Newbie Here, 280z with LT1 and Auto Tranny going in it

[Guest Craig280z]

I have been drooling over all your cars for a while now. I have a 1978 280z that is pretty much stock.

I started rounding up turbo parts so I could put a stock 280zx turbo on it. I was pretty close to having it

finished. All I need to do is to run the intercooler piping but I am changing gears. I am selling all the turbo

stuff and I found a local LT1 and 4L60E tranny for a good price. I should be getting the new engine this week.

 

I was spending over $1000 to put a stock turbo on a non-turbo engine that probably wouldn't hold up.

All this to get probably 200 RWHP under boost.

 

I have the JTR TPI and TBI manual and the JTR V8 Z Conversion Manual and have read them both and

plan on using their plans for mounts, spacers, and whatever.

 

I'm not an experienced mechanic but I have a couple of friends that are going to help me who are exeperienced

in fabricating things, doing engine swaps, and one has a LT1 in his Toyota 4WD pickup.

 

Anyway, I'm looking for more information on what things I need to get lined up for this conversion.

 

Any ideas will help me as far as radiator, things you have run into to get the engine to go in the car and make

it work correctly, Do I need headers or is what is on the stock engine useable?

 

What kind of things do I need to do to the engine and car before I put the engine in the car besides what

is in the JTR book?

 

My car is a 5-speed. Will I have any difficulties putting the 4L60E in it? How much trouble would it be

to convert it to a T56 in a year or so?

 

Does anyone have any websites that document their experiences with the LT1 swap?

 

Thanks for any advice.

 

Craig

PS I'm in Alabama if you want to come and help

[DavyZ]

Craig,

 

Great to have you on board! As far as what radiator to put in, the JTR book should have that info--you can also put in a Griffin or Howe unit from Summit Racing. Use the search function on the forum to locate the topics you need info from. The Chevy forum is sort oof a 'catch all' forum unfortunately, but that is NOT where all of the info resides. Try some of the other forums as well to get radiator info. Hope this helps.

 

Davy

[Guest Anonymous]

I can tell you, if you have a friend that put an LT1 in a Toyota, then this will be a piece of cake by comparison (I would think, I don't know whats involved in the Toyo swaps).

 

The exhaust manifolds can be blockhugger headers or cast iron Ramhorns that have been angle milled, 80's pass car manifolds (see JTR for the years and models) and just recently I saw a set I'm pretty sure would work as well, it would be from a 84-? Vette, its sort of a log type center dump manifold that sits pretty close to the block, I haven't confirmed the fit on these though so thats a maybe.

 

As far as the other stuff check JTR's manual out and go from there (I say this only because its the only real reference out there and not as a mouthpiece for JTR). Ask questions here for sure, plenty of people to help and they're happy to do it.

 

Regards,

 

Lone

[Guest DRK]

Here is a link.

 

http://www.home.earthlink.net/~rontyler/rontyler.html

 

DK

[Guest Craig280z]

Great!

 

Thanks for the info. But it just leaves me wanting more

 

It looks like there are alot of dumb things that will keep me busy for awhile. I just hope I stick with it long enough to finish.

 

Do you do alot of trial fitting of the engine and transmisison to check clearances? It seems like that would be the only way to see what is hitting and where. Put it in, pull it out, and pound a little here, grind a little there, put it back in and check it again kind of thing.

 

What kind of changes to the fuel system are required? Will I need a larger tank, larger fuel lines and bigger pump?

 

Thanks for the info

Craig

[DavyZ]

Ron Tyler's site is a great place for info--thanks for posting that link, DRK!

 

Davy

[Guest LT-1 350Z]

i'm running 83 turbo zx fuel pump aand 3/8 alumminum fuel line it work good for stock.good luck is a straight forward swap www.geocities.com/my75v8z/pics.

[Tim240z]

Craig,

I originally began my project with a carbed sbc and 200 4R tranny. I cut out the stock crossmember/tranny mount in the tunnel and smoothed out the area. I slotted the front crossmember stock engine mount holes (per JTR) and dropped in the engine and tranny. I didn't take it out again until I decided to go with the LT1. Even then, with the tranny mount that I fabbed for the auto, I found that it fit with the T56, and the tunnel needed no pounding to accept the 6 speed. So in answer to your question, I would say that with the correct planning initially, it should not be necessary to have to yo-yo your engine/tranny in and out.

Tim