Guest Anonymous Posted March 25, 2002 Share Posted March 25, 2002 i have a 280ZX (1982, non-turbo, 2+2). I want to convert it to a chevy v8. The setup i am considering can be found at http://www.enginefactory.com/stroker.htm . Will this fit? Will i need to make the frame more sturdy? What all will be needed? Alas, it is an auto, but i want to put in a 6-speed manual anyways. What would be the best one for that engine? I'm looking to spend from $8000-$15000 total on this. ANY suggestions would be helpful, thanks mnelson Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest super280z Posted March 25, 2002 Share Posted March 25, 2002 well, ya picked a good engine to stuff in there ;D a good place to start would be to go to www.jagsthatrun.com and look into getting a copy of the swap manual. there is a wealth of knowledge in that book. read it cover to cover like 5 times and then read it again. you'll see that many of the steps like strengthening the frams or roll cages or bigger breaks and such are all personal prefrences/goals of the guys (or gals, do we have any?) on this board. while these are not absolutely necessicary they still are very cool and very functional. good luck and welcome to the board. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DavyZ Posted March 25, 2002 Share Posted March 25, 2002 M, Looks like I was beat to the punch while writing this post... Welcome to the forum! The engine will fit--in fact all SBC engines will fit into a 280ZX because they are all the same dimensionally speaking. Use the search function and look up all the info that has been talked about regarding the 280ZX. Griemann and Ross C have some of the nicest 280ZX conversions I have seen to date, plus both gents are very helpful. Offhand, I'd say you'll need mounts and the driveshaft modified. You might want to purchase the JTR book to guide you through each step of the conversion even thought the manual applies to the 240Z-280Z, not the ZX. As far as the frame is concerned, the ZX has some advantages over the Z and you may or may not want to do it--rely on the info given you by the guys that own the cars. The 383 puts out a lot of torque and some stregthening may be desireable. If the car has T-tops, I would say DEFINITELY do it. My $.02. Cheers, Davy Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Anonymous Posted March 25, 2002 Share Posted March 25, 2002 ok...with that engine i listed... i want to put in a six-speed manual tranny too... could someone tell me ALL the parts i would need...and how much they would cost around? i'm looking for this one to be a street racer/damn good casual car...and to get me through for a LONG time...ANY help on the parts owuld be appreciated... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest greimann Posted March 25, 2002 Share Posted March 25, 2002 Welcome, Sounds like your approach to the project and your budget are a good foundation to a successful conclusion! The motor sounds great, but with a high rise manifold, or anything taller than stock or an Edelbrock Performer, will require hood modifications. You may want to seriously consider FI along the lines of an LT1 - LS1, or an aftermarket setup with the basic motor you have selected. I know from experience, that the underhood temperatures of a stock hood, in the summer, will eventually boil the fuel in the bowls of carb. Switching to FI solved that. Frame wise, I have added strut bars the towers and nothing else (pix at my web site). It seems to be doing just fine with a 390 ft-lb motor and 50,000 miles on the conversion. I am running a T5, but there are LOTS of 6 speed info in the archives. Get familiar with the search function and you will get almost everything you need. Good luck Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
danj Posted March 25, 2002 Share Posted March 25, 2002 A word of caution. I am having a 383 Stroker installed in my 83ZX now. The engine is rated in the 430-440 HP range. The engine manufacturer suggested that I not hook it up to a manual tranny that has an aluminum case as the torque of the engine may eventually twist it. So I changed my mind and went with the 700R4. Perhaps someone in this forum has had some experience on this and will comment. Dan H. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest greimann Posted March 25, 2002 Share Posted March 25, 2002 Dan H., I would disagree with your motor builder on several points: 1. The torque of driveline is reacted through the motor mounts not the transmission housing. 2. I'm sure there are pleanty of 6 speed, 450 horse motors out there with no problems. 3. The case of the 700R4 is aluminum too. I love stick shifts myself. I would not put up with an auto if I really want a stick in the first place. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
danj Posted March 27, 2002 Share Posted March 27, 2002 Greimann Thanks for your comments regarding the manual vs. auto tranny. In the past year no one I talked to recommended a manual over the 700R4. Perhaps I should have kept talking. Don't know what I'll do with my left foot once the 700 is installed. Have you had any success installing the driver side header on a sbc in an 83ZX 2+2 with stock power steering? DanH Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Modern Motorsports Ltd Posted March 28, 2002 Share Posted March 28, 2002 "Don't know what I'll do with my left foot once the 700 is installed. " Brake!! That's THE best thing your left can do...reduces lag time with one foot per pedal:) Seriously, I love left foot braking and either is second nature to me now. On a few other notes...trannies DO take lots of driveline stress.....if when a trans is unbolted one can shift the rear of their trans a few inches either left or right their's obviously play left for it to take stress. Motor's torque force is not centred on motor mounts and thus the reactions are not solely met by the motor mounts. 4th gen fbod's snap OEM 4L60E mounts relatively easily and a very common upgrade is to bolt in the LS1 mount which is quite a bit stronger and STILL smooth unlike the aftermarket ones many tried. Tranny torque is same reason a few fine cars have created torque tubes in their driveline (they're not just due to diff reactions). All powertrain mounting points must be strongly mounted and paid attention to. As others noted, t56's and other sticks can take some fine force.......not just built auto's (and your 700 should be built up..). Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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