DRIVING: that's what it's ALL ABOUT! A blog and website for automotive driving enthusiasts, featuring my interests as I see them: news and opinion about manufacturers of interest, significant enthusiast cars, and driving them hard and well.
Following up to my previous post, suggesting that a Nissan/Infiniti VQ35 engine would make a great swap into an early Z, I've found a site where the owner details exactly that. The donor engine is from a late model 350Z. The recipient is a 240Z.
Great site: follow the link above to read lots more.
And thanks to the author of that site, I'm starting to see how my own Z project could happen...
Another great find today: a SHO V-6 swap into an early Z.
As my readers know, I'm a fan of the early Zs because of the driving dynamics and all-time classic styling. They were a masterpiece in their time... and they remain as such.
However... the original engine would be difficult to bring up to modern performance expectations. It's pretty pointless, unless you are doing a restoration for concurs.
When it comes to performance enhancements for early Zs, you can't beat a GT-R engine. Except in price. So unless you can find one, much less afford it, a Nissan/Infiniti V-6 would be the next best thing. Failing that a Ford/Yamaha SHO DOHC V-6 engine would be the next choice.
And why not? It's a top quality engine, it's capable of even more power, it's reliable, it's available, and a transmission is easy to find.
Continue at the link above for a full set of pictures.
SHOing that you can't keep a good engine down, here's another SHO engine refugee finding a good home in another very unlikely recipient. This time it's a mid-50s Healey.
Continue at the link for extensive imagery and text.
Here's a quote from the site which explains the rationale for saving your SHO engine and finding a good home for it: "The most unappreciated engine ever used in an American car. Idles smoother than a BMW and screams like an Italian exotic at 7000 rpm, as well as being a piece of art to look at with its 12 intake runners."
Here's a good swap: out with the boat-anchor and in with a state-of-the-art Yamaha SHO V-6 engine.
An interesting and detailed account of the swap can be found at the link above.
The majority of swaps into the TR-7 were V-8s, both in British and Australian displacements of the formerly-Buick all-aluminum engine. Some were even done by the factory until the V-8 was properly engineered and offered as a production option: first with a carb and later with the much more desirable fuel injection.
210 sales for the entire month of December 2007. This includes the 3rd month of 2008 model year sales, and any sales of the new CR (which Honda does not break out separately).
The total for the calender year was only 4300 - the worst ever for a full year.
2007 ends with 63k S2000s sold in the Americas. To put this in perspective, note that Honda and Acura sold 73k cars (not including trucks) in the month of December 2007 alone.
Mitsubishi released prices this week for the Evo GSR. Very reasonable, and competitive against the STI.
Oddly, no pricing yet for the MR.
Mitsubishi Press Release follows:
2008 Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution Pricing
January 11, 2008 -- CYPRESS, CA. --
Mitsubishi Motors North America, Inc. (MMNA) has announced pricing for its all-new 2008 Lancer Evolution GSR high-performance sedan. The strikingly styled 2008 Lancer Evolution showcases new performance and handling technology, including an all-new 291-hp 2.0-liter turbocharged/intercooled engine and the Super-All Wheel Control (S-AWC) dynamic handling system. S-AWC offers an extraordinary level of control at each wheel, going well beyond the capabilities of other all-wheel drive systems. The 2008 Lancer Evolution GSR will start at a manufacturer's suggested retail price (MSRP) of $32,990. Pricing for the Twin Clutch-SST equipped Lancer Evolution MR will be announced later this spring.
"The high-performance engine, sports car handling dynamics and striking design of the 2008 Lancer Evolution will appeal to enthusiasts worldwide - for those who desire a racing-inspired daily driver with street credentials as well as those planning weekend track action," said Dan Kuhnert, executive vice president for marketing and sales, Mitsubishi Motors North America. "The Lancer Evolution is priced right - for performance equal to exotic sports cars at a significant savings."
The 2008 Lancer Evolution GSR is a better all-around car than its predecessor. The suspension is tuned to provide a more compliant and stable ride than before without compromising handling performance. The all-new GSR's 5-speed transmission is designed for track duty with multiple syncros on each gear, and the most rugged manual transmission ever equipped in a Lancer Evolution vehicle. Inside, the Lancer Evolution shows a new international flair. The new Recaro seats integrate new side airbags. Available user technology, including Rockford Fosgate® audio and hard disk drive based navigation systems, reflects the tastes of a broadening customer base. Standard safety features include an advanced dual front air bag supplemental restraint system (SRS) with occupant sensors, standard front seat-mounted side-impact air bags and side curtain air bags, plus a driver's knee air bag.
