[Tim240Z]

I did a bunch of searching, and although the conversion has been mentioned in passing, it doesn't look like anyone has done it, or at least posted any details on it. I have been looking into the options and have decided (at least narrowed my decision down on a preliminary basis) on the 240sx. They are robust, reliable and very plentiful in the Yards. Can anyone shed some light on the conversion?
I have no issues with fabrication (I think I will have to fab a new oil pan as the KA is front sump), but I do not want to cut the car. All I want is a reliable drivetrain that doesn't require mail order parts.....
Thanks,
Tim

 

[baz]

some clues would help tim . what car ? what donor? im guessing nissan from the tag(makers name cars differently all over the world for the same car ) ? what gearbox? and what rear axle do you want to use ?

 

[Tim240Z]

Donor = Nissan 240sxwith 5 speed from same (mid-late 90s)
receiving vehicle: 73 GT
rear: Stock if I can get away with it, otherwise I will find something else....(open to sugg.)

 

[bear]

I, but I do not want to cut the car.

That being the case, forget about the 240 engine or any inline 6 cylinder motor at all. Either you take out the radiator support, or you take out the firewall, or both, then you have major fabrication necessary to steering and front suspension. It's just not a feasible easy bolt-in swap. Sorry.

 

[Rionart]

Isn't the 240SX a 2.4 liter 4 cyl?

 

[azopelnut]

yes the 240 SX is a 4cyl
240 Z of course was an in-line 6

 

[Tim240Z]

yes the 240 SX is a 4cyl
240 Z of course was an in-line 6

Correct.
The 240sx is a 2.4L 4cyl. The 240Z is a 2.4L 6cyl. I have a 240Z, but the 2.4 has long been replaced by a V8.

 

[Tim240Z]

Ok so you fab a motor mount, tranny mount and axle after carving up a GT. Then a shifter and electrical system. Then find out a 1.9 will lay waste to it with a few mods. Sounds like fun.

Hmmmm...that seems a little unwarranted!

If you want to go down that road, then compare apples to apples. A mildly modded KA-24 is good for 200+hp. Add a turbo and stock bottom end is good for 300+HP (according to all I have read). The biggest advantage is that I can get ANY part for a KA-24 from any parts store, or just about any JY. CANNOT say the same for the 1.9L

Guess I am on my own with this one.....

 

[baz]

tim before you get upset have a look for posts for "thumper" nobodys gt or the turbo work he has done
im afraid he knows of what he speaks im having to use a v12 jag engine to get the power hes doing in my gt

 

[Tim240Z]

Tim my Opel motor will do 0 to 60 and back in around 12. no weight changes or anything. The wagon with a 1.9 will probably lay waste to that time. honest to God truth

I certainly am not disputing your claims. Speed and power are not the over-riding concern for me with this one (My Z takes care of that bug). I want to put something in that has easily available parts, is reliable, and yes has some pep and driveability (easiest to do with FI). There is nothing worse (IMHO) than having an engine problem, then having to order something from a specialty vendor (like OGTS et. al.) and waiting for the mail......I want the instant gratification of being able to walk into a parts store and walking out with the parts I need, whether it be a fan belt, or a set of rings and bearings.......

 

[baz]

tim have a look at bellhousing width it can be a problem when swapping engines as the gt has a small tunnel (nissan boxes are not the smallest in the world )the rear end wont live long with more than 150 bhp and even shorter if its driven hard with 120-30 a quaffe lsd is a help but will cost about $1400 if you can get quaffe usa to get 1 (they dont want to know most of the time for a 35 year old car ) (funny but they are great here for old cars )

 

[RallyBob]

I think the KA24 is too tall, and the manifolds are too wide to fit under the hood of a GT. Plus it's a cross-flow head, and IIRC, the exhaust would now be on the driver's side of the engine? Not saying it couldn't work, but it may be a lot of work for a 155 hp 'truck' engine!

I'm not knocking Nissans BTW, my daily driver is a Sentra.

