Heavy Z

I've heard the painless wiring kit is the way to go - it costs around $280(I think) from summit. The wiring in a Z is 30 years old and inferior, make sure if you've got a V8 in it to run the wires in the space just below the hood rests and in along the fender - there is a space to work it through to your front lights. Otherwise, the old frame rail location can be done but some heat sheilding is recommended. Good luck! Heavy Z

Yes, overpackagings not just annoying but a poor use of resources, and some of it will be around for a long while. A thousand years from now they'll dig up a styrofoam cup with Colonel Sanders' face on it and conclude "we've come across this image alot...he must have been a great holyman." Heavy Z

WoW, that's alot of engine!!! does that thing weigh the same as a 350? Heavy Z

For serious on/off action, how about an electric blower like the one's on ebay? A leafblower mod has been done with some success. Or Estes model rocket engines - maybe 200 or so of the "D" type mounted in a custom rear valance... Kidding aside, I think you'll be real close to your ideas with a tripower setup. Look around and see what you think, they were on some 60's vettes and other GM cars. Heavy Z

Sounds like a GREAT deal! I recommend going with the JTR swap over the scarab setup, unless you don't mind poor handling. If handling isn't an issue, go for it. If it is, use the search and you will find more info on what you'll have if you go scarab. Heavy Z

You might find this kinda far-fetched, but for the last four years I've started my my U.S. history classes(high school teacher) with that very same story. The jump was part of an important test of a new, 3-stage parachute that would enable U2 pilots to ditch at high altitude, as conventional parachutes would shred and/or break necks at such a speedy decent. Somebody's got to test the chute and the best conveyance was a helium balloon. So, heading up in an enclosed basket on one hell of an elevator ride - 114,000 feet out into what looked like outer space - and there he is, out on the rail, letting go, floating down, which turns into a fall... The only human to break the sound barrier with their body, and probably one of the very few to pass out in a freefall, wake up, and still be falling. I use the story because I picked up a pair of gloves in a surplus store back in my 'in need of cheap snowboard gear' college-days. I learned years later that they are identical to the ones used in the test, and thus makes a nice point to the class about how learning history can make you appreciate lots of things, even a mangy pair of gloves. Heavy Z

Thanks everyone for the help. I'm gonna check the cam against another XE268 on monday, and if they match, then my mechanic got the wrong bearings. Heavy Z

Thanks for being around, grumpyvette. Here's the deal: A speedshop in town is installing the cam. When they took the old cam out, they found that the front cam bearing was worn, so they ordered a new cam bearing set. They called and said that the bearing they ordered doesn't fit with this cam. Did these guys just get the wrong bearing, or are there a few different sizes to choose from? As I said, it's a comp cams XE268. Thanks, Heavy Z

Hello, I'm putting a comp cams XE268 in my 327 but the cam bearing is wrong for this cam. Any ideas on which bearing I need? Thanks, Heavy Z

WOW! Thanks for the pics! Brett

Hello, I'm looking for input on new front springs (non-coilover). I want something ranging from stiff to bone-jarring. Thanks, Brett

Well, funny you should ask about handling. The Mustang, Corvette, and Camaro are all great for strait roads - lots of power, great rush. Eventually you will come to a bend in the road, and that is where the fun stops and the danger level multiplies. When you combine all that inertia from a heavy car on top of inferior suspension, well, you'll surely beat a sleigh pulled by a dozen reindeer through a hairpin turn, but that's the extent of the good news. Heavy Z

Man, was this guy locked in a room with a J.C.Whitney catalog? Judging from his taste, we should track him down in another year to see what new goodies he'll install. Heavy Z

Check this out for some better numbers: Unnoficial Z Quarter Mile Page Heavy Z

Well, that is a sharp looker(especially that extra-attitude FI). I've got a 327 with close to these figures, so FWIW: 1) This horsepower won't get you into the 11's. 13's definitely, 12's maybe. Your car will be very fast, but you get used to it and then you want more. 2) I'm suprised this engine isn't putting out more power considering all the goodies. Maybe they will upgrde the roller cam as it looks sorta mild. Mine's getting upped next week(as well as some other goodies) - refer to #1 above for reasoning. 3) Aluminum heads are a nice way to shave weight 4) You probably need another 100 HP (450 or so) to really start haulin' in a Z (my opinion). Hope this helps, good luck, and welcome! Heavy Z

As much as we complain about "ricing" out a car, isn't this like the ultimate anti-rice statement? Taking a late-model japanese car and thoroughly rice-proofing it should be cause for jumping up and down!! Besides, THAT mustang actually has the potential to handle superbly, unlike the sleds that Ford put together. No offense to mustang guys, of course. This kit is for the mustang lover who won't settle for stationwagon-class handling, and if the pockets run deep enough, a 302 might even make the staunchest of purists wishing they too had a little more 'miata' in their favorite detroit pony... Heavy Z

For the motorhead hell-bent on going 3,500 leagues UNDER their Z!!! Someone on this forum's gotta buy it. Think of the mods... Heavy Z

Proof that airbags would be a waste of time in a hybrid Z. Check it. Heavy Z

Also a good track suit to get the crowd going. Heavy Z

The Dukes of Hazard theme, dressed like this: THE INTIMIDATOR Yeehaw, Heavy Z

Lots of ideas out there, and it seems that with so many diesels to choose from there's probably one out there for your tastes. Yes it will be heavier up front, and that is one of the trade-offs. But you'd still have a fast Z that could put $15 out of every $20 you spend on gas back into your pocket. And with the horsepower some of you have mentioned, well...it's like harnessing the power of a big-rig. This isn't going to be for everyone of course, it just seems to bring some intrigue to that old 'bang for your buck' idea. Heavy Z

Hey Lone, with a Diesel maybe that T56 1st gear would fially be useful. Heavy Z

I know what you mean about the 'rolling 30 year oil supply', but in the 70's China wasn't producing twice as many cars as the U.S. does every year and southeast Asia, India, and the rest of the developing world had an infantile thirst for oil at that time as compared to today. I don't plan to yank out my 327 anytime soon, this was more of a 'what if' type of post. Should gas prices here get to the $4 level like in Europe, then the practicality of this setup might be an option. As a last point, we the consumers will be weaned off oil before we actually run out, probably using fuel cells or something like this . Our military (and other militaries around the world) will need the oil for their .7 mpg tanks and 16 foot-per-gallon destroyers. Heavy Z

Hi all, I was just wondering if anyone has swapped a diesel engine into their Z car. My neighbor has a Chevy 6.2 laying around that was pulled from a military surplus Blazer. The more I think it through, the more sense it makes... - 250 ft/lb of torque at 2,000 rpms for good holeshots. - 40 mpg with conservative driving in the lightweight Z. With a 40 gallon fuel cell, that'd get you across the U.S. with only 1 gas stop. You may laugh, but with 30 years of oil left in this world it might be a good contingency hybrid to explore. I think that if a new message forum was dedicated to the diesel Z, that this idea would catch on. Plus, it would be a more economical tow vehicle. Imagine being at your local track blowing your air horn as you dust ricers, diesel fumes choking them as you pass. It would be a humbling experience for them, I'm sure. And to know that you could stay at the track all night and then make it through three states without gassing up, well... What would it take? Heavy Z, soon to be 'Convoy Z'

Thanks for the advice everyone. I spoke to the previous owner today and it has a McLeod clutch. I'm still undecided on whether to pull the whole eng/trans just the trans/bell. Heavy Z