The Sight, Sound and Spoiler package, $2,000.00 MSRP, includes 650-Watt (max) Rockford-Fosgate Punch Premium Sound System w/ 9-Speakers including 10" Subwoofer, Sirius Satellite Radio w/ 6 Months Service Provided by Sirius from Date of Sale, 6CD/MP3 In-Dash Head Unit, Large Rear Spoiler, FAST Key Entry System and HID Headlights with Manual Leveling. Destination and handling charges for the 2008 Lancer Evolution are $625.
Safety Features Standard safety features for all 2008 Lancer models include an advanced dual front air bag supplemental restraint system (SRS) with occupant sensors; driver's side knee air bag, front seat-mounted side-impact air bags and side curtain air bags (front and rear); a and a tire pressure monitoring system. GSR models have a standard anti-lock braking system (ABS) with electronic brake-force distribution (EBD).
Premium Warranty Mitsubishi cars, sport utility vehicles and pickup trucks are backed by comprehensive new vehicle limited warranties. Mitsubishi Eclipse, Lancer, Galant, Endeavor and Outlander vehicles come with a 10-year/100,000 mile powertrain limited warranty; along with a 5-year/60,000 mile bumper to bumper new vehicle limited warranty. The high-performance Lancer Evolution is covered by a 5-year, 60,000 mile powertrain limited warranty, along with a 3-year/36,000 mile bumper to bumper new vehicle limited warranty. Mitsubishi pickup trucks are covered by a 5-year/60,000 mile bumper to bumper new vehicle limited warranty that also includes powertrain components.
All Mitsubishi vehicles have a 7-year /100,000 mile anti-corrosion/perforation limited warranty, along with 5-years/unlimited miles Roadside Assistance, which includes free towing to the nearest authorized Mitsubishi retailer.
Mitsubishi Motors North America, Inc., (MMNA) is responsible for all manufacturing, finance, sales, marketing, research and development operations for Mitsubishi Motors in the United States. MMNA sells coupes, convertibles, sedans, sport utility vehicles, and light trucks through a network of approximately 500 dealers. For more information, contact the Mitsubishi Motors News Bureau at (888) 560-6672 or visit media.mitsubishicars.com.
Description
(Eng/Tran)
Suggested Retail Price***
Comments
Lancer Evolution GSR - DOHC I4 MIVEC Turbo
(2.0L/5MT)
$32,990.00
5-Speed Manual
Options
Suggested Retail Price***
Sight, Sound, and Spoiler Package HID Headlights with Manual Leveling, 650-Watt (MAX) Rockford-Fosgate Punch Premium Sound System w/ 9-Speakers including 10" Subwoofer, Sirius Satellite Radio w/ 6 Months Service Provided by Sirius from Date of Sale, 6CD/MP3 In-Dash Head Unit, Large Rear Spoiler, FAST Key Entry System
$2,000.00
OPT
Premium Paint Charge (Phantom Black)
$250.00
OPT
Accessories
Option Availability
Accessory Navigation Package 30GB HDD Navigation w/ Digital Music Server & CD/DVD Capability * Replaces In-Dash Audio Head Unit
$1,999.00
ACY
Accessory 6-CD Audio Head Unit In-Dash 6CD/MP3 Audio Head Unit * Replaces In-Dash Audio Head Unit
$399.00
ACY
Accessory Aero Kit - Base GSR Front Airdam, Side Air Dam, Rear Airdam, Brake Air Guides, Rear Lip Spoiler
$1,999.00
ACY
Accessory Aero Kit Front Airdam, Side Air Dam, Rear Airdam, Brake Air Guides, Rear Spoiler Extension
NOTE: * Please refer to Dealer Coding Guide. ** Includes Dealer Holdback Allowance & Flooring Assistance. *** Suggested Retail. Dealer is free to establish his/her own mark-ups or margins.
Prices are subject to change without notice. Prices are established at the time of vehicle shipment Destination/Handling, Taxes, Advertising, Promotional Fees, if any, are additional. Features, options and other equipment are based on the latest information available at the time of printing and are subject to change without notice.
Following up to my previous post, suggesting that a Nissan/Infiniti VQ35 engine would make a great swap into an early Z, I've found a site where the owner details exactly that. The donor engine is from a late model 350Z. The recipient is a 240Z.
Another great find today: a SHO V-6 swap into an early Z. 
SHOing that you can't keep a good engine down, here's another SHO engine refugee finding a good home in another very unlikely recipient. This time it's a mid-50s Healey.
Here's a good swap: out with the boat-anchor and in with a state-of-the-art Yamaha SHO V-6 engine. 
210 sales for the entire month of December 2007. This includes the 3rd month of 2008 model year sales, and any sales of the new CR (which Honda does not break out separately).
