Re: What motor would you choose? To put in a Z car.
 

Hell no dont stay away from a chevy v8! If there is one thing gm can do its build a good v8.

The vh45 would be unique, but thats about it. It may be a great engine (as well as the 1UZ) but the amount of support in this country is lacking for those engines. Whereas with the gm engines there are thousands of people out there that know everything about them. Plus if you wanted to mod it, which of course you will, you get to pick from millions of low priced domestic parts.

Re: What motor would you choose? To put in a Z car.
 

I wont waste my breath explaining it to you.. But I guess these guys watch too much F&F too..:deadhorse:

Re: What motor would you choose? To put in a Z car.
 

I'd definitely go for the LS motor over the LQ if your concerned about weight and handling.

Math time: If an LS would get you a 51/49 and an LQ is only 100lbs heavier (and all of the extra weight goes on the front axle only), on a 2800 lb (now 2900 with an LQ) car that gets you to 51.7/48.3. Not as good, but if it gets you the power you want for a lot less coin, it's not that big of a sacrifice.

Even the almighty handling god know as the EVO is way worse than that at 60/40 or there abouts depending on the model.

You can definitely feel the difference from a balanced car to and unbalanced car. Conquests are near 50/50 stock and getting in my Grand Am after that, even taking corners at a moderate pace (clover leafs in particular) you could just feel the front left was really loaded up.

I'd defiantly say no to ANY motor that doesn't have a good after market for it. It will be big bucks (or lots of work) for small gains, and in the end a mildly built LS/LQ would probably still make more power. There is no replacement for displacement. You can make up the difference with boost, until the guy with more displacement adds boost too.

I'd go for an LS2 if I was doing it, they handle boost ok, but I'd probably just do a head/cam package and be happy with a nice reliable 400whp car.

BMW S52 if you going to do a I6. But an LS would be cheaper and make more power.

Re: What motor would you choose? To put in a Z car.
 

we bought an entire donor car (q45) and an entire second engine for about 1k lol. but yes, it is a rather wide engine and was a bit of a chore to fit into an s13.

that is probably the major set-back, due to it's uniqueness and general lack of support it may be hard to go super crazy with it. on the other hand, most piston/rod manufacturers can custom make you stuff for relatively decent costs (JE is making me custom pistons for $640 including hardware) - probably be based off other nissan parts (vq30det has the same bore I believe)

Re: What motor would you choose? To put in a Z car.
 

Isn't the Nissan engine aluminum? If that's the case, then you need to compare the Corvette LS motor, which is quite a bit more than the iron block versions. It's about the uniqueness and keeping the family bloodline.

Re: What motor would you choose? To put in a Z car.
 

The F-bodies got the aluminum LS1 as well, so they arent really $$$.

Re: What motor would you choose? To put in a Z car.
 

Ill throw out another option. E39 M5 V8 :)

Re: What motor would you choose? To put in a Z car.
 

I wouldn't go chevy v8 simply for the fact that everyone else has done it.

I changed my mind, you need a v12 in that thing with 4 turbos.

Re: What motor would you choose? To put in a Z car.
 

Do you mean S54? They are nice for NA, but definately go LS series. I also vote for the LS2 if you can swing it, they are bad ass. If you are getting a new engine the LS3 is basically the same price and even more bad ass (.040" overbore of an LS2 with better heads). My next toy car will be motivated by a boosted LSx engine, probably a LS3. The LS stuff has so much support and they make power so easily, it is hard not to go that route. Yeah, lots of people do it, but there is a reason for it!

Re: What motor would you choose? To put in a Z car.
 

There is the easy 400 ponies in a light(ish) package. Have fun finding a low mileage one for any kind of reasonable money.

Lots of great engines in the world, but it's really hard to beat LSx for simplicity, affordability, reliability and aftermarket support.

Re: What motor would you choose? To put in a Z car.
 

X2

FYI Its actually a 4.2L I6..

http://autos.msn.com/research/vip/Sp...el=TrailBlazer

Re: What motor would you choose? To put in a Z car.
 

No, I figured the S52 would be cheaper and easier to find.

To the people that say no to an LS engine "cause everybody has done it". There is a reason. Great motor, small package, bang for the buck.

