silicone boy

Great choice. I was lusting after a set of those, but I decided to do it right and get the brakes up to snuff first--400 to 425 hp and rotten stock Z brakes does not sound like a smart idea. Yes, I'm impatient to work on the motor and put the T56 in, but first things first. Good luck

I have to agree with everyone else here regarding camber plates. I had a GTI that doubled as a street/autocross car. It was not the 450 front/500 rear spring stiffness that caused me to banish it from the street. I was driving it around just fine on some less than smooth streets (and scrambling my brain). It was the darn noise after I installed camber plates. Now it is strictly an autocross/track car.

It took about two days to do the swap for me. I'll tell you how. About two days after I decided to do the swap, I found this site. Then I found an already done 280Z three hours away. I drove through a blinding snowstorm to see it and bought it on the spot. Of course, it's always a work in progress. It came with a 700R4 and I wanted a stick, so I got a T56--it'll be in in the spring. Also, I've spent as much on suspension components as on the actual car itself (and I haven't bought Mike's brakes yet!). And while I have the drivetrain out to install the manual trans, I might as well put in a set of AFR heads and a roller cam (or maybe a 406....)I thought I found a shortcut by buying an already "done" car, but I guess it never ends

Hey everyone. Just wanted to pick your brains. I have a 77 280 with a mildly warmed over 355. Love it, but I'm already planning the next evolution with more power and/or displacement. I see many of you have gone the 383 route, and that was what I had been planning. Then I got to thinking, what about rebuilding a 400 small block? I know they are not easy to find anymore, but it can still be done. The torque would be awesome. I'm not sure why I haven't seen too many on this board. The other (and cheapest alternative) would be to use what I already have (the 300 HP 355) and add a set of AFR heads and a cam. 400 or more HP should be within easy reach. Which route would you go? Thanks in advance

I'll post some pictures this weekend as soon as I take them. Stay tuned. In any case it just looks like a stock A/C setup in any Chevy.

I bought the car that Fast Frog mentioned above. Yes, it does have the factory GM components mated to the Datsun components. I haven't tested it out yet, but it looks like a great installation and it would be the way to go had I built it myself.

I've been lurking for weeks and finally decided to come out of the closet. In fact, I found my V8 Z from a posting on this site--I wanted to build my own but I couldn't pass up the chance to buy a real clean conversion. Besides, with all the time I've saved, I can work on what I truly want--a vehicle capable of inducing nosebleeds on the turns. My previous project car was an Improved Touring VW GTI. I used Ground Control coil overs with spring rates in the 400 lb/in. range and I didn't feel that this was too stiff for the occasional grocery run. My question to you all is, what is the maximum spring rate you would use for a purely street driven car? I see that many of you are using springs in the 200 lb/in. range. Will this allow a Z to run with the almighty C5 Vette in the handling department or are stiffer springs in order? Your input would be greatly appreciated.