ckelly78z

I think the only drawback compared to a newer GT Mustang 302 is that a 70 302 has the distributor in the front (like the Chevy) while the newer 302 can be set back further in the frame for better balence. The aftermarket can certainly provide enough propulsion to make this motor everything the LT-1 can be. You could run a carbureator heating unit like some of the older cars had to prevent icing (not fun).

Those drawings are like manna from heaven. Thanks so much, i'm going to get the steel to build these next week.

Slyhog; I didn't see the cad drawings in the link you provided, I did see the crossmember, and it is exactly what I want, but need some drawings to get the angles, and measurements correct. I don't currently have a car or available framerails to test, and measure, so I was going to fab up using the drawings. Thanks

Too much rust on the 82 ZXT, so I am parting it out in favor of a future S30 project. I am still collecting parts as time and funds allow in this economy (I work for a Japenese Auto industry tier 1 supplier, and currently down to 4 days a week with no overtime in sight). Still need a JTR tranny crossmember(Chevy will work), and fabbed up motor mounts.

Sounds good, I am currently parting out an 82 ZXT, but keeping the swastica wheels/tires, the R-200 rear end, the racing seats, and the aftermarket steering wheel with adapter for my next project. I also plan on doing a late 80s,/early 90s 302 and T-5 but going the carb route for simplification. I also wan't to get it running right, then pull it for the AFR heads and roller rockers like described in that Car Craft article about the 405HP carbed 302 when money allows. Keep us all informed and inspired with updates, and pics, pics, pics.

Nearly 30 years ago I found a 68 Dodge Dart GTS with a 383 automatic that was painted "arrest me" orange with a black stripe running up one rear quarter, over the trunk, and back down the other rear quarter. (I don't believe this was actually one of thr 5000 original GTSs). It had the same 5 slot mags as the early 240Zs with an all black interior. My next was a green Pinto wagon with boards on the sides and a roof rack....YEEHAW.

I refuse to battle the crowds when I can generally find it online for nearly the same price. I had to laugh at the irony of the term "doorbuster" when at one Walmart in New York, it was more the literal sense of the word.....what a shame !!

The new 370Z isn't too bad, but for the same money, i'll drive a hemi Challenger in black please.

About 2 months ago I ended up selling the 71 240Z because of lack of funds to get the V-8 project started, and all the other things that the 71 needed. Just tonight, I picked up an 82 280ZXT car without the motor/trans for $500. It has new Borla exhaust, new tires on the swasticas, new APC racing seats, many new misc parts that can be used or sold. It also came with a thick file of reciepts, and warrenties for other work done, but best of all, it came with a new JTR swap manual. The car still has the entire turbo wiring harness, air conditioning pump, lines and condensor, T-tops with good rubber seals, good glass, two small rust holes about golf ball sized, solid floors and doors, and analog dash/gauges. I plan on finding an early 90s 5.0L 302 Ford V-8 and a 5 speed to rebuild and modify along the lines of the aforementioned CAR CRAFT article as money allows. I will initually install the newly carbed motor/trans in near stock condition to get all the bugs worked out and then modify with the AFR heads, roller rockers, underdrive pulleys, and possibly a mild cam when I can afford it.

Having the motor on hand and freshly rebuilt is a big argument for going ahead with a 460 swap whether it is 500 HP like you stated, or a more likely 300 HP motor. Weight would be a big consideration on the front of the car where the Zs handling would be adversely affected, and traction would be reduced.

I am currently looking at a very nice 82 ZX without the motor/trans in it for $600 with the sole purpose of swapping in a late 80s/early 90s 5.0L Ford and a 5 speed. My plan is to just get the motor in the car and driving with all the bugs sorted out, then I can easily pull it and do a complete rebuild (done it before several times) with a goal of 350-375 HP that will still knock down 20-25 MPG. I will probably use a JTR rear crossmember (re-drilled), and build a front mount crossmember out of square tubing under the oil pan. It will be on a tight budget, so I would appreciate any help from good writeups.

I see in the CC article, that they used a Road Demon Jr 625 CFM carb and a Weiand intake.....any other thoughts on brandnames and carb sizing ??

Basically, I want to get a late 80s, or early 90s EFI 5.0L, that runs, and doesn't really need a rebuild (yet), change it over to a good intake, and a new carb in the 600-650 range for simplicity purposes, just to get the car moving under V8 power. I plan on doing some head work to the stock heads, going with a higher ratio roller rockers, an aftermarket cam, and doing a re-ring /bearings /gaskets and bumping up the CR a bit maybe a year down the road when I have more time and money. I fully plan on running an R-200 rear end with possibly some 300ZX turbo axles, but was curious how long the R-180 3.36 gears might last with 275 HP. That Car Craft article definately gives me some more food for thought, and I saved it to my "favorites".

Hey guys, i've been lurking on this site for awhile and occasionally posting, but I just felt like outlining my plans for my new project now that I am looking for parts to eventually get this started. I recently sold my black bumperless 78 280Z that I had for the last 7 years and bought a really nice, virtually rust free, metallic blue 71 240Z with a 2/71 build date that has the rare blue interior, and factory A/C. It runs pretty good for the time being, but I have the itch for more HORSEPOWER, and better sound in the form of a relatively stock (to start with) Ford 5.0L V8 and a T-5 5 speed I plan on doing this Winter. I researched this swap extensively, and read many of the posts in the "Ford V8 swap forum" , so I have a good idea of what I will need, and what it will cost in terms of money, blood/sweat/tears, and time, but I do a few questions. --What parts need to be swapped out on an EFI 5.0L motor to go with an intake and a carb ?? --Will this reduce the performance of the motor by much ? --If driven easily (jack rabbit starts to a minimum) how long will a R-180 with the stock 3.36 gears last with 250-275 HP? THanks alot.........Chris

If you have both the N/A shortblock, and the turbo shortblock along with both heads in similar condition, why wouldn't you just use the combination that Nissan put together for optimum performance....the F-54 block with turbo pistons, along ith the P-90 head ???

I hope his chase vehicle is an ambulence. I could see trying that on a closed road, but the oncoming traffic is just crazy.

WTF, I wish I just had that kind of time they wasted, let alone the skills.

I believe that a wet, and dry compression test might be in order.

Without seeing the frame rails, and under the battery box, and running a magnet along the doors, and rockers, I wouldn't spend that much for a unknown condition body. Having broken mechanicals is one thing (they can be fixed or replaced), but having the spreading cancerous rust already in the body is a losing battle. I would look for something about 10 times more money that is in good shape.

That's what I got from the post "just got the engine back together" and then "because it has about 80k on it,". I would NEVER re-use a head gasket even if it only had a few hundred miles on it. Once you compress the HG for the first time when you torque down the head bolts, most head gaskets shouldn't be re-used.

I like the Ferrari Maranello style hood scoop.

Absolutely amazing.......there is some justice in the world.

Man, I would love to watch more rallying, grassroots drag racing, and road course venues. I'm a NASCAR fan because the drivers are so accessible, the cars have a familiar look, they sound great, and all the other reasons that "Sparks" listed I could care less to see drifting, F1, or "pinks" style reality shows but hope this new channel shows all of it for those who do want it. As far as the complaint about NASCAR shows, I have to agree that any sport is over analyzed to the point of being rediculous......on that note, shut the TV off and live life, don't watch it.

And thus starts your film/storytelling career.

Those wheels (1st set) require you to have a "gold tooth displayed" whenever driving the car.