Guest BlackPearl280z Posted June 25, 2002 Share Posted June 25, 2002 Hey guys I am 16 and just bought a '78 280z and i have been reading this site for a while now. I have decided on putting a v8 into my car but i would like your guy's opinion. (I know you will all tell me to go buy "the bible"(JTR).) I will! but first i would like to know how much i should be looking to spend, what engines i should look for and also transmissions. I work 40 hours a week with welders and so if any welding needs to be done... Also i have a neighbor who has put 350's in many different cars. He said he would like to help!!!! But he wants to know how the difficulty would compare to his current project (older gran prix). I would also like to know if i would have to alter anything else on the car besides the engine, trans, radiator, and wiring. Thank you guys a lot !!!! ~Eric Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest BlackPearl280z Posted June 25, 2002 Share Posted June 25, 2002 By the Way I would like to buy a crate engine for the ease and price Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Anonymous Posted June 25, 2002 Share Posted June 25, 2002 I hate to sound like some one's father BUT, if I had my Z when I was 16 I would have been dead long before I was 17. I drove a 76 VW rabbit, it would do 92 all day long. I know because that is how I drove it. My Z will do 100 plus in a blink of an eye, OK a slow blink. I know because that is the way I drive it, ON THE TRACK. I hope if you get the project finished you will be much more responsible than I was at that age. Be careful, Mark Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Owen Posted June 26, 2002 Share Posted June 26, 2002 How much to spend...well you'll get numbers across the board on that one! And you'll also get asked what you want to do with the car. The LT1 swap is getting popular, I have a 383 aftermarket EFI + T56 6-speed. Altering the engine, trans, rad, and electricals are probably the bare minumums + exhaust. But, bigger wheels = coilovers, more power = stronger diff, rollcage, subframe connectors, new floors, etc. etc. etc. Take a look at everyone's websites so you can get an idea of how far you wanna go. Owen Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DavyZ Posted June 27, 2002 Share Posted June 27, 2002 Yes, be very careful indeed! Buy a mild GM V8 and then a T5 or 700R4 tranny. That would give you more power than you will know what to do with, and when you get used to the power, then you can use it as a good engine to build upon. That's my $.02. Davy Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
deMideon Posted June 30, 2002 Share Posted June 30, 2002 If you are anywhere near the boarder with IL, let me know and you can see what I'm doing! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest BlackPearl280z Posted June 30, 2002 Share Posted June 30, 2002 Hey Demidion... I live 5 min. from Milwuakee so i would love to come down and check out your project!! I saw your website and although i don't think that i could to all of that, i still would like to at least get the v8 swap (not the total strip-down) email me specifics and or dates and directions so that i could come down!!! (Curle320@hotmail.com) Thanks ~eric Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Speaker Posted June 30, 2002 Share Posted June 30, 2002 i'd pretty much disagree on the crate engine thing... they are too expensive, and pretty much a waste of money for the little power they put out... even the 385 fastburn or whatever... you could build up a 350 for cheaper than the cost of that motor and be making 500hp reliably... or a 400 and go over the 550hp mark check out http://www.badasscars.com if you're dead set on a crate engine... these guys sell engines for the same price as crate engines but they come with A LOT better parts and make a lot more power Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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