thought this through so I figure I'll throw out some ideas.

weight/weight distrobution <img src="http://www.zilvia.net/f/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/wow.gif" border="0" valign="absmiddle" alt=':0'>
Size, does it even physically fit?
Custom fabrication of mounts, piping and who knows what else.
Custom wireing, can you say pain in the ass?

If your building a drag only car, this will make it fast...do doubt. &nbsp;But you'll suck on a road course or doing the dr1ft.

PS: 350 <img src="http://www.zilvia.net/f/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/thumbs-up.gif" border="0" valign="absmiddle" alt=':thumbsup:'>
I dono if these guys can help you, but here's a link to hybridz.org

[ca18guy]

</span><table border="0" align="center" width="95%" cellpadding="3" cellspacing="1"><tr><td>Quote (DSC @ Sep. 27 2002,07:33)</td></tr><tr><td id="QUOTE">I don't think you should do it...but I'm replying anyway because I want to and I have the right to <img src="http://www.zilvia.net/f/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/wink.gif" border="0" valign="absmiddle" alt=''>

I'm not sure if you've really thought this through so I figure I'll throw out some ideas.

weight/weight distrobution <img src="http://www.zilvia.net/f/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/wow.gif" border="0" valign="absmiddle" alt=':0'>
Size, does it even physically fit?
Custom fabrication of mounts, piping and who knows what else.
Custom wireing, can you say pain in the ass?

If your building a drag only car, this will make it fast...do doubt. But you'll suck on a road course or doing the dr1ft.

PS: 350 <img src="http://www.zilvia.net/f/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/thumbs-up.gif" border="0" valign="absmiddle" alt=':thumbsup:'>
I dono if these guys can help you, but here's a link to hybridz.org</td></tr></table><span id='postcolor'>
Weak. &nbsp;The V8 would weigh around the same as a RB, and would sit back closer to the firewall then the RB. &nbsp;No wiring when you have a carb, and the same amount of fabrication as a RB swap (cept motor mounts) with the largest aftermarket known to cars at your finger tips (hmmm yeah this is a bad idea)

For suspension I would do it up like it was a normal 240. The weight won't be thrown off that bad. And I would get a 350, cause I like chevys more then fords.

[240 2NR]

I was just thinking about this and if it were to be worth it for me, I think I'd try and find an older carb'ed ferrari V8. &nbsp;Now that would be pretty damn cool, to leap off the line screaming like an italian exotic. &nbsp;And then to open the hood with a prancing horse and 8 velocity stacks staring back at you would be the pimpness. &nbsp;Now to find a rearended (or frontended) ferrari to pilage an engine from.

[AKADriver]

The Ford 302 is narrower and lighter than the SBC. &nbsp;Unless I could score a sweet deal on an LS1/T56 combo out of a 4th gen F-body, the 302 would be my choice. &nbsp;Besides, unlike the Chevy 350's aftermarket, which is mostly geared towards the old carbureted models, there's plenty of speed parts available specifically for the modern SEFI 5.0 found in '86-'95 Mustangs. &nbsp;I wouldn't put a carburetor anywhere near my 240SX unless it was somehow advantageous for a specific race class. &nbsp;It's just a step down.

WHY would you even think of using a straight axle? &nbsp;That TOTALLY defeats the purpose of using a 240SX as a chassis... &nbsp;you really might as well get a Mustang/Camaro then. &nbsp;The R200 diff is proven strong enough behind a 302 or 350. &nbsp;Remember all the 240Z engine swaps are using R200s or even the smaller/weaker R180! &nbsp;I say keep the stock rear end and suspension, use a VLSD from a J30 to drop the ratio down to 3.92:1. &nbsp;If the VLSD isn't enough the popular aftermarket LSDs will work well, you might need to work with the supplier to get a properly tuned breakaway torque etc. since you're now working with an engine that produces huge torque at lower speeds.

Suspension and braking, use the same upgrades as any other 240SX. &nbsp;300ZX brakes are plenty for a mild V8. &nbsp;Beyond that, you could go with any big brake kit designed for a 300ZX.

The small amount of weight added up front (the same as an RB swap, I'd say) might demand some different suspension tuning. &nbsp;Get coilovers and corner balance. &nbsp;The other advantage of coilovers, you could step up the front spring rate easily.

Stagger tire sizes... people already do this with built turbo cars, it'd be worth it here. &nbsp;Really, running as wide as possible front and rear should give a good stagger. &nbsp;In an S13 with coilovers that's going to be like 225's up front and 245's in the rear.