What about a VG30 instead? That's a SOHC 60 degree V6, very similar in size to a Chevy 2.8. I have a VQ30 in my barn which I considered for a Manta at one time (222 hp stock), but it's a 32-valve twincam V6 so the heads are kinda wide.

Bob

 

[bear]

That being the case, forget about the 240 engine or any inline 6 cylinder motor at all.

O.K. this is a recording: Open Foot, Insert Mouth. It shows how much of a sheltered Opel life I live. I thought all Nissan 240 motors were in-line 6 cylinder. Dumb me, again.

 

[Betta Carotene]

was in a parking lot tonight and asked a guy if i could look under his hood (240sx) By looking at it i can tell it would not be an easy fit like RB said. its a really wide motor with the manifolds. JMTCW

 

[GoinManta]

This is interesting.. was doing some more research on the 16V motor and found this. This excerpt is from an article where they were base line dynoing a 240sx before they started working on it. They gave it a tune up and replaced a few bad sensors. Note this is on a motor with 200K on it.

"The car put out 120.7 RWHP @ 5200RPM and 132.8 ft-lb @ 4200RPM. But what is impressive about this engine is the amount of torque it has: more than 95% of the torque is available from 1500RPM through 5500RPM."

I can't wait to see the motor in person.. looks like it should fit (in a Manta a GT maybe a tough fit).

 

[GoinManta]

Definately should fit a Manta..

Here it is in a older Datsun

 

[GoinManta]

Some more picts from a Ebay listing

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=7988489886

Looks like the tranny is a bit long. Might prove to be a challenege to get it to fit right OR the shifter will be further back.

I will add dimensions to these pictures once I look at the motor.

CHarles

 

[Tim240Z]

Charles,
All the research I have done has resulted in similar findings...The GT swap will be tough. The KA is a great unit, but it is front sump, tall, wide and long (with gearbox).....I definitely want to put something else in for all the reasons I have stated in prior posts.
I certainly didn't think I would get such a 'purist' backlash.......

I was at the JY today and got to looking at a Geo Storm. It had a 16V inline 4 and looked quite compact. I need to some research on what motor it is ('looks' like a mazda unit). If I can find a RWD tranny to bolt up to it, it may be a good option....maybe even an auto which will solve (to a certain degree) the shifter location.....
Anyone with any info, or pointers on this motor?

Keep us up to date on your KA-24 swap!
Tim

BTW...thanks for the help with the new harness....

 

[LeftLaneGuy]

Interesting....
Hey, baz... I wasn't trying to "not be nice"...
Just curious is all..
Charles, interesting info. All of the reasons you stated are the same reasons I'm doing a 2.2 Ecotec swap in mine. I want a bit more power, A/C, and current engine parts. (something for the next 10 years) Just an fyi- I went to my local Advance auto today, to inquire about some bits for the current motor, and bought hoses, belts, a water pump, and '75 brake parts (rotors, calipers, and wheel cylinders) The brake parts are coming from the wherehouse, but the other parts all came from that store, or one accross town. I will add, though, that they were surprised they had *any* of these things, let alone a listing in the computer....

BTW, It's been about 5-years since I had to buy any Opel parts..

-LLG

 

[GoinManta]

Charles,
All the research I have done has resulted in similar findings...The GT swap will be tough. The KA is a great unit, but it is front sump, tall, wide and long (with gearbox).....I definitely want to put something else in for all the reasons I have stated in prior posts.
I certainly didn't think I would get such a 'purist' backlash.......

I was at the JY today and got to looking at a Geo Storm. It had a 16V inline 4 and looked quite compact. I need to some research on what motor it is ('looks' like a mazda unit). If I can find a RWD tranny to bolt up to it, it may be a good option....maybe even an auto which will solve (to a certain degree) the shifter location.....
Anyone with any info, or pointers on this motor?

Keep us up to date on your KA-24 swap!
Tim

BTW...thanks for the help with the new harness....

The motor you were looking at is Isuzu. So an Isuzu PIckup is where I would look at for the tranny, or an Isuzu Impulse.

No problem with the harness. Its the best side business I have ever started

Will definately keep you up to date on the swap.

Charles