Beau M

When I first thought of getting a Z I hit the forums and found HBZ. I started lusting after a V8 Z. After months of reading and changing my mind every other week, I thought I knew I wanted an L28et or a RB20. For all the reasons above. Then I talked with my wife, she told me to get what I want, not whats easiest. I want V8 power. I want the feel of my old mustang that I dearly miss. I also found a good deal for a 302 on CL... Now that the engine is in the garage, I feel like a great weight has lifted. No more guessing and researching 100 different options. I have a path to follow, even though I will travel it slowly. There are pics of it in my members projects thread.

That sounds like a good thing going into a Z. I think thats what I'm after then.

Thanks for the input, but I made my decision. Ford 302

Yeah, I read all about how crappy my heads and pistone are, live and learn I guess. As far as trannies go, I also read that the 94-95 have a longer input shaft. Will this affect anything? Is the extra lenght made up with a longer bell housing? I wish the t-5's were a dime a dozen, I can't seem to find any here in Seattle. I was hoping to spend around 300 on a tranny.. doesn't look like that will happen.

Help, my brain is full! I have been doing a ton of research (and very little actual work) on my swap into my 280z 2+2. I cannot be trusted to pick out my own parts, as I just bought a re-built 302 on CL. Turns out its from an 86, which no one has anything good to say about. It was rebuilt and came with a nice carb and intake though. Now I need to find a tranny, I want a 5-speed. What exactly am I looking for? Any years or part numbers I need to steer clear of? Thanks. -Beau

I picked up an engine for this thing yesterday. Its the one I wanted when I first got the Z. My mind changed a few times since then, but this one popped up at the right time, and seemed like a good deal. Supposedly it was rebuilt around 30K ago. Ford 302, converted to carb. Should be fun.

Would you do it again? Or go with the L28et? Why or why not?

Awesome job. I will be doing this exact swap in the near future, so I will be hitting you up for pointers most likely.

I got a little more welding done this weekend.

Welding, Welding, Welding

Not much new, still fixing rust issues. Highly modified coupe panel from my new best friends, Tabco. When I am done, half the car will have been bought from them

Veritech, I think you're on to something there. My vote goes for duplicolor gunmetal wheel paint. Have'nt seen a wheel it looks bad on yet. My truck: My Mustang I had a few years ago:

JG, you have a PM

I dont use 'LOL' very often, but LOL.

Your right, the BMW in the first one is manual. Audi is an auto. Thanks YouTube.

I'm pretty sure the cars in the Transporter movies all had autos. So I guess thats what I would go with.

For the pegglers hawking shows, just say "Im a local" and they will back off. We go down about every 6 months or so. There is just so much to do... the last time we went to the Grand Canyon (AMAZING) and the nuclear testing museum, as well as the normal strip activities. There is just so much to do, and things change so fast.

I like that one better than the first.

I just got back, went last weekend. If its your first time, just enjoy yourself. If you get a chance, go to the Imperial Palace and check out the cars. Its cheap and amazing, they had a 14.5 million dollar GT40 that should still be there. Sticking to the strip is not a bad idea, but if you want to get sloppy drunk for cheap and have a great time, go hit Fremont. They have a live band every night, its pretty cool. Most of all, have fun, and wear sunblock.

While I would like to go with dual exhaust, I don't think I want to do a fuel cell. Right now the plan is MSA twice pipes.

OK, let me re-state that I am by no means a competent fabricator. I'm just learning to weld, and have never done any body work like this before. It's going to need some filler to make it look good, but its going to be all metal behind. As you can see I need to finish the passenger side and figure out what to do with the lower edge of the Datsun panel. The driver side rear quarter is a Tabco coupe piece I modified. Any ideas? Constructive criticism?

I thought he was asking for trout finders. But if you do find some fiberglass front fenders, please report back.

Actually, the tailgate is not flat. The lateral curve is almost the same as the stock Z pan. The curve that has an issue in the horizontal one. I think I can fix that with a releif cut right up the center from the bottom, and then weld it back together. I need to stop replying and just post some pics. Stay tuned.

Nope, went to Vegas last week. I need to get a new passenger side lower rear quarter, and figure out WTF I am going to do with the lower edge of the panel. I will take some pics of it tacked in tonight though, it will give you an idea of what it will look like.

Car sounds great and looks like poo