80LS1T

Well I only drove it like 20 feet but I still drove it! I moved it out of the garage to wash off all the dust that has accumulated over the last 8 months . Everything seems to be working. The clutch is good but I have to shave some material off the brake pedal because by big feet keep hitting the brake when Im trying to push in the clutch I also have to adjust the gas pedal a little bit more so that it is more comfortable to push on. Right now (I just modified it so that I had enough travel for the throttle body) its kind too straight up and down, not at a slant like other gas pedals. I also have to bleed the brakes again because they are really squishy! It doesnt seem to sit any lower than with when it had the L28. Although I might have to redo my tranny mount because I only have like 4"-4 1/2" of clearance to the ground! How much clearance do you guys with the ground effects have? Should I be worried about my ground clearance? I dont plan on driving on crappy roads unless I have to! I am finally getting my exhuast done. I am calling tommorow to make an appointment. I hope they can do it Friday but if not then it will be early next week. The guy said they werent very busy! I just want to make sure that they dont rush it! Im not paying for crappy work! Finally I have to order the rest off my intake system. I am going to use the 1LE elbow (the one without the resignator pipe)for the throttle body to intake system connection and I think for the rest of the intake I am going to use one that is designed for a BMW. It looks like it will work, but Im not sure yet. It wont be a cold air set up like I wanted, oh well? My graduation(from Tech College) party is ont the 14th so I have to get it done by then so I can give some rides!!!! 8) All I know is, its getting close!!!! Guy

Today at work I was showing some of the guys some pictures of my project. I work at a Dodge dealer as a mechanic. So I figure most of these guys will know what kind of car I have.......one of the three that I showed did know what it was though! But one guy asked me if it was an early Trams AM??? An early Trans AM? What the heck is that? I mean calling it a Jaguar is one thing but a Trans AM? I have no idea how he could see it as a Trans AM? Don't get me wrong I like the early Trans AM's but they dont look like a 280ZX thats for sure! I just kind of laughed and told him what it was. Now everyone is really anxious to see it and get a ride in it! I sure do love it when people ask me for a ride even before the car is driveable! LOL It's getting close though. I just installed my throttle cable tonight. It was a lot easier than I thought it would be. I think I have full travel of the pedal but I will need a helper to see for sure. Now I have to come up with some kind of intake system and attach my knock sensor connectors to the harness so that I can connect the knock sensors. Hopefully within the next 2 weeks it will be driveable!!!! GUy

Your going to need to give more info than that... What year? Stock heads? How big of a cam? 4 bolt mains or 2 bolt mains? Are you talking from air cleaner to oil pan or just the long block or short block? Unless it's built up it wont be worth much. 350's are a dime a dozen , which sucks for you. Are you planning on using it in your conversion or just selling it? If its just a 350 with 2 bolt mains it really isnt worth anything most likely...if its a 4 bolt main you might be able to sell the block? Thats what I did with my old engine that I was going to use for my conversion before I decided on the LT1. I sold the block(4 bolt mains) for $120. The rest of the engine is currently sitting out side in the back of an old pick up truck. Oh well Guy

Here's is what I am talking about.... http://www.hybridz.org/phpBB2/viewtopic.php?t=7088&highlight=mustang I also like the polished ones too!

That's going to be a tough question to answer? It's really a matter of your opnion. I know some guys like the old school SWASTICA(sp?) rims but I really cant stand the look of them. Some like the IRON CROSS rims and some don't, I think they look nice but again they are just one of the stock rims for the 280ZX's. Aftermarket is a whole nother story. I really like the Mustang Cobra rims. They are a 5 star type pattern with a 5 lug pattern. I bought KONIG MONSOON 17x7's that resemmble the Mustang rims but they also have their own look too. I really love my rims and I cant wait to get them on the car! This is with the rim on but no tires yet... Guy

Way to go man! Hearing your story makes me want to finish mine up ASAP! Oh and its alway nice to know when your wipers lift of the windshield! LOL Guy

Ok can I use the Imapla SS computer from a 95? It's the same as the F-Bodies right? Guy

I emailed the guy just to see what the deal was and all he said was "I made the price that high just so that I would only get really Z enthusiasts" All I could think is yeah we already know that because thats what your description says! Guy

It's ok you can still use the "I'm new to the site" excuse! LOL Yeah if you have any questions on how exactly I did it just post them here so that I can share the info with all the guys! Guy

WOW Thats some crazy $hit right there! There is no way that he's going to sell that car for that much. I dont care how nice it is. GUy

You know I never get sick of people asking me for help! It makes me feel useful! What do you mean as far as flush with the existing set up? The water temp, oil pressure, and volt meter that I used for my 3 center gauges are pretty much in their stock position. The speedo and tach are raised above the stock location though. I dont think you could put it behind surface of the gauge bezel(tach and speedo) unless you cut open the gauges:shock: and that would make the warrenty VOID! If you have any questions about my set up just email me or post here. Guy

Exactly what I was thinking!

