I really can't decide...

[VG30Drift]

So, at the end of summer this year, I will have around 5 grand. Now, my dilemma is this:

I really love the s13 coupes, and I've wanted one for around 2 years. I want something that I can better learn to drift in (at the track) than my current N/A Z32. I drive my girlfriends 180 HICAS (full suspension work, stock otherwise), all the time and I really enjoy it. I love the Silvia legacy and everything that coincides with it and I think I would be really happy with it.

OR, I could swap in a VG30 or VH45 into my current Z, making a pretty competent grip car for my Santa Cruz mountain roads. I don't think I'm knowledgeable enough to do the swap myself, but with a friends help and tools I don't think it would be a big deal.

I seriously can't decide. Help me Zilvians!

[drift freaq]

So, at the end of summer this year, I will have around 5 grand. Now, my dilemma is this:

I really love the s13 coupes, and I've wanted one for around 2 years. I want something that I can better learn to drift in (at the track) than my current N/A Z32. I drive my girlfriends 180 HICAS (full suspension work, stock otherwise), all the time and I really enjoy it. I love the Silvia legacy and everything that coincides with it and I think I would be really happy with it.

OR, I could swap in a VG30 or VH45 into my current Z, making a pretty competent grip car for my Santa Cruz mountain roads. I don't think I'm knowledgeable enough to do the swap myself, but with a friends help and tools I don't think it would be a big deal.

I seriously can't decide. Help me Zilvians!
Wow, truly only you can decide this. If you you really want a S13 coupe buy one. They are not that expensive. A NA Z ? If it was TT maybe. Spend money on a engine swap into? Naw. NA Z32's have no value. It would not be a big deal to get another should you decide that later on. TT's are the only ones with value but they are a bitch to work on.
Hope this helps you

[2ilvia]

buy the Z, keep the price of coupes lower for us

[VG30Drift]

You don't think a VH45 Z would have potential?

I already have the Z... The question was to do with swapping a motor into it, or getting the S13. I don't need your stuck up "keep the prices lower for us" bull, I'm just as much an S chassis fan as you are.

[Firestorm]

i'm not so sure about prices but for 5 grand you should be able get a SR swapped coupe, dont you? if so, buy S13, use as track car and daily your Z...

at least that's what i would do. a Z wouldn't really be my choice for a track car. i would want something light and quick, and easy to fix in case something breaks.

[InlineS13]

2jz in the Z

[OBEEWON]

VH into the Z! How is that even a question?? You will have so much more fun with that, and you wont be like everyone else learning to drift in a S13...

[nismo tuned s14]

.................................

OR, I could swap in a VG30 or VH45 into my current Z, making a pretty competent grip car for my Santa Cruz mountain roads. I don't think I'm knowledgeable enough to do the swap myself, but with a friends help and tools I don't think it would be a big deal.

I seriously can't decide. Help me Zilvians!

sounds like you need to stick with an s13. can you or your friend do custom fabrications? i havent done much research on swapping a vh into a z, but im sure there is more to it than just dropping it in. what are your plans for the s13?

[racepar1]

Why can't you drift the z? You can make PLENTY of power with the N/A vg30de and the suspension is very similar to the 240 suspension in the rear. Your only real problem with the z is weight. 300zx's are porky sons of bitches but there is no reason that you can't do what you want to do with your z without spending loads of money. Just work on the suspension and concentrate on lightening the car as much as you can comfortably do. After that start with bolt-on motor mods and eventually either build your motor or swap a vh45 or a vq35. I wouldn't do the TT engine simply because it is absolutely RIDICULOUS to work on.

[ChicagoS14]

LS1 into the Z32 and you wont have any problems needing power!!

[Psycho 240 Freak]

The S-chassis has really ruined a lot of other cars for me. A lot of other rwd cars feels too heavy to me now. Plus I really like the mechanical feeling of S-chassis cars. No computer to stop wheel spin or help me out on a turn(except for HICAS, but who keeps that anyways). It's all up to the driver and the car set up.

[wangan_cruiser]

The S-chassis has really ruined a lot of other cars for me. A lot of other rwd cars feels too heavy to me now. Plus I really like the mechanical feeling of S-chassis cars. No computer to stop wheel spin or help me out on a turn(except for HICAS, but who keeps that anyways). It's all up to the driver and the car set up.


its true....when i drove my bro's z (when it was still alive) that thing is heavy.

[raz0rbladez909]

fuck the v's put an rb in that thing what they should've kept in the z31 and z32

[racepar1]

fuck the v's put an rb in that thing what they should've kept in the z31 and z32

Ya a heavy ass RB will REALLY help out the weight problems that z's have! Dude RB's are nothing but another shiny object to brag about. On paper an RB swap just doesn't make sense. It is taller, longer, heavier, harder to find parts for, and in stock trim no more powerful than any of the engines being suggested other than the TT z motor which only the OP mentioned.

[VG30Drift]

Alright guys thanks for the input. I'm pretty sure the VH45 just needs different engine mounts and gearbox adapter plate as well as a new hood (if i don't want to modify the crossmember so it sits lower) to drop it into the Z32. i still haven't fully researched it, but thats what i remember hearing from a friend thats going to do it soon. but still... it would just be adding even more weight :'(

Anyways, after driving my friends 89 coupe w/ welded diff i think I'm going to go for an S13. I'll probably t28 the KA and do suspension work, then just use it for track and keep the Z for daily. Maybe in the future I'll swap a Vh into the 32 and TT it. That would be intense, but i think for now i just want two cars so i can dd one and have another one i can romp on.

All the input was helpful, thanks.

PS: eww to putting a 2jz into a nissan :loco:

[SW20Racer]

im gonna cast my vote for LSx swap. talk to the guys @ hybridz.org they seem to be on the ball.

ninja edit! off topic, but i just got off the phone with my mother-in-law, she's tired of her garage kept 93 miata-with new top-, so she's going to sell it to me for a $1! weee!

[johngriff]

Spend at MOST 2k on coils, an lsd and tires for the Z.

Invest the rest of the money in school or another interest bearing return.

Unless you are already rich.

But coils and LSD should be fine to drift the Z. Drifting isn't drag racing.

[Bubbles]

Have you ever been working under the hood of your car and thought 'shit, there's not enough room in here', magnify that times a hundred and you get why I won't ever own a Z32, or at least work on it myself.

[murda-c]

Have you ever been working under the hood of your car and thought 'shit, there's not enough room in here', magnify that times a hundred and you get why I won't ever own a Z32, or at least work on it myself.


qft.

I had one come into work and I thanked myself for getting the S14 instead.

Though they do look damn cool.

[ZilviaKid]

Buy the coupe if you hate tires.
Engine swap your Z if you like overweight cars.

[turtle m3th]

VH all the way! People drift the shit out of heavy ass cars all day long without an issue. We are talking about drifting not road racing so you don't need a super nimble car, all the sport is is throwing weight around. Just setup your car to your liking and do whatever makes you happy, fuck whatever else thinks.

POWER/WEIGHT :rawk: