Guest Anonymous Posted May 13, 2000 Share Posted May 13, 2000 I am almost done with my engine and need help with the rest. This is my first build (but not my last) and am learning as I go. Any one willing to go into long explanations (with pics/drawings preferably) on what to do. What size flywheel, balancer, suspension, starter, etc. etc. do I use? Any help please. Thanks...Ryan ryanevans@jps.net Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
John Scott Posted May 13, 2000 Share Posted May 13, 2000 Ryan, you need to get a copy of the JTR manual. I don't think anyone here could/would post a complete Z engine swap. JTR really covers just about everything from A-Z. Can even buy the mounts ready to go from Stealth right from the back of the book. The JTR site is in the links portion of this site.(click the contact us http at the bottom of this page, then go to links.) If you have the book, don't let it overwhelm you. It would be easier to address smaller bits of information than a whole Z conversion. Starters are covered in the manual. Are you running a stick or auto? What year is your engine? How much hp are you building, Are you building a street or race ready car. Lets try a little at a time! When you hit a snag someone here can probably help. We're 100 members+ strong! If you are making it through the engine build then...YOU CAN DO IT, DUDE! JS Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Anonymous Posted May 14, 2000 Share Posted May 14, 2000 I already have the JTR book and it doesn't go into even close to what I need to know. Such as what flywheel is best (# of teeth), what size balancer, engine mounting (plate or mount adapters), starter (remote or regular), radiator, wiring changes, fuel delivery, brake work, suspension, driveline angles, etc. etc. JTR was too busy putting in ads for other books and phone company complaints. I figured you guys have done more custom work and know what really works the best and not just the basics. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DennisK Posted May 14, 2000 Share Posted May 14, 2000 Ryan, you might try reading it again. Yea, they start out in a lighthearted manor, but go on to cover every single thing you asked for, right down to part #s for motor mounts. The adapters are diagrammed if you wish to make them yourself. As with all automotive projects, there will be some engineering, modifying and fabricating, but this is usually welcomed as part of the sport(USUALLY!) As a relativley new member and about halfway thru my project, I would say help with the advanced issues and super mods can be found on the various threads on this site. You might have to look thru some of the older threads. Specific questions are addressed here by those who have done it, and you'll probably get more than a few different ideas on the same thing. The answers I've rec'd here have been priceless and reassuring. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
John Scott Posted May 14, 2000 Share Posted May 14, 2000 Lets start with what year and size your engine is. Pre 86 or post. Are you building for a standard trans, or a automatic. I know you've said flywheel, so I assume its a standard trans.(sometimes the term flywheel is interchanged with flexplates for automatics.) If its a standard transmission, how much hp and your intentions will help others give you a recommendation on what to run. (clutches etc) Either the 168 or 153 tooth will bolt to your engine. Both will have starters that fit in the Z chassis. For more starter options, you should use the SMALLER (153tooth) diam flywheel/or flexplate. This way you can run one of the aftermarket gear reduction, or just a good old v8 camaro starter 82-92. What edition is your JTR manual? Page 3-5 spells out the starters to the letter? I wouldn't mess with motor plates. You'll be doing more fabrication than necessary. The chevy mounts and adapters are the quick way and you don't have to guess on placement. JS Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mikelly Posted May 15, 2000 Share Posted May 15, 2000 Ryan, I'm not gonna beat up on you too bad, but I'll echo what everyone else has said on this post... READ THE BOOK AGAIN. Everything I did came straight form those pages... Harmonic balancer: 7 inches or smaller. Flywheel: Depends.. what trans are you gonna run? T56? Then you hae to go with a 153 tooth I think, and if you go that route, then you need a 93-97 F-body starter for the same.. Remote Starter Relay: Yes, I use the Summit unit. Wiring: JTR does a gret job with the wiring and that alone is worth the cost of the book. Anything you replace in the wiring should be done with 10 guage wire. Or you can get yourself a painless wiring harness and fuse panel and completely re-wire the car, which I recommend, but plan to pull the dash before you do. Brakes: Keep your drums for now and swap in a set of toyota 4x4 calipers and 300zx rotors, calipers will be 1988 V6 units and rotors should be from a 84 300zx non turbo with a 10.9 inch diameter. Read my tech article on that swap, and plan to swap out your brake master and a bias adjuster. Seriously, go back and read the manual again, Mike Knell does a great job in the book and even gives part numbers for 95% of the parts. I was so addicted to that book that it was in the crapper with me every visit and I took it to work to read during lunch breaks... good info in there beyond the phone bill complaints. Mike ------------------ "I will not be a spectator in the sport of life!" mjk Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Anonymous Posted May 15, 2000 Share Posted May 15, 2000 All of my engine specs are on a previous post of mine. I am currently going with a m-21 4-sp (fresh rebuild) but if I can sell it ($700.00 comes with Hurst shifter. Any one interested?) I will get the T-56 6-sp. I would prefer not to have to change the flywheel, starter, and bell housing. Who sells the wiring harness? Can I use the 240 tach with an MSD ignition? What kind of exhaust is recommended? Flowmaster, glasspacks, Dynomax? I will probably go with sidepipes. Has anyone else tried them? Results? Thanks for any help...Ryan Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Owen Posted May 16, 2000 Share Posted May 16, 2000 Like everyone says, read the JTR book at least 100 times-I'm near done but still reading it! Also, read the magazines in the stores, other people are doing swaps into other cars and seeing what they did can be a big help. You don't have to copy them exactly but at least you will get some ideas. Just make sure you know what you want and make sure they are compatible with the other parts you want. No of flywheel teeth, 1 0r 2 piece rear main seals, starter size, headers, heads, etc. I got the Painless Wiring harness, 18 circuit, from Summit for close to 1/2 PW's list price. See my links page on others who have done swaps. http://www.homestead.com/s30z/index.html Good luck, Owen ------------------ http://www.homestead.com/s30z/index.html Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Anonymous Posted May 16, 2000 Share Posted May 16, 2000 What was the part # on that wiring harness. I checked Summit and they don't have one listed for Datsun. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mikelly Posted May 16, 2000 Share Posted May 16, 2000 Ryan, None of this is gonna be listed for datsun. A lot of this is going to have to be fabricated as you go. You need to be able to take the factory Z manual and wiring diagram within it and compare them to the wiring you get in the kit and replace as you go. On a similar note, you are going to have to be able to do the same type of thing with the other issues such as fuel, cooling, transmission.... You really need to be strong in the area of mechanical engineering, fabrication and experimentation. If not, you will not be able to finish this project on your own, or even with our help here. Being able to build a small block chevy motor won't get you from point a to point b. You may need to seek out a local shop for assistance. Mike ------------------ "I will not be a spectator in the sport of life!" mjk Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Owen Posted May 17, 2000 Share Posted May 17, 2000 FYI, The part number for the 18 circuit, non-GM steering column harness is prf-10202 whoever takes your order, amke sure you've got the 18 circuit. Owen ------------------ http://www.homestead.com/s30z/index.html Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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