Guzubulu Posted May 19, 2015 Report Share Posted May 19, 2015 So a couple weeks ago I went to a shop with a friend to get his M4 dyno'd. I walked around the back of the shop and stumbled upon 240zs everywhere, but what really caught my eye was this wagon. The owner said the car has been sitting for 8 years, and for $750 it could be mine. I couldn't find a production figure for the wagons, but I have never even seen one in person so I am assuming they are somewhat rare. If I did get it, it'd definitely be getting a KA24, body work + paint, all new suspension components, etc. I tried to get pics of the worst of the rust on the car. Body is dead straight. Any advice is greatly welcomed! Thanks a bunch. http://imgur.com/a/7jtjU(pictures) 1 Quote Link to comment
datzenmike Posted May 19, 2015 Report Share Posted May 19, 2015 Don't worry, lots were made. A lot of the identifying markers have been removed but I would think it's a '70 or newer. Production numbers for '70 were just over 44,000 I believe. The price is good and it does look pretty straight. Even has Z car rims on it. Welcome to Ratsun. 2 Quote Link to comment
Dirttrack510 Posted May 19, 2015 Report Share Posted May 19, 2015 He'll ya, that's pretty clean. I'd jump on it. 1 Quote Link to comment
jrock4224 Posted May 19, 2015 Report Share Posted May 19, 2015 i like the snow plow attachment ... pretty clean car and welcome... get it make sure it has a title 1 Quote Link to comment
Dirttrack510 Posted May 19, 2015 Report Share Posted May 19, 2015 The odd air dam is kinda neat, but that's just me. 1 Quote Link to comment
Guzubulu Posted May 19, 2015 Author Report Share Posted May 19, 2015 Don't worry, lots were made. A lot of the identifying markers have been removed but I would think it's a '70 or newer. Production numbers for '70 were just over 44,000 I believe. The price is good and it does look pretty straight. Even has Z car rims on it. Welcome to Ratsun. Thanks a bunch! I am actually glad that many were made. Just means more parts available haha. He'll ya, that's pretty clean. I'd jump on it. Should be getting it within a couple of days! It is surpsiringly clean considering it has sat for 8 years. i like the snow plow attachment ... pretty clean car and welcome... get it make sure it has a title Thanks! The owner said he doesn't have a title, but this isn't really an issue in Georgia. Vehicles over a certain age don't require a title here for some reason. Just getting a bill of sale. Once I get it I'll find a local KA24 engine, trans, etc. and buy the motor mounts to swap it in. I am unsure if I want to keep the original paint and everything (since it is kinda cool to have original stuff) or if I want to buy new fenders and paint the car. Any opinons on what is more desired? Restored or as original as possible? Quote Link to comment
Dirttrack510 Posted May 19, 2015 Report Share Posted May 19, 2015 It's really personal preference, but I'm sure that's not original paint, due to the odd air dam matching the paint job. 1 Quote Link to comment
jrock4224 Posted May 19, 2015 Report Share Posted May 19, 2015 futofab sells repop fenders i believe 1 Quote Link to comment
Guzubulu Posted May 19, 2015 Author Report Share Posted May 19, 2015 futofab sells repop fenders i believe I was actually looking on that site last night. I'll definitely be needing a right front fender at some point. Does anyone have any suggestions for engines that are carb'd (or can be converted) that are somewhat cost effective? I really like the idea of running carbs in the car just to keep it a bit more period correct. I know the L20b is one option, but I haven't found any engines for a decent price. I read a KA24DE can be converted to carbs, so I may do that. Thanks again for all the help and advice! Quote Link to comment
MicroMachinery Posted May 19, 2015 Report Share Posted May 19, 2015 Putting a KA in would not keep it "period correct", even with carbs. If you go that route, just keep the FI. Quote Link to comment
Guzubulu Posted May 19, 2015 Author Report Share Posted May 19, 2015 Putting a KA in would not keep it "period correct", even with carbs. If you go that route, just keep the FI. I know it wouldn't be period correct, but I figured the carbs would just look more appropriate in the car. Easier to just keep the FI though. Quote Link to comment
MicroMachinery Posted May 20, 2015 Report Share Posted May 20, 2015 I think so.. cheaper, more reliable, more economical.. Quote Link to comment
Dirttrack510 Posted May 20, 2015 Report Share Posted May 20, 2015 L20B is a direct bolt in and with a little looking i'm sure you can find one. L16 was factory and i'm sure someone on this site would sell you one ready to run for a couple hundred bucks, maybe less. Personally I run L16 motors in all my dimes and i'm perfectly content (most the time). I"ve driven my project car from st. Louis to California twice with little to no issues and gotten mid 20's per gallon or better all the way. If I were you, i'd install an L16 and keep your eyes and ears open for a L20 to rebuild and swap in at a later date, as most people drive faster than me. The L20B has plenty of power for most 510 drivers, especially if you put on a nicely tuned pair of side draft carbs and a mild camshaft upgrade. Just my 2 cents <_< Quote Link to comment
peanutbuttercups Posted May 20, 2015 Report Share Posted May 20, 2015 Please buy it, you will have a twin. You will love it, thumbs up everywhere! If you paint it please keep it original orange (my 2 cents). If you get it I'll be watching Here's my project. 1 Quote Link to comment
Lockleaf Posted May 20, 2015 Report Share Posted May 20, 2015 If you do want to carb a non carb 4 cylinder, maybe have a look at the Yamaha R1 carb conversions. Three is a pretty big thread on using those on L and KA engines on this forum. Quote Link to comment
Guzubulu Posted May 20, 2015 Author Report Share Posted May 20, 2015 L20B is a direct bolt in and with a little looking i'm sure you can find one. L16 was factory and i'm sure someone on this site would sell you one ready to run for a couple hundred bucks, maybe less. Personally I run L16 motors in all my dimes and i'm perfectly content (most the time). I"ve driven my project car from st. Louis to California twice with little to no issues and gotten mid 20's per gallon or better all the way. If I were you, i'd install an L16 and keep your eyes and ears open for a L20 to rebuild and swap in at a later date, as most people drive faster than me. The L20B has plenty of power for most 510 drivers, especially if you put on a nicely tuned pair of side draft carbs and a mild camshaft upgrade. Just my 2 cents <_< After thinking about it, I think I am definitely going to go L20b. It is exactly what I am looking for. Thank you so much for all the info and advice! (Plus.. cammed 4cyls are awesome IMO haha!) Please buy it, you will have a twin. You will love it, thumbs up everywhere! If you paint it please keep it original orange (my 2 cents). If you get it I'll be watching Here's my project. If I did paint it, I think I will keep the orange. It really grew on me and is a pretty unique color. Can't wait to see the finished result of your car! If you do want to carb a non carb 4 cylinder, maybe have a look at the Yamaha R1 carb conversions. Three is a pretty big thread on using those on L and KA engines on this forum. Yeah I saw something about running R1 carbs in some videos. Definitely interesting, but more trouble than it's worth for me. Quick update, I am going to buy the car tonight! Will report back with pictures. Beyond thrilled to get it Quote Link to comment
Swedishcadillac Posted May 20, 2015 Report Share Posted May 20, 2015 Some dude, Lando Jmz, posted on Facebook Ratsun page last night that he wanted to sell an l20b with weber, cam and headers to fund a swap... Worth a look. Congrats on Wagohood. 1 Quote Link to comment
datzenmike Posted May 21, 2015 Report Share Posted May 21, 2015 You can also mix an L20B and Z22 engine and make a 2.2 liter torque monster. It's a happy marriage of Z22 displecement and L series breathing. Win win. 1 Quote Link to comment
Guzubulu Posted May 25, 2015 Author Report Share Posted May 25, 2015 Reporting back with pictures! The car is getting a VG30 in it. Already has a flipped crossmemebr and motor mounts in place. Just need to find a 300zx motor + trans. The car definitely needs a ton of work, but I am really looking forward to it all. It also has 280zx front brakes + coilovers on front, which was a pleasant surprise. 3 Quote Link to comment
peanutbuttercups Posted May 26, 2015 Report Share Posted May 26, 2015 She cleaned up nicely, Here is your first thumbs up :thumbup: Fyi The 300zx motor is a complicated swap, just saying, but it's been done. I'm a Ka24de (and sr20det) fan myself. 1 Quote Link to comment
datsunfreak Posted May 26, 2015 Report Share Posted May 26, 2015 Reporting back with pictures! The car is getting a VG30 in it. Already has a flipped crossmemebr and motor mounts in place. Just need to find a 300zx motor + trans. For future reference, the 300ZX oil pan won't work if you have a flipped crossmember. Also, neither the intake nor exhaust will fit the car. Most use the intake/exhaust from a 200SX. Quote Link to comment
nl320what Posted May 26, 2015 Report Share Posted May 26, 2015 Friend has a VG30DE swapped 510 around the corner, its nice but there are other engines that you could tune to make power and upgrade as you get bored. 1 Quote Link to comment
flatcat19 Posted May 26, 2015 Report Share Posted May 26, 2015 Flipped crossmember is more for an SR20. Hell, easier to do a 240sx KA. Stay with it. Cool car. 1 Quote Link to comment
Lockleaf Posted May 26, 2015 Report Share Posted May 26, 2015 No reason you can't use the flipped crossmember with a VG but it will take a couple extra parts. The 300zx is a rear sump oil pan. You will need to get the oil pan and pick up tube out of a Nissan quest/mercury villager or an Infiniti m30. Those are both front sump versions of the vg. Also, vg33 is the same size externally, can be pulled in most pull it yourself junkyards, and can be run on the vg30 electronics. Why not take the displacement bump if it's the same cost? If you're junkyarding your whole swap, you could pull the engine from a pathfinder, snag the pan from a quest, and dist and electronics from an obd1 vg30 and put it all together as one engine and not pay for all the extra unneeded parts. Take some planning but it would work fine. VG33 intake manifold might also be a good option since the 200sx are hard to find. It barely sticks out the back of the motor at all, so firewall interference should be kept to a minimum. http://nissannut.com/maintenance/vg33e_upgrade/ This guy covers a bunch of the differences pretty clearly if you care to read more. Also looking up z31 vg33 upgrades will give you a ton of info. 1 Quote Link to comment
flatcat19 Posted May 26, 2015 Report Share Posted May 26, 2015 yello620 did a VG swap into his 620. His thread is very detailed in what works and what does not. 1 Quote Link to comment
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.
Note: Your post will require moderator approval before it will be visible.