[Did a little work on my Z...]

Ouch!!

 

Hope you get it running soon!! Are the roller rockers a good "bang for the buck" mod?

[Finally took some pics of the Z.]

Well, now that I have a V8 installed...I'm *considering* something along the lines of a piece BRE style spoiler or something.

[Yeah yeah, I know, search...]

Nikolai,

 

That's a very rare swap...probably hasn't been documented.

 

Just out of curiosity, though...what advantages are you thinking the NS swap has over something like an LT1 or an LS1? Or...just to be different?

[Finally took some pics of the Z.]

Thanks guys.

 

That's the MSA front air dam II

[Finally took some pics of the Z.]

 

Still gotta get a hood and finish up a few things, but, anyway...

[F-40 Rear wing]

OK....took a new pic.

 

[Oil Pressure Switch per JTR]

It's too late now, but, they also sell the oil pressure guage T-adapters at Autozone in their "performance" section.

[Oil Pressure Switch per JTR]

Well because the book, swap bible, Holy Grail of Datsun to V8 suggested the Chrysler switch that's why

 

Yeah, I've come to not trust everything in that book It's led me astray a few times and I've found better, cheaper, solutions to a few things in the book.

 

Glad you got what you needed, though!!

[Oil Pressure Switch per JTR]

Why bother with the Chrysler switch when you can get a fuel pump switch for an 80something Camaro from GM for like $8-10?

[new to the v8 z]

For a Throttle cable I found that Autozone/Checkers carries a nice throttle linkage kit for about $25. It can be cut to fit and is very easy to install. It has the steel braided cable like the LOKAR setup, but, for much cheaper and is easier to obtain.

 

Look in the domestic performance/dressup section.

[Painted my engine]

Looks awesome!!

 

I have to add that is probably the most colorful engine stand I've ever seen!!

[ID this fender/skirt/bumper]

I would appreciate it if nobody else responded to this thread. Every time I open it up I want to start ordering new body parts.

 

Thank you for your consideration

[LS1 Z32, motor mounted, few questions.]

Don't give me that garbage. If I can live without A/C in Arizona you shouldn't have any problems

[V8 ZX tach and alt. ?'s]

If it's anything like the 280Z it's VERY easy to wire up the chevy alternator...the chevy alternator is cheaper and puts out more, plus you don't have to worry about making any kind of custom bracket.

[245/45r16s on 10" wheels Track Use]

I think that will stretch the tires out too much.

 

I'm running 245/45r16's on (I believe) 8" wheels...may be 8.5"...I forget.

[ID this fender/skirt/bumper]

For some strange reason...that car gives me the urge to paint mine black

[Dyno test and....]

Demi,

 

Do you have any better shots of your flares?

[Dyno test and....]

It's not really the amount of power that you send through a rear end that usually kills it...it's the sudden "shock" of torque that you send through a rear end while launching from a sudden stop.

 

Good numbers. I bet your car feels better on the road now???

[z31]

Typically you use a chevy engine, transmission, and a custom driveshaft. You can use the Nissan rear end unless you plan on building a high hp car (I think the general rule is anything over 400hp)

[Anyone run these Yokohama's on their Z?]

One thing I forgot to mention:

 

I'm running 245/45r16's in the back and 225/45r16's up front. Although they are the same numerical size as what I took off, the new ES100's are slightly wider than the Falken's I took off.

[V8Z thoughts]

Yep!! Sounds like we're right about *there*

 

What size tires are you runniing? I'm running 245/45r16's in the rear and when I mash it...it just...well...goes!!! Not alot of tire spin...maybe some...it just hooks up and goes!!! Of course, your 1st is probably alot lower than mine.

 

The bands in your tranny are used to hold an element. One of the things a shift kit does is makes the band grab onto the element quicker, which reduces the amount of time the element slips...think of it like...how some people ride the clutch, while they're riding the clutch is wearing...same concept. That's how it helps your bands last longer.

 

I know there are different tailshaft lengths for the TH350...I wonder if you got one of the long tailshafted TH350s...hmm...

 

Anyway, at the moment I've driven it every day this week. Thought I'd give my R1 a break I just went out and shimmed up my rear diff, so the adapter is no longer grazing my rear sway bar...makes backing up alot nicer now

 

Sorry to hear about the bolt breaking off in your tranny pan. I swear, if it's not one thing it's another!!!

 

I decided to not run a hood latch...so, in addition to saving up for a different tranny, I'm also saving up for a different hood. I would feel bad about drilling holes through my very nice factory hood...at the moment I'm cruising without a hood...gotta admits...the looks from all of the domestic and import racers alike feels kind good

[Starter Problem?]

Well, I'll probably hold on to it for awhile and then if I don't hear back from the company I bought it from send it down to a local place that rebuilds starters/generators...OR just take it apart and see if I can find anything obvious with it.

[Starter Problem?]

Brandon, Jolane:

 

I have a grounding strap on my engine, so that isn't the problem. I already thought of that and even added a second grounding strap. It's an internal starter issue. The starter worked for a bit, but, started getting worse under the engine load. The regular direct drive starter that came on the El Camino engine (looks like an AC Delco rebuild) (plain ole GM starter) is working fine.

 

So...the problem is basically solved, except that I have a reman starter that refuses to start a car that was bought online by a company that can't seem to answer emails. Fortunately I didn't leave them any feedback yet...so, a little negative feedback is in order.

 

Anyway, the car starts fine now Thanks for the replies, however.

[Yet another SS hood for sale]

280Zone...

 

How much are you selling the hoods for outright? Would rather not get into a bidding contest and can pick up vs. having you ship.

[V8Z thoughts]

OK.

 

Have had the Z running for about 3 or 4 days now and have been driving it back and forth to work.

 

Now that I'm able to relax and have gotten most of the bugs worked out, I'm very pleased with the overall driveability of the car. It's not a built engine, just a stock 350 with an Edelbrock intake and the block hugger headers. While it may not be a powerhouse like most of you guys, I'm quite happy with the overall effect of having a V8 in the Z.

 

The car just feels "easier" to drive now with the V8. I don't have to push the engine to get the car to move and I don't have to wrap it out to get in front of other traffic. It's very nice!!!

 

I do have a built up suspension, but, I can't even tell there is any added weight at all. It rides just like it did before and does everything else all the same. If I didn't know any better (and maybe I don't) I'd almost swear that the steering is actually EASIER than it was before. Maybe I'm wrong...it just feels that way to me.

 

Although I still don't have the interior reinstalled (I'm going to have new carpet put back in) it is in no way too loud for "comfortable" driving (my suspension is beyond stiff, so comfort is kind of a thing in the past anyway...although, I wouldn't mind a little more noise coming from the exhaust. I plan on getting a more straight through muffler than the MagnaFlo I have on the car now.

 

I started to question myself for awhile on if I made the right decision...but...I'm glad I stuck through it and worked all of my problems out.

 

One decision I made was to use the TH350 transmission that came with the El Camino donor. Alot of people say that one would regret running the TH350. I don't regret the decision...however, I do wish I would have had the funds to get a different tranny...however, if I would have waited to get a different tranny the engine probably still be on a stand, rather than driving the Z around...or, I wouldn't have had enough for other stuff I needed. Now that I have the car running I have the luxury of debating which tranny I should go with. I'm still thinking the 2004R would be the best choice for me. I like the gear ratios of it over the 700r4 and they seem to hold up well in lighter cars with a moderate amount of power (I can't go too crazy and expect to pass emissions).

 

Thanks for all of the help over the past couple of months guys!!