I did a quick search for "performance" and nothing came up, one thread was all, i dont see how cuz im sure its been asked here before. but I am thinking of rebuilding my engine soon, it is just too weak.

I plan on converting to the TBI from the 86.5 and was thinking of a header, a mild cam. but I saw a picture of stock replacement pistons(if they werent just a generic stock photo for the ad) and man they have a huge dish? whats the stock compression ratio? I was thinking of bumping it up a little bit, probably no more than 9.5:1 or so, if it isnt close to that stock. dont wanna have to run premium in my 700 dollar 24 year old beater. but anyone make a high cr piston kit for the z24? last time I had custom pistons machined for a 4 cylinder it was 600+ bucks... dont wanna spend that again.

I searched google for z24 performance but I just kept finding chevy cavalier z24 parts.

I'm not a fan of throttle body injection of the late 80's. With the NAPZ Z24 I would run webber carburetors, flat top pistons and thats it. A cam if i could find one.


The were very powerful engines new. I've been luckily to drive a 84 2wd Datsun 720 with 80K miles. lots of power compared to the 300K+ miles truck we had.

Most of the Z24's now have worn out piston rings head needs to be sent to the machines show for new lift. A engine rebuild will do a world of wonders.

The z24 is a awesome peppy engine. I dislike the later fuel injection models.

right now I have a redline 32/36 on it, and with 176k miles, pushing 31's. I live at 5000+ so that right there doesnt help with power at all, but on the highway if it isnt downhill I am in 4th gear with the pedal to the floor to go 40-45. theres a hill where I can put the accord in 5th and cruise up it (2.3 I4) and in my truck empty even if I get a god start at it, by the top I can be in 3rd doing about 34mph. its just WEAK. oh, also I only get 13-15mpg, city or highway. I was hoping to get more HP and a few more MPG, and figured the TBI would help with the fuel effieciency.

Ive never driven another z24 before at all. so I cant compare mine. but do you know of any websites that sell performance parts for the z24?

would a freshly rebuilt Z24 push 33's with stock 4.11's? I believe thats my R&P's

Mine did O.K. with 4.38s, but I think you will struggle with 4.11s. I am doing a bit better now with 4.63s.

4.11' is not enough gear for a 33 inch tire. 4.65 would be a better choice. However, is there gearing options for the 720?

yeah, there is, but only by finding good axles in a junkyard out of a newer nissan using the same axle codes, or oem replacements for those vehicles from nissan, which has to cost a ton compared to an aftermarket company i bet.

hey reserector, how many miles did yours have and what mods? and what did your 4.38's come from?

quote:

Originally posted by maddmatt02:
hey reserector, how many miles did yours have and what mods? and what did your 4.38's come from?

I have an 86.5 HB. It came stock with a Z24i, 5-speed and 4.38s. It had the C-200/R180A combo. I recently swapped in a H233B/R200A combo out of a junkyard Pathfinder. It took some fab work, but was well worth it. You may be able to do the same. You may have to get driveshafts made, as well. Your stock rear flange will likely be too small to fit the larger axle.

Not sure about HB's, but the flange on my original C200 was exactly the same as my H233B

Mine was too, but I have heard of some of the early ones having a smaller flange. One thread that I searched, started by Ace, claimed he had an 86.5 HB with a C200. He had to go to the bigger flange. I might be talking out my , though. Just going by what Ace wrote.

Since he has a 720, he might run into that problem. He may even have a 190.

search the boards. I got lucky on my 4.65 gear set. I bough my gears for $100 off of the auction block on this forum. Cost me another 200 to gather all the parts and took required to do the gear install.

Without spending a ton of money on gears I would go back to a lower tire size.

Im pretty sure I got the c200, not the h190 or whatever, I got the removable diff cover, thats the 200 right? I dont want to go anything smaller than 31's, I really wanna run 35's but I know it aint gonna happen. I would like to be able to get the power, and the gears from a donor to be able to push 35's, not quickly, but be able to take off from a stop without frying the clutch, and be able to hit 55-60 and stay there if the ground gets to be a slight uphill.

Im looking nwo into a cheaper 2wd late 80's mazda/nissan/yota to be my DD, Ill most likely lower that one, get some rims but keep stock O.D. and get decent mileage, and use it for trips and whatnot, and the 720 will be the toy...

not sure what Ill do.

If you can fit an H233B/R200A combo in there, you can drop in 5.14s. That will get you to 35s. You could do a SAS and achieve the same thing.

I was always thinking about swapping in yota axles w/ some 5.29's, originaly wanted the 5.71's for some additional reclaimed acceleration, but heard on the 5.71's the pinion is just too small to be durable.

but that costs alot more than just the minor overhaul, plus I am waiting for my economic stimulus act or whatever its called monmey to buy my welder and compressor so I can run some good air tools.

well if you are going to make the 720 a toy and you want 35's, hands down go with the yota axles.

You said your going to buy a welder, make sure you buy a 220 unit. air tools and a welder is pretty much all you'll need to throw in some axles.

Since the 720 has a centered t-case you can pretty much throw in any axle you want up front. IE: find a awesome deal on a passenger droop jeep axle.