Phantom

I guess I'm just a hard head. Went to the TXDOT inspection people and had a really nice conversation with one of their "experts" He talked to the inspection station folks and told them to put a sticker on the car. 1) Over 24 years old so inspection only - no emissions, and 2) Only '84 & newer require cats - if they were original equipment. This particular inspection station - Hamiltons Car Care at 3028 E. Abrams, Arlington, TX was just flat being a royal pain. Basically I think they are so paranoid about getting nailed by the Federalies that they wouldn't go potty without chapter and verse out of the manual. I think the state has the right idea on their approach but regs are a little too open to mis-interpretation. According ot the TXDOT guy a "reconstructed" vehicle is a like a dune buggy or a hot rod. I know mine is probably now skirting with that definition but it is still "mostly" Datsun. Like I said before - know the inspection station. the less they actually know about cars the easier it will probably be - they'll just go off the insurance paper that gives the year of manufacture and do a safety only inspection.

Yeah - it actually cost more than the LS1/T56 conversion but then I've had her 30 years and the Z only 11. She's got the seniority. Not only that, she's the best thing that's ever happened to me - even considering the Z - so she more than deserves it. And yes, I've been educated on the 4C's for a long time which actually saved me a buttload of money by staying away from the investment grades.

Looked at the web site and it supports what you say and what I thought. The problem is the inspection station is sticking by the "reconstructed" vehicle rule and trying to say that "year of manufacture" is year that it was rebuilt. I told him I thought he was wrong so now I'll have to contact the DPS to get a ruling.

For you North Texas guys Jerry over at All Z Car Specialist in SE Ft. Worth is a true gem. Somehow my hatch lock got broken so stopped by there yesterday to get one off one of his parts cars. Turns out a locksmith can rekey an old one to my ignition key for a reasonable fee. Anyway - Jerry got a "first look" at the LS1 and I got the lock for free. Whole evolution took about 10 minutes as I had to get home and take my wife shopping - that's another post on this forum.

My wife is not a car lover. She tolerates my passion because she loves me and has proven that repeatedly for over 30 years now. She's been a bit jealous since I got the '77 back so last night I took her shopping. To all the other costs of the car add a 3 carat marquis set in a band with another 3.5 carats of diamonds. She consented to ride down to the Sonic for a car show this weekend after that.

Dave, These guys think they've got it all now as some of these new diesels have like 350 HP and 500 lb-ft of torque. What they forget is that their vehicle weighs like 5,000 lbs and they have a power band about 1,500 rpm wide. I'm still looking for that Cobra driver that looked down his nose at me last week. I'm going to bury it in bowtie fumes and see what's on his face then - like a double case of chagrin! I love that quote off "The Waterboy": "Lets open up a can of Whoopass!"

At this point I'm as confused as anyone. I'm getting a lot of conflicting information. I'm beginning to think that the "reconstruction" rule may be for vehicles less than 25 years old. I'm trying to very carefully verify that now. It will take a few days. In the meantime, I'd suggest you have your car inspected at a place that knows you, don't say anything about the V-8, keep the hood down, and get a SAFETY inspection. If they ask about the exhaust note it's just a new exhaust system.

Mike, I'm running 225/50-16 Yokohamas and I don't think they hook up quite as well as some tires. I can't go wider with the wheels I have without flaring the fenders and I'm not willing to do that. I do agree - 1st gear launch is a rush! Definitely impresses folks along for the ride and keeps me on my toes staying in a straight line and off the rev limiter. Also - one more thing - the Z is probably 700 lbs lighter than the Camaro? That makes a significant difference in hook-up.

