Phantom

Lone Star 1 and I both have done the LS1 swap. He lives in the Mesquite area and I live in Arlington. Kit parts for the conversion can be purchased from John@johnscars.com (214) 426-4101. Cost is purely dependent on the parts you use and how much of the work you do yourself. All inclusive, I doubt if you can do it right for less than $7,000.

Been a while on the 280Z28. Posts in other areas cover some of this but will summarize here. Car has been steadily getting heavier. The rear strut tower brace has been added and I've also installed an Autopower SCCA 4-pt. roll bar. Both went in pretty easily and have nice fits. Car ran a 12.9@110 at the strip about 10 days ago on street tires and still with the restrictive 2.5" exhaust. No more track time until traction and exhaust problems fixed. I do have the launch technique down now. Still sorting out several other problems. Climate control system currently is just a blast furnace. Heat off the heater even with AC selected and heat pouring up through the shifter hole in the tunnel. The tunnel problem is an easy fix but the climate control is another story. Have a vibration in the front at speed now. Thought at first it was a loose T/C rod and I did find one loose but problem came back. I'll delve more deeply into that. Also have a new noise in the rear that occurs when I go over certain bumps. Sounds similar to having loose upper strut bolts but I've already confirmed that those are tight. I'll get the car up on a lift and really go through it. I just hope it's something a little loose and nothing broken. Car goes into paint jail on 11/15 to have some shoddy work redone. To their credit ,the body shop guys were really embarrassed to see what had happened with the front spoiler paint. LS1, T56 and R200 are working well together. No unusual noises there and the car just plain hauls. After my second round at Ennis I am now pretty convinced that the 3.70:1 ratio is probably the right one. 4th gear is good to 120 mph which means I should be able to run down into the 11's without having to do another shift. With some stickier tires the car should launch like a beast. I've got the 60' time down to 2.0 now and better tires will just bring it down from there. I won't get into ScottieGNZ times but it will be respectable.

Click here: http://zccw.org/Tech/Body/08-97AnalysisEarlyZChassis.html You will see that there are really only two chassis designs for the early Gen. 1 Z's. The change from one to the other occurred in mid-year of the 260Z production which is why some have the 240Z style bumper (chassis) and some have the 280Z crash bumper (280Z chassis).

Won't happen - terminal velocity in free fall is about 140 mph so car would very rapidly decellerate to that speed once clear of the plane.

Click on the links below and look at the pics. Speakers in back, in the deck, under the 1/4 window & in the doors.

Search under LS1/T56. I went with the 280 for my LS1/T56 conversion. The 280 already has fuel injection so the tank was set up and a locatin available for the external fuel pump. It also is structurally stronger although I've still added strut tower braces and a roll bar with subframe connectors to come.

Search the form for fastest street car or something like that. there is a posting either under motorsports or non-tech that shows & talks about a guy running a big block in a 240Z running in the 9's.

Well - the Top End Racing front strut bar I installed bolts to the firewall about 8" either side of the hood latch and seems really solid. The rear bar bolts to the top of the towers both sides and then 'V's' back across and down to bolt into the drivers side a second time down low. I also installed the Auto Power SCCA rated roll bar over the weekend so the back end should be getting pretty rigid now. I still plan on reinforcing the sub-frame connectors but that is a ways out. I've got other fish to fry on this car before I get back to that.

Guys - I've been dealing off and on with MSA for about 15 years now. I have NEVER had a problem with them that wasn't overcome with a single phone call. They have always been courteous towards me and their service has been excellent. I have their products all over my car. Do they always make the best or cheapest of everything they offer, probably not. They do, however, have a huge offering at reasonable prices and are always the first place I look for an aftermarket part. And here's the best part - they'll be there next week if I need to talk with them about a part I ordered.

I have 12 years and about $30k in mine including purchase price, all repairs, and modifications.

I've got the 3.70 R200 LSD mounted on my '77 280Z. I initially used the original half-shafts and u-joints. I've since upgraded the u-joints to the Spice Brute Force units. The car is running 12.9@110 and seems to be holding together.

That's where mine is too. I ordered an SCCA spec roll bar today. I'm going to get it in and then look at beefing up the frame rails. we'll see after that.

