danc
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Posts posted by danc
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billv:
As I said, no problem with the hedders I'm using. I've had starter Heatsink/overheating problems on other cars with hedders that route too close to the starter, but I solved at least one of those problems with an insulated starter blanket. I have the power R&P also, and the drivers's side hedder had to be disassembled and refabricated to route between the 2 rear cylinders to clear the steering rod. Works fine though. I have a SBC hydraulic roller cam-set for sale if you are interested. I've only had one 305 in an El Camino and it ran O.K., but didn't have a lot of torque. Good luck..
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billv:
I have an 83 ZX with Heddman Tight tubes and no problem on a standard size starter either in clearance or hedder overheating/starting problems.
Good luck..
Dan
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danj:
No progress in the last few days. Out of town for work. I plan on getting it running and through the Bow Tie Overdrive, pressure test and test drive to validate their warranty. I'll get more pictures of the header at different angles, the B&M Megashifter, and some others that may be of general interest as well. The WEB site is a great idea and I commend your willingness to do that. I'd be happy to contribute whatever I can. I put together a grocery list of piece/parts I used a almost 3 years ago and looked it up today. It's still there under the subject: ZX SBC conversion using MSA mounts. I posted it 27 June 2001, and it may have some helpful info.
Dan
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Tried to upload some photos to the phot album but had no luck. What is the best way to attach the pictures??[/img]
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danj:
I hear you on the $$$$ and time. I'm sure you will ultimately be very happy with your set-up once you have it dailed in. I've owned my car since 3k miles and really enjoy driving it more than I ever have. I'll take a photo of the left side hedder for you. I'm using a Bowtie Overdrive Level 2, with a 2400 RPM convertor and their TV cable. I just got mine running again over this past weekend and haven't gotten thru their pressure test set-up yet, but they have been really helpful and everything else sounds good when you say it fast so far. I'll let you know how it works out, but do check out their web site for info.. I'm using Eibach Pro-Sport and Tokico struts (adjustable on the back). Used to squat real bad and it's great now. I'm also using a B&M 82-92 Camaro console model Mega shifter and it looks factory.. I did change E-mail and you can reach me at dchildress1@woh.rr.com.
Dan
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danj
Good to hear you are on the road after such a long time. Mine took about 10 months, but I was hitting it pretty hard almost everyday. I have an 83 SBC/700R4 also with Power R&P and Heddman Tight tubes; which are not full length. The passenger side wasn't a problem, but the drivers side was completely reworked with the steering shaft running between the last two tubes (6&7). I've running an honest 430 H.P. and didn't find the headers to be a big restriction issue. I'm running 2 1/2 inch exhaust pipes into a flowmaster Y with a 3 inch out to a flowmaster muffler in the stock location. Good luck on getting it dialed in. Mine has been running since November 2001, and I pulled the engine/ trans out this year to clean up the wiring and install a Bowtie Overdrive Stage 2 700R4 to replace the "other" 700r4 that was a constant source of problems. Have you made any suspension modifications?
Dan
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project280ZX:
I have an 83 ZX with a carbuerated SBC/700R4. Suggest you buy the Jags that Run Z conversion book for starters. There are several things in the conversion book that does not apply to the ZX, but there is still enough substance and philisophy to make it a good investment. Plan on spending a lot more on the conversion than you plan, and a lot more time as well. There are lots of tried-and-true solutions to problems that will occur that the guys on the forum will be able to help you otu on. Do look at the search feature and you will find most everything has been covered in great detail. Good luck..
Dan
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I'm running a B&M Megashifter 700R4 Console model 82-92 Camaro/Firebird. Looks factory and it fits in the middle of the ZX 5 speed console. I made a "plate" out of wrinkle finish black plastic to cover the void and it is the same material as the B&M.. The only thing I had forgotten about B&M is they are a little quirky and overkill on the reverse handle lock-out, and they could shift a little smoother too. I've gotten used to it and I'm not going to throw it away or anything.. Made the brackets for the mount on the rear tail shaft and had to "massage" the left exhaust pipe a tad, but it fits great...
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The ZZ4 is a good value. It makes an honest 355 H.P. and can also be upgraded 35+ H.P. with the Hot Cam. I have a ZZ430 clone (Fastburn with Lt-4 Cam-set); which has the same short block as the ZZ4. Had it balanced this winter and have not put it back in the car yet, but I've been driving it around 2 years. You can buy a ZZ430 clone from Superior Chevrolet or Sallee to name 2 I know of. I started out to rebuild an old Cop Car 350, but after looking at the crate, the decision became pretty easy. Good luck..
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Thanx guys...
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Guys:
Not sure what happened to my post of 2 days ago, but..... I need to know if a R200 from a 300ZX is the same I.E. direct bolt on with no modifications to my 1983 ZX R200.... I have a 390.1 with a SBC and 700R4 which results in a big and quick first gear. I'm looking at a 354.1 out of a 300...
Thanx as always..
Dan
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Some of the 79-83 ZXs had R180s. Think they were all automatics...
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I'm running a Bowtie Overdrive Level 2 700R4 with a 2400 RPM Stall speed convertor in a ZX with 430 H.P. and love it... Shifts decent during normal driving and shifts firm/great when you mash the motor... They can set it up about any way you want it....