Let's get a list of all motors suggested, with Price (including wiring/ECU) Hp/Tq ratings and if you can find it, weight fully dressed with accessories. Let the numbers decide. So far this is just the Chevy V8 guys VS. the "NO Chevy bad" guys putting up arguments that I haven't seen backed by facts for both sides (in the same argument). And I'm just as guilty as anyone. To me this is the smart way. Make a list comparing all the important features. Maybe we should inlude aftermarket support and power potential as well? But those can be slightly subjective. Also tunning! GM's can be flashed easy. Some of the older stuff is going to depend on other more expensive solutions.

LS1 $4500 (ebay) Engine/T56/Harnness/Computer 69K miles from an '02 WS6 325 HP/350 TQ
LS2 $7100 (ebay) Engine/T56/Harnness/Computer 39K miles From an '05 GTO 400hp/395 TQ
LQ4 $3495 (ebay) Engine/4L60E/Harness/Computer 20Kmiles '06 Silverado 300 HP/360 TQ
LQ9 $2000 (ebay) Engine/Harness/computer NO TRANS 42K miles 04 Escalade 345 HP/380 TQ
^Excelent aftermarket
4.2L Vortec I6

2JZGTE $1800-2900 (ebay) Engine/AT cheap, 5speed spendy, Comp/harness Milage unkown "280 hp" 318 ft·lb JDM version. 320 hp 315 TQ USDM

1UZFE

VH45 $1000-3000 (used car) Engine/Trans/Comp/Harness 100K+ miles 278 hp 292 Tq Poor aftermarket
RB25
RB26
4G63
4B11t
6G72
6G74
6G75
BMW S52
BMW S54
BMW S62 (E39 M5 V8)
???

Re: What motor would you choose? To put in a Z car.
 

The 2JZ is very heavy. You put in alum V8s that weigh less. If you want to do it on the cheap, then do an earlier 2JZGE, instead of the GTE. But I think one of your main concerns should be what affordable tranny with bolt up easy to whichever motor you go with. There are a few tranny options for the 2JZ, but non are close to cheap. It depends if you are looking for 300hp or 1000hp though.

Re: What motor would you choose? To put in a Z car.
 

1000hp or bust! :guns:

Re: What motor would you choose? To put in a Z car.
 

Will his Z chassis even handle any power.

Re: What motor would you choose? To put in a Z car.
 

I think 700whp is pretty rediculous if you want it to handle also. I have the LQ4 (325hp) in our Denali XL. It is pretty amazing how well it hauls around over 5,000 lbs, it scoots pretty good. I think if you got an LS2 with bolt ons and put out 500+whp, you would be happy in a light car. NA would be good for the twisty tracks too. If you decide that isn't enough you can always turbo it later.

Here is a good option:
http://texas-speed.com/shop/item.asp...d=828&catid=85

Re: What motor would you choose? To put in a Z car.
 

^That is pretty much the plan sir.
I thought that by adding boost I wouldn't lose the NA power that would be perfect for Auto-x type stuff.
I do plan to boost it later on.
I think JET, RYAN, FLOPPY have said it perfectly and right now the major choice is between the LQ9 and LS1/2.
The Z chassis will need some work to hold this power, but the aftermarket for handling is sweet.

I dont know about that jet my man, thats a ton of money. I know someone with an LS6 pull out from a C5 Zo6 might see how much he wants for that.

The iron can handle power without being built, but the aluminum not so much. It would be tapped with heads/cam and maybe 50-100shot.

The yellow Z with an LQ4 formerly owned by titanium a local on MNSC sold to a guy 4 hours away in WI, I am talking to him now and might go get a ride in it.
I started a thread over there and an admin/shop owner said its up to you and what you feel and locked it right away so yeah.

I thank everyone for the helpful input. Remember I am not baller, I usually end up sacrificing food and clothes to work/fund my car.

Re: What motor would you choose? To put in a Z car.
 

:biggrin:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XH9Z42d6sQA

Re: What motor would you choose? To put in a Z car.
 

The LS1 blocks were much weaker than the LS2 blocks. LS2 blocks are taking 300hp shots of nitrous and have made over 900whp. I wouldn't do the LS6, the LS2 is much better. Look for a later model GTO or that vette place by us on 65.

Re: What motor would you choose? To put in a Z car.
 

