DavyZ

Welcome to the board There are a number of people here that have already installed LS1 engines into their cars, Lone Star 1 being one of them, and others who are currently in the process of doing do, like Jeromio, who has documented much on his own website. If the search function is working, then by all means please use it as much information regarding this swap has been talked about, and it can only help you. If the search function is not working, then you may have to go back and search the topics in the archive which is somewhat tedious but is necessary at times. http://240z.jeromio.com/ Davy

There is also the BAR (Bureau of Automotive Repair) that does not like shops that do things to screw the customer or their cars. Davy

Although some may disagree with me, I would love to do a 280Z since they 'feel' more solid, are EASY to come by, and look roughly the same as a 240Z with the bumpers removed. The 280Z has frame rails that go back all the way unlike the 240Z, and they have nicer door & window mechanisms (maybe they work better by design or because they are newer??). Yes, the 280Z is heavier, but that is nothing a 383 can't handle. 8) Davy

You would have to go back manually through the archives since I'm not sure if the search function is working with the old posts in this new forum format. Grumpy says he has used gear drives for years with no ill effects on the valve train or the rest of the motor (remember that there is always a rumor floating that the 'excess vibration caused by the gear drive can have negative effects on the valvetrain') . I was encouraged to hear this and would like to use a gear drive in my NA motor at some point 8) . Keep in mind that if, by chance, you are going to efi and turbo on the V8, a gear drive is not compatable with a knock sensor---that is what I have gathered from my research. Davy

Ugh, that would mean learning fiberglassing (which I'm going to do anyway) although I would not mind eventually making something like a very unique airdam that would be sold to modified Z cars. Exclusivity; I like it! Davy

Drew, they are 19" x 6.5" (gross) and roughly 18" x 6.5" (effective) if they are mounted such that you don't the end parts that are meant to be underneath bodywork. Make sense? Check this out; you can see this guy is already stealing our idea!! lol Davy

The taillights are awesome looking---he grafted carbon fiber over the GTR lights and made it work with the back end; very sano looking. I'm most likely going to do something similar with mine!! Davy

That airdam is something I would like to achieve in fabbing something like it for my own car. The Eclipse ricer front end I have could be cut into something similar I think. THANKS FOR POSTING THAT PIC!!! Davy

Cripes! You just can't leave well enough alone, can you? Having seen Lone's car before, it would be VERY interesting to see it now that you have done body work, etc. Keep us updated and what the final result is when you are finished--pics, man, pics!! Davy

Well I'm totally with you on that one, but they do have good stops that prevent bending or breaking of the shift forks, and that is good insurance AFAIC Davy

Mark, I think Mike D is running 11:1 compression with his Chevy motor and I have never heard him complain of detonation using pump gas. I hope Mike steps in here if I'm totally wrong about it, but that's what I think he is running right now. Do you think that the loss in power by lowering the compression is going to make it not worth your while? The power numbers you are looking at are insane for your car anyway is not really a bad thing. Davy

Perfect, those are the exact ones I have--I'll have to measure them tonight for you and give you specs. I also bought them to graft on to the taillight 'panel' of the 240Z, but be forewarned: the dimensions DO fit in the rear area, BUT you will have to do some metal cutting if you want to use an unmodified assembly. I'm thinking that the assemblies recessed in fiberglass (keeping their outline, which is nice) will look pretty darn good on the back of the Z--not your typical round (or stock rectangle)taillights for the Z. Davy

Terry, I don't think the shifter will hit the dash, although you can run a tap down the shaft and shorten the shifter by an inch or so. Otherwise, an aftermarket shifter is certainly the way to go. I'm looking at Hurst Billet and Pro 5.0 shifters. Davy

I have some Skyline taillights, but I'm not sure of the 'series.' Each light is the same size and is the older style; is that what you want? Davy

LT1 will be cheaper at this point, and I would try that first, but if you have the cash and the time, go the LS1. Since the LT1 is based on a traditional Chevy block, I would think there would be a plethora of custom parts available in the aftermarket. The LS1 well.... Still, either is pretty cool and will have gobs of torque for that car. Davy

Thanks much for the offer, Mark. I would love some major AN fittings and such, but I have to get my car all laid out first and then convert over to AN when the time comes. That place is the first that comes to mind, and having you there to inspect each part (or pick the best available) would be just grand. I'm not sure what sizes I need right now, but maybe sometime in the future. Cheers, Davy

That's a really really cool idea for the Q45 motor. I would love that as a daily driver. My Q45 is a very nice car, but it is a gas hog, period. A light, fun car like a 240SX would be sooo much fun with all that power on tap, and it would be "all Nissan" lol I may sell the Q45 after this summer and use the money on the 240Z. Davy

Sounds like a winner, Dale Is the car less rough on the exterior as the other Z? Hopefully you are starting with a cleaner car that will handle some great mods on the turbo engine. Good score Davy

Very sweet little car; me likes. Davy

Ah, my bad. I read thru these topics too fast.. Davy

FYI My bro was asked this same question in his job interview, and the answer is: "Manhole covers are round (as opposed to some other kind of shape, like a square) so that they will not fall back in the hole." What is truly funny is that the information from this 'intelligence' test was that the SAME questions had appeared in Reader's Digest just the month before. Needless to say my brother so impressed the interviewers that he got the job hands down Davy

The V8 T5's are stronger then the V6 versions. Also, they use different input shafts so they are not normally interchangable from V6 to V8. The V8 transmissions have input shafts with more splines. Don't waste your time on any V6 tranny! Davy

Gee, I wonder if they'll give me a 'sponsorship' as well? I like sponsors!!! Sweet wheels, Phil. Davy

Hallelujah! Partaaayyy! Wooohooo!! Davy

Taz, you still have the stock heads? Man, if you like it now, wait until you get some aftermarket heads on that sucker...rippin' Yep, there is nothing like hearing a healthy engine for the first time, except driving the car with that healthy engine Davy