Datsun Hybrid 240z
07-10-2011, 11:38 AM
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Datsun Hybrid 240z I finally jumped into the LSx world after installing an Isky cam on my turbo'd 240z. When degreeing the cam, my calculations were off and I had very minor piston to valve contact when turning by hand. I said f*** it, sold the entire setup which enable me to fund 90% of my LSx swap.
I should say that the old engine dyno'd at 410 wheel ft-lbs and 410 wheel horsepower. Not too bad for a 2.8L in-line 6!
I have been working feverishly the past 5 weeks. The engine is a 1998 LS1 from a Camaro SS with a 4L60E. I am around 8 solid hours of work away from first startup.
Below are a few pictures of the car and old engine. The engine picture is a little old and does not show the final incarnation.
I should say that the old engine dyno'd at 410 wheel ft-lbs and 410 wheel horsepower. Not too bad for a 2.8L in-line 6!
I have been working feverishly the past 5 weeks. The engine is a 1998 LS1 from a Camaro SS with a 4L60E. I am around 8 solid hours of work away from first startup.
Below are a few pictures of the car and old engine. The engine picture is a little old and does not show the final incarnation.
Last edited by ktm240z; 07-17-2011 at 03:19 PM.
07-10-2011, 12:07 PM
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Below are a few pictures of the swap in progress. I received the engine and transmission on June 1. My old engine was long sold by that time and the engine bay was prepped to receive the LSx. I spent around a week cleaning up the engine and transmission, waiting on my other swap parts (JTR Sanderson headers, HP Tuners, fuel filter/regulator, fittings, tubing, JCI swap kit, etc.).
I spent all day Father's day doing the install. The swap is a very tight fit on the driver's side and requires some clearancing with a BFH in the trans tunnel for the fatty 4L60E. It took me damn near 4 hours to get the engine and transmission into the car from the moment I hooked it up to the hoist to the time I could disconnect the hoist. Dear god that was a PITA and I had a 360 degree swivel hoist with a load leveler too! Raise, lower, tilt, push back, push to the side, push back to the other side, pull forward, lower, raise, cuss, lower, tilt, push back, etc.
Around two weeks separate the last two pictures.
I spent all day Father's day doing the install. The swap is a very tight fit on the driver's side and requires some clearancing with a BFH in the trans tunnel for the fatty 4L60E. It took me damn near 4 hours to get the engine and transmission into the car from the moment I hooked it up to the hoist to the time I could disconnect the hoist. Dear god that was a PITA and I had a 360 degree swivel hoist with a load leveler too! Raise, lower, tilt, push back, push to the side, push back to the other side, pull forward, lower, raise, cuss, lower, tilt, push back, etc.
Around two weeks separate the last two pictures.
07-17-2011, 03:30 PM
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Just a minor update.
I fired the car up for the first time on Wednesday night. It took a few cranks but she fired right up. Damn, this feeling never gets old. Pray, turn the key to on, pray, turn to RUN, feel your heart sink as it's not catching....and then......VROOOOOOOOM! It covered my floor with carbon and smoked at first, but that all cleared itself up within 20 seconds. Subsequent starts on Thursday and Saturday did not have any more carbon or smoke. The engine pulls a steady 19-20 inches of vacuum at idle.
I just need to tidy up the wiring, clear some more DTCs, and then off for the exhaust.
My poor AGM battery has had it though I think. Regardless, it's alive!
A few pictures of the final engine setup.
I fired the car up for the first time on Wednesday night. It took a few cranks but she fired right up. Damn, this feeling never gets old. Pray, turn the key to on, pray, turn to RUN, feel your heart sink as it's not catching....and then......VROOOOOOOOM! It covered my floor with carbon and smoked at first, but that all cleared itself up within 20 seconds. Subsequent starts on Thursday and Saturday did not have any more carbon or smoke. The engine pulls a steady 19-20 inches of vacuum at idle.
I just need to tidy up the wiring, clear some more DTCs, and then off for the exhaust.
My poor AGM battery has had it though I think. Regardless, it's alive!
A few pictures of the final engine setup.
Last edited by ktm240z; 07-17-2011 at 06:22 PM.
07-25-2011, 11:29 PM
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I had a minor leak around my PCV valve and once corrected, the engine now pulls a steady 21-in. Hg of vacuum. I finally brought the car up to operating temperature to test for leaks in the coolant system and found none.
