Guest Anonymous Posted January 13, 2002 Share Posted January 13, 2002 I Have a 78 280z that i just got for my 15th birthday and i want more speed how much do you all think it would cost just to buy the 350 and the things u really need to make the swap. like what would be the cheapest since i won't start working untill the summer and i want to be done by the time i am 16 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BLKMGK Posted January 13, 2002 Share Posted January 13, 2002 Try this and you'll find the answer to your question. I would say though that as a 15year old driver who has likely just gotten their license I would NOT suggest a V8 swap. You're not talking about just a little bit of added speed - you're talking major changes in power with a reasonable build. Without some driving experience you're very likely going to get hurt and the Zs aren't exactly built to the same safety regs that we have today. Be very careful how you proceed, this isn't a hard swap but it makes for one fast car. Start by using the URL above and by visiting www.jagsthatrun.com and buying their book on how to do it. That's the "bible" for this swap and should be one of your first purchases.... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fl327 Posted January 13, 2002 Share Posted January 13, 2002 the younger you start, the more you room you have to grow and the easier it will be to get all this stuff down, but make sure this is what you really want to do, commit yourself to it and do it, i wish i would have picked this stuff up when i was your age, and i wish you the best of luck if you find this is what you really want to do. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Anonymous Posted January 13, 2002 Share Posted January 13, 2002 I have to agree with Blkmgk. The HybridV8Z is not just a lightly warmed over hot rod. Its power to weight ratio requires attention to what your doing and can get you in trouble quick. I'm not sure how your parents are about it, but mine would have rightly put the veto on that idea immediately. That said, if you want a decent bang for the buck then I'd look for a used 2.8 turbo Z engine and trans from like a turbo ZX and swap that in. It'll be cheaper, you'll have good performance and room to grow (extra boost, bigger injectors, add a intercooler etc...). If you still are convinced you really need a V8 in it, then by all means read the JTR manual a few dozen times and start collecting parts, but I'd hate to see you get halfway through the project and run out of dough or become frustrated as its taking to long. If you have a huge collection of junk yard parts it can be cheap, if not, it'll run quite a few dollars to really do the swap safely and correct. Just an opinion of course, I wish you the best of luck with your project. Regards, Lone Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mikelly Posted January 14, 2002 Share Posted January 14, 2002 Yea, one of the things that is often overlooked is good SOUND drivers education. When my step son learns to drive, I'll be going to summit point raceway for a day of father/son beginners defensive driving skills. best $450 I can think to spend and help give him the skills he will need to drive safely. We ALL played in our cars growing up, and thank (Insert your religous ?? Here) that we all survived. But a quick scan through a newspaper tells the all to unfortunate, yet true story that young, inexperienced drivers die the quickest on our nations highways and byways. Learn to drive safely before you get a car under your belt that will have less than 8# per HP. We want you around to help sort out problems long after some of us retire! Mike Kelly Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Anonymous Posted January 14, 2002 Share Posted January 14, 2002 oh don't worry about me using it i won't start using this car till when i am around 16 16and a half but on the street i won't speed or ne thing it is mainly because i will use it sometimes at mexico at this annual race they got since i do live in the border Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Anonymous Posted January 14, 2002 Share Posted January 14, 2002 Get yourself a good running stock Z and start learning ( when your 16 that L6 motor will not have time to cool off unless you park it in some out of the way place for recreation). Become a (parts) Hunter and start collecting what you need and pick up some mechanical skills for your continuing education.Learn to trade and bargain. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
denny411 Posted January 14, 2002 Share Posted January 14, 2002 patience..patience..patience,I remember being 16 very well.by that age I had taken two automotive courses,and had already rebuilt a 454,numerous vw rabbit heads,and a 2300 Ford 4 cyl.All with other peoples money.The problem being,I had huge dreams of what my first car was going to be.I had no idea what parts in the real world cost.I worked 20 hrs a week during the school year,and 40 during the summer. That didn`t leave much time to work on the car(except to just keep it running) My point is,if the car runs well now,leave it alonefor now and work on accumulating the parts for the conversion.This way when you`re out of school and have more spare time to work on your ride you will have all the parts,instead of being 16 and no wheels cuz it`s sitting in the driveway in pieces (like mine was half the time).besides,you`ll gain alot of practical knowledge just keeping it running normal.You will also get the driving experience you`ll need to handle that V8 monster Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest 400 ci 280z Posted January 15, 2002 Share Posted January 15, 2002 you said that you wont be doing road races. i know that is a lie. i am 16 and believe me you will do it no matter what you say now. also you said that "oh don't worry about me using it i won't start using this car till when i am around 16 16and a half but on the street i won't speed or ne thing." i have several friends that thought they were good drivers and they started to do something stupid and they got in wrecks. that was one reason i have been in a rollover. a kid didnt know what he was doing and he rolled his car. i agree with everyone here with what they have said. i know that i am also 16 and this will take a couple years to build, so this is when i get my experience from. if i dont think i can handle this car then it will be even longer till i will be able to drive my car. chris Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Anonymous Posted January 15, 2002 Share Posted January 15, 2002 ok you are all talking me out of the 350 so what speed do you think i can get out of the stock 305? and no i won't speed all my friends that have have rolled over and are lucky to be alive. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
denny411 Posted January 15, 2002 Share Posted January 15, 2002 The cost of converting to a 305 vs. 350 is basically the same,I`m not sure what the JTR kit cost.I`m only going to use bits and pieces of it because I`m using a motor plate.As stated earlier,your best bet is to get the JTR manuel,study it and look for a doner car for the engine ect.Look for something that someone has lost interest in,but have put lotsa goodies on it.this will be much more reasonable than buying retail.Also check classified papers ect.The best thing about a doner car is that it gives you some hands on experience.Taking something apart is the best way to learn how and why it works(and hopefully how to put it back together.As far as total cost of the conversion,it depends on what you want.There are z`s out there that cost 30k+ and some for only a few thousand or less.The most important thing is to be realistic about it,ex.caviar taste and a bologna budget Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pparaska Posted January 15, 2002 Share Posted January 15, 2002 Being an older dude that remembers the crazy stuff I did (not sure how I can remember it, don't go there ) I also think a V8Z could be too much of a handful. BUT a really mild V8, maybe a cheap 305 out of an 80s car wouldn't be totally a bad way to go! It'd not be incredibly fast, it'd be reliable, and you'd get your hands dirty (and maybe get some family members to help and do some bonding with the project). Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Anonymous Posted January 15, 2002 Share Posted January 15, 2002 Hey, 16??? I am jealeous!! good time to start. I have to agree with the rest, learn to drive then have fun. The idea Pete P. has is a good way to go, start with a, say, stock 305 and as time goes by and the budget allows, build it up. My original idea was to build a 305 that would end up to be about 350HP, not a rocket, but a good ride! What ever you decide enjoy Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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