I was pretty much the only one who said it blatantly, so you can call me out on it. :D

It's just personal preference; opinion as some would say. I don't deny it is a good package and bang for the buck, but he did mention that he wanted something a little different.

Re: What motor would you choose? To put in a Z car.
 

Turbo'd Busa motor with a slipper clutch?

Re: What motor would you choose? To put in a Z car.
 

What's that like a 2100 or something?

Re: What motor would you choose? To put in a Z car.
 

1300cc

Re: What motor would you choose? To put in a Z car.
 

Re: What motor would you choose? To put in a Z car.
 

Still trying to find a solid number on the motor weights, but I am leaning toward aluminum. Got a friend with an LS6 take out.

Re: What motor would you choose? To put in a Z car.
 

Dressed LS1 is 457lbs for an auto and 497 for a manual. An LS1 is 93 lbs lighter than an LQ4 iron block (some have said up to 114 lbs). That is a pretty signicant difference.

Re: What motor would you choose? To put in a Z car.
 

I was making a slipper clutch joke. I know they's 1.3 litres.

Re: What motor would you choose? To put in a Z car.
 

Had money not been an issue I would have gone with an LS2 instead of the LQ9(not LQ4 :)) that ended up in there. I got that engine+wiring harness+ECU and pedal for $1300 shipped to my door.

Re: What motor would you choose? To put in a Z car.
 

^You mofo. Thats dirt. ^Thanks for chiming in. Please give more opinion of it since you actually had one.
What did you build it for? AUto-x, street. drag?
Aluminum was winning, but iron can be rebuilt easily and is way cheaper than LS2.
Still researching.

Re: What motor would you choose? To put in a Z car.
 

I never had decent stopping power, stock shitty metal plate disc brakes and the same in the rear so its hard to say how it would do overall. In the turns I did notice it was front heavy, as long as you dont plan on going beyond what the block can handle I'd get the aluminum. I could drive around on the street just fine but less weight is always better.

Re: What motor would you choose? To put in a Z car.
 

The LS2 has iron sleeves, so it can be rebuilt just as easily. The sleeves are removeable also, so it can be resleeved. That makes it more rebuildable than the iron ones.

I checked some prices and the iron blocks are much cheaper. I found LQ4's for under $800. LQ9 was $900 or so and they have better heads. LS2's were over $2k with most over $3k.

Re: What motor would you choose? To put in a Z car.
 

Guys seriously. Thanks for the help. I am gonna owe you big time when this thing gets done.

Those price differences are huge and I have a friend with a fat hookup at the J-yards (So i am told) to where the prices for those iron blocks could be almost halved.

Price diff. is what is going to ruin me, so far all the research is saying iron for price and power, but LS2 is like the good go between.

Re: What motor would you choose? To put in a Z car.
 

Basically just break it down, the LS2 and iron block are both capable of handling the power and everything is equal except for weight and price. So, is losing 100lbs off the nose of the car worth $2,000?

Re: What motor would you choose? To put in a Z car.
 

I voted Iron, because it's really hard to justify 2-3x the price for 100 some pounds. Move the battery to the trunk.

Re: What motor would you choose? To put in a Z car.
 

Ask any racer, any real racer, and he'll tell you, it doesn't matter if you win by an inch or a mile... wait.. I mean to say that some people would spend the extra money just to have the lighter engine, but they probably have too much money. Just put some sandbags or an extra battery in back like suggested above, except two, for twice the power.

Re: What motor would you choose? To put in a Z car.
 

You could also take a plasma cutter to the firewall and do a "Front Midship" 350z/G35 style. That might put the shifter kind of far back though.

Re: What motor would you choose? To put in a Z car.
 

Put in an L24.

Re: What motor would you choose? To put in a Z car.
 

Dont know if i mentioned this but the motor would be behind the front axles.

Yeah its tough for me to justify that money for the weight savings and if I had it I would do it.

Not like shit is gonna happen any time soon, I will just keep an eye out for a deal on alum. if not Fe it is.

If I can get into radiology school, I think a grad. present will be a KB or whipple 2.8 or bigger.

Re: What motor would you choose? To put in a Z car.
 

You and these root blowers. All motor that thing will be insane.

Re: What motor would you choose? To put in a Z car.
 

Why not just get a HUGE cam for it? The most badass roller setup you can bolt on. That's what I'd do. Then just I/H/E like a civic.