RPMS Posted September 29, 2003 Share Posted September 29, 2003 I thought I'd share with my friends on the HybridZ foum! After four years of battle, today my car finally moved under V8 power! As many of you know, I've been collecting parts for years now, waiting for the right time to do the conversion. 30 days ago, I decided to put up or shut up, and I started work in earnest. I borrowed an industrial engine hoist from a friend and went to work. I spent my first day pulling the inline, and the first week cleaning the engine bay within an inch of its life! I painted the car two years ago with the engine still in it, so the engine bay was still the original silver color. Now it's black, painted entirely with gloss black POR15. If I wanted to I could wet sand out the crap in the paint and make it purty, but frankly, I don't want to. It's an engine bay, for God's sake. The second week I spent doing the JTR mods - putting in the spacers and brackets and other bits, slotting the engine mount holes, modding the auto shifter to work right, etc. This was when my blood started pumping, and I started getting excited. I was making progress! The third week I got the driveshaft made, replumbed the brake lines that were removed for painting, and pulled out as much wiring as I could from the engine bay. An astonishing amount came out! The fourth week I replaced some of the wiring that I erroneously pulled out in week three, and I went on a quest for radiator hoses that would work. I ended up splicing together two different hoses to get the angle I needed. I also put the tranny on the engine,and stabbed it into place so I could know where to put the tranny mount. Last Friday I welded up the Spintech mufflers that Mike in Dallas so generously sold to me, and this morning I fired it up for the first time. Damn, it sounds good! No way is this car ever going to be mistaken as having the original inline six! It rolled out of the garage under its own power at 3:30 pm Sunday, September 28, 2003. Rolling it back into the garage after running it for 30 minutes or so it ripped loose one of the mufflers, so obviously it's not fully finished! Things are hanging too low underneath. But it did nontheless move via the V8, and I'm very pleased! Thanks so much for all the help and inspiration I've gotten from this forum over the years. Without y'all, it would never have been possible! You're a great bunch of guys, no doubt about it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Smooth Operator Posted September 29, 2003 Share Posted September 29, 2003 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CruxGNZ Posted September 29, 2003 Share Posted September 29, 2003 Sweet! Another gets finished, well sort of. Keep us updated . I hope to be in your shoes a few months from now. !M! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest zfan Posted September 29, 2003 Share Posted September 29, 2003 YEAH! Way to go Scott So she sounds good, hopefully not to loud Glad to hear your getting her put together. Good Luck and keep us up to date. Mike Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sumo Posted September 29, 2003 Share Posted September 29, 2003 Way to go! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JoeinCA Posted September 29, 2003 Share Posted September 29, 2003 That first drive in your newly converted V8 Z is just like losing your virginity! Massive apprehension, palms sweating like niagra falls, but once you hit it, you never forget it. Congratulations, from here on out, everything is going to get better and easier. (At least with your Z!) V8Zer for life, Joe Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pparaska Posted September 30, 2003 Share Posted September 30, 2003 WTG, Scott! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
z-REX Posted September 30, 2003 Share Posted September 30, 2003 you're the man scott! i can't wait until my car's in your position. damn, that must feel good. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DavyZ Posted September 30, 2003 Share Posted September 30, 2003 Congrats, Scott!! Way to go, Bro! Davy Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
spotfitz Posted September 30, 2003 Share Posted September 30, 2003 Way to go man! Great to hear it's finally coming together. I want a ride when I can get it. Maybe we'll meet up for lunch again. This time I'll let you buy. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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