Guest BlackPearl280z Posted July 19, 2002 Share Posted July 19, 2002 Hey, I posted before and had asked what type of engine and trans i should get for my v8 280z project that i want to undergo. BTW i am 16 and tell my mom that the only reason that i am going to do the swap is so my engine will be more reliable and will be easier to find parts for.(yeah right!!!) but anyways, i would like to know if you guys would reccomend me picking up an old engine and rebuildinging it or getting a crate and building off of it. Also, i want to stay with a 5-speed trany and would like to know which i should or could get for the cheapest price. I have just ordered "the bible" (JTR manual) and will be getting it shortly. I was wondering if you would suggest the JTR mounts as well? Also, what other parts/accsories will i need? Lastly i was wondering how much i should expect to pay for the swap. I know you will tell me that it depends on what i get, but i was wondering ballpark figures. (I already have the car) And do you think that at the end, my engine will pass emissions? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest BlackPearl280z Posted July 19, 2002 Share Posted July 19, 2002 P.S. If anyone lives near milwuakee (4hrs at most) and has done or is doing the swap, i would greatly appreciate being able to come check out your progress. Thanks much! -Eric Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kevin Shasteen Posted July 19, 2002 Share Posted July 19, 2002 Eric, What displacement or which engine family you decide to go with is not something someone can suggest for you. It would just be their opinion -vs- someone else's opinion. What, When and How to approach your project is entirely decided on you and your familiarity with auto mechanics. In you walk on this Earth, of 16 years, you have become familiar with auto mechanics, then all is well; you will still have a couple dozen or more problems (not big problems-just brain teaser problems) from your most humble beginning to the end of your swap. If you are not that familiar with auto mechanics then you have a huge learning curve; still, dont let this be a sole reason for walking away. Everyone starts at their own level and learns from that point onward. Go for it, just be aware that when you come upon a problem-it is not something that cant be resolved. I would suggest you ask around at school, ask your parents or friends (that you trust) who is mechanically knowledgeable as it is always a relief to know that someone who is helping has a working knowledge of auto mechanics. As far as which displacement; if you are not well accustomed to a "High Performance" engine, then start with a lightly modified Small Block; and I would suggest the Chevy since its been done and a kit is already available. Until you are accustomed to the "Power" of a truely high performance vehicle; power can be a deadly thing. Good luck and keep everyone apprised of your progress. Kevin, (Yea,Still an Inliner) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fl327 Posted July 20, 2002 Share Posted July 20, 2002 theres no set amount of money that can make this swap happen, it depends on what you want to do with it, people say the r200 can take 500hp, the mounts can take that too if they are fresh, but i have proven that with 250hp, you can bust an r200 wide open after defending my title as the king of illegal import and domestic street racing, time after time(those who know feel free to sing it with me) king baby, the king. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Anonymous Posted July 20, 2002 Share Posted July 20, 2002 For the sake of simplicity and possible mechanical inexperiece follow the JTR manual completely. READ it and reread it. Try to find a donar Chevrolet with good running engine and tranny. A 4 speed auto maybe more suited for it's easier installation as is wiring in a carb equipped engine. Keep it simple for now. At sixteen I was still having a hard time tieing shoe laces Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Anonymous Posted July 21, 2002 Share Posted July 21, 2002 I built my Z for $1500 total... here's how.. go find yourself a newspaper and look for a newly rebuilt chevy 350, perferably a 4 bolt engine for somewhere -$500. Then go to a junkyard nearby and find a chevy TH350 transmission ($100 - $150) *automatic* order the transmission mount($100) and v8 driveline($280 from MSI www.motorsportauto.com), pull the inline and drop in the smallblock, tranny and driveline. The standard Z radiator will not do, so you will need to look at obtaining a 70 - 80 GM radiator (with auto trans provisions($50 - junkyard) this equals out to about $1000 in total costs for motor, tranny and accessories, you will have a 240 - 280 hp v8Z for the price of a decent running stock Z, that could blow it away in *almost* all aspects of performance.. I use an automatic for ease... someday I will spend the big money for a T5/T56 and plumbing, but for a starter such as yourself, go auto.. u will be PLEASANTLY SUPRISED... trust me.. if you shop wise, you can probally do it for $700 not bad eh? this is the route I took... the JTR www.jagsthatrun.com manual is a good thing to have, I would pick one up, but I wouldnt buy the kit parts form JTR, too expensive... Junkyard what you can... GET A 4 BOLT MAIN! flux Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Anonymous Posted July 21, 2002 Share Posted July 21, 2002 Before I put any more money into it, if I were you I'd find out what the smog specs your going to need to meet now before you do anything else. Trying to retrofit things later is going to get expensive. While I love my chevy 240z swap if I had a small budget (which I now do, at the time I didn't) I'd just look for a turbo ZX motor and slap that in, with a intercooler and tweakin it a bit you can get good power and save alot of money and its a bolt in. But thats an opinion, good luck with it however you decide to go. Regards, Lone Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest bang847 Posted July 21, 2002 Share Posted July 21, 2002 or if your in california you can find a smog deliquent f-body for cheap... my buddy bought a 84 camaro with a 350 and a auto trans for 300 bucks.. and although that car was failing smog it could lay rubber down in first kicking that pedal.... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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