SHO-Z

I do not know about the doors but the rear deck is easy. I have a z convertible and all I did on the trunk is to tack weld a plate on inside of the hole and fill with bondo. I then got a remote trunk release and a junkyard and mounted the lever under the seat. Simple, cheap and clean.

I would get an Electric DA sander, I used on almost exclusively when I did my Convertible Z project. Buy one from one of the reputable manufacture. I used a Black and Decker. But do not expect for it to do all of the work. You will still need to do the hand sanding and wet sanding.

There is a Cobra Coupe kit an a 280z on ebay under kit cars. It looks like it would take a lot of work to make it fit right. But the price today is low.

It is on HC. The butterfly covers the transition jet at idle. I have tried to increase the idle speed this opens up the transition jet causing the mixture to be richer yet even with the idle adjustment all of the way in. If the transition jet is covered and the idle screws are out just enough for the car to barely idle it is to rich on the HC reading. I just never found a sweet spot on the adjustment. I am new to AZ and really cannot fine anyone who understands these carbs. And from some of the other Z people I have met so far AZ emissions is hard to pass with all of the stock components in place on older Zs. It is just easier to add the cat and air

I am also thinking on installing a cat on a 260z, it has Weber down drafts and will not pass emissions in AZ at idle no matter how much I lean it out at idle, under load it passes with flying colors. I was planning on installing an electric smog pump to add air to clean it up more. The Z smog pump was removed way before I got the car. If anyone has any thoughts on this I would appreciate any input.

With all of the different FWD cars out there with high performance engines to choose from, I think it would neat to put together a list of engine transmission combinations that will fit in a Z. Like the Taurus SHO engine, T-5 Transmission with Aerostar bell housing. This should not be limited to just 6s either. The cars that are rear wheel drive sort of take care of themselves.

ME with a PE. Working in the constrction industry in the oil patch in AK. Working on piping and mechanical issues.

I have just returned the SHO motor to the wrecking yard that I bought if from. After 4 months of waiting, 3 wrong bell housings and no transmission, I have given up on this project. I did receive a full refund on the motor and parts. What Went Right. 1. When I bought the parts, everything from one source, I gave them a full list of everything I needed, including year and model. I kept a copy of this for my reference. 2. I learned a lot about the engine and wiring harness. The SHO is very tall. To install properly the pan depth needs to be shortened about 1-1/2†at least to get around 3†of ground clearance. To install correctly the firewall need to be notched to clear the water outlet and the rear of the air plentum. This will move the motor back enough so the harmonic balancer will not be sitting directly on top of the steering rack. 3. With the right books and patience the wiring harness is not as bad as it looks. 4. When I confronted them that the transmission is a 1994 T5 shown on my list I received my money back even with my modifications to the wiring harness. What Went Wrong. 1. I didn’t wait until all of the parts were in one pile. I accepted them in a piecemeal order. The motor one day the drive shaft, bell housing another. 2. I really should have gotten better dimensions of the engine. Take pictures of a motor out of a car from all directions and take them with you and get ever dimension that you might need marked on the photo. If I had to do it again I would have the wrecking yard initial my list of needed parts. I would have done more research on the dimensions and weight on this motor. I am still planning on some type of conversion for my 260Z convertible but will do more research next time. Lessons Learned

I am sure glad to see that there are others out there that are planning or in the process of doing this conversion. This is one tall engine. From my dimensions to get around 3” of pan clearance, there is no way that the hood latch will work. I am planning on using Dzus fasteners on the hood corners. After looking at the length, it would be best to notch the firewall for the intake manifold and the water outlet. If you thermostat goes out you would have to remove the motor. The engine can be installed without the firewall modification but the end pulley ends up directly over the steering rack. This gives the about ½” clearance on the hood from the throttle assembly. The front cross member could be lower to increase clearance. I have not got into the transmission yet to get the clearances there. I would be interested to hear how others are coming along with this type of conversion.

I think it would be a great idea, especially if a whole ground effect kit was offer at a reasonable price. Glad to see you back in business. Have you ever had any thought of a rebody that is resembles a combination of the best looks of some of the hot new sport cars, Jag etc.

The healey web site http://www.members.cox.net/rdgrauman/Healey.html has some great pictures. The only pistures that I have is of the SHO motor on the bench and the intake sitting on top of the z engine to get an idea of how tight it will be end to end. If you send me you email I will send you some pictures.

The intake manifold is symmetrical so I turned it around with some 3/8” spacers in between. The top of the timing belt cover needs to be trimmed and some of the casting on the manifold needs to be trimmed. I am using a low pressure and a high-pressure fuel pump with holding tank in between. There is a web site about a Healey with a SHO engine conversion that has been real helpful. He has really layed the project out for others to follow.

I am in the process of installing a SHO in a 260Z. The motor is a lot taller than it appears. With the intake turned around there is also the water outlets above the bellhousing that set the forward placement of the engine. I have not installed the engine yet but from my measurements it is a tight fit. I might have to do some modifications to the fire wall to set the enging to the rear. I am using an Areostar bellhousing and a T5 transmission. The wiring is not as bad as it seems, but I have not had to trouble shoot it yet.

I sm currently doing a SHO to 260z conversion. I right now I am just starting on the wiring harness and there is quite a bit of wiring in the harness. I will be using a T5 trans on this convesion. From what I have learned so far is that the wiring is more intiminating than it really is. Mechanicaly the biggest thing appears is that the cooling comes off of the back of the motor.