DavyZ

Ohhh, never show her the cost until the car is actually up and running--after a ride or two, she'll think it was worth it...but before then, ouch. Hope you still live in the same domicile Davy

I like to row gears, especially in a car like a Z. However, if the car is for the track, I'll take the auto for its consistency. An AOD or 5 or 6 speed is really only the way to go, but since you already possess these trannies, flip a coin. Davy

That'll make up for the 300lb rear hatch

JTR likes the "Helms" service manuals (not Haynes). Sorry, don't know of a URL. Davy

Good deal! About the noisy pumps, we had a very informative thread about a year ago that talked about isolating the mount with rubber, and everyone's solution for it. Some guys used innertube rubber, floormat rubber, etc. to make it work. One guy even used rubber to isolate the pump from the mount, and then from the mount to the car. I agree, I hate noisy pumps too, but you got to pay your dues for having performance Davy

Maybe Rick Marcus knows? I'm pretty sure his is original, and they don't make them anymore. You could try checking the MSA catalog for one--they may have a repop one they're selling. Davy

Jeromio: someplace around here there was a short thread on this (I think there was anyway) that commented on the availability elsewhere. Hopefully someone else remembers Sorry man, but I thought I would let you know--there may be hope! Davy

To my knowledge, those trannys sould fit any of the 1-piece rear main seal engines. So the answer is: yes. If I'm wrong, someone here please point it out Davy

Hmmmmm..very interesting. If the Z was an out of state car to begin with, Andy, and was smog legal from the get go, then logic dictates that you will not need the cat if it did not come with one (but let the buyer beware--CA smog laws are not always based in logic). As long as the ZXT is CA, you are ok there. The cat is part of the chassis, not the engine, and I would proceed as such. This is what I would do: Take the CA legal turbo motor and install in the Z. If the referree station hassled me about it (I really don't think they would because of the reasons I just mentioned) then I would have a high flow cat installed after the fact to satisfy them. However, I really don't think they will make the car get one. Why? SAFETY! The non-cat cars have no insulation or heat-related safety devices to deal with an increadibly hot catalytic converter (they can cause interior fires in cars that kill people = not a good thing). I'm 99% sure I'm correct here. Good luck! Davy

Zach, you need to use the search function in this forum. This topic has been beat to death around here, but I can say that 95% or better of the Chevy guys prefer the JTR conversion, period. There are threads upon threads about comparing the JTR kit to MSA to JCI and it will make for some really good reading. That said, I urge you to order the JTR manual because it will absolutely help you in whatever kit you choose build. I researched the kits and decided JTR was totally the way to go. It was cheaper, very well documented, and made complete sense. Plus, I met Mike Knell, talked to him, and decided he knew what he was doing after looking at his conversions and driving them. Hope that helps. Davy

You can use a "World Class" T5 from a mid-80's to early 90's Camaro, or a T56 from a Corvette, Firebird, or Camaro. The JTR manual will answer those questions--make sure you check it out! Davy

Since we don't know what state you are from, it's very hard to help you. Try going to your state's Air Resources Board or government websites and looking for answers there for starters. Also, check with local car clubs--they usually have people in the know. HTH Davy

BTW, you want to be very careful about swapping in an out of state motor in a CA car--the state will nail you on that. make sure it is a CA state motor. Davy

Welcome to the forum, Joe! As the guys have indicated: Since your car is a post '73 car, it is subject to the biannual smog inspection. the engine you install MUST be a '77 or later engine, complete with all smog devices as what Mike C just indicated. Owen brought up a good point: what is considered "the motor?" Well, you catalytic converter is NOT the motor and is part of the chassis--does the '77 come with one? Yes? Then by golly, you have to run a cat! The exhaust manifolds are sometimes a gray area, but are generally considered part of the engine. Why? They have AIR tubing attached to them in the later motors (or you can get "tapped" headers from a number of companies, including Sanderson). The easy way out is to find some tapped Ramshorn (centerdump manifolds) manifolds from the local junkyard and just use those. You must buy the JTR manual for pertinent information such as this--it will answer ALL of the smog questions (ok 99% anyway) and more! I highly recommend it! Davy

Hmm, good story. I can't believe that I am actually contemplating building a turbocharged V8 Z. Shoot, I'm not even finished with the NA version yet! Oh well, I guess it just never ends. Who knows, I may scare myself so much with the NA V8, I may not ever build the TT V8--of course I may do it...the platform may just change... Davy

Owen, I had to read John's post twice before considering that he is actually correct. In a pre '74 car that is not subject to the biannual smog inspection, the roadside sniffer test emission % will most likely be akin to that of your chassis allowale emmissions. What does this mean? Nothing really--just have a tuned V8 andyou should not put out any more emissions than an older Z straight six. I would only do the cat if I totally felt the V8 could not be tuned properly--otherwise, a roadside sniffer test should be no problem. The fact that you have a V8 in the car won't change anything if they do a visual inspection on it anyway. I'll say it again: I hate smog nazis. Davy

What?!? How did a picture of my engine get in here?!? Lone, how is that bad boy for inspiration? Ohh, I feel like this is really doable--wouldn't it be great to pump this out on a budget with junkyard parts? Heh heh, I think the only real hurdle would be the exhaust manifolds... Great idea about the GT-40 style cooling for the turbo--some fiberglass, or even sheetmetal ducting to the top of the hood would make that thing cool like no tomorrow--at least the turbos would not be adding much heat to the ambient underhood air--the motor already puts plenty in there. Cowl induction hood, GT-40 split-style ducts, twin turbos, Chevy V8...Yeah, put me down for one! Davy [ August 28, 2001: Message edited by: DavyZ ]

I always wanted to go past one of those things in my turbo diesel Volvo while accelerating and producing a blue-white cloud of my car's finest. They would pull me over and I would politely inform them that the car is a diesel and they can kiss off... I hate the smog nazis. Davy

A 15" x 7" rim with .5" negative offset will have a backspacing of 4.5" (assuming the rim lip width is .5"). This will work well on the Z with your tire size. HTH Davy

Drew, you might want to look at BLKMGK's website or look at the old thread where he did a ton of research into the offset of mustang rims for his Z. I think we need a FAQ sheet for wheels and what size wheels will fit on what Z. Also, Pete's site has a lot of excellent info on it regarding rims and what the biggest size is you can fit on a Z. Davy

You are THE MAN!! Davy

Sounds like you got it right the first time Good job on doing that! Any complaints on the swap, or is it something you would do again in a heartbeat? Nice to see even more pictures on your "site," as they say a thousand words. Again, that is a swap with class. Davy

One thing you can do is to use the search function and look up everything that has been said about the Mopar swap possibility. It is viable, and someone has to pave the way. Just understand that the swap will not be easy and it is not really documented anywhere that I know of. I suggest you buy the JTR manual to get a really good idea of what an engine swap will entail, and use some of the great ideas in that publication. You will have to fabricate engine and tranny mounts, etc. etc. Please document the swap as you go and then post your findings on a web site or even here in the forum. That way, others may benefit from your knowledge. Enjoy the ride! Davy

Thanks for posting that Randy--good suspension info is always helpful. What tires will you be going with this next time around? Khumos? Or are those only for the track? Just curious. Hey, make sure you get to the Sept 8th HybridZ meeting at the San Leandro Marina at 10AM! I'd like to ride in your car again Davy

Remember how around last December no one could get a JTR manual? The newest version is the seventh edition. Not much has changed. I have a feeling that for the eighth edition, there will be some major changes, like LS1 info and new radiator info. Davy