Cornett_james Posted August 26, 2016 Share Posted August 26, 2016 I just picked up a 79' like the title says. I bought the car for some body parts for my 81'. I figured after I get what I need off of it, why not drop a 302 into it and make a monster out of it hahaha. the real perk is the l28e and the rest of the drivetrain only has 62k on it, so spare motor and everything else for the 81'. I'll get some pictures up soon and keep everyone posted on my progress Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cornett_james Posted August 30, 2016 Author Share Posted August 30, 2016 ill have photos of the 280zx today, motor and trans will be out tomorrow then i get to fab out my mounts. looks like the 302 might not happen because i picked up a 351w and trans for a steal. so far im into it about 200 total hahaha. any advice or suggestions is always appreciated, ive done several motor swaps so this isnt my first rodeo Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NewZed Posted August 30, 2016 Share Posted August 30, 2016 (edited) Is this going to be streetable or just something to rip around the corn fields in? 1979 280ZX's have several possible differentials, from a 3.36 R180 to a 3.7 R200. An R180 might not last long. Edited August 30, 2016 by NewZed Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cornett_james Posted August 31, 2016 Author Share Posted August 31, 2016 Its got the r200 but its getting replaced with a posi'd and narrowed Ford 9", it's getting built for actual racing, hoping to hit ppihc next year Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cornett_james Posted August 31, 2016 Author Share Posted August 31, 2016 Here's the zx, it'll be painted satin black and metallic grey when all is said and done Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
grannyknot Posted August 31, 2016 Share Posted August 31, 2016 As I remember the 351w is a rather tall engine compared to the 302, you might have to cut a hole in the hood for the air cleaner. The 302 will fit perfectly with very few mods and of course the best thing about the Ford engines, the distributor is on the correct end of the engine Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cornett_james Posted August 31, 2016 Author Share Posted August 31, 2016 Grannyknot, i agree with you 100% hahaha, the 351w is a tall deck but I'm building a cowl hood for it to accommodate the added height. I'm just going to run the motor stock for now but a 351 has a ton more potential than the 302 when it comes to displacement. have you done a similar swap? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
grannyknot Posted September 2, 2016 Share Posted September 2, 2016 I did a 302 into a 74 Triumph TR6, it was rocket, scary fast. The design of the suspension and steering on those cars were ancient, that was the scary part, the car just was not designed for speed. The Z is great with speed as long as you can keep the air from getting underneath. Looking forward to seeing some pics of your project. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cornett_james Posted September 2, 2016 Author Share Posted September 2, 2016 I'll hopefully have some pictures of the custom dash and gauge cluster tomorrow, going to be a fiberglass half dash and autometer gauges. I need to find a good bucket seat and build the nitrous bottle bracket but hey, what fun is having a car if it's not custom hahaha Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
grannyknot Posted September 2, 2016 Share Posted September 2, 2016 Why autometer? Speedhut has a lot more selection of different styles of faceplates, script, needles and such. Also I think there is a group buy just getting started on this forum. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cornett_james Posted September 3, 2016 Author Share Posted September 3, 2016 Thank you for the advice, i was gonna run autometer because that's what I've always ran in my race cars but I'll check into it Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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