Yes... I've thought about this quite a bit. &nbsp;Though I think if I ever build a V8 import it'll be a 1st or 2nd gen RX7. &nbsp;These swaps are already proven to work very well, and there's a lot of them available cheap with blown wanker..er...wankel motors.

[BboyOxygen]

</span><table border="0" align="center" width="95%" cellpadding="3" cellspacing="1"><tr><td>Quote (AKADriver @ Sep. 26 2002,2:10)</td></tr><tr><td id="QUOTE">The Ford 302 is narrower and lighter than the SBC. Unless I could score a sweet deal on an LS1/T56 combo out of a 4th gen F-body, the 302 would be my choice. Besides, unlike the Chevy 350's aftermarket, which is mostly geared towards the old carbureted models, there's plenty of speed parts available specifically for the modern SEFI 5.0 found in '86-'95 Mustangs. I wouldn't put a carburetor anywhere near my 240SX unless it was somehow advantageous for a specific race class. It's just a step down.

WHY would you even think of using a straight axle? That TOTALLY defeats the purpose of using a 240SX as a chassis... you really might as well get a Mustang/Camaro then. The R200 diff is proven strong enough behind a 302 or 350. Remember all the 240Z engine swaps are using R200s or even the smaller/weaker R180! I say keep the stock rear end and suspension, use a VLSD from a J30 to drop the ratio down to 3.92:1. If the VLSD isn't enough the popular aftermarket LSDs will work well, you might need to work with the supplier to get a properly tuned breakaway torque etc. since you're now working with an engine that produces huge torque at lower speeds.

Suspension and braking, use the same upgrades as any other 240SX. 300ZX brakes are plenty for a mild V8. Beyond that, you could go with any big brake kit designed for a 300ZX.

The small amount of weight added up front (the same as an RB swap, I'd say) might demand some different suspension tuning. Get coilovers and corner balance. The other advantage of coilovers, you could step up the front spring rate easily.

Stagger tire sizes... people already do this with built turbo cars, it'd be worth it here. Really, running as wide as possible front and rear should give a good stagger. In an S13 with coilovers that's going to be like 225's up front and 245's in the rear.

Yes... I've thought about this quite a bit. Though I think if I ever build a V8 import it'll be a 1st or 2nd gen RX7. These swaps are already proven to work very well, and there's a lot of them available cheap with blown wanker..er...wankel motors.</td></tr></table><span id='postcolor'>
Thanks for your help! &nbsp;<img src="http://www.zilvia.net/f/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/smile.gif" border="0" valign="absmiddle" alt=''>

[DSC]

"I'll throw out some ideas." means, some things to think about b4 doing the swap.
I wasn't saying the engine alone weighs 1000lbs, i wasn't saying it does not physically fit, I wasn't saying that it wouldn't work in any area I mentioned...just things to take into consideration.

I'm sorry you felt my post was "weak" ca18guy, but I don't like the feel of a v8 domestic and I would never turn my 240 into one. I was not comparing this swap to a RB, I don't see that it even came up anywhere in the topic...but it's not like those are easy to drop in either. I said it required custom fabrication...you "corrected me" saying it required no more than the RB, ok...well the RB requires custom fab work too...I don't get what your trying to say here. However I was wrong on the wiring, I don't really know anything about carbs.

How much weight will this add? Enough to negate the power gains? no. Enough to make it feel like a different car? I'd tend to think so.
I'm a weight freak as most of you know...so swapping a 4cyl for a 8 cyl would be a big deal for me, I guess it's not so important to most people...

The KA (according to don nimi) weighs ~300lbs w/out any accessories, btw.

[AKADriver]

Does different necessarily mean worse, though?

A friend who swapped a 302 into an FC RX-7 said the car actually felt better afterward...

[ca18guy]

</span><table border="0" align="center" width="95%" cellpadding="3" cellspacing="1"><tr><td>Quote (DSC @ Sep. 27 2002,09:39)</td></tr><tr><td id="QUOTE">"I'll throw out some ideas." means, some things to think about b4 doing the swap.
I wasn't saying the engine alone weighs 1000lbs, i wasn't saying it does not physically fit, I wasn't saying that it wouldn't work in any area I mentioned...just things to take into consideration.

I'm sorry you felt my post was "weak" ca18guy, but I don't like the feel of a v8 domestic and I would never turn my 240 into one. I was not comparing this swap to a RB, I don't see that it even came up anywhere in the topic...but it's not like those are easy to drop in either. I said it required custom fabrication...you "corrected me" saying it required no more than the RB, ok...well the RB requires custom fab work too...I don't get what your trying to say here. However I was wrong on the wiring, I don't really know anything about carbs.

