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v8 conversion


Guest 4.3L 280z

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This question really depends on who you ask. There is atleast one guy out there who LOVES his SCARAB conversion and will argue up and down that the JTR swap is not all it is cracked up to be. If you take his stance, then you can slap a V8 in without buying the JTR Kit. With this setup you can drop any V8 in with little fuss over transmission clearance, or header issues, or ground clearance.

 

I did the JTR conversion and I'm VERY happy with it, but it depends on what you can afford, and what your driving style is.

 

Mike Kelly icon_cool.gif

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cheapest, scarab baby, scarab, it basically consists of risers to the chevy mounts mounts from the stock mounts, tranny tunnel hammering, wiring, driveshaft and then:

 

 

and boom shaka laka here comes the big blocka, 396 i get rubber in fifth punk yitch.

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  • 3 weeks later...

hey all; i've been reading the post here for about 2 days now and wanted to know what is "scarab?" i'm REALLY new to all the gm/ford and the likes; but really want to learn. i ordered the jtr book tonight and just witing down tips from eveyone.

looking to actually start on the swap less then a year.

 

thanks jimmy

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Jimmy,

 

The first V8 converted Z's made en masse were from a Company called Scarab. They sold kits and complete cars. Original Scarab cars have history and are very rare (read: expensive). Now we just refer to any Z car with the engine in same position as a Scarab. There is a write up on Zhome.com or the internet Z car club (I've forgotten where) on the history of the V8Z. Try to find it and read about it--very interesting reading.

 

This was the easiest conversion to do, and many thought this was the best that was out there, but then JTR came along and built a better mouse trap IMO. The JTR conversion sets the motor back farther against the firewall (good), lower in the engine bay (good), and is backed up by a very good manual (good).

 

Keep making notes and download all pertinent information to files on your computer or download to a printer and make notebooks. I have two big binders packed with notes--I'll read it all someday icon_smile.gif

 

Davy

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quote:

Originally posted by DavyZ:

Jimmy,

 

The first V8 converted Z's made en masse were from a Company called Scarab. They sold kits and complete cars. Original Scarab cars have history and are very rare (read: expensive). Now we just refer to any Z car with the engine in same position as a Scarab. There is a write up on Zhome.com or the internet Z car club (I've forgotten where) on the history of the V8Z. Try to find it and read about it--very interesting reading.

 

I found Paul Richer's (Paul R here on Hybridz.org) V8 Swap FAQ, and the History of the swap at:

http://www.zhome.com/rnt/v8.html#HISTORY

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Guest Anonymous

What's all this talk about the shifter coming up through where the fuse panel is? Mines under the passenger side kick panel!

 

And did you all see the V8Z on ebay that had the shifter about 4 inches to far? Wouldn't your hand smash into the dash board?

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making the shifter work is easy, and yes it comes out early, big deal, you might have to get a different shifter, not a big deal. i like scarab, ive been drivng and racing my car daily for two years and its good to me, i gave her the winter off icon_razz.gif go ahead and drop in the 8 already, use jtr or scarab, and then run whatever you want, the swap is the easiest part, when you actually do it. icon_wink.gif

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