5litre z31

Hi to all my contribution to this comes from my first hybrid was a z31 ausie 5litre v8 this was a diy as nothing was available to do it. So here we go this is my opinion the z31 swap was a much easier swap than my most recent 280zx chev main reasons being brakes you dont touch rear end you dont touch suspension you dont touch so all you change is the motor and gearbox as radiator with the adition of better fans is adequate add a one piece tailshaft and add a gear selector and off you go . Doing the 280 brakes not really good enough rear end needs to be upgraded to a r200 to handle any horses cooling system needs upgrading still need a gear selector and tailshaft electrics on both are simple (if not efi) hood clearance the same both cars. The exhaust on the z31 were a set of factory extractors against full fabrication on the 280 so I really think you are on a winner with your kit so dont just file and forget as these old cars will only get harder to find causing us all to go later models be patient it will happen.

I have had a 1979 2+2 with 383+turbo 200r4 on the road for 12 months now no problems no mods and made my own mounts for motor and box, without playing my own flute here I thought it was a simple task to achieve put a complete motor in the engine bay fit mounts when the motor is in the right spot wire it plum it then send it out to exhaust to have headers and system fitted see the transport engineers and drive it to your hearts content

Hello again Grumpy I have done as many checks as I can and came up with throw the roller rockers in the round file and forget them buy a new set and start the tune again and I am pleased to tell you it has worked very well to the point of my 15 = 8's and 235 tyres can no longer get grip yes I can smoke them at 60mph rolling. So here was the problem the roller rockers that came assembled and adjusted on my 383 crate motor were the 2 on one shaft stainless so if you don't have a big rattle then one valve is always in the open condition lesson learnt. After finding this I looked further and yes they are advertised and sold by the same company that I purchased the motor from as non adjustable stainles rolers, glad I didn't drive very far as all seems to be ok now next will be a quater run to see what it wil do on 7/11/09 thanks again

Hi these lotus super 7's are available in australia in kit or turn key with a ford 5 litre well they strech them out to 347 cc put a 6 speed manual behind that and will do 7 second runs and still street legal what a wepon!

I have a dream that one day i will build an 80's bmw 635 csi with a ls6 with big horse's a cool old car that would handle and look

Ok ok when are you guys going to learn which side of the car the steering wheel should be thats the right side how can you drive with your right arm out the window when you sit on the wrong side. Can of worms ?

I think its a cool install that states what we are all about, mine has been on the road as almost daily driver I wish it was as clean and standard looking as yours

Hi those headers look like a set of stanard block hugers I have just removed from my z and replaced with a custom set along with a full 3 inch system made a big difference not cheap but worth it.

Thank you the motor felt strong but figures were lower than I expected and I will spend more time and effort to get to bottom of it thanks again.

hello grumpy I have one of those unmentionable 383 crate engines broke a couple parts at 300 klms from new fixed that problem myself as it was cheaper to do than pay transport costs got it through to 1,000 klms no dramas so I put it on the dyno and surprise , surprise the 383 produced a massive 262 rwhp (ha ha) I think that a motor this size should produce more what do you think I am attaching a parts list for you and relavent dyno sheet for informational purposes only thanks 750 vac cust headers single 3 inch exhaust

Hi I had these globes made by performance wheels also known as superlites www.performancewheels.com.uk they are made in adelaide south australia email contact sales@performancewheels .com.uk and they come to suit a 280zx spacing standard off the shelf .

this might work havn't done a video before on here just got my 79 zx back from the exhaust shop and fired it up for the first time today its a 383 aloy heads turbo 200r4 into a r200 3.9 ratio can't wait to run it in a bit then hit the strip

A few more pics just a daily driver

old school 15 x 8's with 235 x 65 now a 383 chev

Firstly finish the garage so you can enjoy the work .I have played with all sorts of cars and my current ride is a 1979 280zx with a 383 chev and 4 speed auto with a 3.7 r200 diff and I can tell you its well worth it to pusue a dream mine was just break the 13 second in a street legal car blew that away didn't I enjoy your car.

Here is my old daily driver 79 280zx as you call it a slick top still factory finish with my enhancements 15-8's all round with 235's chev mildly worked 383 4 speed auto the rest as in interior and paint are still original datsun its a real blast to drive what do think of it.

Hi a few pictures of 79 280zx 350 + 175 nitrous through a turbo 200r4 I have been using it as a daily driver for 6 months now its a lot of fun when it looks stock on the outside. (sorry about the water just washed the engine)

Hi grumpy I have just pulled the cam from a 2 bolt 350 (going in my z) it was a little lumpy on idle and has done 90,000 mls so I am only doing a freshen up my problem is what is the cam as I would like to upgrade but purchased the motor second hand I do have the numbers off the end of the cam 965584 these are stamped n0 and it has casting marks cmc & 1539 can you put any light on what it is thank you . PS keep up the good work . ALEC.

Thank's heaps Grumpy for all the info I took a chance on dual plane with a 100 shot last night at our local track worked well but I need much bigger tyres as wheel spin absolutely killed my times but I now what you mean about your saying about 60 mph I was still fish tailing in top gear when I crossed the line at over 95 mph which has convinced me go 350 + bigger diff + bigger tyres its to much of a hand full of fun for me in its stock config with a chev thanks again.

Hi the best tip is use the kiss principal (keep it simple stupid) no realy use a 4 speed auto t700 or t200 as it will cruise on the highway at around 2000 rpm instead of 3000 with a 3 speed suspension only needs new shocks to control the v8 stockers work well,brakes are more than capable in good stock condition as with the standard radiator it should handle it all with a good clean out I used EF falcon thermo fans only need to trim out edges to fit and leave the radiator laying down, hq wb sump stock fits ok with centre lump flatened easy panel beat,one piece tailshaft basic electrics most engine management oil,temp, starter,alternator can be used. This car is legal in Qld up to 6.2 litre with carbon can and egr. they go very well with a healthy 308 so good luck and have fun. ps my pics are of my chev 280zx I do have the 300zx pics just email direct.

hello from downunder Grumpy I have a 280zx with a 283 with the basics stage 5 cam ballance mild heads turbo 200 r4 with 4.8 rear gears my question to you is a nitrous one, can I run a dual plane holly manifold without a spacer under the carby as in only the squirter plate . My concern is not getting even fuel nitrous mix thus causing piston burn as the single plane does have the divider still intact can you assist you normally have good info as I realy don't want to change intake manifolds but I have to I will main issue bonet clearance to carby its a sleeper thank you 5litre z

Stock as a rock 79 280zx 2+2 I have had it a while and its an absolute joy to drive except when its raining it wont go straight http://hybridz5litre z31

Hi I have A chev in a 79 280zx in brisbane the adapter'sare both the same size and mount on the original cross member mounting points , the engine and gearbox sit so that the gearbox rear universal is in very close proximity to the original giving a good tailshaft alignment. This setup is working fine the adaptor's are 80 mm long and join the std mount point to std chev engine mounts