Jared

what color?

Pic of this yet?

I'm in the same boat, the professional restorations take too long, I'd love to find an excellent condition brown dash for mine that I could just swap in.

I don't know the Orlando area well enough to recommend anyone. Try to find some other Z car drivers there and ask around. Most every major metro area has a Z specialty shop that is typically run by a retired Nissan dealer tech that does good work. Occasionally you can luck up and find a tech still at a dealer that has older Z car experience and does quality work, but we are getting more rare as so many dealerships these days are pushing profit over quality/experienced employees. If you've only done minor maintenance I would not suggest a rebuild as your first internal work.

When the wet compression jumps dramatically, its the rings. Sounds like an inexpensive in frame overhaul is in the works for you.

knock sensor failure won't keep it from running. If it has spark that means you have a fueling issue. How much fuel pressure does it have?

Do you have someone to install the sleeves yet? These guys have VQ and sleeving experience, http://www.justiceracingengines.com/index.htm

I wasn't originally aware of the 3L limit or the abundance of VQ35 blocks, but I am still very interested in the project, so keep us posted. I would definitely go with your original idea of the vq35 block and heads, they are some of the best out there. Big ports, straight runners, pick up big hp with pressurized intakes.

Does the VQ40 use bigger stroke and bore than 35? Haven't looked. If so, since the 40 is essentially an HR block with taller deck, if destroking is the goal, sounds like the Vq40 bock with the 35hr crank would be the way to go.

Where did you get the urethane for the mounts?

Could be an exhaust leak or lifter that quietens down after getting warm...wasn't there a GM TSB on the 4.3 out for excessive carbon build up on the piston dome causing a similar noise? I'll look for that and get back to you. EDIT: n/m just noticed you changed it to 5.3l

I was never a fan of Z31s until now, I really like this car. Nice work.

I was thinking that the g35 used electric fans like the z, will have to double check that

Is that for a Pathfinder VQ35 ? I'm just assuming since you mentioned the fan clutch.

He never finished it.

Exactly my thoughts.

Knocked the slip yokes off some spare driveshafts today so I could bring them home. 4WD Titan and 4WD frontier(late model VQ40) DO NOT fit, I suspect because they are 4wd and meant to go into a transfer case, not a transmission. The VQ40 pathfinder 2WD DOES fit, just gotta knock the longer dust shield off of it. The VQ40 pathfinder uses the 5sp at rwd trans same as Z so I'm assuming that the slip yoke from 2WD VQ40 Frontier, Xterra, or Pathfinder will work for those doing the 350Z swap and needing a slip yoke. I'll keep an eye out for more driveshafts in the scrap pile.

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/NISSAN-DATSUN-VQ35-1978-280Z-2-2-6-SPEED-300-HP_W0QQitemZ300339059887QQcmdZViewItemQQptZUS_Cars_Trucks?hash=item45ed9a5caf&_trksid=p4506.c0.m245 Doesn't appear to be the best craftsmanship, but only one bid and no reserve.

That's pretty much it. It's been done in a 350z and G35 in purpose built race/drift cars. No one has actually done it in a car that has to be driven, much less daily driven with accessories.

The only engine that really had an issue was a short run of the VQ35. The others ended up having stuck oil control rings due to lack of maintenance.

The VH is waaaaaay easier. The parts are more readily available with nothing custom. The VK has no easily available adapter, no plug in ECM, no shelf mounts, and harder to find.

When I put a VG33 from a D22 into a U11 I had the U11 crank pulley center bored by a machine shop to the bigger crank snout and just used all the accessory pulleys and brackets from the U11 engine. Worked very well.

Doesn't matter what kind of engine. More importantly is how the cable was connected while keeping the cruise cable attached to the pivot at the firewall. ZX

If so, what throttle cable did you use? How did you connect it to the factory pivot and rotor? thanks, Jared

If so, what throttle cable did you use? How did you connect it to the factory pivot and rotor? thanks, Jared