How much weight will this add? Enough to negate the power gains? no. Enough to make it feel like a different car? I'd tend to think so.
I'm a weight freak as most of you know...so swapping a 4cyl for a 8 cyl would be a big deal for me, I guess it's not so important to most people...

The KA (according to don nimi) weighs ~300lbs w/out any accessories, btw.</td></tr></table><span id='postcolor'>
What you said in your first post applied that you thought it was not worty swap on the merits of...

-too hard of a swap (so i compared it to a more popular swap)
-weight (once again I compared it to a more popular swap)

You should have just said what you really thought, "I don't like the feel of a v8 domestic and I would never turn my 240 into one," &nbsp;Of which he allready he said he does'nt care. &nbsp;Your only reason to post was to try and presuade him to your biased few that V8's are the devil by stating things that really are of minimal matter. &nbsp;You ever think of it the other way around? Maybe its not the chassis getting a worse engine, maybe its the engine getting a better chassis.

[DMCS14]

engine getting a better chassi? then why does he alredy own the chassi not th eengine?

[ca18guy]

</span><table border="0" align="center" width="95%" cellpadding="3" cellspacing="1"><tr><td>Quote (DMCS14 @ Sep. 27 2002,10:00)</td></tr><tr><td id="QUOTE">engine getting a better chassi? then why does he alredy own the chassi not th eengine?</td></tr></table><span id='postcolor'>
Why do I own a bbq grill but have no steaks?

[Jim96SC2]

Well I'd say get a chevy. But specifically get a full forged rotating assembly that has been pre-lightened/balanced/etc. Then grab an all aluminum racing block with a nice set of aluminum heads. Full roller valvetrain (2.02/1.60 valves). Have the heads ported for shits and giggles. Get some cross ram manifolds like on the 1969 Z28 302. Actually get a 3.00" crank and rev her up to around 7,000. Doug Nash, Muncie, etc 5 speed. Cam profile should be about .500" lift otherwise your just wasting my time.

Any more help, just ask.

[DSC]

</span><table border="0" align="center" width="95%" cellpadding="3" cellspacing="1"><tr><td>Quote (ca18guy @ Sep. 25 2002,5:51)</td></tr><tr><td id="QUOTE"></span><table border="0" align="center" width="95%" cellpadding="3" cellspacing="1"><tr><td>Quote (DSC @ Sep. 27 2002,09:39)</td></tr><tr><td id="QUOTE">"I'll throw out some ideas." means, some things to think about b4 doing the swap.
I wasn't saying the engine alone weighs 1000lbs, i wasn't saying it does not physically fit, I wasn't saying that it wouldn't work in any area I mentioned...just things to take into consideration.

I'm sorry you felt my post was "weak" ca18guy, but I don't like the feel of a v8 domestic and I would never turn my 240 into one. I was not comparing this swap to a RB, I don't see that it even came up anywhere in the topic...but it's not like those are easy to drop in either. I said it required custom fabrication...you "corrected me" saying it required no more than the RB, ok...well the RB requires custom fab work too...I don't get what your trying to say here. However I was wrong on the wiring, I don't really know anything about carbs.

How much weight will this add? Enough to negate the power gains? no. Enough to make it feel like a different car? I'd tend to think so.
I'm a weight freak as most of you know...so swapping a 4cyl for a 8 cyl would be a big deal for me, I guess it's not so important to most people...

The KA (according to don nimi) weighs ~300lbs w/out any accessories, btw.</td></tr></table><span id='postcolor'>
What you said in your first post applied that you thought it was not worty swap on the merits of...

-too hard of a swap (so i compared it to a more popular swap)
-weight (once again I compared it to a more popular swap)

You should have just said what you really thought, "I don't like the feel of a v8 domestic and I would never turn my 240 into one," Of which he allready he said he does'nt care. Your only reason to post was to try and presuade him to your biased few that V8's are the devil by stating things that really are of minimal matter. You ever think of it the other way around? Maybe its not the chassis getting a worse engine, maybe its the engine getting a better chassis.</td></tr></table><span id='postcolor'>
Fair enough...you know me and my damn opinions.

