OR-JO

Yeah, those webbers sound awesome. I'll ask even thought I know I can't...but how much for your used webbers? Just curious what those might run me in the future?

thanks a bunch

Can anyone point me to the thread where the one fellow was talking about he and his buddy's $1500 budget challenge cars? I remember reading good info people had about brake/suspension upgrades that seemed like cost effective alternatives to what I'm finding at the zcarstore.com. I've searched everywhere but I can't find the thread. Thanks.

Thanks for all the input here guys. Okay, I haven't pulled the motor or anything yet to check the casting numbers on the block, but I just did some research and wikipedia is telling me the 305 engines weren't made until 1976. The truck is a 1970 c/10 and I have no reason to believe it has anything less than all original factory parts everywhere on the damn thing. So.... Ah hell, who am I kidding? I know even rebuilding the engine is going to run $1K+ plus adding in every other swap part needed, plus a sourced 5 speed. Maybe I'll just pull the motor out of the truck just because...maybe...one day. Until then, I'm seriously looking at going with theh $1500 tuner route - I like what I read on hear about some guy's $1500 challenge, that seems more up my alley, and maybe down the road I can really trick the car out. Who knows?

I know, I've been on the zstore site all damn day. Ohh those triple webbers....mmmmm...them's are zweet. -- I was thinking of starting with the rear disc brake conversion then going from there. I need to play with my shift linkage (very sloppy), and then possibly hook up one of the zstore exhaust kits if it fits the current header I have. Body work - maybe some springs - should keep me busy at least for a while.

Thanks for those tips gents. I'll keep trolling the board for more specific info and post pix of my progress. Who knows Paul, maybe you'll hear from me one day. I'm only about 20 miles away in Oregon City. Rad.

The '74 240z was located in Oregon. Not sure about the rearend, but I know the 280z I just bought came with the r200.

I guess what I'm looking for more of here are ideas with tightening up/ cleaning up the performance of the car. I already ruled out an engine swap, now just trying to figure some DIY tuning (for a n00b). Thoughts I had along with the headers and exhaust fix were stuff I felt confident I could do myself like: - lighter fly wheel - cold air intake - performance ignition - remove junk from car (old AC compressor) - and very literally "tighten up" the gearshift. It's pretty sloppy; old owner said I could replace the bushings or whatnot. As much fun as it would be to hit a specific HP goal, the car is much more fun for us while its RUNNING as opposed to scattered in pieces or running like crap as I try to figure out if I've got wastegates properly aligned. What are some things I could do to add performance w/o too much destruction involved? This is our weekend street/fun/smile mobile. I'm not really a car guy - no racing aspirations, but this Z car is a fun project for me. I'd like to learn as much as I can, but start a bit slower than BRAAP's post on head modifications. That made my brain explode.

When we pulled up to the previous owner's house, the first words out of my wife's mouth were, "Oh, that thing is sweet.....I hope it has an 8 track, and if it does, we can't tear it out." My wife is cool like that. No stereo to speak of anyhow.

Yeah I know, I thought the car looked pretty cool too all painted funky.

Okay, so I'm passing up the V8 swap idea for the moment. I started a new thread here, with new musings, and new questions for pro L28 tuners. THX http://forums.hybridz.org/showthread.php?t=127912

Hi gang, New to the forum, just picked up a '78 280z for my wife's birthday. Here are some pix below. This is a sweet 'lil car. I'm planning on body work and a white/black rustoleum paintjob soon. Originally I started thinking about ZCars when the v8 blew some seals in my 1970 Chevy farm truck. I figured if I was to pull the motor, maybe I'd do something fun with it. So then I bought the Z Car... BUT - after scowering the forum, and driving the 280z for a few days, I'm pretty sure a v8 swap is not in the works for me. In fact, I don't think a motor swap of any kind is in the works for me right now. The current L28 in the Z actually runs pretty nice. The car has some exhaust problems ( I think - doesn't sound great, fumes coming in under back hatch), and generally I'd say the car feels like it has more power than it can access. I know stock these things are listed at 175hp. The car came with some headers. Knowing the exhaust needed work, I thought I'd put those on in the process. I've looked around a bit and seen mostly Turbo, Turbo, Turbo mods' hailed for pumping some more HP out of these engines. I'd like for the car to be reliable (as it can be), but just crank out some more power. AS IS, it still squeels the tires from a stop and pinned from 4th to 5th. That's fun, it's a blast to drive. But I know the car has some room to improve. What are some non turbo, non v8 swap ideas you guys may have for improved HP? Think I could get in the 200-300HP range without a turbo (and without blowing up the motor)? THX

