DavyZ

Great reading, Ross, but those of us on a tight budget are probably better off using a flat tappet cam, at least in the short run. Rollers become more cost effective in the long run since they are much less prone to wear. I went flat tappet due to extreme cost constraints, but would go roller in a heartbeat next time around if the money is there. David

Rick, glad to hear this was an "easy" fix with no major damage. What oil are you using? Just curious. David

Jason, the Camaro motor I have will make about 300hp (I have calculated) with the pathetic stock heads. HOWEVER, this does not diminish what the motor can do in such a light car even with those heads. I'll wait on the aluminum heads for now... And no, the car isn't set up quite yet, so I can't tell you how fast it is. Sorry, man. Tenth280ZX: yes, the Vortec heads are the "truck" heads you describe and flow something awesome right out of the box! And no, the 305 heads are not the hot ticket unless the smog heads Jason has are the only other alternative. They have something like 58cc chambers (almost too good for added compression) and have tiny runner and valves to match (good for torque but not good for high end), which doesn't promote big HP numbers. I'm really on a budget, but am building a nice car anyway and I have even thought about the 305 heads, since they are practically free and can bump the compression ...but a better way to go would be the Vortec heads due to their low cost. I'm not quite sure, but the heads from a Camaro TPI 350 I think are Vortecs(?)--could be way wrong, but at least they are better then 72cc, 74cc, or 76cc smoggy heads. Just my $.02 David

Your engine is probably like mine--a "stock" 350 from a 70's Camaro with 8.0:1 or 8.5:1 compression. The heads are worthless, so there is your biggest hangup regarding air/fuel flow. Some Vortex heads will wake that puppy up by bumping compression to near 10:1 and flowing excellently right out of the box--you're getting close to going beyond pump gas with the compression, but should still be ok. The intake manifold is a dual plane, which is good and should be geared for low to mid torque range. The cam is probably right for the car, but known specs are better then unknown. A cam with advertised 274 degrees is a best bet--especially a dual pattern cam with your present heads. Carb seems right, not too much for the present set up, but your HEI...is that with the stock coil? You could keep the HEI, but invest in an MSD HEI ignition kit it that takes the coil out of the distributor, gives you greater volts, and gives you a strong MSD ignition as well. Summit has pretty good prices on those. In summary, the heads are your problem--weak flow and low compression. Replacing them with Vortecs etc will help, and an MSD will help too. You don't need to rebuild the bottom end, yet, Jason. David

I'm taking PayPal now, Pete! Don't delay! HAHAHAHAAAA!

I don't plan on producing any parts, but I will custom fab my own, because I cheap..oh,er..I mean it's cheap to do it myself! Like I mentioned in the post above, working with carbon fiber is not all that expensive. Check out Bryan F's site and see what it takes...just overlay the panel with carbon fiber and viola, instant prestige! David

Also make sure you check out Pete's site for lotsa very good ideas. He has a very detailed write up with solid information. In fact, there are a growing number of guys in this forum with great sites; Pete's is one of the best IMO David

YOU ARE ON YOUR WAY!!!! Sounds like it's gonna be a winner!

Drax, just make sure they don't take you when you go back to them to get the rest of the car painted! Seriously, sounds like a nice shop to deal with; but free? Does anyone really do something for free? Anyway, the color sounds cool--better to have purple in the color than green IMO!

I personally like Jason's recommendation of the 274 for the street. I guess it depends on how much you drive this car and what kind of driving you'll be doing. I would say to go with the milder cam because, dude, you have no idea just how fast that sucker will be as you boil the baloneys all the way down the street. Don't make the mistake of over-camming the car. After much research, I decided on a 274 cam for my V8, because the car will be very quick, very responsive, and still manageable with respect to highway driving. That same cam in you car will produce about 375-425hp(?) I guess you must ask yourself, "how much power do I really need to have fun/be fast/hurt myself? You are already there with the "mild" cam. If you don't like it, stab in another cam; they are not all that expensive. Hope this info helps. Choose wisely. David

Craig, professional ceramic coating is the way to go, but if you are a budget (little to no $$$) I suggest chrome headers, or even The Eastwood Company's high temp silver header paint. I used some of their grey manifold paint on a cast iron exhaust manifold and the stuff is great! It does exactly what they say it does as long as you follow directions. Shoot, you could even get a powder coating kit from them and powdercoat those things yourself.

