Great48 Posted November 14, 2014 Share Posted November 14, 2014 Just thought I would drop in to show my 280z I picked up a while back. Haven't had much time to touch it but looking to start here soon. I've always loved this body style and never thought about putting a v8 in one, I was shocked at the engine bay size when I first opened the hood of this thing! Looking to do a pretty nice little resto on this car. Dropping in a 600hp 407sbc w/ t56 6 speed trans. Should be a nice little weekend cruiser. It has the usual rust but nothing i'm concerned about, little rust on the floorboard/rails and below the battery tray. Common I know. I guess my only question for now is, how should I build this? What would you guys recommend. Looking forward to roaming the forums and seeing others rides. Not sure if it will show my photos being my album is private, if not let me know and I will try to fix them! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
_Donovan_ Posted November 14, 2014 Share Posted November 14, 2014 Well, I guess I will jump on this. Honestly you need to pick up a manual from Johns cars, JTR, whatever and read through. I am on my second build now and reading through everything for the 100th time. First was a '76 with LT1/4L60E and this will be a LS/T56. The first time I just put in the engine and trans and then ended up pulling it out 50 more times. Long story short I had to make sure the whole car could handle all this extra power. And while I was in there I thought it was better to just fix everything then. This time I am starting by doing everything on the car first. The engine and trans will be the last things I do. Installing the Arizona Z Car suspension and brakes first, then interior, paint, rear end, all that before I even start looking for an engine and trans. I reccomend you do something similar. Fix the whole car to where it should be for that type of HP. Here is a good link to give you an idea what you are getting into. http://www.4moores.com/280z/files/JCI%20Install%20Update%202.pdf Good luck but my guess is everyone will say to start somewhere similar, with reading, reading, READING. Good Luck and just wondering what you paid for that? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Great48 Posted November 14, 2014 Author Share Posted November 14, 2014 (edited) Thanks Donovan. Luckily I have my engine and transmission laying around. Although it is not a LS motor and it will be carbed, it is laying around and will cost me nothing extra, so I figure those would be perfect for this. I jumped the gun months ago and bought a JTR v8 kit. 2 months later and no word from JTR I decided to get my money back and go another route. I could easily fab up my own trans/motor mounts if it comes down to it. I have read the r200 is stout if you can keep from snapping the axles in half. So my decision is putting a 9" behind it or taking my chances with the r200. I have a lot of experience with fabrication, so a 4 link system doesn't seem to difficult. I would love the keeping and upgrading the r200 to posi and stiffer axles, that way I don't have to do much work on the rear of the car. The book is ordered! So I will be reading, and reading and reading some more til I know exactly what to do before I do it hopefully. I had ordered a book from JTR and never recieved it since I canceled my order. I paid $500 for the car as it sits. The previous owner only wanted it for the r200, then ran out of time and space so I snagged it while I could. Not sure how the engine and transmission are but I'll end up letting those go pretty cheap if I can find a buyer. Motor turns over freely as he thought the motor was seized, I think that's why I got a good deal on this car. Edited November 14, 2014 by Great48 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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