John's cars ZX kit

[Guest Anonymous]

Hi,

I was just wondering if anyone has used this kit to do the conversion. It is a lot more expensive than the MSA mounts, but it sounds more complete.

Thanks,

Warren

[DavyZ]

Warren, perhaps no one will admit to buying the John's Cars kit?

 

My advice is to look at the MSA 'kit' if you are planning such as swap. Also you can use a JTR manual to guide you through a swap, even if it is not a Z, but it is mostly the framework of the information/steps that helps. Just food for thought.

 

Davy

[Guest Anonymous]

I don't think any of us have any problem with John's kit so much as John's attitude. The guy is fairly rude, his kits are pretty complete but darn pricey and the guy has all sorts of screwy hooks. Like some sort of agreement not to reproduce his parts that you have to send him, he used to require just checks too and wait for them to be considered 'good'.

 

Others have a few stories of talking to the guy too. He didn't know what a 'Scarab' was which was the original Hybrid Z V8 car which is ok, but for a guy in the business its something he probably should know IMHO.

 

I've had good luck with the MSA stuff that I've bought, they're likewise a bit pricey but the stuff is of good quality at least in my purchases. I have a first gen Z so used JTR, but I'm told the MSA pieces fit pretty good, not sure about the ZX pieces but I would imagine they are of decent quality.

 

Regards and good luck with your project,

 

Lone

[DavyZ]

Good points, Lone. If I were doing a ZX, I'd go MSA and call it good.

 

Davy

[danc]

WhiskeyTango:

I was leaning towards a John's Cars Kit until I realized his "extras" don't in any way make up the several hundred dollar differences between his kit and the one from MSA I used on my 83 ZX. I've talked to John at least 3 times on the phone, and while he was direct, I didn't sense any attitude at all! I bought his "Z Carstellme NON-Illustrated "Manual" and it is Dogshit! Buy the JTR manual, read it several times to understand the scope and cost of this project,ask a lot of questions on this forum, and use the search feature (MSA Mounts as an example)to wade thru the problems as they occur. Good Luck.

Dan

[Guest Locutus]

Johns Cars kit is a scarab for the Z. I would not pay the money he is charging for a couple small pieces of channel iron. As for the ZX scarab doesn't apply but it is basically the same kit a couple pieces of channel. It is based on the Hooker design. Get the JTR book, read it and use thier design for spacers but don't use the set back plates. That will give you the best location of the engine over the frame horns and slightly offset to the passenger side like the rear end is. Thats my opinion and mine only but I can't see paying the money they are charging for a very simple to create spacer. Any one with basic skills should be able to do it.

 

Mike V

[fl327]

i wouldnt pay that money for how easy it is to fab up the scarab mounts, basically a "c" channel steel spacer mount for the motor and a modified datsun trans x member that uses a standard chevy trans mount, you could go to home depot and replicate that kit for like 50.00 total. my car has what looks like the hooker/scarab/johns kit on it, very simple pieces, too simple....