Hello Z lovers, I'm dropping a 327 into my 79' need some tec

[Guest Anonymous]

First off, let me say thanks before I get any info some guys off Zcar.com referred me to this site. My father has a 327 that came out of a Corvette I checked and it's rated at 210@4600 rpms and 320lbs of tq@2400. I really nedd to know first what type of transmission would be best suitable for my Z and exactly what do you guys feel about the swap? Any response will be appreciated. Thanks you guys and take it easy on the newcomer I really don't know ALOT about cars.

[Guest Anonymous]

This should make for a good swap. The easiest transmission swap is probably a TH350 automatic.

I don't recall any 327 Corvette motors having less than 250 HP and some went as high as 375 HP.

Plan on lots of extra work focused on brake upgrades, exhaust routing, and instrument hook-up.

Good luck!

 

FranticZ

[Guest Anonymous]

Welcome, glad you came here, lots of good people with great info who have been there done that here to answer questions. (no not me, I sorta jabber info and sometimes its useful, most of the times rediculous )

 

We'd need a little info, like do you prefer a automatic or stick, what state are you in and are there emission issues to worry about? Do you want more power? Thats easily done, usually on a 327 the big differences I think were the heads from one to the next (without getting into small journal cranks vs Large journal cranks, more compression and a few other pieces the HP 327's had) if its got the small valve heads, finding a newer set of chevy heads and a cam change would net you alot if the rest of the motor doesn't need rebuilding, if it does, freshen it up and use the better cam and head and you'll be way glad you did.

 

Yeah if theres no smog issues in your state I think its a sweet swap, either T5 manual 5sp or a 700R4 automatic and in the nicely appointed ZX interior, itd be a comfy reasonably fast car IMHO. I'm beginning to really want a ZX as well as my 240, have to watch this, I'm to broke for yet another obcession....

 

Good luck,

 

Lone

[fl327]

if its a corvette 327 odds are it has more than 210hp sae, depending on what year it has between

275-350hp at 4800 and 355-430lbs at 3200 or so rpm, and if its really a vette motor it has the big valve camel hump 202-160 heads. the small journals are favored, less friction, i just pulled the valve covers and the intake manifold off my car for the first time in like a year, first time in three years the carb has ever been off the car, and it looks great down there, no sludge, pushrods like clean, lifter bores and lifters themselves looks real nice as well, tough tough motor. i think most common was vette 327/350 which is probably about 260 to the wheels, this is the killer i have in my z, and its tough, change the oil and watch the coolant, and let the rubber fly!

[fl327]

i would also like to say if you have small valve heads, upgrading up would be nice, and a cam change would be nice as well, as for cam specs, the way it differs from 350 ive heard from my ace LONGROD 327 is that you add 500rpm to the listed specs for a sbc cam, so if it says 1500-5500 its 2000-6000 due to the shorter stroke i think. and for a 302 you add 1000rpm maybe a little less.

best trans, the immortal muncie four speed or a t10, which can be found very cheap, makes for a driveline that will take anything that the baby z car can throw at it, or if you want an auto a th350 or a 700r4 work very well, but theres no clutch to dump.

[fl327]

yikes i forgot to read those hp specs, those sound like the two barrel heads, youll definitely want the four barrel heads, whoops.

[Guest greimann]

To the originator of the post: explain what you intend to do with the car so we can understand what kind of recommendations to make. Drag race, autocross, daily driver with economy, daily driver for performance, rice killer, or all out gonzo mean machine?

 

With a '79 you will run into two tight situations: the left side exhaust manifold to steering box clearance and hood clearance. Both of which are easily solvable with the right parts. When you get to that point in the project, sing out.

 

As far as a transmission, I would highly recommend an overdrive if it is a street car. A 700R4 automatic, T5 (or Tremec T3550) 5 speed, or T56 6 speed.

[Guest kc6wfs]

Also be sure to get the JTR book!!!

