150 hp in a stock 1970 240z just wasn't enough horsepower. Fast enough to beat MGB's , Porsche 914's ( some 911's) and Alpha GTV's of the day to be sure, but by 1990 I really needed to double that amount of horsepower to 300+. People had been putting small block Chevy V8's in Z cars for years. I choose to go a much easier and cheaper route by purchasing a wrecked 1983 280 ZX Turbo engine for $850 (1990 prices) including the T-5 5 speed tranny. It bolted directly in the car with only a few minor holes to cut for air flow meter/ air cleaner . The engine produced 310 hp ( with 9.6 lbs turbo boost). I had to purchase a Datsun 2+2 ZX rear end to handle the extra torque and power. The stock 240Z rear end just wasn't up to the task. I now have 100,000 trouble free miles of driving fun on this engine arrangement. The car now has 240,000 miles on it and is 50 years old. A good , fun engine swap.
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