Hi guys, in years to come, when it becomes impossible to maintain our aging engines. what would be some sensible replacement options? Don't get me wrong, I absolutely love the V6 engine in my Z32 but I figure one day it's going to be way too hard and too expensive to keep it going. I imagine there will be quite a few of us here who will still own a Z32 20 years from now. So was wondering if anyone has given any thought to possible alternatives. Something that will fit, is powerful, reasonably economical but easy and affordable to maintain. Please share your thoughts John MyZX
Why? There's nothing especially special about the engines that can't be machined up or replaced with a different item. If they can keep 60 year old Jag's running with Lucas electrics the Zed won't be an issue I'd be a bit more worried about the newer cars with all their silly CANBUS interconnectedness.
True Chrispy, but with that comes a lot of expense and mucking around. It's already hard enough to find a workshop that works on Z32s. Parts are already expensive. Can you imagine in 20 years? John MyZX
The first engine in my zed lasted 20+yrs...... and it was used and abused by any number of owners before me, so I see no reason why my well maintained rebuild will not see out more than the next 20yrs. And, by that stage Alzheimers will ensure I don't give a sh@t anyway . . .
Yeah, that would be great. A newer V6 Nissan engine definitely works for me. Sounds like a sensible compromise. Would be keen to know if anyone on here has done this or has given it any thought. I'm guessing a major factor is how will the engine fit and how much modification needs to be done to make it fit. John MyZX
Well workshops don't like working on them as there is not much space in the engine bay for hands to go pass the engine Parts as such forged pistons/H beam rods/gaskets/valves aren't that expensive and will outlast the owner... If not abused to the point that anything will eventually fail... Expensive part is the labor cost and If you gonna drop the LS motor in your Z that will probably cost you double then rebuilt it self, as it requires a lot of custom work and engineering fees to get you on the road... Btw VG30de or dett are over engineered... So many things you can remove/change and make it more serviceable for the future...
There aren't any sensible conversions, doing an engine conversion is sill and nothing fits properly. LS is about the closest you'll find for what you want to achieve bu there's still a lot of stuffing around to make it work and then you have a bunch of parts that the service manual and other tech documents don't cover. Just keep treating the VG well and fix it properly when it needs fixing and it will be great with moderate power for many years. Also newer engines are really not very likely to be any more reliable than the VG, the Z was made near a turning point where a combination of pricing competition and growing emissions restrictions, newer designs are much more about getting a car through compliance and off the lot with just enough quality to keep you away until warranty is up, then it breaks and you throw it in the bin and buy a new one.
1. Not for sale anymore if you check. 2. See the tongue, don't be a smart arse when it comes to a joke. Especially when the car isn't even for sale anymore. 3. The sale was to fund a big single turbo build for my supra, not due to difficulty, given I'm using a kit designed for virtually plug and play. :W:
Cummins 4bt with a stack out the bonnet. Roll coal like a bawss. [yt]UpaktgSI1rs[/yt] [yt]rUO0KU6EeekUpaktgSI1rs[/yt]