The fact that you have done a swap before puts you miles ahead of many others. Just follow the JTR book and pick up a carbed engine (for simplicity) and everything will go just fine. The JTR book has a pretty good layout as far as what to do when. Make a list/plan of what you will do and try to get the timing right. Things will go so much more smoothly and you'll avoid segments of time in which you have "nothing" to do, while you wait for a part to get ordered, etc...

No, the ties won't melt... Mounting a radiator is all about brackets and such that don't connect via screws or whatnot into the tanks. Go to a wrecking yard and see how most cars mount the radiators. Then make an informed decision and go for it!

Be patient, look around, and wait for a deal to come bite you in the butt for a decent 350--just remember all the other stuff you have to change as well ($$$). The other option is to get the ring from a CrackerJack box, but I'm not so sure she'll go for that.

You did fine on the price, man! Way to go! David

Chevsun, let's talk about your tranny. Please reply to my email. Thanks! David

How wide are those seats, Clint? Do you also run a rollcage? I don't want to buy seats and then discover they won't fit with a cage. Measure, measure, measure, I guess...

Dan, thanks for posting that info for us guys who are going the Taurus fan route. David

Yeah, the engine is so close to the driver and passenger they will get firsthand knowledge of what the "Heartbeat of America" feels like! Cool car IMO, but I'll take my Z instead for its raw appeal.

Mike, although I have not installed it yet, I bought a 3" single system from Rick Johnson. According to Rick it is very close to running a double. Why? It is built right! Two mandrel bent 2.5" down pipes go to an efficient Y-pipe (you can use a Flowmaster Y-pipe for this) that dumps immediately into a stainless Borla (straight thru design) and then to a mandrel bent 3" pipe, ending in a large Dynomax Superturbo(?) muffler with chrome tip. The Dynomax has 3" internal flow directors NOT the restricted smaller ones. This package flows so well according to him, that when he switched to a similar 3.5" system, there was no difference in power. The system is quiet, which is what I want, flows well, and is a single (read: simple to install) system as well. Just by looking at this system, I know it is a winner and will suit me right up to 400hp (and maybe higher)with no worries. Now the only concern of mine is if my block-huggers are up to the task. I would go with the full-length units next time although they are considerably more expensive. Just my $.02 David

Nice swap job! Very well done and sano looking! Nice job of fabbing the sheetmetal for the radiator assembly.

Listen carefully to what Andrew has told you. I know the 240Z's are the most desireable because they are smog exempt, but the 260Z's and 280Z's can be made smog legal if you follow JTR's advice. Bring a magnet with you to check the bodywork for mondo bondo. And remember, there are always more fish in the sea, so don't feel like crap if he doesn't accept your offer! David

You know, that would just about do it. My only concern is the lack of space under the car. I have a feeling that 4X4's have more room under them. I do like the idea, though. Clean, simple, and effective; not to mention pretty trick looking.

Picture quality is still an issue, guys. Typical movies at the store range from what $10-$20?? I'm not THAT in love with it to pay upwards of over $20--and that would include shipping. Shoot, if I download pics from Owen's site, I'll imagine a story and pretend I saw the B movie. How about burning CD from the VHS--that would be about the best! I'll check with some Japanese friends into cars and such, maybe they have seen the movie for sale? Or get their parents to mail them a copy from Japan (no subtitles!)

Jason, it sounds like you know what to keep for your new endeavor; fans, ignition (maybe) and possibly the exhaust system--what are you running now?--hopefully 2.5 inch or larger. The V8 will make your car a new reliable joy to be in (I'm stepping on toes here, sorry guys!) and you'll love it. I'm sure you have ideas for your motor, and built mild, you know it will be 300hp+ EASY! Good luck! David