In Texas any engine that was originally equipped with catalytic converters will have to have them - especially since the law really refers to the year of 'conversion' not to the year of the body or engine. My Z was a California version so it originally had a cat but that is no help with a V-8. This baby will either be heat shielded or insulated out the wazoo. Whatever it takes to pass, It'll get done - even if it's a "bolt in". T56 - 1st gear too low - 2.66:1 should be about 2.35:1 - Would keep the ratios closer and not shred the tires quite so badly. Right now my normal cruise technique is to start in 2nd. No effort required to do that. It's as smooth as 1st gear start in an L28. If I am in a big hurry I get it rolling in first and then stomp it and hang on. 2nd gear shift comes in about 2-3 seconds, 3rd gear shift about 4-5 seconds after that. Car's for sale at $30,000 - any takers?

Turns out that all the "stock" cars that are 24 years old or older in Texas are exempt from emissions testing. Unfortunately the V-8 conversion puts me into the "reconstructed" division which means I have to meet emissions requirements of the year reconstructed. Car passed with flying colors in all categories except it has no cats. I've got 15 days to get that fixed and then I'm on my way again.

Same scales and not sure it gained 10 lbs. I actually had 1-2 gallons more fuel in it than when I weighed it the first time so it could be actually the same wieght and it could be an even 50-50 at that fuel level. Nope, I started terrorizing streets in Arlington last night. I was only a couple miles from home and it didn't break on the trip home so I tried to break it - but not really hard. Results were some truly awesome straight line runs and one Firebird driver with a new respect for Z cars.

Thanks for the offer but no way. Two reasons - one that's about 60 miles each way for me and, two, 10:00 is my bedtime on weekdays as I'm up at 5:30. If it was mid-cities around 8:00 I would be tempted. Y'all have a fun time.

Have your folks check with their insurance company and compare costs of a newer Honda Civic and a nice, clean 75-78 280Z. YOu'll find that the Z will probably be the same or cheaper - and a lot less to repair. Find yourself a clean 280Z that looks decent and that you can use as a daily driver and "prove its worth" to your family. My old Z has had a fraction of the repair costs of the newer cars in my family. Then get a plan, get your pieces/parts ahead of time and then do your upgrades. Either all at once or, if possible, in weekend bites. I did that for 10 years with mine until the "BIG" conversion and then it went into the shop for 11 months. In the meantime, however, my family was fine with me picking up another Z to use as a daily driver while the 1st one was in the shop because they are "cute" and reliable and don't cost much. Now the 1st Z is back and my wife wants to keep the second one around. In other words, quit complaining and develop a plan that can work to your benefit - and your families.

Here is my first technical feedback on my conversion. '77 280Z with MSA Aero II kit on it with 16" wheels & tires along with LS1/T56/3.7R200. Stock interior. Battery in regular battery compartment and about 3/4 tank of gas. Driver weight NOT included. Total weight = 2810 lbs., 1,400 lbs front, 1,410 lbs rear. This was done on a certified truck axle scale. Weights could vary +/- 10 lbs due to standard scale error. With me in it it weighed 3,040, 1,500 front & 1,540 rear. One other detail. Before I started the conversion the car weighed 2,800 lbs.

Kinked, Know how you feel. Been waiting 11 months on mine. Finally got it on the road last night. A few things that need fixing but they will wait for a while so I can ensure everything is fully sorted out. At this point it's almost as good as a cat shot off a carrier. I love terrorizing other cars, even LS1 equipped Fbodies. They just aren't expecting what happens when we start to play.

Know how you feel about the Porsche comment. With the Aero II kit on my car and all the 280Z insignias removed I have confused many people and also been mistaken for a Porsche. They usually get doubly confused when I tell them it is a "Datsun" as most younger folks have never heard of one. It does give kind of a perverse pleasure.

Couldn't take it any longer last night so went back out and did a few loops where the "local talent" likes to hang out. Guess Sunday night is not their night. Car is continuing to run sweet. Everything is uneventful and smooth. Even got some electrical problems the car originally had repaired. Now if I could just get the strut tower braces.

I have a '77 280Z and the fan for the Ac is way too underpowered. I have new everything in my AC system and can get the air cold but just can't move enough of it to cool the car down in this Texas heat. Anyone know of a drop-in blower that will move more air - like twice as much??