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I have Eibachs with Tokico adjustable and like them very well for my straight line street application. I have an 83 ZX with a 430 H.P. SBC. I can very easily see the benefit and flexibility of ride height/adjustment of Coil-Overs depending on what you use the car for and if you have a desire to put larger rims/tires on.
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badmojo175:
I have an 83 with a SBC, and the digital gauges work fine except the tach isn't accurate. Suggest you take a look at the Jags that run web site, and buy their book. There are differences between a Z and ZX conversion and the JTR manual covers the Z. There are enough similarities though to make the cost of the manual well worth the price. There are differences between the 83 and 80 steering that someone else can address better than I. My driver's side header had to be significantly modified, but it workds fine.. Good Luck..
Dan
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There are several other differences between the HO Deluxe and ZZ4 other than HO iron vortec versus the ZZ4 aluminum non-vortec heads. The difference is 25 H.P more for the ZZ4, as well as the hydraulic roller valve train. The ZZ4 can be upgraded to 375-395 H.P (depending on whom you talk to) with a LT-4 "Hot cam" (about $500 for parts) using the same valve springs installed by G.M.
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327zxer:
There was a lot moreZX conversion info out there that appears not to be there anymore. I posted a grocery list of piece/parts I used on my 83ZX SBC/700R4 and it appears to be gone as well. I have the power rack and pinion, and don't see how the ramhorn manifold will work on the drivers' side, but perhaps someone out there has some real life experience. I used Heddman Tight Tubes, and the drivers' side header had to be routed around the steering shaft on the rear cylinders 5 and 2 I believe. I used MSA mounts, but again that was a 700R4. I have the NEAPCO part #, radiator (84-86 light-duty no air I believe) and some other info that may be useful. I scrounge it up and re-post.. Good luck..
Dan
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You might also want to consider buying an old cop car as opposed to a zillion trips to the junk yard. I also scavenged a bunch of wiring connectors that make the engine bay look a lot more finished.. That would save you a lot of time and money. Gm Performance parts also has a 350 replacement long block for around 1200. Good luck..
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Nion:
Had a similar problem with my 83 SBC ZX. Ride around town all day at 100 degrees or whatever outside and it ran around 190-200. It would 210-220 on the highway and then go up to 240-250 at the exit ramp. Good news is it cooler down pretty quick. I changed the radiator hoses with the reinforced ones and jacked the front end up as high as I could when I refilled it. Not sure which one fixed it, but the problem is gone.. Hopefully you can fix it pretty quickly because Mr. heat is not a good thing..
Dan
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I have Heddman Tight Tubes with Fastburn 385 angle plug heads (they are different than a ZZ4) and have not had any problems with the wires or boots getting too hot..
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I seriously looked into John's Cars before I bought the MSA mounts for my 280ZX in 2001. I talked to John a couple of times, and during the conversation he admitted that "Z" conversions were really not his preimary business; Jag conversions were. I asked to stop by during a planned visit to my brother's in Austin, but he discouraged me from doing that. I later found out from someone on this forum who had visited that he had an old shit-bob Z sitting out in the back that he had done many years prior. He was nice enough to talk to, but his primary interest was selling me everything for what I remember being around $700-$800. My final impression was he was just tring to make a buck, didn't have a lot of substance behind his first pitch, and couldn't answer some pretty basic questions. There are some guys on the forum who have purchased his "kit" and you should be able to get some feedback thru the search medium. Having said all that, the LS-1 "kit" has to be new, and perhaps he realizes there is a market out there and has changed his philisophy a bit. That would be great since he is not a dumb guy. Also don't know if he still sells the "tell me show me" $20. pre-cursor, but if he hasn't substantially changed that, it was total dog-shit. I threw mine away.. Good luck...
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007fastz:
I have an 83 with a SBC and 700R4 that's been running for a couple of years. The JTR manual was useful, and the non-applicable areas (motor mounts for one) were less important than the insight into the conversion process. Suggest you use the search feature on this forum to gain more insight into those general topics where it doesn't apply. You will also find very specific "problem" information to help along the way in addition to enough guys who-have-been-there to help you in about any situation that comes up. In addition to planning on spending more money than you expect on the conversion, you will also need to seriously consider suspension upgrades. For starters the OEM rear suspension will bottom out under accelleration. The opinions on how to solves that cover a broad range of solutions. One of the things I found helpful when digestiing the wealth of helpful real-world what works info, was my application. I have a 430 HP "version" used more as a street toy as opposed to serious handling. My Eibach springs and Tociko struts suit my situation very well. Other guys are happy happy with coil-overs enabling them to use even larger tires. Good luck, and do get the JTR book...
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Guess it depends on whether it is a "Z" or "ZX". I used the MSA mounts in my 83 ZX with Power R&P and the driveline angle was almost Zero %, and the motor couldn't set back any further.
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I just listed a Fastburn 385 hydraulic Roller in the buy/sell section..
280ZX starter question
in Gen I & II Chevy V8 Tech Board
Posted
billv:
I can get you a photo of the driver's side hedder. It is on my home account. What is your E-mail address? I posted a grocery list of piece/parts I used 17 May 2001. The title is ZX SBC using MSA mounts and it should answer a few questions that might come up. I'm have a 700R4 and am using the Motorsports Auto engine and transmission mounts.
Dan