CJBrian

Also Ive read that 3/8 fuel line is recommended.

Heres a question for the few here that have installed the painless wiring. What made them difficult to install? Was it not having wiring diagrams or the stock plugs?

I have already torn my harness out of my 71. I plan out using a painless 18 circuit or a Rebel wire 20 circuit system. I think it will be easier since Im installing a V8 and all autometer gauges. Only time will tell. Heres a question for the few here that have installed the painless wiring. What made them difficult to install??

This thread I started has been a big motivation for me. I have found some cool parts and got some good ideas on what I want to do. So keep the pictures coming! Here are a few of mine. My engine waiting for the Z. My Z the day I bought it. Heres how it sits now getting stripped for blasting. Feels like I'm going the wrong direction but it will be worth it in the end.

I was told by Mcleod that if your using a 93-97 LT1 Camaro T-56 they will bolt right up using conversion flywheels and 93-97 Camaro clutches. http://www.summitracing.com/parts/CTF-700107 I cant remember Mcleod's part number but you can ask Billy M on the Mcleod forum. He was very helpful. http://www.mcleodind.com/index.html

Im at work now so no pics right now. I have a front valance but no turn signals. You interested? $75

Hey Larry the last 3 digits (615) is the measurement in inches. The belt will be close to 61.5 inches but not exact. I dont know why but its just a ballpark measurement.

The jeep club I'm in is based out of the south bay area. And some of the guys live in Hawthorne. Anyways I was told there is a Z shop in the south bay area but I dont know the name or location. Sorry I am planning on doing all my own work except paint so I dont know of any places except Motorsport Auto in Orange and Beta Motorsports in Brea area. It might be worth your time and 25 bucks to buy the JTR manual and read it to see if it is something you think you can do yourself or with a friends help. Just so you know the only year 280z that is smog exempt in cali is the 1975. The later model 74 260z's are almost identical to the 280z's. Good luck and let me know if you need any help cuz I'm doing the same thing you are. Brian

Where in socal are you located? Like JT1 said its the same as putting in a 350 sbc its been done thousands of times. Its surprizingly simple. If you got the motor and trans your half way there. You will need mounts, driveshaft, radiator and misc plumbing, wiring and small parts. What year to 280z? The only thing you have to worry about in cali is having to smog it.

I have these summit heads. http://store.summitracing.com/partdetail.asp?autofilter=1&part=SUM%2D151124&N=700+115&autoview=sku I have not run the engine get but they look high quality.

I ordered my bracket today. How long did it take to get yours?

Most likely he is using the LS intake with the newer gen 3/4 style vortec heads and block that have different shape ports then the older engines. For your 80-84 gen1 block you want to use the 96-99 style vortec heads. They will bolt right on. I'm using them on a 70 4 bolt main block. Then just find a manifold you like with the vortec pattern. Hope that helps.

Thanks guys the pictures help with the ideas and motivation. I also will be calling Alan Grove for a Alt bracket.

As long as the intake manifold has the "vortec" bolt pattern it will work with vortec heads. Like these ones. http://store.summitracing.com/egnsearch.asp?N=700+4294925239+4294839079+4294822100+4294908395+4294908216+4294840140+4294889107+4294901803+115 You also have the option to get new vortec heads if you dont feel like putting junkyard parts on. http://store.summitracing.com/egnsearch.asp?Ntt=vortec&N=700+4294925232+4294838998+115+4294867081&Ntk=KeywordSearch

Very nice and clean install. I like how you mounted the alt. a little lower. Custom brackets? I like the stang wheels.

Hey everyone, I want to see pictures of your V8 installed in your Z. Im stealing this idea from the "show your engine bay" in the nissan L6 forum. Im almost done with my V8 and Im seacrhing for a Z to put it in. Thanks Brian Heres a pic of my engine.

All my book says is 14010207 is a 80-85 350 and it could be a 2 or 4 bolt main block. http://www.chuckschevytruckpages.com/casting.html

Hey Grumpy, I'm almost done with my 350 which is similar to this one. http://www.popularhotrodding.com/enginemasters/articles/hardcore/0511phr_vortec/index.html I have 2 questions about spark plugs. 1. Which brand and heat range do you recommend? Autolite AR103 like in the article? 2. In the ac-delco catalog we have at work it recommends a .060 gap for the 96-99 chevy pickup (what my heads came off of). Is .060 too much or OK for a MSD HEI dist. ? My setup is a 350 .060 over around 9.5 compression vortec heads with 1.5 rockers comp 270H cam msd hei edelbrock performer rpm air gap 6spd manual trans and 3.90 rear end. Thanks Brian

I can look in a book I got when I get home from work tonite.

What about those of us running the engine in the JTR position that cant use a mech pump?

The person that can answer the engine setup question the best is probably Grumpy in this thread. http://forums.hybridz.org/showthread.php?t=139049 Are you planning on finding a complete running stock engine to drop in or building one? If your looking for stock that gets good mpg you will probably want to stay away from 70's stuff because of the bad combustion chamber designs. If you are planning on building something the lighter and more free flowing you can make the engine the better mpg it will get. I dont know what kinda of mpg you are looking for and your budget but it might be hard to get with a big cast iron V8 in a sports car. Depending on your budget you might consider newer efi V8's and LS engines. You also have to consider the trans and rear end gearing and total weight of the car.

Depends on your setup and driving sytle but usually around 20-25 mpg hiway.

Get this book it should answer all your questions. http://jagsthatrun.com/Pages/Datsun_Z_V-8.html Clutches are easy just use the clutch for the trans you pick and use the master cylinder and fittings suggested in the book. Common trannys to look for are T-5 5spd and T-56 6spd. Most commonly found in camaros and firebirds.

Thanks I got a priming tool so I prime it and then I think I will pull the pan and see if the full level on the dipstick is below the tray.

Hey Grumpy, I purchased a 5 qt oil pan for 55-79 sbc and Spectre pn 42555 dipstick for 55-79 sbc. I checked oil pick up to pan clearance and its at 1/4 in. I filled the oil filter with fresh oil and filled the pan with 4 qts of oil and checked the level. I expected the oil to be close to the add level on the dipstick but it was well under that. I'm now have 6 qts in the pan and the filter and it is between add and full. The engine has not been run yet. Is this normal for a 5 qt pan? Am I overlooking something? I was thinking of pulling the pan and checking the level and seeing if it is above the tray or hitting the crank. What is a acceptable level? Heres a link to the pan I have. http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/SBC-SMALL-BLOCK-CHEVY-350-IMCA-RACING-CHEATER-OIL-PAN_W0QQitemZ380094976533QQcmdZViewItemQQptZMotors_Car_Truck_Parts_Accessories?hash=item380094976533&_trksid=p3911.c0.m14&_trkparms=72%3A727%7C66%3A2%7C65%3A12%7C39%3A1%7C240%3A1318 Thanks Brian