Once at temperature, I revved it a few times in the garage. It does not rev nearly as fast as my previous in-line 6, but that really does not matter. I walked out of the garage with my ears ringing and head spinning. Shorty headers and 4500 rpm makes for one helluva noise.
I dropped the car off at Chino Muffler and Tire today for the exhaust. The shop does a lot of hot rod (30s to 60s rods and muscle) exhaust work. My neighbor has 3 30's rods - 1 coupe, 1 roadster, and a sedan and recommended them. I will pick the car up tomorrow.
Once at temperature, I revved it a few times in the garage. It does not rev nearly as fast as my previous in-line 6, but that really does not matter. I walked out of the garage with my ears ringing and head spinning. Shorty headers and 4500 rpm makes for one helluva noise.
I dropped the car off at Chino Muffler and Tire today for the exhaust. The shop does a lot of hot rod (30s to 60s rods and muscle) exhaust work. My neighbor has 3 30's rods - 1 coupe, 1 roadster, and a sedan and recommended them. I will pick the car up tomorrow.
07-25-2011, 11:45 PM
#6
I had a '73 240Z in the late '80s and early '90s. I drove the crap out of that car, and it was about as much fun as any vehicle I ever owned. I can't imagine what it would have been like with a LS motor, or even a 400 HP inline-6.
Very cool!
Bill B.
Very cool!
Bill B.
07-26-2011, 05:45 AM
#7
I went with a manual trans on the LS2 I put in my 70 240Z. The LS7 clutch and flywheel assembly weigh in at IIRC 57 pounds. That is a lot of rotational inertia to get reved up. I now wish I had dropped the $$ for a lighter flywheel. These small cars don't need such a heavy FW. On the up side I don't have to worry about stalling it when getting started.
If you want it to rev more freely, then I don't know what you could do to an automatic to reduce that mass. Is there the equivalent of an aluminum flywheel for autos?
Nice looking swap. You will be doing things below 2000 RPM that you wouldn’t have thought about with the 6. My guess is your MPG will go up a good bit as well. But the good thing about these LS motors is they still like to rev. Keep them up over 3500 RPM and the throttle response is instantaneous. Handling will be improved cause you can easily transition from a push to oversteer just by moving your right foot. Hope you have a posi. Nice stiff rear springs help as well.
In fact, the biggest problem I have is the engine is still pulling strong when it hits the rev limiter. It takes a little while to relearn how to drive the car the bigger motor. When I first did the swap what I noticed is how quickly it went through the gears. It didn’t help I had a loose connection at the tach so it became inaccurate near redline. Thank God for the rev limiter.
If you want it to rev more freely, then I don't know what you could do to an automatic to reduce that mass. Is there the equivalent of an aluminum flywheel for autos?
Nice looking swap. You will be doing things below 2000 RPM that you wouldn’t have thought about with the 6. My guess is your MPG will go up a good bit as well. But the good thing about these LS motors is they still like to rev. Keep them up over 3500 RPM and the throttle response is instantaneous. Handling will be improved cause you can easily transition from a push to oversteer just by moving your right foot. Hope you have a posi. Nice stiff rear springs help as well.
In fact, the biggest problem I have is the engine is still pulling strong when it hits the rev limiter. It takes a little while to relearn how to drive the car the bigger motor. When I first did the swap what I noticed is how quickly it went through the gears. It didn’t help I had a loose connection at the tach so it became inaccurate near redline. Thank God for the rev limiter.
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07-26-2011, 10:13 PM
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Sound clip of the exhaust:
http://youtu.be/Ldui7ufLXZE
1998 LS1 from a Camaro SS. JTR Sanderson shorty headers, LS6 intake, no cat, no resonator, 2.5-in. exhaust to a Y-pipe, to a 3-in. pipe, and finally a Flowmaster 40 series muffler.
Thanks for the tip. I'll look at doing that when I am feeling masochistic. 
Pop, good seeing you around (ktm from Hybridz). Thanks for the compliment. I am pleasantly surprised by the car so far and can't wait for the shake down drive.
http://youtu.be/Ldui7ufLXZE
1998 LS1 from a Camaro SS. JTR Sanderson shorty headers, LS6 intake, no cat, no resonator, 2.5-in. exhaust to a Y-pipe, to a 3-in. pipe, and finally a Flowmaster 40 series muffler.
Pop, good seeing you around (ktm from Hybridz). Thanks for the compliment. I am pleasantly surprised by the car so far and can't wait for the shake down drive.