Jim, This car is really quick and reasonably subdued audibly at idle or normal cruise. When the throttle gets stabbed though the whole world changes. The ears are suddenly assaulted with the scream of the V-8 winding up, the back is smooshed into the seatback and the mouth wraps a grin that runs all the way from one ear to the other. Simultaneously the folks in the cars next to me return home for clothing changes. This is definitley going to be fun!

OK guys, the car is home. I put about 35 miles getting him home and then made several "loops" on the local frontage road giving rides. At this point I have discovered seval things: 1) I have a 5% speedo error, car is doing 57 when it says 60 2) Synchro in 6th? What synchro? 3) All the gears are useful - not totally necessary - but useful. 2nd gear starts will be the norm for regular driving and 6th will only be used for Interstate. Car pulls in 6th as well as the old L28 pulled in 3rd. 4) Moving the differential vertically up an inch did wonders for wheel hop, the car hardly has any. 5) The 4-row Datsun radiator with the Z28 fans works great. The engine never budged off 180°F whether on the highway, AC on or off, or running up and down the frontage road or just sitting idling. 6) The rev limiter does cut in at 6,000. This engine is so smooth up through the power band that it's easy to hit the limiter if not paying attention. 7) At highway cruise the noise in the cabin is generated by tires, wind, differential, and AC fan motor. Under heavy throttle it's all exhaust - and I do mean it's all exhaust. This car sounds very docile until the throttle gets stabbed. Cyrus - you're right about coming off the line a little easy so the tires don't go up in a cloud of smoke. Once it starts moving though - Katy bar the door - it just squats and goes. The 3.7:1 R200 LSD puts the torque down through both of the Yokohama 225/50-16's and it just screams. This car is unbelieveable quick from 10 to 85 in 2nd/3rd. Even first has minimal wheel spin if not broken loose initially. Oh - and before anyone asks - no pics for right now. I lent my digital camera out and probably won't get it back for a week. One other minor detail - right now I'm speed limited to about 110 as my wiper blades start to lift around that speed.

Spent about 1.5 hours this afternoon calibrating the speedo - black box takes an input from the T56 and then tells the motor that drives my mechanical speedo cable whta speed to go. At this point I'm running with about a 5% error. Car is going 57 when speedo says 60. ANYWAY - brought the car home today. On the way wasted a Prelude, RX7, Mustang GT and Firebird. Now it begins in earnest.

Well, it's going to start tomorrow. Family is going out to dinner after church and then oldest son and I am heading to Dallas to bring the beastie home. First thing I'm going to get done is to have him run an even 60 mph so I can check speedometer calibration. I' don't need to be getting a ticket due to a calibration error in the speedo. After that I'll be in the "hunt" mode.

Pick one up at a wrecking yard and then modify it as required to fit your engine configuration. I'll check mine out over the next week but I don't think it had to be modified.

Air flow has a lot to do with the cooling efficiency of the engine. If the radiator is not tight to the frame around it and the fan is not shrouded then air will tend to flow around the radiator rather than through it. Also, if the underside of the car is not properly shrouded air flowing under the car can come up into the engine compartment producing a high pressure area in the engine bay and reducing air flow across the radiator. That is what that chin pan on the Z cars was installed for. I'll bet half or better of the Z's on this site don't have that under body chin cowl any more.

Yeah, I'm starting to put together my "post delivery" list which includes, but not necessarily in this order: 1) Get weight & balance on truck scale at work. 2) Get detailed - it has 11 months of dust accumlated everywhere 3) Make appointement for dyno run & get HP & torque curves 4) Install front & rear strut tower bars 5) Terrorize every Honda, 'stang & Fbody I can. 6) Run it at Motorport Ranch on June 8th. 7) Show it to about a hundred people who have been wondering if it really does exist. 8) Send update to zcar.com where it was zcar of the month back in Feb. '99 with the new drivetrain specs and a couple more photos to see if I can do a repeat. 9) Get the car "safety" inspected. Grandfathered out of emissions testing here in TX.