trackzpeed

Please don't misunderstand. My panties are not in a wad.... I was legitimately trying to vet out what would and would not work with, as you said, all of the new kits coming out. I'm not some dumb kid with a pipe dream. I've been building and racing cars at multiple levels for many many years.... The jci kit is a good standard and has been around the longest , however like most aspects of cars and racing applications, enthusiasts pursue "better" stronger lighter faster..... That's why there are so many new kits coming to market. The goal was/is to surround yourself with other enthusiasts for collective thinking and a better outcome. Yes, every car and swap will differ a little and need some massaging with a 3 lb sledge, but that's all good since it adds to the discussion. RBZ post came across to me as "shut up and build your shit already, we are tired of you asking us....." Not a "legitimate suggestion" Maybe I'm wrong, it doesn't really matter. Look how many people have viewed the thread (over 3000). I think there are quite a few potential LS1 Z swappers out there that would love to know more. Anyway, I never intended to piss anyone off, I was just having fun on a Z forum that I have enjoyed and learned a lot from. I still plan to compile a complete list of kits with current options and complete list of kits/parts that can be blended if desired. Ill just do the research solo from now on. Thanks, Jim aka trackzpeed

Well I assumed a community of hybrid Z owners would be a good source...... I thought I was doing everyone a service who possibly wanted to understand each kits strengths and weaknesses for future builders. I will gladly keep my opinions and research to myself if you wish. Too bad really, I anticipated a great amount of information from your vast background. Best of luck to all future builders.

Very cool thanks. What mounts are you using ?

Found a really cool, easy, and cheap alternator mount option that should work with dingo and cx mounts http://www.nastyz28.com/forum/showthread.php?t=189080

Still frothing.... When you get a chance, check out hoke performance Facebook page and his V2 LS Z mounts. They look really promising

The more I stare at the cx kit on their site the more questions I have.... It bugs me that they don't have any complete install pics and it bugs me more when they show different parts (oil pans, etc) with their install. One of the pans is clearly a dry sump and the other appears to be of their ls1 pans from another kit both of which give me no reference to how a f-body pan and/or alternator (high or low mount) will work. The well documented and race tested JCI looks better all the time but damn I'm still interested the LT headers and full exhaust. Now I'm just frothing at the mouth......... Just my $.02

Great thanks. I had researched the C6 pan was a little more than an inch shallower than the f-body but had never considered the underdrive pulley and hood pins.

JCI users..... How close low is the fbody oil pan?. My understanding is that a little higher motor mount would be ideal for ground clearance from other posts.

No ac for me strictly a street legal track car..... I want it light fast and reliable. Keep us posted

Wow you move fast. That's great! Please post up your impressions and pics of the kit when it arrives. Do you know if it requires the high mount on the alternator? If it does, what are you using? Dingo has a billet bracket on sale for $150 that looks nice and should fit properly if needed. FWIW, when I look closely at cx install pics the drivers side mount may be able to be cut back (on the block) to use the f-body low mount but I don't know if the frame mount is still in the way.

CxR will sell any part of their kit by piece according to an email I got from them. I have been very interested in the cx kit as well but don't want to be the "test bed". Not super excited about the high mount alternator either but that can be fixed with a $200 + /- bracket.... I don't think the cx exhaust will work with jci mounts but it may work with dingo mounts. Really watching Ryan to see how his build comes along. I believe the cx complete kit is priced less complete versus pieced out for what it's worth. Sold my 5 speed today and putting up the z drive train soon for kit cash so hope to pull the trigger on a kit soon

True story. The more I investigate the more JCI comes out on top. Well designed, complete, priced fair, and well documented.

An automatic in a Z (unless its a quarter miler) just seems like sacrilege to me, but I'm an old school rower that still believes in the gifts of heel and toe. Lol I personally can't wait to hear the sound of rev matching in my LS1 240

Having seen your builds in the past I'm looking forward to your creation Richard.... Not sure this community knows the depth of your build skills but they will catch on quick!

Looking forward to a review of the full kit... that would be amazing! please post up your opinions on this thread. Jim

Hawks has been around awhile and is known for high quality parts... You may get what you pay for. I'm holding judgment on the cx stuff until someone actually installs and uses it.

