spdsk8r

To add to my post. The method I used to acheive the thickness of my spacers is as follows. I started by installing the truck mounts to the block. I then added threaded rod with a nut installed into the mounting hole in the chevy mounts. I then dropped the motor into the car, making sure the threaded rod fit into the mounting holes in the crossmember. Once the motor was supported in the car by the threaded rod and nuts, I adjusted the nuts up or down to position the motor as low in the engine bay as I could and still clear the steering, both at the box and at the crossmember. I then measured the distance from the Chevy motor mount and the crossmember perch and this became the thickness of my spacers. Of course, the spacers then go between the block and the Chevy mount. I hope this doesn't confuse the subject. Just the method that I used to acheive the thickness of my spacers.

This was with 10.5:1 comp., forged pistons/crank, with a 500/300 cam running in a full sized Chevy pickup 4 wheel. About 12k a year over 13 years, including hard running in the sand dunes in the summer.

Brad man, Your question and comments are legitamate, and not taken wrong on my part. I had to make provision for offset as I have the recirculating type power steering box in the way.The difference in thickness of the spacers creates the offset, and , yes, just using the spacers will tilt the engine slightly. To overcome this I slotted the holes in the crossmember, mounted the motor and installed "plugs" into the gap in the slots prior to tightening the mounting bolts with large washers. The passenger side mounting bolt will be at the top of the slot and the drivers side will be at the bottom of it's corisponding slot. I hope this addresses your concerns.

I have a friend who bought a 383 complete long block kit from them many years ago. All he did was assemble it, install it and go. Man did he go! If I remember right, that was about 1990. He still has that motor, only one rebuild since and it's still strong.

For my motor mounts, I just used the Chevy truck mounts that JTR suggests for the Z and made aluminum spacers that go between the block and mount. If I remember correctly, my drivers side spacer is 2.875" thick and my passengers side spacer is 1.625" thick. If anyone is interested, I can go out and measure them to be sure.

Terry, On my first two conversions, I coppied straight from the JTR manual (first edition) and made my own, they fit right on. Must be later editions have gotten changed. Sounds like you are just about ready to install.

Didn't Terry ask about the water pump?

Here are the specs on my new wheels: ADR Fuel Lites, 17 X 7, 40mm offset, universal 4 lug. According to Fed Ex, they weigh 15lb including packaging.

These are the rims I just bought for my brown ZX. http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&rd=1&category=43957&item=2457575733&sspagename=STRK%3AMEBWN%3AIT Now I have to save up for some spacers from Ross and some tires.

This is probably why no offers: "Vehicle Condition there is some rust in the floors and support rail that is fixable." I know I would shy away because of this.

I like the looks of smoked covers on the ZX, I have them on my Met. Brown ZX. BUT, your car is down right sexy just the way it is. In this case, I would say no covers.

I don't have the seats in my grubby little paws, yet, but there was a thread on this conversion a while back. If I remember correctly, all it takes is a slight modification to the Datsun tracks to mount to the Mitsu seats. Then just bolt into the car. My ZX presently has well worn mid eighties Camaro seats. If those fit these Mitsu seats should go in easy.

I just got these on ebay. They should work well in my ZX. http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&rd=1&category=33701&item=2454548714&sspagename=STRK%3AMEBWA%3AIT

Or you could go wild, remove the bondo and cover the damaged quarters with YZ flairs. This would give you room for wide tires.

It can be done. I presently have about $1600 in my project, including the price of car. All it takes is careful buying and selling. For my motor I purchased a 91 G-30 Van with less than 30k miles on rebuilt motor for $550, pulled the motor and 4L80E trans, and sold the Van body for $150 and the 4L80E trans for $500. This gave me a total investment in my base engine of -$100. So far my biggest investment has been the trans. A fresh 700R4 for $300, 2200 stall converter for $120, TV cable kit and Torque converter lock-up kit for under $200. All I have left to complete is cooling and exhaust.

I used them on both previous conversions.

Austrailian Sheppards many times have two different colored eyes (ours did) He has some Aussie features, color, facial features and size, mixed with some other breed(s), would be my guess.

WOW! HUMAN BUNGEE!

That red mini with the black top and stripes looks identical to the one I had when I was stationed in Germany in the Army. I'm sure that one is faster than the one I had, though. Mine was a 66 Cooper with a 72 motor in it, magnesium wheels, roll cage, racing seats, modified suspension and engine, all set up for racing. I constantly had Beemers and Porsches playing with me on the Autobahn. If I could get one to follow me off the Autobahn into some tight winding back streets, I could destroy him. Otherwise, forget it. That car sure was fun.

I like both. The silver looks more showey whereas the gunmetal looks more business, hardcore racing. It depends what look you're going for. I've been looking at wheels with bronze centers and polished rims for my brown ZX.

My brother plays a Rickenbacker(sp) with Alembic(sp) pickups. It's great for live performance, kind of harsh and brassey. He also has a Alembic(sp) for studio work. He also has a 1957 Fender Bass, serial number 00001. My daughter has an inexpensive Fender Jazz Bass as well as a full upright bass.

The cat with the Bud Light and TV remote is a co-workers cat. The cat was laying on his couch, so he put the beer and remote next to him and took the pic.

A while back, I was driving home from the east side of the state in a blizzard. I-96 was a two track, we were travelling about 40mph. Then I notice in my mirror a woman in her Toyota coming up the left lane at about 70mph in six inches of snow on top of ice. She went by me and just as she got next to the car in front of me, her car abruptly does a 90 degree to the right and and shoots between the car in front and me, right into the ditch on the right. Of course, we gave the obligatory wave as we went by.

My friends wife hated the side pipes on his Superformance Cobra at first. She only burned herself ONCE and learned a valuable lesson. Now she wants sidepipes on her 98 Vette.

Grumpyvette, Could you please post or send me some pics of your vette when it is together?