azguy Posted April 16, 2002 Share Posted April 16, 2002 I hear alot about the JTR conversion manual and kit. I have ordered the manual so far. Does anyone know about the kit sold though motorsport? I believe there is one for just the engine mounts... and some other for misc. part adapters. Anyone have any info? Thanks 72 240z 83 280ZXT T-Tops Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Anonymous Posted April 16, 2002 Share Posted April 16, 2002 This is the kit where the engine sets further forward and is closer to the original Scarab V8 conversion, MSA, Jim Cook Racing, John's Cars and even Hooker Headers sold the kit and there is one on eBay (under Datsun parts) right now for sale. I prefer the JTR set back conversion because I made the motor mounts using their diagrams which can be copied 100% and used as an overlay on the parts for location and fit with a transfer punch. Get the manual and read it and you will be able to learn all the questions you ever dreamed possible about swapping a SBC into a Zee You can get a free catalog from MSA 1-800-663-6331. The engine and transmission mount is around $200.00 I could make them for about $10.00 or less. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BLKMGK Posted April 16, 2002 Share Posted April 16, 2002 I second that - get the book and read read read. This really isn't that hard a swap IMO and the JTR mounts work really well. You'll understand this much better once you've read the book. Oh, and th eJTR kit comes unpainted - seriously consider powdercoating everything you get or it WILL rust. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dsommer Posted April 16, 2002 Share Posted April 16, 2002 Or use POR-15 to coat the parts. I just got done using some on my strut tubes and other misc parts on my car and I love the stuff. I'm ordering a quart or two later today!!! David Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
72zcar Posted April 18, 2002 Share Posted April 18, 2002 I used the motorsport kit. It was easy to install, came painted. Included the GM rubber mounts. My HEI distributor at the base of the cap is no more than 1 inch from the firewall and at the top of the distributor cap about 1 3/16 inch from the firewall. No pounding of the tunnel required and I can't imagine the motor being much lower, the oil pan is already sitting pretty low. So, to those who say the msa kit Puts the motor in the scarab position... I think this is not correct. I do believe that the JTR mounts do put the motor back and down a little farther, but not by much. I'm not ragging on anyone, I'm just trying to give correct info for those that are considering the MSA kit. web page Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Georgia Flash Posted April 19, 2002 Share Posted April 19, 2002 Hey Miles I have asked this question before but got no answer. If you use the MSA conversion kit can you use a regualar size air cleaner (hood clearance) and can you use a strut bar? This is really the only thing that keeps me from buying the MSA kit. Come on man I gotsta know Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Georgia Flash Posted April 19, 2002 Share Posted April 19, 2002 I saw some pics of a car with the MSA kit installed and I too have to agree that the motor looks to be as close as the JTR kit to the firewall. MSA also sells a hood latch conversion kit because of the engine being so close to the firewall after the conversion. So I believe in all fairness that the MSA kit engine placement is no where near where the SCARB kit was and is in fact closer to the JTR kit. Hold on I will call them and ask, I need to order some parts anyway..... ok Jeff at MSA was no help at all, he said that he had never heard of the JTR kit so he suggested that I talk to Sal who will not be back until the morning. I called them because I had finally talked myself and my wallet into buying the front air dam #50-1409 rear skirt #50-1473 3 piece spoiler and side skirts. Jeff told me that they were all out of these and every fiberglass part! Said to call back in about a month YOu would think that this could not happen. Oh well.....hmmm I wonder what Victoria British has Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Miles Posted April 19, 2002 Share Posted April 19, 2002 AZGUY I used the MSA kit to install a 350 sbc and 89 Camaro T5 trans in a 72 240Z. Very easy to install. There have been a number of posts in the forum recently on the MSA and JTR mounts. Click on my photo site below to see installation pics. Miles Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
geotek Posted April 19, 2002 Share Posted April 19, 2002 Hey Miles- What kind of intake are you using? I will be using the Edelbrock Performer RPM Air-Gap, which is kind of tall. Since I'm building my engine without a car (still looking) I don't have any idea what kind of clearance I'll have. The engine mounts look like they're easy to install and the trans mount looks like it's easy to make. Where did your shifter exit through the shifter hole? Dead center? Fore/aft? Left/right? George Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
biohzrd Posted April 19, 2002 Share Posted April 19, 2002 if the msa kit is different then the scarab kit then where does the mounts sold by hooker fall. are they the same as a scarab or are they closer to the msa. the reason i ask is because i got a set of the motor and tranny mounts for free from a guy and was really debating wether to use them or not. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Georgia Flash Posted April 19, 2002 Share Posted April 19, 2002 Thanks for the response 72Zcar, I guess I will have to go with the JTR kit because I like the look of the full chrome air cleaner as opposed to the little triangle shaped one. One of the things that the JTR book talks about is that thier position allows you to run a full size air filter for "more horsepower" I will study this subject a bit further before I commit to either kit. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Anonymous Posted April 19, 2002 Share Posted April 19, 2002 hey geotek, when you are ready for the car, drop me a line, i am right in Dallas, and pass up alot of good deals on 260Z, 280ZX, and 1st gen 300ZX bodies. Would be happy to help you out if you want any that is. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Anonymous Posted April 20, 2002 Share Posted April 20, 2002 Georgia Flash!!!! the JTR kits are simple to make . I made up 5 of the set back plates. I plan to make my own "tunnel" transmission cross member from a welded design I saw on this site. It does not cost much to build the parts and I used a 100% copy of the diagrams in the JTR manual to make a template and used an engine mount and a transfer punch to align the holes.I am using pins instead of the hood latch. I have a Griffin radiator that I will make a bracket for when the dummy engine and 2004r trans is in place. I can probably get the diff mount locally a lot cheaper than JTR's etc. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
72zcar Posted April 20, 2002 Share Posted April 20, 2002 hey flash, I used the msa kit... the edelbrock (v shaped) air cleaner clears the hood easy and I do have a msa strut bar that clears the air cleaner by about an inch. The air cleaner I have is not very big... any bigger and it would not clear the strut bar. web page Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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