Time for an update of the "facts" .... JCI- Way more positive feedback than not.... Difficult fitment seems to related more to a tired Z-car than kit quality. Works with JTR headers and low mount alternator location. Very complete kit with a build manual and most of the goodies to get your LS1 Z on the road. A proven kit all in all. Dingo- Does work with JTR headers and no change to steering rod.... Trans mount is a pick of everyone else. Uses stock Z mount locations for good support but needs a high mount alternator bracket to work from what I can tell.... Dingo, speedway, and others sell the bracket for less that $200... Easy motor mount install but after that your on your own to figure out the rest. With the Hybrid community, it is very doable. CXR- No completed builds that I can find to date.... Hybrid member is waiting for nasty weather to clear to start his build so it will be a great benefit to us all when he is able to dive in. CX keeps adding to their kit for completeness.... Currently with all mounts and full exhaust with LT headers (looks nice IMO), I suspect it will require the high mount alternator as well. Rumor has it that CX is working on a driveline as well for their kit. Based on pics, I believe you could use the Dingo mounts with CXR headers & exhaust with any pick of trans mount (FWIW) Hawks- Only works with their LT headers from what I can tell....... They offer a trans mount that welds in versus all the other bolt ins... I love to have some feedback from a completed and running build. DIY- Cheap and easy but you need to dial in placement. I'm leery of Z frame unibody strength not tied to a crossbar. Quite a few have been done with success so I would love to hear some feedback from hard driver / track guys. Thanks to all for the input. Jim (trackzpeed)

I in the process (buying cars,parts,and knowledge) of a 240Z LS1 swap...... I have considered making my own mount as well but since I track my cars (AutoX, HPDE) more than I street them i worry about not having the mounts "tied" with a notoriously weak frame/unibody construction..... Watching your outcomes closely. Keep us updated. Thanks and good luck with your build.

I've been looking into options for moving the alternator up to clear mounts and they are not cheap..... The more I investigate The JCI kit may be the best bang for the buck unless of course you go off reservation and build your own mounts. Can't wait to see how the cx kit plays out for you Ryan Need to start tearing into the Z soon and get my party started

From the pictures, the Dirty Dingo weld in mounts look stouter than the bolt in mounts...... It appears both the DIngo and CX mounts will require the high mount alternator location. What brackets are you guys using to relocate???

Thanks Brent that awesome information. Great mix and match of kits to make it all work. Can you load up some pictures of your install and your exhaust routing.

Great information. Thanks.

Thanks great input. Have you been happy with your 98 swap as a whole? From the pics I have seen posted of the CX trans mount, As rebeckaz said unless your car is close to stock ride height you are going to have trouble running the exhaust. I personally like my exhaust to be tucked up into the floor as much as possible. I also have my z fairly low to the ground. If you run 15 inch wheels you are really going to be in trouble. The ground clearance I gained ftom putting 17's on my car made all the difference in the world. I still stand by the fact that diy mounts are the best. For several reasons. 1. If you do it right you have more clearance to run stuff in the engine bay. 2. You can run a low mount alternator without worrying about hitting the cross member if you shave the stock mountibg places off the cross member. 3. You can buy sanderson headers and bolt them to the engine, then fab your mounts. That way you know the alt, headers, and steering shaft clear before you make the first weld. Agreed, that's why I'm doing as much research as possible and hopefully limit headaches for future swappers. Thanks. I ran the camaro today at my local autoX and won my class. Had a blast all in all. Current plan is to campaign the camaro for this season while I tear down and prep the Z..... Goal is to prep car and collect parts necessary for the swap in the off season and never miss a race. CX has been great with info and claim to sell all or part of their kit depending on what I want.... My car will not sit lower than it does now and for racing applications my fairly low hanging Z exhaust has not been a problem, not sure is the cx exhaust hangs lower or not. Sure wish i knew if the sandersons worked with dirty dingo bolt ins.... time will tell. Thanks a bunch for the input..... Jim

Well I heard from the folks at dirty dingo... They said steering shaft will contact stock manifolds but had no knowledge of whether are not any other existing headers would work. Again, just my gut, but I'm willing to bet JTR headers or the cx long tubes will work.

Hey Ryan. Not to rub it in but I'm wearing shorts and a T shirt working on my kids mini bike here in nor Cali. Lol