280zxSheik Posted June 21, 2014 Share Posted June 21, 2014 (edited) Unfortunately I have had a sudden change in my financial situation and I need to abruptly change the direction of my 1983 datsun 280zx build. If I'm to keep my Z it needs to be running by the end of summer. (****Please be patient with me since I haven’t been exposed to the v8 280zx in about 10yrs so I might be a lil rusty.***)I'm looking to do a lt1or tpi l98, 4l60/700r4 swap into my 280zx running, for reliability, aftermarket support and ease of swap which option and combination is preferable? Considering emissions aren't a issue which headers fit the sbc swapped 280zx best? If I converted to manual steering would this resolve header clearance issues? I head a rumor that the lt1 headers fit best. Which oil pan has the best clearances? I'm looking to use the jtr motor and trans mount. Is there any literature I should read that can make this swap easier? I have 2 spare 4l60 transmissions from v6 fbodys, if I can save $$ on a transmission purchase i'd like to reuse one of these but will theses be adequate to handle the v8 torque. For cooling I have a l28et radiator & 1.9 ford escort wagon electric fan. I'm using the walbro 255lph FP and I have an after market trans cooler. I have three r200ln diffs w/lsd, one has 336 gears, one has 354 and the last has 390. I'll be running aftermarket gauges.Is there any facebook group for hybridz?Parts I'm looking for are manual rack & pinionAny used swap stuff, aftermarket gauges, used headers, z31 300zx driveshaft, z31 4 lug rear suspension. Edited June 21, 2014 by 280zxSheik Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rsicard Posted June 21, 2014 Share Posted June 21, 2014 The L98 TPI might be the better choice. The real difficulties will be the TPI and 280ZX wiring and the interfacing of these. The mechanical stuff is pretty much a no-brainer. The TPI EFI ECM will need a harness to operate. The 4L60 from the V6 F-bodies may be on the WEAK side. If you want to be done by the end of summer, you better REALLY HUSTLE or not start at all. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
280zxSheik Posted June 22, 2014 Author Share Posted June 22, 2014 Yeah I think ill be going with the l98, I'm not super worried about the wiring. I'll be eliminating alot of the emissions, A/C and most other unnecessary features. The car doesnt have to drive by the end of the summer, just need it to start. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gvincent Posted June 24, 2014 Share Posted June 24, 2014 LTI definitely Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
280zxSheik Posted July 1, 2014 Author Share Posted July 1, 2014 Gvincent Why do you say lt1?Also Does anyone know if there are any differences between the sbc cylinder heads vs the l98 tpi SBC heads? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
260ZT Posted July 1, 2014 Share Posted July 1, 2014 These 2 engines are great for making power. TPI is more of a torque engine and factory they ran out of wind around 4500-5k rpm. The last if the TPI engines where rated around 250hp and around 350 lb ft of torque. I love TPI but it is aging out and becoming harder to find parts for. Depending on what year Lt-1 you found (Impala, caprice, camaro, corvette) you can range from 260-300 hp. It did not have the torque rating like the TPI, around 300 lb ft. But be careful, if you buy a Lt-1 from some caprices they can be 4.3ltr Lt-1 V8s. The Lt-1 with the hot cam and roller rockers will easily make 400hp. The camaros and corvettes have aluminum heads and the caprice and impalas have steel heads. The Lt-1 is the cheaper way to build power v. the TPI. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
331CI 280z Posted July 16, 2014 Share Posted July 16, 2014 LT1 has the dreaded optispark distributor and overall weak ignition system I have an LT1 in my Camaro and upgraded to everything MSD and stuff still happens. Its the weak link with the car Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Meatwad Posted July 21, 2014 Share Posted July 21, 2014 Lt1. They may have optispark problem, but everybody I've known that has done the coil pack conversion for it hasn't had the optispark issue. The 350 tpi's had decent torque, but was an absolute turd in the upper rpm's. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
grumpyvette Posted July 27, 2014 Share Posted July 27, 2014 (edited) Id point out that one factor many guys over look that you constantly hear about the "MASSIVE TORQUE"the most powerful TPI was the 1991 version"In the 1991 Chevrolet Corvette, the L98 has a compression ratio of 9.5-to-1. Compression ratio lists the difference between the largest capacity of a cylinder and the smallest capacity, as the piston moves from bottom dead center on the crank stroke to top dead center on the crank stroke. In this engine, the mildly high compression ratios (considering the crappy gas available) mean that the engine could produce 245 horsepower at 4,000 rpm and 340 lb.-feet of torque at 3,200 rpm."the LT4 only made 330hp/340ft lbs of torquehttp://www.corvetteactioncenter.com/specs/c4/1996/lt1lt4.htmlboth engines are PITIFULLY WEAK compared to what you can build from a basic SBC yes we are all faced with working with limited budgets, obviously some far more limited than others but getting 450hp and 450ft lbs out of a properly built 383-406 sbc is not an un -obtainable goal HERES SOME EXAMPLES http://forum.grumpysperformance.com/viewtopic.php?f=69&t=3814http://forum.grumpysperformance.com/viewtopic.php?f=44&t=38http://forum.grumpysperformance.com/viewtopic.php?f=87&t=10377&p=42862&hilit=215cc+vortec#p42862http://www.airflowresearch.com/articles/article155/A-P1.htmlhttp://www.airflowresearch.com/articles/article085/A-P1.htmhttp://www.airflowresearch.com/articles/article031/A-P1.htmhttp://forum.grumpysperformance.com/viewtopic.php?f=55&t=10494http://forum.grumpysperformance.com/viewtopic.php?f=32&t=430http://forum.grumpysperformance.com/viewtopic.php?f=69&t=10152http://forum.grumpysperformance.com/viewtopic.php?f=69&t=7771http://forum.grumpysperformance.com/viewtopic.php?f=52&t=5078http://forum.grumpysperformance.com/viewtopic.php?f=69&t=1040&p=1943#p1943 Edited July 27, 2014 by grumpyvette Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
331CI 280z Posted August 13, 2014 Share Posted August 13, 2014 (edited) If emissions aren't an issue for you, go conventional SBC hei or MSD ignition with a carb. Quicker, easier and generally cheaper to setup with decent driveability. The money you would spend on a coil pack conversion for a LT1 (LTCC, coils, wires, brackets, etc) could be better spent elsewhere. Changing the plugs, wires and distributor on my LT1 Camaro with full length headers and optispark distributor (which is located on the front of the engine under the waterpump if you didn't know) was a horrible job to do. I have permanent scars from that job. It's a job that is better to pay someone to do. The exact opposite of my Datsun with MSD ignition and carb'd sbc. Even with headers, it's very easy to get at everything on the Datsun. LT1 pic below Edited August 13, 2014 by 331CI 280z Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
280zxSheik Posted August 25, 2014 Author Share Posted August 25, 2014 Oddly enough the LT1 is more accessible than the TPI cars, they are all over the yards in B Bodies. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
VSnakeByteV Posted May 9, 2015 Share Posted May 9, 2015 I'm doing an LT1 swap soon. It's coming or if my 93 Firebird, honestly the tune up wasn't that bad if you have access to a lift. I did it all myself and didn't have to drop the exhaust or anything. I'm just glad I have scrawny lenky arms. I like the LT1 more than my L98 from my 87 TA, and parts are easier to come by. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
grumpyvette Posted May 27, 2015 Share Posted May 27, 2015 http://garage.grumpysperformance.com/index.php?threads/can-you-get-there-with-tpi.10494/#post-44299 you might find this useful Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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