 

Dave

[Guest Anonymous]

Thanks fellas for the response I really appreciate the feedback. I really want to do three things in this car one first and fore-most daily driver, two I do like to do autocross and three burn some mustang ass! I live in mississippi and mustangs are a dime a dozen here and they all talk trash. It really gets on my last damned nerves! Yes, the specs I gave are from the 327 w/ a 2 barrel carb. Can somebody PLEASE just give me a basic layout of what I should do. I'll deal with the motor later but right now my main concerns are if I can get a tranny will I have to do anything about the driveshaft, rear end or any of that? Just please somebody just give me a lay out plan on what I need to by starting with the tranny and so forth? TANX...

[Guest greimann]

As mentioned before, order a JTR book. It is mainly for 70-78, but some the concepts are applicable to all years. Use the search function on this board to find a link and become familiar with searching. Many of these topics have been covered before and the information is in here, however ZX conversions are in the minority.

 

For a low budget option, find a T5 from an '89 to '92 V8 Camaro. The lower the miles the better. Don't use one from a V6. If cost is not so much a constraint then look into a Tremec T3550 new, or used T56 from a '93 and up Camaro.

 

You will have to make a new driveshaft, but don't worry about that until the motor is in because you need to measure a few things for the driveshaft shop. The stock rearend is fine. You can make your own motormounts and transmission mounts, or Motorsport sells them for ZX too, but the transmounts are for a 700R4 I think.

 

Also, be prepared to spend at least $2500 +. There are so many little things that crop up you really can't do a good job of it for too much less. I spent $5000 on my initial conversion.

[Guest Anonymous]

Hey thanks ude, and if that's your Zx in the picture it is soooooooo tight. I think I'll go after the T5 or the 700r tranny. As it seems the easiest to work with. I had a guy tell me that if I had all the stuff to do the swap he would do it for me for free. So that's kinda tight. But I appreciate the help. I'll keep in touch.

[Guest greimann]

Originally posted by decepticonZ:

I had a guy tell me that if I had all the stuff to do the swap he would do it for me for free. .

That is some friend no doubt, but I caution you on two points. 1: you cannot collect everything you need in advance. Some items you have to build or buy as you go. 2: Does this guy really know how much work is involved? It took me two months of working every night and every weekend just to get it to the point of being able to move under its own power. That is busting butt working. Some folks spend YEARS doing it. I don't mean to step on your buzz, but this is a big project for someone to do free.

[Guest Anonymous]

Hi guys in new to the board and if you are asking if i know what im doing about building a V8 Z car the awnser is yes ZEign we meat the other night @ e.m.c.c remember me (WE)meaning me you mike reggie david can have the project done in about 2 weeks as i know what i have to do i can even have all the factory gages hooked up with no problems ive done them before as a matter of fact my 355ci v8 300zx with digitals has all the factory gages hooked up the only thing that gives it away is the big ole B&M shifter sitting in the center consol of the car,My advise is to stick with either a 700r4 or a BW t5 if you want to spend a little more money i can get a t-56 for about 1500 or a vette 4+3 trans for a grand thats right 8 friken gears to grab the drive shaft i can make with a Mig welder you will have to have it balanced @ H&H imports 40 bux if i remember have to get a good rad i can get a brand new griffen alum unit for about 200bux a set of shortie headers or a set of block hoggers your car has the rack and pinion on it witch is a plus the old boxes are really not that hard to deal withjust have to have the right exhaust manifolds and the relocation of the hood hold down dont do it ax it and get a locking set of hood pins i had my hood fly off at about 140 not fun a witness said it flew about 30 or 40 feet into the air and the marone-red paint looks too good for that if your car haS a r180rear it really isnt gonna hold up that long we can put a r200 in it no problem we are running a r200 in our 300zx's from a 280zx turbo with 3.55:1 pushing 511hp Na form 667hp spraying if you need to get ahold of me to plan out the build up or any questions get ahold of reggie mike or e-mail me @ a280zx4u2c@aol.com then ill give you my phone # and we can talk