Oops - was writing this while you were writing yours. Jon - I have the Top End Racing strut tower braces front and rear now. Just added them in the past two weeks. The front runs across AND triangulates back to the firewall. The rear runs accross the top of the strut towers and then triangulates down on the driver side. I, too, have noticed the difference in handling when under power on a corner. I'm concerned that it's not enough, however, so I'm planning to add the four point roll bar and also reinforce the frame rails beneath the car. It will cost me some time due to the additional weight but it will still be faster than a two-piece car. My big question was in reference to attachment tabs to the underside of the roof and at the side to integrate the chassis more solidly into the roll bar. Your thoughts?

Let's bring this one back to life. I made my second trip to the track last Friday in the 280Z28. It has a total of 7 runs down the track plus the "unofficial power demonstrations". I have been watching the 'B' pillar like a hawk and noticed a hairline crack on the passenger side this weekend. I have triangulated front and rear strut tower braces now and I'm definitely going to add a 4-pt roll bar. I've noticed suggestions about tieing it into the top/sides of the car. Any further observations?

Scott, Call Jerry at All Z Car Specialist in Fort Worth. (817) 483-0383. I'm sure he has a plethura of R200's laying around you could get a cover off.

Theoretically you can build a car capable of doing it. I just don't know all the aerodynamic modifications that would be required. Here's what you would need mechanically: LS6 motor with procharger running at 7 psi boost. That would give you at least 540 RWHP. It can be modified to give up to 700 RWHP with more money. T56 transmission along with the Nissan 3.70:1 R200 LSD or the R230 equivalent. With 25" diameter tires this will give you 240 MPH in 6th gear at 6,000 RPM. My 280Z28 is currently running a 311 RWHP LS1 with no procharger, the T56 and the 3.70 LSD R200 with 225/50-16 tires and I have confirmed the gearing is good for 120 in 4th, 160 in 5th and 240 in 6th at 6,000 rpm. The challenge is to find a way to keep in on the ground at those speeds.

Are you talking about the nylon inserted lock nuts? Don't think the nylon will survive too well at the temperatures under your rocker covers - then you'll have lttle nylon bits floating around your oil system If you're thinking about the all steel variety then those might work. I'd do some serious asking around before I did it though.

Brad, Not that unusual for a competition tire. I know a guy with some Kumho Ecsta MX's that do the same thing. Basically it gets hot and picks up everyone else's rubber. You just need to get it on a twisty track and scrub it off!! Not real happy about hearing how you burn them all the way through 2nd and into 3rd gear. What kind of torque are you developing and what gearing in your differential?

Jeff - go through the personal albums and find one you like - then email the guy for what kind it is.

LS1/T56 & 3.70:1 R200 LSD, Dyno'd 311 RWHP, 326 RWTQ - Running 225/50-16 Yokohama S306's. They don't hook at all in 1st and barely in 2nd. Planning on going to the Kumho Ecsta MX's when these wear out.

Friday night at Texas Motorplex Spot. I'm still running on street tires so that's my story if the times don't come in where I want them - and I'm sticking to it!!

Actually every time in the 280Z28 is play time. I was coming home tonight and ended up alongside a Neon with major ground effects package & fart can. Very well done but a bit extreme. Evidently the kid driving had noticed me earlier and just wanted a look at the car. He was not interested in any "sporting" at all. He had a big friendly smile so I gave him the sound and view of engaging third gear at 60. After I slowed back down and he caught up got another big smile and the "that's awesome man" shake of the head. Nice kid. It was a good drive home.

The guys that drive them certainly have a high reguard for themselves - and probably rightfully so. I've never ridden in or driven a Viper - I don't fit real well. Tried to mess with one coming back from the car show yesterday. Just couldn't get him interested but did finally get his attention when I downshifted a couple gears and left him. Needed to get over a couple lanes quickly as my off-ramp was coming up.

Take a road trip over to the DFW, TX area and I'll let you take my LS1 powered '77 280Z for a spin. You can decide from there.

That engine design has been araoung close to 10 years now. I wonder why it hasn't gotten off the ground?