DavyZ

*Gasp* I was enjoying the variety and visual impact until I saw the price *cough* and then I decided I was too cheap to go that route. Seriously, they are very clean looking and very beautiful. Thanks for the link! Davy

Welcome! LT4? That's the ZR1 motor, yes? Well, I think that cost and (lack of) availability is the main reason for not using it. LT1's are great engines and they don't have a distributor per se. I wouldn't consider the Optispark to be a distributor really, but I suppose it functions in a similar manner. Some like 'em, some don't. Anyway, I believe the LS1 block is aluminum (someone correct me if I'm wrong here) and their availability is getting better and better. I love that, because it makes LT1 motors get even cheaper... The primary thing you would have to find out about the LT4, if you are planning to go that route, is where the mounts are in relation to the standard 350 block. If the attachment points are the same, then using the JTR method would be a snap. Of course, then headers would be the next question. If you have a good amount of cash to do such a swap, it would be extremely cool and very unique. If you want your dollars to go further, and wish to do a minimal amount of fabrication, then a modified LT1 is a great way to go. Good luck on your swap whatever you decide! Davy

Try Motorsport Auto or Victoria British for new ones. Your local jy has used ones... Davy

David: the JTR book says you don't need to smack a whole lot down there---some gentle 'massaging' is all that is needed. Plus, you should not notice any difference from inside the car. Brian: WC T5 is supposed to have improved bearing syncronizers and be a bit stouter (?), but beyond that, I'm not so sure. If you can get one, do it. Davy

What if I turbocharged the V8??? Davy

Scott & Dan: you guys crack (no slang) me up! Davy

Welcome to the board! You have to determine if you have a "scarab" kit or a 'JTR' type of kit. That is the only way you'll find out what will fit in the car. Use the search function on the forum, or post some pictures, or email some of the guys who have V8's to get an idea. You must do that before buying anything. Be advised that "Block Hugger" headers will NOT work for a scarab-type of setup. Davy

The only thing that really hurt was his ego--you beat that too! Heh heh, good kill Davy

NOPE! They have not changed a thing--still makes a great flame thrower!!!!! Davy

In a V8, you really don't need the motor to spin so high. Although the sound of a V8 tacking out at 7000 rpm may be sexy, getting the package built to stay together is so much more expensive then say, one that only needs to spin to 5500 or 6000 rpm. The V8 makes great torque anyway, so even a 8:1 compression will work just fine getting the tires planted...until the boost comes on...then BAM! You kick it up a notch and you are gone, man, totally gone! The idea is totally consuming and I cannot wait for the day I'll have this up and running. Davy

The trans should work fine, but you'll be missing that 5th gear on the freeway. If the car is basically an around the town racer, you have yourself a good tranny for cheap, but remember that your revs with the Z will be high on the freeway. Just food for thought. If money is an issue, you scored with a good find. The stick shift V8 Z's are a ton of fun. Also, the money seems pretty reasonable considering the trans is in good shape presumably. Bottom line is this: if you are running around town, great. Buy the trans. If you are doing some highway driving, consider a different tranny. Just my $.02. Davy

A good friend on this board and I are working on single turbo set-ups for our V8s. We did consider a dual set-up, and have not thrown that completely out the window, because you can use the 'dime-a-dozen' T3 units to make it work. After considering twin turbos, we decided that there may not be enough room unless you use VERY short headers (downward) or reverse the manifolds to point upwards, then mount them directly to the manifolds or use 90 degree elbows to mount them more forward. Choices, choices, choices. Maybe Lone will pipe in and lay a few pictures on us with his archive of twin-turbo V8s in other cars. I personally believe that a twin turbo set-up is a great way to go, but we got great deals on large single units off of ebay, that I could not resist making a purchase. You will have to figure out what engine management system and EFI you will use, and IMO, that is where the expense really lies. EFI can be 'cobbled' together, but the software cannot IMO. Hopefully some of the turbo guys (L6, V6, etc) will weigh in with some good info. Hopefully this will get you thinking and may spark a few ideas. Davy

Take the time to replace those pathetic phillips screws with allen screws. Everything seems to rust up in there, so coat the screws with something to inhibit rust, like silicone or lithium grease or something. Just my $.02. Davy

bump

dope.

Wowsers! Me like! Must be a ton of fun getting up to 100 mph in that thing----what do you think? 4 seconds? Golly Davy

One of those looon threads was entitled "Belly pans for aerodynamics" or something close to that. I wanted to know about it and boy, did I ever get an education after I started that thread! Davy

Money no object? Great! Summit Racing is selling Bill Mitchell Hardcore Racing BBC engines. How does 925 hp in a 632 ci BBC sound? That's with no nitrous either, only $17,200. Actually, since you want a good BBC motor with some guts, they have 427 ci SBC to 540 ci BBC to 632 ci BBC engines. Just think what they can do with some spray... You going with tube-framed chassis? Ron Jones could be a big help, also Jap Tin has a sweet runner that could help as well. Good luck with the project! Davy

Wow, it looks like it was made for the car, and actually is better looking than the Taurus fan IMO. I can't remember seeing many Fieros (this was a V6 car?) at the yard, but maybe I'll yank one the next time I'm there. You never can have too many extra parts Davy

Pretty cool story---ypu, he was being pretty honest about getting beat. I wouldn't like the wing, etc, either--that is a matter of taste, but owning a V8Z is a matter of brains. It's like da Grump just said: power to weight ratio. Davy

Yep, that's what it would be like! Hahaha! I do it often. Davy

Does there exist a thing as having too much movement? Hopefully you won't suffer from this now! Congrats on finally trouble shooting the problem. It is so unique about hearing of the simple bumpstop issue that I don't think I'll forget it when I have to do mine! Thanks for posting the results, Nion! Enjoy youyr car while you can. Davy

I agree with Greimann--if the heads are largely stock and it has a mile performance camshaft, 300 hp is about there. Everything else is gravy. His car is really sweet looking and the price is fair since he is will to negtiate some. I asked him to send pics and he promptly did so---very nice package indeed; I liked what I saw. No rust visible!!!!!! A quality conversion for sure. Davy

That's really lame; it's like saying, "hey guys, look at my new car!" It's called lying, and it comes back to bite you in the behind. Still, imitation is the sincerest form of flattery...or so I'm told. Davy

Ah, never do I remember anything about that kind of passing on the shoulder in any basic driver's ed. That cannot be blamed on anything except his own folly. I would go so far as to blame his parents for not bringing up their son to respect the public safety and even his own life, before blaming U.S. driver's education. I do, however, still blame The Fast and the Furious for everything else Davy