namz7791

Looks like I am unable to beat the value of a ZZ4 by rebuilding an engine myself and still have the 12 month warranty. Anyone heard anything good or bad about this engine. All opinions will be useful. thanks!

I bought a complete T5 including flywheel, bellhousing, hydraulic clutch setup, shifter etc out of a V8 1991 camaro. I am finding it very hard to locate an inexpensive 1 piece rear main engine to install in my area and am considering a 2 piece rear main engine. With the 91 Camaro set up the only thing I need to change is the flywheel over to a 2 piece rear main type with associated clutch Could one of you engine experts confirm this. I dont want to buy the engine and then find out that the camaro bellhousing needs to be off of an earlier 3rd gen when they made 2 piece rear main blocks. Thanks for your help. Sorry if I posted this in the wrong spot.

Thanks Grumpyvette! I plan on running a T5 with the stock R200 with 3.54 gears. I do not have emission concerns and will be using the car mainly as a summer daily driver with an occasional romp at the track. With the heads you recommend, besides the cam how about the intake? For being a novice I was originally going with the complete Edelbrock performer RPM so that I knew the components would work together. Thanks again for the advice!

Which specific Trick Flow head would you recommend? Also, A better cam than the Performer RPM to use with these heads? Thanks!

I have been searching for a crate engine to put in my 77 Z and while I would love the ZZ4, the money is tight. I found at http://www.goautocenter.com a 350 chevy long block with 9.5 compression and the 58cc factory vette aluminum heads for $2295. The beauty of this engine is that for the same price I can get Edelbrock Performer or Performer RPM aluminum heads or the Trick Flow Heads for the same $2295, installed. The car will be more a daily driver than anything so which of the heads above would you experts on the subject recommend? The engine is supposed to make 320 hp and a little more than that for torque with the vette head (there is a hp and torque curve at the website). The ZZ4 comes with the same vette heads if I not mistaken, so I need a little guidance. BTW they also indicated that I could have the Edelbrock Performer RPM cam and lifters installed for an additional $200. Also, has anyone bought or dealt with this Texas company? Thanks in advance!

I have the seventh edition of the JTR conversion manual and it appears to be the most popular conversion in this forum. Just wondering if any of you have used the kit that John's cars offers other than his new LS1 kit. Anybody have an opinion of which is better? Thanks!

I want to install a Muncie M20 behind a ZZ4 crate engine in a 77 280Z 2+2. Search seems to still be down and the JTR manual only goes into details on the T5. Anyone running a 4 speed Muncie or equivelant? I need to know if the shifter will come out thru the existing hole in the tunnel/console or if this tranny is to short to use in the Z. Thanks

I have been looking into the various options on crate motors for my engine swap into a 77 280Z 2+2. Currently am considering the GM 330 HP 350 HO that comes with the Vortec heads or the ZZ4 which comes with aluminum heads. I can buy the complete 350 HO deluxe which is basically turnkey for around $300 less than the ZZ4 which still needs carb etc. I tried searching on the differences between the weight of the aluminum versus cast heads and find about a 45# difference. In the grand scheme of the JTR conversion is 45# gonna make or break the way the car handles? Will relocating the battery to the rear and such off set the weight difference? The 350 HO does come with an aluminum intake. Thanks for any insite on the weight issues.

Has anyone used the GM perfomance parts Ram Jet 350? All the photos I have seen look like the fuel injection set up sticks up further than a carb would. If you do have one installed, how do you like its performance and any trouble with the install? Thanks.

Does any one no if the V6 bell housing is the same as the V8 bellhousing out of the 3rd gen camaros? I have been told that they are the same at the engine block and at the tranny. I know the tranny connection is the same but don't think that the engine connection is. Please help!

Does painless list a specific wire harness for the Z or are you planning on using a generic type harness?

I have the opportunity to purchase a 5.7L (350) out of a 1988 Corvette. Engine has 80,000 miles on it and doesn't have the intake, water pump, etc. Also includes a 700R4 in the deal out of the same Vette. Owner swapped in newer engine and T56. It has sat in a barn for 8 years so I plan on doing a rebuild. My 77 280Z coupe is where I would put it. Does it being a vette engine cause me any heartburn for the install? Is this a decent engine to start with? Being a Vette engine I am assuming that the crank, heads etc are the good stuff? Is the engine and tranny worth the $600.00 asking price.

Thanks for the information! What type of structural upgrades are required? Are we talking strut towers and bigger sway bars or full roll cages? Also, does anyone make a kit for the required items? Thanks!

I have been doing a lot of research on the V8 conversion for a 280Z and it appears that most conversions recommend an overdrive automatic transmission. Apparently they are easier to complete and less expensive. I have always enjoyed driving a manual shift vehicle and understand that the choice is one of personal preference in the end. However I am wondering what the members of Hybridz think of the way the V8 Z performs with an automatic versus a manual shift? Is there any benefits for one over the other when you take cost out of the equation? My car will be more of a daily driver than a racer. Also, I have the option of converting a 77 coupe or a 77 2+2 is one better than the other? Thanks!

Thanks to all for your replies! Mike, just curious why you omitted the JTR spacers? Also, are you happy with the performance of the ZZ4?

I to am new to Hybrid Z and have a couple of questions. (I hope 2 questions at once are ok?) Has anyone installed the GM performance parts ZZ4 and if so did the JTR recommended block hugger headers work with the angle plug heads? Also, the JTR recommends a T5 transmission but it doesn;t appear to be rated for the output of the ZZ4. I have a Muncie M21 and wonder if this can be used. The JTR mentions them but only goes into details regarding the T5 and doesn't mention whether or not the M21 will fit and if so what shifter to use etc. Lakewood does make a bellhousing with an Hydraulic clutch attachment to accept the M21 straight up. Thanks in advance for all your help!