[Jeff240sx]

For some reason, I really would like to see this thing happen. &nbsp;People are all debating 350 vs. 302. &nbsp;I don't like the 302... it is a underpowered heap of iron. &nbsp;230 hp in a Mustang. &nbsp;Come now... And then the merits of Chevy performance geared towards carbs. &nbsp;Sure, mabey in Summit or Jegs... but if you get around Camaro and Corvette guys.. they have librarys of tuning magazines and scores of parts places to go. &nbsp;I just think that the chevy 350 is a proven performer. &nbsp;I may be biased, as I had a '85 chevy 350, bored to 355 pull 515hp and haul the 'Vette down the quarter mile in 11.2seconds. &nbsp;That was only a couple grand in parts. &nbsp;And it was a daily driver. &nbsp;
And the dream engine... LS6... but if you could get into the LT4 or LS anything... they are small, light, and need to rev, unlike the old iron blocks from pre 90's cars.
Keep us (at least me&#33<img src="http://www.zilvia.net/f/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/wink.gif" border="0" valign="absmiddle" alt=''> posted on choices and milestones. &nbsp;PM me, or you'll find all my contact info in my profile.
-Jeff

[Annoying Eric]

Well since my passion is american cars i thought i might as well post, if you plan on dropping a 350 or 302 in it you better plan on cuttign the front off cause theres no way its fitting in there with those struts, you will need to fabricate a custom front subframe and if i were you i'd get some more support under the car with some sub frame connectors, now....

I personally like american cars so i'd go with a 350. Like alot of people are saying, the weight is gonna be a problem cause its gonna make your front lean down, I personally don't think that the rear end won't support the power. You would also need to cut into the firewall and put a custom window in cause the motor is gonna be bigger then the ka, so the motor will need to go under the windshield prolly, I damn WELL HOPE YOUR WANNA PUT CARBS ON IT.... cause if your not then its a waste..

I have thought about putting an american motor in my car so many times and i have always come to the same conclusion, It will cost too much money and the work will take so long...
I even had a dream about putting a hemi motor in the car.. but the hemi would DESTROY the car, it would snap the rear like a twigg..
Well thats my two sence for now, if i think of mroe i will post..later

[drift freaq]

ok you gonna put in an American V8? then the engine to put in is the Ford 4.6 Quad Over head cam that came in some of the GT's but specifically the Cobra's 96 and up.
Now that motor is a true modern V8 that will eat a 350 for lunch and will spin to 7k with out blinking an eye. drop a Vortec super chager on that baby and your talking reliable 500HP
hehehehe hope you know how to handle that kind of power in a 2800lb car. <img src="http://www.zilvia.net/f/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/tounge.gif" border="0" valign="absmiddle" alt=''>

[Annoying Eric]

the 350 is capable of over 500 with no problem.... Thats why people use SB instead of BB, Small blocks can get more power then a big block with such little work.. and thats without a super charger..

[drift freaq]

tya but the 350 is still an ancient cam in the block V8 that is from the late 50's .
go ahead and run old technology in a modern car <img src="http://www.zilvia.net/f/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/crazy.gif" border="0" valign="absmiddle" alt=':crazy:'>
Like I said before if your going to put a V8 in eight do it right and use a modern V8 the 4.6 is a dope ass engine.
Plus Ford has V8 history from Formula one to Indy car . the 4.6 comes from that. unless you want to run one of the new Vette motors don't even bother with the chevy. Its for Z cars which by the way are 70's technology a much more appropriate place for the 350. &nbsp;<img src="http://www.zilvia.net/f/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/hehe.gif" border="0" valign="absmiddle" alt=':hehe:'>

[LanceS13]

Put it in the hatch! &nbsp;A MR V8 240SX (or would it be a 570SX?) would kick ass IMO...it'd be interesting at least. &nbsp;That's what I'd do if I had a V8 and money to blow.

[r2acres]

I've toyed with this idea and this is what I've come up with. A 302 would fit nicely in the engine compartment. You would need custom engine mounts, that you could design and fab. yourself. A c-4 tranny would be the only option since a c-6 is too large. There would be tranny tunnel clearance problems, nothing that a sledgehammer wouldnt take care of. The stock rear could handle up to 400 hp. I would have a custom driveshaft made to order, and of course lsd. Any higher hp and a 9 inch would be the solution. The only problem is that it is independent suspension. So you would have to custom fab a rear end into the car for that(springs, hangers, etc.) As far as the motor go's you might need a custom hood to fit over the carb (hood scoop). A custom radiator with electric fans(to save room) And a stiffer front suspension, to handle the extra weight. That's about it <img src="http://www.zilvia.net/f/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/crazy.gif" border="0" valign="absmiddle" alt=':crazy:'> &nbsp;<img src="http://www.zilvia.net/f/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/crazy.gif" border="0" valign="absmiddle" alt=':crazy:'>

[240sxconversion]

Ok as far as the 4.6 DOHC mustang engine goes no way will it fit period. That engine is bigger then a 429 BB. 2 inches wider to be exact. I like fords and all, but go with the 350 chevy. Ford 302 have the stupid exhaust ports that are hard to get headers for. Chevy can make custom headers with ease. The 302 is hard to find parts for due to the fact that new 302 are totally different from older 302. chevy's have almost all interchangeable parts. THe chevy in the end will be a better engine, might now put out as much HP, but will last longer and be better.

