302 powered 240SX

[MyFirst240SX]

Hey i was talking to my freind about what i wanted to know what i wanted to do to my car. i told him my turbo KA idea.  which consist of a rebuild and custom turbo kit.  he has a 302 t-5 tranny ECu and harness he can get for me for 1300.  he has a freind who can make it go into to my car for not much.  Does anyone know what complications that would come up?  I can think of needed a cusom driveshaft....
thanks.
sean

[Goodbar6]

That would be sweet. Heres some things that comes to mind about any complications:
-Shifter not entering the right shifter spot (ie have to make new hole for shifter)
-May need subframe conectors with all the extra torque the 302 will produce (i am not sure who sells subframe connectors for the 240SX)
-Weight imballance...although, with some aluminum heads and an aiuminum intake manifold (and aluminum accesories), im sure you could start to ballance that out.
-Hood clearence....not sure how tall the engine would sit..might need a new hood.
-Obvious mounting help (ie ur gonna need custum fabed engine mounts and tranny mounts)
-You would most likely need some block hugger headers to clear the sides of the fenders.
-oil pan clearence with the front cross member

etc...

Could be stinking awesome! But could also be alot more money than just the $1300 initially invested....

Keep us updated!
Tyler

[Matt240SE]

How much does a 302 weigh compared to a the KA plus turbo essentials?? But it may throw off the almost perfect weight balance.

But its your car man and if you want something different than go for it and post some pictures when you get done I would love to see it.

[MyFirst240SX]

THe 302 with cast iron head and cast iron exhuanst manifold wieghs aout 75-100(how much does a turbo, intercooler wiegh?) more than the KA.
so with battery relocation and a system in the back the car wouldn't be that bad i dont thing.

[240 2NR]

I think it has to be more than 100lbs heavier, remember that you now have 8 cylinders so just the block size alone doubles, two heads instead of one and two exhaust manifolds.  Also that's dry weight, you can probably double the amount of oil required.  Also consider that you will probably have to upgrade your cooling system. Some bigger brakes should be considered standard with the additional mass and greatly increased thrust.  The front suspension will also be over whelmed with by the extra heft and the front for sure will need an upgrade.  At least you won't need to get a new ECU.  

I suppose with a silvia front end, CF hood, and battery relocation you could start to see some weight improvement.

In the end with just the motor swap you're probably looking at about the same money as a well done KA turbo or SR.  Plus you can recover some momey by selling your old motor, and if you really do know people doing the work it may be cheaper.  But beware of free labor, as you may get what you pay for and it would suck to get this half way done and your friend realizes its no longer worth the effort and you're stuck trying to fab engine mounts and get the oil pan to clear the suspension or something.  I have to admit that would probably be pretty cool with a lopey cam to pull up at a light in a stock looking little import and light the tires and haul ass like a muscle car.  V-8's do sound damn intimidating, even when they are slow.

[Kreator]

Screw all those who babble about weight ratio <img src="http://www.zilvia.net/f/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/smile.gif" border="0" valign="absmiddle" alt=':)'> If you don't care for turning, don't even listen to them. I'd bet that thing will be hell of alot faster than a turbo KA. Then imagine supercharging that machine..... I can see all the hondas getting outa your way <img src="http://www.zilvia.net/f/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/biggrin.gif" border="0" valign="absmiddle" alt=':D'> The best part is that you don't have to do it yerself. I wouldn't want to mess around with all conversion/moving stuff around shit. Even though i'm not that big of an american engine in japanese car fan, i'd say do it.... On the side note... we ran my friends camaro with a built 350 engine w/o cat and w/o muffler for 20 mins to let everything settle in.... That thing sounded sweet even though hell of alot loud <img src="http://www.zilvia.net/f/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/smile.gif" border="0" valign="absmiddle" alt=':)'> We hope to run it around his neighborhood next week (he got oil leaks right now that gotta be taken care off first). I'll tell you how it goes <img src="http://www.zilvia.net/f/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/smile.gif" border="0" valign="absmiddle" alt=':)'>

[srJOEYdet]

I'm not sure, but I dont think the electronics would work at all. Going from electronic fuel injection to carburation, you would have to ditch your ECU and go with all analog gauges. Could also be really strssfull on the frame. I have heard of frames bending from torque... Especially if you have to fasten it in the chassis better to prevent it from braking mounts and the like. Hope it helps. If you have the money go for it.