Take a look at my website. I did/doing just what you want to do. I have an 1980 280ZX that I am finishing up the LT1 conversion on! I bought a used harness from Darius(another member), off his LT1. He bought it from Street & Performance and also the chip that goes in the 93 computer. The harness from S&P is originally $650(I think). If I did it all over again I would have just gone through the factory harness. Plenty of people on this site have done that with great results(Tim240Z). And they are more than willing to help you just as long as you use the search function first. Now if you want to make life easy on yourself buy an 1995 LT1. This is the best year because it has the updated OPTISPARK, its OBD1, and it has the rewriteable PCM(unlike the 93 computer)94-97 has the rewriteable computers but the 96-97 is OBD2(more expensive to program) and the 94 doesnt have the updated OPTISPARK, so buy a 95' if your going to go with an LT1. If you buy the MSA mounts you dont have to modify or use the corvette braket, just as long as you use the AC delete pulley. I do not know if you can use the AC or not since I choose not to. I think it would be a very tight fit if you could fit it in there. Also if you do gp with the LT1 keep the drivers side exhaust manifold it works great if you have the big steering gear box mounted on the frame rail. I am using a small header on the passenger side. I am going to have custom headers made, but for now this will do the job! Anyways.....take a look at my site and let me know if you have any more questions! Guy

Ah dont worry about the lug nut thing....I have been driving around with 5 lugs on my dodge dakota for like a year...its supposed to have 6 but the actual stud came out I have been meaning to put a new one on but you know how that goes! Guy

Welcome aboard!! Always nice to see more members with ZX's! If you've never set up a rearend before then I would just pay someone to do it for you. Just take out the differental and take it in. Just make sure it is clean and ready for the mechanic so that he doesn't charge you to clean it up! Here's a site where you can buy one.... http://www.bildon.com/catalog/drivetrain/ As for ABS... No I dont think anyone has done this. I dont think anyone really wants the ABS. All ABS is, is more expensive parts that dont make you go fast! LOL I think it can be done but your going to be on your own as far as that goes. If you just want big brakes...There is a member by the name of JSK(I think) who is making adapters for WILWOD Rotors and Calipers for the Z's. He said that after he gets the Z's adapters done that he MIGHT work on an adapter for the ZX's! I really hope so! I want a set! (HINT HINT JSK! ) You can also check out my site for the 280ZX V8 Conversion. I would like to think that I have some useful information on my site! Guy

Oh thats sucks for you and for me! Guy

Dont they make actual 383 Cranks too? Like ones specifically designed just for doing the stroker on a 350? What about those...are they internally or externally balanced? Guy

Ok first of all it is probably more expensive to buy just one set of bearings for one rod. I think a whole rod bearing kit for something like that would only be like $40(maybe?) Then once you did replace it, it would probably fail again unless you figure out why the first one failed and then fix the problem. Of course unless it has like 150,000 miles on it then maybe its just old. Point is......I would just run it till it dies. It is only a $500 car what more can you expect?

If its a crate motor is it possible that there might be someting on the block? Like a casting number? Or do they just do like everyone else and use a 350 block, bore .030" over and use a 400 crank? Guy

Oh dont worry if I find out who it was I will deffinetly be calling the COPS! I doubt I ever will though. If it happens again I am going to chase them donw though! Guy

Oh man are you in for a flaming! Calling the Z a ricer is just plain crazy on a Z/ZX forum! In my mind a ricer is a car with all show and no go. These Honda Civics and Dodge Neons(not the new turbo Neon) running around with wings and neon lights underneath the car are just plain stupid. Why draw attention to your car if it's slow? Then us Z/ZX car guys are just going to pick on(race you) you for drawing attention to yourself! LOL I personally can't wait to pick on all the local ricers when my car is done(and all the local Camaros and Corvettes! ) I just like picking on the guys that think there car is all that when really all they have is a "pulley" and a "chip" I hate that when someone says "yeah I'm pushing 400+HP" (Camaro guys) and then I ask them what they have done with their car..."well I put in a stage 2 chip/computer tuning, power pulley, cold air system, and low temp thermostat" that's when I say "yeah so you think your going to add 100HP+ with those mods?" This is what I call "domestic rice" It doesn't always have to be the Imports that are ricers! Guy

Yeah with those straight cut gears you would hear a "whinning" sound. It would be like the whinning you hear when your backing up with a manual tranny. The reverse gears are straight cut not helical(sp?) like the 4-6 forward gears are normally in a manual tranny. Guy

Sorry I haven't asnwered back in a while, but I was never notified that I received a response. zxgts-4 I have no idea what you just said. I have looked at petes site and I understand the concept of sub frame connectors, its just that I would like some more opinions on where to connect them to my car. The only pics I ever see are for 240Z's - 280Z's and as we all know they are not the same. Especially the rear suspension on the 280ZX's. I just what to know where on the 280ZX, should I tie the front to the rear? I'm just affraid of putting some big tubes under there that dont serve a purpose. That's why I want someone to say here's where you should connect it Guy

Lucky bastard! Glad to hear it! I should get to drive mine soon. My driveshaft is done all I have to do is pick it up this week then I get to take my car in to get the exhaust done! Is that 14.2 with skinny tires? (stock?) and is your engine stock as far as internals(cam, heads, pistons,etc) or is it a fresh rebuild? Just wondering how my LT1 will perform in my 280ZX, thats all! Guy

Have you checked all your ground wires? Like on the computer, wiring harness, etc? I had a problem like this on a 94' Geo Metro. It turned out that it was just a ground wire wasnt hooked up on the engine. If it ran before you did the headgasket and now it doesn't ...then I would check for bad ground wires. Guy