how hard is a 350 to get in the datsun engine bay?

[Guest 2002sentraSER]

is it like a direct bolt in kit or does it require a hole lot of custom fabricating please advise

[Guest zfan]

Piece of cake! Do a search also buy the JTR manual. There is plenty of room.

 

Mike

[Guest Anonymous]

It is taking me forever. Can't seem to find the appropriate time.

[danj]

It depends on the model year you are converting. The older the Z the more information you can find on how to do the conversion. The ZX models are much more difficult and require a lot more fabrication. A lot will depend on your time, experience and ability (and money).

 

I have an 83ZX that is being worked on by a fabricator that has had a lot of experience with the older Z's (before 1979) but has had numerous problems with the ZX. It has been in fabrication for a year and is about 50% complete.

 

Fortunately, the guys that post to this forum have done it all and can advise you every step of the way.

 

Dan H

[Guest 2002sentraSER]

thanks mine will be in a 260 or 280z not a zx thats sounds like it would be too bad i hope

[Mike Mileski]

Once you see it sitting in there, it looks like it could have been a factory installation. It looks like it belongs in there. Datsun should have come up with the idea of doing it 30 years ago themselves

 

Mike Mileski

Tucson, AZ

[BLKMGK]

Tons of room, it drops right in if you follow the book on an older 240Z. I did it over a Winter in my spare time including suspension and whatnot. Still need to do a little more to convert to CVs but just have had NO time of late.

[auxilary]

Originally posted by Mike Mileski:

Datsun should have come up with the idea of doing it 30 years ago themselves

they did. they tested prototypes for a 3 rotor wankel 240z, and a factory v8 Z. then the gas crisis hit in the 70s and they suspended testing of wankel and 8 banger motors

[Guest 2002sentraSER]

thanks sounds great appreciate it

[MikeS]

Here is a link to my pics. Some are of the engine and 700r4 install. http://photos.yahoo.com/ironmike2323

From the time I picked up the engine until it was bolted in place, 30 min. by myself.

 

Mike

[Guest Anonymous]

Its pretty much as hard as dropping the stock one back in. Only difference is you'll drill 8 holes in the floorboard if you use the JTR method. Depending on the transmission, you may need to slightly tweak the firewall around the bellhousing to gain a bit of clearance.

 

The T56 tranny I used caused another problem, that being its very long and the crossmember is to wide. There were two options, one elegant and one not so, I went with the later and pulled out the 3lb sledge to move things a bit, you can cut it down as well and had I had access to a welder with more amperage I would have done it that way.

 

Good luck with it,

 

Lone

[Guest 2002sentraSER]

mikes what size engine is that it looks small it looks like you could fit a way bigger engine in the maybe a big block

[MikeS]

The engine is a ZZ4 350. I don't no how well a big block fits,but bigger is not always better.

 

MikeS

[DavyZ]

Mike, nice project you have going on. Nice garage too!!

 

Davy

[pparaska]

Davy, I agree - MikeS has a nice spread, car AND skills! Did you check out the quality, ideas, etc. in his work? It looks like the stuff you see in Rod and Custom, etc. Beautiful work, Mike!

[Guest 2002sentraSER]

mikes how much is the power output and how much did you get the engine for and where?

[MikeS]

sentra do a search on the web for zz4 lots of stuff out their. 355HP@5250 RPM 405 FT LBS OF TORQUE @3500 RPM $3600.00.

 

HEY DAVE & PETE THANKS

PETE DID YOU WORK OUT THE PROBLEM WITH THE SNUBBER YET?

 

MikeS