[After driving a 911 and RX7 back to back today, all day. i dunno which one to build!!]

I have been considering a LS1 swap for some time now. I have considered z's, 951's (944 turbos) and RX-7's. I have also driven numerous 911's and 930's. For me, when considering swaps, the question came down to whether the swap improved the car. A 930 turbo has a race motor, stock. It is simply a better motor than an LS1 (which is an amazing motor in its own right, it just is not as 'track ready as a Porsche 3.3 turbo) and can easily be made to make equal or more power. So with a 930, stick with stock since making the swap is not cost effective (even with the Porsche tax) and you won't necessarily end up with a better car.

 

However, with 951's and RX-7's, the stock motors are ticking time bombs and will cost serious & to make significant power upgrades. Where you can do a swap, maintain or improve handling, increase hp and increase reliability, why not? An LS1 in either of these car simply fits the bill.

 

Z's only make sense because it costs mucho $ to get big hp out of the stock motors. Stock z motors are fantastic for what they are, so with z's I think it boils down to what your ultimate goal is. An LS1 won't necessarily make your car 'better', just faster.

[Mustang Cobra Rear Brakes installed - Pics...]

This is a real nice upgrade. FoMoCo off-the-shelf parts PLUS a big performance upgrade. The Cobra rear pads are 49.60 sq. cm. (62mm x 80mm) which are larger than even the 300zxTT (Pads = 40.15 sq.cm (73mm x 55mm)). It also looks like you could adapt the mechanical parking brake to work with the stock handle.

 

As for rotors, the 300zxTT has a 297mm x 18mm rear rotor, the Ford uses a 296.2mm x 18.3mm. Lots of capacity.

 

Looks like a winner! Nice job Mike!

 

I smell a sticky . . .

[Q45 brake upgrade with 5 lug conversion]

Ok-

 

I did a bit of research and it does not look like the Q45 brakes provide much of an upgrade over the MM package. The MM package uses the 240sx rear caliper with the Q45 rear rotors. The only advantage of a Q45 caliper is that it has a slightly larger piston (and theorhetically more clamping force), but total pad area is actually sightly less.

 

Here are the specs for your reference:

 

MM 11.4" Rear kit

Rotor = 289mm x 9mm

Caliper = Single Piston Sliding

Pad = 39.10 sq. cm (85mm x 46mm)

 

1996 240sx Rear

Rotor= 258mm x 9mm

Caliper = Single piston sliding caliper

Pad = 39.10 sq. cm (85mm x 46mm)

 

1996 Q45 Rear

Rotor = 289mm x 9mm

Caliper = Single Piston Sliding

Pad = 38.15 sq.cm (109mm x 35mm)

 

1996 300zxtt Rear

Rotor = 297mm x 18mm (vented)

Caliper = 2 piston fixed

Pads = 40.15 sq.cm (73mm x 55mm)

 

1987 300zxt Rear

Rotor = 281mm x 18mm (vented)

Calipers = single piston sliding

Pads = 39.10 sq.cm (84mm x 46mm)

 

The 300zxt caliper/rotor combination with the MM caliper adapters might be an option if you need more cooling, from the photos the calipers look pretty similar to 240sx calipers (and they use a cable-operated caliper-based parking brake) . . .

[Q45 brake upgrade with 5 lug conversion]

I would definitely be interested in more insight on this topic. I am thinking about Cobra R caliper/rotor combo up front and I think I am going to need more than a 11" rotor on the rear to balance things out . . . (and yes, I do know this is gross overkill, but overkill is FUN).

[subtle z kit]

Thanks guys. So it sounds like the 275's will fit out back with careful planning. I was debating between 17's and 18's (don't really like the look of the 18's - out of proportion) and the 18's might be preferred to provide clearance on the coilovers.

[Anyone in the Buffalo, NY]

Clive-

 

I am a Buffalonian, feel free to drop me a PM and I would be more than happy to help you out if I can.

 

No offense Roostmonkey, but as for the snow comments, Buffalo's reputation for snow is grossly overblown by those who have never lived here and their knowledge is limited to a story on the national news once every decade. Granted, when we get hit, we REALLY get hit!

[Q45 diff mount fabricators HELP]

Are pre-made front mounts available? The links in John's (mas280) post are now dead.

[subtle z kit]

I don't want to hyjack, but this question seemed appropriate to this thread. John Washington advertises that you can get a 9.5" rim underneath. I was thinking of using a 245/275 tire combo. Does anyone know if this will fit under the SubtleZ flares?

 

Thanks!

[The "NEXT" Test...]

Count me in for a donation. This is invaluable information, the least I can do is fork over some $!

 

I too would be interested in an evalution of a YZ kit.

 

Thanks!