DavyZ

Robby, welcome to the HybridZ forum. I would say that collectively, there is an awesome amount of knowledge at this site. You can convert your 280Z to V8 power legally using an engine of the same your or newer as your car. Just be sure to use all the smog devices as well. If your 280Z is primo, consider it before selling it. Make sure you buy the JTR manual and read it several times before jumping into such a project. Have fun in the forum and don't forget to use the "search" function to get information about topics that have been hashed and rehashed time & time again. Just my $.02 Davy

Pete, sorry to hear that you and your family are so pointlessly bothered by the rumble of bikes past your house. I have gotten used to noise since I live within a short distance of the freeway, and the only thing that seems to wake me in the morning (besides the kids) is the garbage man! Those guys are loud! But thankfully, this is only once a month. Davy [ August 05, 2001: Message edited by: DavyZ ]

Nothing like a Jixxer motor in a small vehicle. If you can turbo it, do it for the oooh & ahhh factor. That would be too cool! Not to mention fast... Have a great time Richard and enjoy the driving competition too. You'll kick some serious behind..or is that you'll seriously kick some behind? Whatever, have fun. Davy

Richard, I'm glad you found it. It always pays to look at the small connections first. I had a Datsun 200SX with electrical problems--all were simptoms of the faulty ground wire. Davy

Some observations: Many Harleys have those straight pipes (drag pipes?) that are really loud and will rattle your fillings as they pass by. Yes, I agree that is annoying, but I have to tell you that there are others which have slightly different pipes (still vocal I can tell you) but not deafening like those straight through ones. I just got back from Hot August Nights in Reno, NV today and the hot cars there were a little on the loud side. There were plenty of Harleys to match too. Might I suggest that if we vent in the forum, lets be careful to not step too heavily on some precious toes...especially big hairy ones inside steel tipped boots Davy

Boy, the best advice I coould give is to search the other forums, like the ignition one, for such things--look at remote selenoid discussions. Hopefully, that will answer your questions. If the wiring is really bad, ytou may just have to get a painless system, but that does run a few dollars. Good luck. David

James, buy the JTR manual--you'll be glad you did. Davy

You trying to fix things with your feet again, Richard? Davy

It reminds me of a WWII aircraft for some reason. I'll stick with CF for the dash. Davy

"Loud pipes save lives." At least I know when there is a Harley about; there is no mistake. No so with a BMW... Davy

I appreciate the info, but there were ever any instructions that came with the intake or any information regarding using any specific gaskets. I will call Weiand and see what they say. Thanks for the information. Davy

72Zcar, Good to hear the mounts are more than satisfactory in their design and fit. I hope you solve the shifter location soon so you ca get your car on the road!! If you can swing it, try posting some pics so we can see it! Davy

Welcome to the forum! Use the search function a lot and you'll be able to pull up all kinds of information about the Z you want to swap a V8 into. Davy

First, welcome to the forum, Jester! Second, turn off the caps! Third, any good polyurethane kit--such as is available from energy suspension, etc. is good for the Z. Springs, brake upgrades can be purchsed from the HybridZ store--look at the Speedracer page upper left hand part of the screen. You should have no problems finding what you are looking for. Also, companies like MSA and VB sell all kinds of suspension pieces, etc. Hope this helps. Davy

Cripes! Those are some nasty specs to overcome the altitude problem. I once lived in Lake Tahoe CA and I thought 6000 ft was high. Shoot, at 9000 ft you'd go into oxygen debt just walking to the bathroom... Davy

Jeromio, JTR recommends unbolting the hood from underneath and then very carefully lifting it just enough (from the front of the car) to get to the cable & latch under the hood. You just bought yourself some headache. Bummer. Davy

Ouch! If you believe it was false advertising, then you can lodge a complaint with ebay and also write a nasty little letter on the seller's rating history. If you used paypal and used a credit card to make the transaction happen, there may be some recourse through the credit card company. It may be worth looking into. I would be VERY angry if someone screwed me like that. Davy

Ashe, do you have a copy of the JTR manual? That offers some good insight and improvements for any Z. Understand that Scottie is a serious drag racer. I can tell that is not what you want to do--so live with an R200 datsun rear end--no big deal. Get the JTR book and then make a decision about what the car can handle and what you want out of it. I'm getting the impression that you are thinking the car is going to need a lot more work done to it than is probably necessary for what you want out of it. Just a thought. Davy

Locutus, you are right--most won't guarantee the paint if you've done the body work, but a lot of it is BS if the products used are compatible, etc. Still, I should think that if you stripped the car of trim, etc, yourself, that is less work for the shop and they should take that into consideration when giving you a price for the paint. Ultimately, I want to shoot my own car (with paint) too, Davy

Hmmm, good question--the sourcing of parts for the 200SX stuff will be easier in the long run, I imagine. The parts are newer and there will be more available for the next ten years. One of the main problems with the Maxima bracket has been availability. Some guys will tell you they just went down to the Nissan dealer and picked them up, while others have tried the dealers, the junk yards, etc, all to no avail. I'm buying my brackets from Ross Corrigan's Modern Motorsports. Davy

Yeah, I remember seeing Ti crow bars for sale cheap in US Cavalry catalog and others, all from the (former) USSR. Davy

I think you should buy the JTR manual and read it over a number of times first, then make a decision on the motor. Any Z can be modified to run an autocross--then engine type is mutually exclusive. There are great books outlining modifications for Datsun suspensions and the V8 swaps (Chevy anyway) are documented as well. "Do some reading before proceeding." Cost is a factor of what kind of hardware you want, how fast you want it done, and what kind of power you want. I heard of conversions done for $1500 to $Sky. Davy

The 400 engines are just getting more rare. I would love one of those too, but thinking about what engine, what displacement, etc, is like putting a kid in a candy store! There is so much to choose from. Nothing wrong with a 400, but it will make an obscene amount of torque. Can you use it all? If your car is to be used on the street, it may be a bit much---but of course, so is Darius' ride, and I'm sure not too many guys on this board would turn his car down if given the chance You decide. Davy

Nothing wrong with centerbolt heads! It's mostly a matter of preference all things being equal. There are beautiful cast aluminum valve covers made for them (you can even check on ebay), and also great looking wire looms too! I think "Made for You Products" has nice ones that will work and mount the wires across the top of the valve covers--very trick looking. Try Summit & Jegs. You'll do fine--just find some good ones you like. Davy

Are you misguided? Well, sort of. Here's my take on it: You want some power and mileage? Well, the 3.1L L6 is not the hot ticket for mileage. 250hp is more than doable with the supercharger, but you should not look there for what you really want. Let me explain. A stock TPI or TBI swap will give you three things: 1) reliability--hey it's going to start, parts are relatively cheap, and maintenance you can do yourself. 2) power--torque will be great and give you what you crave deep in your soul. 3) Mileage--you couple the FI with a good overdrive tranny like a T56 and you are near 20 or above on the freeway. 'Nuff said. Davy