[DSC]

240sxconversion, are you sure it won't fit? Heads make it hit the shock towers or are you just saying it'd hit the hood? Either way, nobody would want a 4.6L anyway

A ford mustang hard to find parts for? Not in the USA. Confusing maybe because of all the differences, but not hard to find. I see headers for the 302 everywhere...as well as every other part you could ever want.


BboyOxygen ever do this...since this post was brought back from the dead?

I really wish people would stop bring back old topics that I've posted in. Its amazing that anybody ever listened to me

[Ghettokracker71]

Personally I hate when people put in V-8s in cars like the 240sx.If you want to do a V-8 swap,go buy a cheap-ass MG or something(I've seen it !) I bet an RB weighs about the same as aV-8 and its all nissan baby! I just can't stand when people do shit like that to a nice ass car,like I've seen a bunch of 240z,280z..etc V-8 swaps and it kills me...really........You want to do a V8 swap,get a 2.3L fox mustang .......hell,a Monza or something...I've even heard of a VW BUG with a SBC in it.....I know you don't care what I think,but I felt as though I should still say that...

If you do a V-8 swap...I reccomend the Ford 302,alot more narrow than the SBC and more focused on EFI( I think somebody else said that on this already) ...but the Ford doesn't have quite the power potentail of a SBC,and the 302 block is a 2 bolt main ONLY,you can get the SBC in 2 bolt main,4 bolt main,and even 6 bolt main(stock LS-1,and 5.7 LS-6 not the big block)...You can also get the SBC in aluminum(some LS-1's,all modern 5.7 LS-6's,and you can get the "classic" style block in aluminum that only weights 80lbs w/nothing else on it)


But all that bullshit is just how I see things.

EDIT:You could also most likely get your hands on an SBC alot cheaper than you could get a Ford 302...

[Pacman]

First off, I would start with a salvaged car, that way if you mess up big time the car is junk in DMV/Insurance standards. For the engine, 440 Six Pack Hemi.... (I like Mopars the best).

[Ghettokracker71]

Originally posted by Pacman
First off, I would start with a salvaged car, that way if you mess up big time the car is junk in DMV/Insurance standards. For the engine, 440 Six Pack Hemi.... (I like Mopars the best).

Are you kidding ?

Way to much weight

Way to much $ to buy

Way to big to fit(not really,but come on now ! That thing aint what you would call "small")

[mrmephistopheles]

holy oldass thread batman

[Pacman]

Originally posted by Ghettokracker71
Are you kidding ?

Way to much weight

Way to much $ to buy

Way to big to fit(not really,but come on now ! That thing aint what you would call "small")

It would be one hell of a drag car tho. Take that to Nopi "The Fast and the Furious' drag series.....

[Ghettokracker71]

Originally posted by Pacman
It would be one hell of a drag car tho. Take that to Nopi "The Fast and the Furious' drag series.....

So would an RB26

[andrave]

GOOD GOD MAN NOOOO!!!

plus you would fuck up your local dragstrip's "import vs domestic war" night, since... that thing is a bastard. in more than one way.
And so are you for proposing it.

what the fuck do you think you can do that hasn't been done already? lets see, v-8 in a 240? gee i've NEVER seen that before


only 20 times before. its what guys do when they can't afford a real engine. they figure, well, the camaro has the rear end blown up, and the 240 has the blown engine.. deerrrr....
and they toss it together and it sucks bitter ass.

waste of everything, time, money, whatever. you would be better off selling your poor 240 to someone that cares about it and buying yourself an IROC Z.
good luck with the mullet. they are tricky.

[Ghettokracker71]

Originally posted by andrave
GOOD GOD MAN NOOOO!!!

plus you would fuck up your local dragstrip's "import vs domestic war" night, since... that thing is a bastard. in more than one way.
And so are you for proposing it.

what the fuck do you think you can do that hasn't been done already? lets see, v-8 in a 240? gee i've NEVER seen that before


only 20 times before. its what guys do when they can't afford a real engine. they figure, well, the camaro has the rear end blown up, and the 240 has the blown engine.. deerrrr....
and they toss it together and it sucks bitter ass.

waste of everything, time, money, whatever. you would be better off selling your poor 240 to someone that cares about it and buying yourself an IROC Z.
good luck with the mullet. they are tricky.

agreed !