new to this need some help please

[Guest Anonymous]

i have some basic questions about putting a v8 in a z car.i live in california home of the stupid smog devils.my z is a 78 in great shape but im sick of them damn fords and cameros(nothing against chevys)getting the best of me.my boy had a z car with a v8 and ever since i drove it i fell in love.his was a 71 so no smog but mine is a 78 and like i said its in great shape just needs a v8.i have noitced that alot of guys use older z cars i have not seen to many 78 z's in here.you guys all seem like pros so if anyone has any pros and cons about using a 78 v8would be greatly appriciated.also being as i would have to smog the damn thing any advice on what type of engine to use.im wanting about 275 to 300 hp nothing to crazy but enough to smoke those mustangs.also if anyone has a ruff estimate on the price to do this would be very helpfull as well.nothing to crazy like i said 275to 300 hp good brake upgrade suspension engine and tranny no need to paint and new rims and tires.any help would be greatly appriciated thanks fellas.

[Guest Anonymous]

I can hook you up with a running '74 with a 350 V8 for a really good price... Email me offlist and we'll talk about it

[Trevor]

At the risk of sounding like a chant.....Buy the JTR Book....Buy the JTR Book.

 

I had an early edition and it even had a chapter on smog laws (especially California). AS long as the transplant engine the same year to or newer than the car body, with all factory smog equipment intact, you're set and it'll pass. California 280's had catalytic converters, and so will your donor vehicle, so you'll have a cat or 2 in the exhaust system anyway same with Air pumps, charcoal cannisters, EGR valves - whatever. I feel the best source is a TPI 350 pulled from a Camaro / Firebird. (Say "Corvette" and pay 2 prices). But the thing about hybridZ is YOU build it to suit YOUR taste and budget.

 

Ever hear Bill Cosby do that routine about the car he built with Wierd Harold? ....used a Cessna airplane engine out of the junkyard...... he does the sound effects so funny and the story captures the spirit of a hybridZ, determination, resourcefulness, pride of ownership.

[Guest greimann]

I have a '79zx with a V8 and have successfully passed the California smog test. The rule is the engine must be from the same year of the car or newer. My installation is modeled after a '79 Camaro. You can contact the state BAR (Bureau of Automotive Repair) for a pamphlet on the guidelines. Interestingly, the state issued pamphlet shows an illustration of a guy stuffing a V8 into a 240!

 

The first inspection is done at a referee station where the guy goes over everything with a fine tooth comb. All smog devices and vacuum hoses must be functioning. When you pass the referee inspection, he puts a sticker on your door jamb that proves your certification and from then on you just go to the regular smog test station every two years as usual.

 

It is very straight forward process and if you begin the project with this in mind you wil pass no problem. I have a lot of C.A.R.B. certified aftermarket equipment in my engine, good for about 350hp. So you can have power and a license plate too!

 

Get your engine from a salvage yard and get all of the components with it too. Accessories, brackets, bolts, sensors, wiring, the whole smash.

 

Cost is a hard target to hit. I put about $5000 into mine, but I bought a new transmission and some new aftermarket equipment that adds up quickly. What ever you calculate on paper of what you think it will cost - double it. There will be problems that you will have to buy yourself out of.

 

Good luck and keep us posted.

[Dan Juday]

I would agree with the guys here. There is a good yard in Stockton called Kennedy's. Bought my motor there, '91 305tpi. I just told them what I was doing. They said they sell to swappers all the time. They offer a package deal. One price, come back as many times as you need and take whatever you need off the car. They where very good to work with. When I wanted a small gas tank they said I could pick one out any car in the yard since I couldn't use the one in the TA. If you go there say hi to Beau for me.

And yes, buy the JTR book. I would also say go tpi out of an F-body car. A lot of the carb guys here shy away from them because of complexity. But after doing my swap, and wiring with the stock harness, I found it a lot simpler that I thought at first blush. The Vette motor is more spendy and more difficult to wire if you use the stock harness. Here is a helpfull tool when picking a stock motor that must be smogged:

GM motor specs

Good luck and go for it.

[DavyZ]

Welcome to the forum!

 

Smogging a '78 will not be an issue if the V8 fits the requirements very well listed in the above posts, and that it is in good working order. You can also look for drivetrains in places like Rancho Cordova (big yards out there) and also GM Sports Salvage in San Jose. Dan's suggestions sounds really good, although I have not been there myself.

 

As far as costs are concerned, I do suggest having a good sum ready to shell out for the major items, plus a chunk for those items that you won't think about until it's time to get them.

 

Finally, I will reiterate what the guys above said: BUY THE JTR BOOK if you are seriously considering the swap--it'll really help you to put it all together. The closest place you can look at one of the these manuals and purchase one will probably be Performance Plus in Dublin (although call Jason first and check with him) or CarBuffs in Pleasanton (they always have a stack handy).

 

Good luck with your swap!

 

Davy