347 z

[timothyblythe240z]

This project was started a few years back, it began with the original L24 due to my lack of maintenance i seized the engine not once but twice. i then upgraded to an L28 block and added a 5 speed trans, this setup lasted for a while but it turn out this old engine burnt more oil than i added and soon had the same fate as the previous.

i was hanging out at a local shop and was given the opportunity to purchase a 1987 302 with t5 trans for $400, i couldn't pass this up so i bought it and began the swap. it was set up with an edelbrock 650 carb, hydraulic throw out and open 200 from a 280 2+2.

i drove this setup for around half a year. i had several issues with the clutch system, after taking a 600 mile trip to Florida the clutch was due for a change and the willwood slave cylinder was leaking and could no longer hold fluid.

i then used this opportunity to make a few modifications, and so it began.

the original idea was to keep the suspension all the same and build a 331 stroker, this changed after a while.

i began to toss up the idea of doing a full frame car as apposed to a uni body. after thinking of how much weight i would add i decided to build a custom front end and do a sub frame connector.  

i cut the old front end off at the fire wall, build a frame and added a mustang 2 IFS, disc brake, rack and pinion steering. i built the engine with 347 stroker kit, forged internals, 520 lift cam, TFS 170cc twisted wedge heads coller rocker 1.7 ratio and an 800 CFM holley carb.

i stayed with the t5, and am now in the process of adding Gforce gears and short throw shifter kit.

i ditched the open 200 and whent with a ford 8.8 with 4.10 locker, coilovers and ten factory axle shafts.

285/50/15 tires for the rear and iron wheels, front are 235 with iron wheels.

i was going to shorten the 8.8 but went with a wide body kit.

made some custom chorvette style tail lights and did some other body mods.

[yellowoctupus]

Just WOW.  Awesome work Tim. I was wondering when somebody would breathe life into a Ford Z on the boards, guess you've been busy, you've just holding out on us! The picture progression appears to be a little out of order, so I'm confused as to what the latest rendition is; were you able to get the track width back to the original Z dimensions, or are you going to be running flares?

[timothyblythe240z]

I need to take some time and organize the photos into a time line.

I was going to shorten the rear end but couldn't find a shop that could do it locally. I also would have had to shorten the front which would not have been something I wanted to do.

I purchased a set of IMSA bubble flares for the rear and complete front fenders with flares for the front.