Yeah, and that's really what I was thinking. We've had the car for just over 24 hours now, and I'm going to start a new thread about some observations I've just made about it. The deal with the 305 really is that I already have it. I know a gal with a stroked 402 sitting dormant '77 Camaro....but I'll never be able to afford that (soon). My wife (and this is her car) loved the idea of an Aluminum LS-1/LT-1 powerplant....but I couldn't spend $2,000 just on a motor right now. So with the 305....yeah, I know that's not a badass motor, but I have it. All this though has me thinking a lot, and that's why I'll be starting a new thread. Bottom line: I just bought my wife a $595 rocket ship that still smokes the tires off the line & from 4th to 5th. Goddamn that's some of the best money we've ever spent. Woohooo! Man this car is cool.

N00b bought a car yesterday. '78 280z 5spd. L28. Runs and drives pretty swell! $595 More pix soon....

Thanks for the welcome pparaska. You guys are a devoted community. And bschiltz, yes thanks for the tranny tip. I guess that's the kind of spirit I'm looking for here. I'm not trying to be the typical n00b and say "how much does this cost", but more say "Do I sound like someone who could pull this off? (or) is this a good idea for me." Once I feel like I might be qualified for the task, then I'll hit up that manual for sure. I'd like to know I have the right mindset for this project from some others who've been there before.

Hey Hickl - hit me up with a PM for more info. I was really into the blowing up of the truck but I'm into recycling too...

Here's a reverse n00b question for all you Z Car masters out there. You probably don't see this much on here: I've got a carb'ed 305 v8 out of a 1970 Chevy c/10 pickup. It's been a strong farm truck but the main seal appears to have gone (at least that would explain the hiccups and oil all over the front cross member). My brother and I were going to pull the motor out and fix it. Then my wife and I just bought a new truck instead (new to us: 02' Chevy 2500HD). So now I have a donor motor. I'm either going to scrap the truck, blow it up on camera (I have a cliff on my property I'm dying to toss the truck off of at 50mph....), or part out the truck for a different project. I'm a noob to the hybrid-Z conversion, but I have a couple of questions. First the facts. -- 1.) If I built a Z, it would not be for records or racing. My wife owned a V8 swaped Z about 8 years ago and it's still her dream car. She doesn't need anything fancy. IF I proceed down this route, I'm doing it bare bones. Flat-white rustoleum paint job, upgraded brakes, prolly touch nothing else. Don't need the tires to smoke, just looking for a fun project with my brother and a fun 1000k miles or less/year car for my wife. 2.) I have 90% of all tools I'd imagine I need, minus any welding or metal fab gear. I do have connections for that stuff, if needed. 3.) I have a dedicated, covered barn to perform the swap. 4.) I'm looking at stuff like this 1974 260z as a receiving vehicle: $500 bucks - bad motor or 1978 280z with 5 speed tranny and r200 rear end. $595 and it runs ok. 5.) I'm an amateur car mechanic at best and have performed major mods to cars besides drivetrains ( I know, the most important aspect). 6.) Again, 305 motor, running but sick. In high school I owned (and loved) an '83 Regal T-Type CLONE with the same 305 motor. Yeah, the buick was slow, but it was a sweet car. I knew it inside and out, replaced all kinds of stuff myself. 7.) Brother is a boat mechanic, expert electrician, and commonly works on huge inboard 383 strokers, 454s, you name it. 8.) I'd order the swap manual first thing after deciding to go through with the project. Q U E S T I O N S: A.) Though a noob, do I sound like a good candidate to successfully complete this swap? B.) Even my weak cursory knowledge is still lacking in transmission ideas. I'm super noob in the tranny department. Any chance the manual tranny's in the Z's would hold up to a weak 305? C.) I looked at some cost estimates on this site, but nothing for carb'ed engines. How fairly bolt on is this process? D.) After reading my query, if you want to flame me, just tell me to blow up the truck instead and I'll understand. -- Thanks to all for their patience. Josh in Oregon