DavyZ

Oooohh, sounds like he's serious now! Davy

quote: Originally posted by Nigel: I've had great success with the kalecoauto.com "O" Pipe... Oh, do tell!!!!! Davy

Well said, Lone. Davy

A great "beginners book" is How to Build Chevrolet Small Block V8 Race Engines by Tarrant & Hawkinson. You can also try How to Build Horsepower Vol 1 by David Vizard, which is a little more basic (easier to understand) than his other great books. Good luck! Davy

Evan, I knew you were not a purist (but an L6 guy), but I'm a little surprised to hear you say to "V8 it!" I do know that you keep an open mind and are not wedded to anything in particular but performance for performance sake, and that is very cool BTW, that's what makes any hybrid Z so much frikken fun! Davy

Welcome to the forum! In addition to using the search function (most helpful) the guy's websites like Pete's and Jeromio's are extremely informative with a lot of pictures, information, and links. Good luck with your project! BTW, did we say buy the JTR book? Davy

quote: Originally posted by pparaska: This morning, my 8 yr old son, who's NEVER shown any interest in cars or the Z asked when it would be finished. He wants to go to the drag strip with me and watch me run it. I think that was the biggest incentive to get out in the garage I've had in years! I think I'll get him out in the garage with me to show him how an engine goes together this weekend. That is totally cool, Pete! Wow, a silver lining to an expensive cloud...Glad it's looking up despite the setbacks I wish you the very best! Davy

I would go to Pete Paraska's site and look at what he did to strengthen his chassis. http://members.home.net/pparaska/index.htm Also, a sunroof was never factory in the Z...dealer add on, maybe, but never factory. Davy

They are custom--a shop would have to make & install them unless you are very handy Davy

Typically, 350's have 250 to 350 hp. However, 350 to 500 hp is not uncommon either. You can build a 1000 hp 350 if you have the mean$ to do so. 350 hp is easily reached in a 350 Chevy with only a few modifications, and you can buy such engines from any number of engine builders on the web, in car magazines, and in the Bay Area. A Chevy engine can easily for 100,000 miles with no problems, but you have to take care of it. If you plan on doing this conversion yourself, you will save yourself (and others) a whole lot of time by buying the JTR manual--the book goes into detail about everything you have asked about and gives detailed instructions about what goes into a swap and what can be expected. Why do you want to pursue this? I'm not trying to be sarcastic or dissuade you from doing what you want, but there is a lot of work involved in a conversion and everything you tackle (or pay to have someone else to do) is custom--trouble shooting is part of the game and that means time and a certain amount of required expertise. You may want to seriously consider buying a V8Z. At least you will get to drive the car firsthand and forego the expenses involved with buying a bunch of tools and possibly paying for someone else's labor. As for tools needed if you do this yourself, I would consider this to be a minimum: Engine hoist Wrench sets Socket sets and wrenches 5 pound hammer Screwdrivers Prybars Breakerbar Torque wrench Caliper Measuring tape etc, etc, etc. Also, you'll need parts too: Engine, transmission, new exhaust system, JTR kit, radiator, fan, etc. This is a major project, but it is not impossible. Please purchase the JTR book, read it several times, use the search function on this forum to look up subjects you have questions on, and read, read, read! Good luck with your project. As for 0-60 times, with 350 hp, I would think that 5 to 6 seconds sounds about right, maybe less. The transmission makes a difference, as does tire size & compound, and gearing. The more powerful Z's on this board are running 0-60 times in 3 to 4 seconds. I'm sure that Z's running the quarter mile in the 10's or better are easily in the 2 second range. I guess it depends on what you want to get out of your car and how much money you have.

Welcome to the forum, Meakin. If you decide to do a swap or something, you know which website to go to!!! Davy

Also--believe it or not, you can go to a boat supply place and ask to see their aluminum fuel tank "doors" and necks. Also, street rod magazines are another place to look--but the trickest looking ones have to be from the motorcycle aftermarket... Davy

Oooo, thanks for the heads up on that, JT. I didn't know it was a PITA to use. Davy

That little piece of junk is a "safety" or "retaining" strap. It is supposed to hold the front of the diff in case the mount gives way. Many of us use the JTR method--platic wrapped steel cable to secure the front of the diff, or the new Scottie-GNZ method of fabbing (bending) a piece of metal over the nose of the diff and securing it with those big nuts. Look at Scottie's website for a great pic. Davy

Since that is a heavy engine, you will want coil-overs IMO. The drag racers can let you know what spring poundage to use, but 250 to 300 lb springs or stiffer sounds right. Davy

Wicked, John.

Is an etching primer really needed on scuffed metal? I figured it wasn't. The etching primer I bought from Eastwood is for laquer based paint and tends to bubble the normal paints I normally use. Auxilary, if you have any doubts, talk to the guys at the Color Factory and get their recommendations on what primer to use--they have a number of different ones available. Davy

Get well soon, Mike. Davy

Those large Caddy motors are great torque monsters and would be great for the strip, but I shudder to think of how one would fit (if you can call it that) in the Z car! Davy

http://www.autospeed.com/A_1111/page1.html Is this what you are referring to? I don't know if any of the current members run one of these, but it is a neat idea. Nah, I'll just stick to weak V8's Davy

http://www.hybridz.org/cgi-bin/ultimatebb.cgi?ubb=get_topic&f=13&t=000129 We had a whopper of a discussion on belly pans for increased aerodynamics, which it almost sounds like you are trying to do. The aerodynamics of the Z are very interesting and here is what we know: 1) the car is not very designed in terms of being vvery aerodynamic--even a VW Rabbit is better. 2) air flows under the car better than over the car (bad) 3) a belly pan or similar device may actually make the car lighter or flighty at speed (bad) Let us know how fast you have gone with your current mods--apparently, there are guys at the strip that are going almost 150 mph in the quarter with very little mods, which really scares me if the car gets squirrely. Davy

Jonathan, you might want to email Mike (scca) directly, but if memory serves me right, the 11" should be ok for your rims. Also, you might be able to find the answer using the reach function. Good luck! Davy

Hey, really, as long as the neighbors don't mind polluting the gutter, heck, I don't mind either Seriously, the struts came out really nice after cleaning them with Castrol Superclean and then spraying them with Peeler. I suppose it would have been even shorter if I had compressed air over here--all that paint would have just blown off easily!! Glad to help! Just make sure you take your time in painting those struts and they'll look so good on the car with those choice Eibach coil-overs, MSA bars, PST bushings, etc. Everything will be eye candy as well as function. You are going to have one sweeet car when it's together.... Davy

Welcome to the forum! Some places to get performance parts for your Z cars: MSA www.zcarparts.com VB www.victoriabritish.com AZZC http://www.arizonazcar.com/ Plus, we (HybridZ) have an online store as well, and so does ZDriver.com Hopefully some of the 6 cyl guys can answer your questions, but this should help you along a bit. Davy

Thure, the only person I would think would know would be a GM technician or maybe a GM based website/forum. You'll probably find someone who may know from a Northstar performance forum or something like that. Sorry, Bub, but I'm at a loss for knowledge of Caddy stuff. Also places like CMD (?) you'll find in the back of Hot Rod or Car Craft that have to do with hot rodding Caddy Motors, maybe will know if they are compatable. Davy