Guest Anonymous Posted January 21, 2002 Share Posted January 21, 2002 I have a '74 260Z and access to a running 305 and auto trans. Other than the JTR kit ($325) and the drive shaft mod ($I know a guy ) what do I NEED to get my 305 260 moving under it's own power? I was reading about the cost of some of your guys V8 swaps at all that $$$ makes me want to sell my car and quit now while I'm ahead I just want a V8 260 not a race car. -Thanks Tom Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Anonymous Posted January 21, 2002 Share Posted January 21, 2002 I think we had a young member pull it off for 2k, it can probably be even cheaper if you have what you need, or access to cheap parts. The problem most of us face is the snowball effect. Ooops need new brakes, well might as well go five lug while I'm at it, hmmmm need new tires and wheels, gosh the suspension is worn, well I'll just put in these better springs and shocks.... I think you get the idea. I know alot of members have alot invested, but many of us are just trying to get the car's safe and reliable (as they are, but they just have more bread to buy better stuff, oh well I should have stayed in school ). I'm happy with the reliability, it hasn't left me walking yet, I just need to get everything in working order, and thats where the money often comes it. Just an opinion, let your wallet be your guide is all I can say. Look at it all in systems and see what you can do, Cooling, Electrical and Mechanical, if you can find cheap solutions for those problems the swap can be as cheap as you can make it. Regards and good luck, Lone Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mikelly Posted January 21, 2002 Share Posted January 21, 2002 The JTR Kit contains the motor setback plates, crossmember drop plates, trans mount, radiator mount, drive shaft adapter, Hoodlatch adapter, and the speedo cable for $350. Don't give up. You have the motor and trans. All you need is the radiator, you'll probably need to swap the starter (You might get lucky though) and set asside some money for an exhaust system, and you are done. Don't get wrapped around the axle on some of the costs that people throw out. I've had my car since 1996, and spent the bulk of my money in 1998-99. Everyone makes a different living doing different things, and we all have different resources available to us. Work with what you have, what you are capable of, and what you are capable of doing. Its all about you anyway, right? Goodluck and keep us posted. Mike Kelly ZF Racing LLC Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Anonymous Posted January 21, 2002 Share Posted January 21, 2002 Mikelly thaks for the info I think i'm gona do it what was that about the starter I gues I nee a smaller one? Can this swap be done with had tools r will I need to cut & wels ever? Thanks, Tom PS I found a used JTR manual for sale I think i'll pick it up Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Anonymous Posted January 21, 2002 Share Posted January 21, 2002 The JTR manual will explain alot particularly about starters. The only issue with them is you need the right one for the flywheel/flexplate your using and that some of them are not suitable because they stick out to far and will hit the frame rail. As for welding, it helps if you have one when you fabricate brackets and stuff, but it could be done without one (except the exhaust and after having done two of them both to low, I'd have an expert do that for you, its worth the money). Common hand tools will do the job, the only place that will be a bear is the old xmember mounts in the tunnel, you'll have to hammer and chisel that, I used a air chisel and had them off in ten minutes or less. Don't rule out tool rental, its probably the better go for someone that isn't planing on doing more swaps or can't afford the tools right now. Good luck, Lone Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest kc6wfs Posted January 21, 2002 Share Posted January 21, 2002 Hi Tom and welcome aboard! I did mine with just hand tools except for a drill and a sawzall. I used the sawzall for removing the old trans mount in the tunnel well. Good luck... Dave Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DavyZ Posted January 21, 2002 Share Posted January 21, 2002 Ditto on what Lone, Mike, and Dave just said. If you already have the car & engine & trans, buy the JTR book and use their schematics as a template to fab your own parts. If you have access to things like a drill press and a heavy metal bending device, you could purchase the materials from metal places for next to nothing. I found it easier (faster) to just buy the parts from JTR, but I could very easily have made them myself. One member did it for under $40! JTR gives suggestions on how to do the fab job yourself. Good luck!! Davy Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
patzky1 Posted January 21, 2002 Share Posted January 21, 2002 Don't sell it, thats my opinion.. I guess I'm the fabled young guy, 19, that pulled it all off for less than 2 large. I also have a 305 and auto tranny, they work fine and are much more torquey as well as reliable than those sweet sixes ever were for me (don't ask ). Most of the money some of these guys spend is on engine and driveline modification and it sounds like you're ahead of the game on that one. Oh, and if you buy the JTR book you can have the parts fabricated by most ANY welding shop using the diagrams. A quick word of advise if you go that route, get the motor mounts (rubber part you mount to the crossmember) to be the guide for the bolt holes so the welder can do it CORRECTLY. The setback plates and spacers (solid, they weigh a ton) only set me back $110 hehehe. And you will pretty much have to order the speedo cable from the JTR store unless your driveline friend can make one. Pat Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Anonymous Posted January 22, 2002 Share Posted January 22, 2002 Ummmm, ok, theres TWO members (probably lots more) that have done it for under 2k.... The young guy I was thinking of I think sold his, he was up in Rocklin Ca. near my home in Sacto... I'm thinking he was more like 16 but don't remember. Glad to hear you got it done cheaply as well Pat.. I could have done it much cheaper had I not had to buy alot of tools and done the T56 install... (that ate the ass out of my budget quick... ) Oh well, in the end its worth it, even a mild V8 has almost double (or more) torque and thats what whacks you in the back when the pedal is floored.. Go for it, you won't regret it! Regards, Lone Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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