New Zealand Datsun Club

I found this video on youtube, 260Z + SR20 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FWPWniStoCQ" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
Is there any truth to the pasrt where he says about how far back the engine is mounted gives the car a set up like a mid mount?

i personally think there is a lot in putting a light weight engine like an SR in to a car and mounting it like that. have you ever tried to move an L series 6 cylinder before? i can tell you they are fucking heavy. now imagine that with all the extra with of the modifications.

the main reason he has done it is to move as much of the weight as far back as possible to increase rear traction as well as getting the weight balance as near to 50:50 as he can. a lot of weight over the front wheels increases under steer, which in the long run, makes for slower lap times, poor driving experience etc.

have a look at all the top of the line supercars. they all have full aluminium engines mounted behind the seat, that way weight balance is spot on, they can use all the horse power efficiently, all while having a car that handles extremely well. if you get a chance, take a drive in an MR2. you will be surprised by the difference in handling over a normal car

I havent had my mechanic go over the L engine yet, but its looking bleak. Im thinking about swapping it out, the SR sounds like a good option.
Im the first to say the engine that should be in there should depend on what you plan on using the car for. I want a streeter with a bit extra 'go'...& my brothers SR silvia is parked next to the Z so theres not far to go for engine parts

glad you are building the engine for a purpose. i would personally prefer an SR in a zed if i wanted a turbo conversion. if i were to keep the standard engine, it would have to be fitted with triple carbs and nothing else.

i look at it this way,

the SR is a much more modern engine, with more power in standard form than an L26. its much lighter, smaller, easy to get aftermarket performance parts for, plenty of them available and in general, a better engine.

I don't agree. The L6 in the 240z is pretty much perfect weight distribution standard for a rwd front engined car (slightly towards the front by a couple %) and putting a SR in one will shift the weight too far back.

Thats what crossed my mind too. The whole RB thing would be cool, but Im still waiting to get back to work to sell my other car to finance the Z.
The old man has already asked for 1st buy option if I chose to give up, & keeps suggesting to keep it original, which I would agree, but Ive only spoken with my mechanic & he seems to think by the sound of it, the cost of fixing is equal or more than the cost of an RB. But a light weight 4 banger sounds better to me with the positioning too.
Ive been chasing up as much as I can googling, the SR keeps sounding better

S30 with SR20 would be unique and sounds cool, but the natural balance of the car, as Mike says, is about right and I would be worried you might lose some of this, the balance is not just the weight but also the 6 cyl torque. And although the SR has it's own sound, a turbo will never compete with Carbs, esp. on an L6.
A light weight 4 in an S30 would be fun I'm sure and the uniqueness should help it hold it's value. (Especially in a 260Z rather than a 240).
BTW if you have an L26 block to liquidate i may be interested.

fair point vaughan. i my self have never driven a zed, so cant comment on the way the feel, drive and handle. hopefully one day i will

i just like the theory of a light weight, turbo 4 in a classic body and more than capable chassis to hoon around in.

dreams are free right?

I've gotta be honest, I've never heard a good sounding SR20.

How about a VQ30/35? My mates stock internal VQ30DET makes 430rwhp, soon to be over 500. They'll sit pretty much even with the strut towers. I've seen a S30Z with an FJ20 in it as well.





All depends on what you want to do with the car though.

both of those engines in those pictures have crossed my mind. Right now Im hacking through the rust, & like above, the engine will be decided once I sell my other toy