m1noel

I doubt that you have ruined your tail shaft bearing as little as you have driven it. It doesn't even look like the drip is coming from the DS in the pic. I overfilled mine a little when we put it in and it has just now stopped dripping after a drive. Good luck with all.... Mike

If the DS is too long it will probably bind the U-joints a little and will cause vibration. And starting at 30mph is definately forward of the rear end. Mike

JCI's kit sets the engine so that the crank pulley is just ahead of the front axle line. There is just enough room at the firewall to get the engine in w/o touching. It is just right to get the manual shifter in the center of the console. I think there are some engine compartment pics on my link below. Mike

Clive, Congrats on getting to drive the thing a little, hope all goes well at Daytona. I finally got mine out of town Thursday. Drove 300 miles, mostly on the freeway in the wide open spaces of Idaho. Problably 30 miles of around town stop and go, never below 80 on the freeway, mostly 85-90 with a few quick spurts up over 100, and got 24.8 MPG. Best I ever got with the L6 was 21! Please guys, post some vid of Daytona when you can. Mike

RW- Get good wiring diagrams for the Z, and from the donor car with the pin-outs. Just go slow and solder up one connection at a time and you'll do fine. Mike

Vinh- Sergio and I both used the B&M shifter. I really like it. You can see some pics on the link in my sig. I'm pretty sure there are some on Sergio's (Ulises) site too. MIke

I hope that badger isn't living in that car somewhere. Mike

Sergio, Looks like you need to locate a good car wash down there. Good luck and keep in touch. Mike

RELIVING MY CHILDHOOD?????? Almost 50 here, and how could I be reliving my childhood when I have been living it every day of my life? Mike

As far as I know, no kits are yet available for this swap. I believe there may be some under developement. Check with JTR (Stealth Conversions), and JCI (Johns Cars). Johns has the only LSx mounting kit for the S30's. Mike

I have the T56 with a Tilton 3/4" master. It is maybe a little lighter than my wifes 350Z. Way easier than the Nissan 5 speed with centerforce and stock master. I used the stock GTO master till it started leaking with under 4000 miles on it. It was almost like pushing just against the pedal spring. When bleeding it I really could not tell when it started to build pressure. I also have the B&M shifter, which seems to take some of the clunkiness out, and way shortens the throws. The car is just easier to drive around town now than it has ever been. Besides, with to torque, I can pull away from a stop in 3rd without lugging. Mike

Vinh, Glad the family (the really important stuff) is mostly ok. Sorry about the car, man. Mike

Congrats Curtis, and nice 60' times. Mike

all riced out Mike

What Braap said! I put in an engine not even covered in the book and it was still well worth the $$. Mike

If the white smoke is coming out the exhaust, it is a head or gasket. If it is coming out around the water pump, it may just be the pump gasket. I bought a really nice 76 many years ago because the kid thought he blew the engine. I didn't know till I bought it and towed it home that it was only a water pump gasket. Mike

curb weight 1981 280ZX (Road Test Mag.) from March of 81 was 2877lbs. Road and Track had 2825 for a 79, and 2995 for an 81 turbo. Its amazing how close our weights are with many of the same mods. Mike

Yeah, We (ok, my wife) have the 05 GT Roadster. After 2 years it now has 3K miles. It will probably be stock forever, and we will probably have it as long as I've had the 280 (over 25 years now). Part of the reason I did the LS2/T56 was because I could no longer keep up with her. Mike

Read LS1 sticky at the top of this forum. It will explain pretty much all of it as the LS1 and 2 are pretty much the same except for the wiring which is maybe just a little easier for the LS2. You might check out the link in my sig also, and check out Ulises car. Mike PS. the LS2 has electronic throttle by wire which works well if you get the pedal from a donor car and eliminates the throttle cable.

Wow, that looks like fun. Wish we had a track near here. Thanks for the videos. Mike

Clive, If they think that's an Opel, you really need to find some different car guys to hang out with. Maybe some older than 12, or with an IQ over 12. Mike

Pat, Not too many rust free z's for sale in Mtn Home. You might watch for a nice AZ or CA car. The 280's are heavier but somewhat quieter to drive and a little easier for swaps in some aspects. I'd invest in the JTR books, do a lot of research, then make a list of everything you need. The book was very helpful to me even though they don't cover the engine I decided to use. If you are coming in to Boise/Meridian in the near future, PM me if you'd like to get together. Mike

Congrats clive, sounds great, and the visual effects are cool too. And who needs lights anyway????? Mike

I had 2 bids from local shops to do an LS1 swap before I decided to do the LS2 myself. They both wanted about 14 grand if they could get the engine/trans for $5000. Mike

No, the 15's are not for sale, may want to go play again someday. I'll look for some old pics when I get some time. Mike