Guest jc280zxt Posted November 19, 2003 Share Posted November 19, 2003 I am starting my 280zxt project. It is going to be a daily driver and not a high HP car. I have and read the JTR book on V8 conversion. I have done a pretty good amount of research on this site and have gathered some great information. I have a rust free (California) 280zx Turbo GLX that I bought without a motor. I have a 1985 Z28 that I am getting the 305 TPI / 700R4 from. I am junking the Z28 so anything I need I will use. A couple of brief issues so far. 1) My car has power rack in it. I live in Indiana (no smog laws) and will be removing the smog equipment including exhaust manifolds. I will use a ramhorn exhaust on the passengers side. Has anyone found a good manifold for the drivers side with the power rack in it? Looks like that a rams horn that point toward the rear might work. 2) My car was a turbo model and has functional vents in the hood to help remove heat. I have the like new turbo/automatic radiator from this car and the large electric fan from the Z28 (that radiator is way to long to fit). With the mild 305, what are the possiblities that it will cool it? I can go with the griffin/taurus set-up but if what I have will cool it, I can not see spending the money. The air conditioning will be removed for now and maybe reinstalled later since the car has T-tops. I will probably add an extra trans cooler. 3) I am thinking about using the MSA motor and tranmission mounts to save time. Will these cause oil pan clearance problems with the power rack? I have the Chevy mounts from the Z28 but no Nissan motor mounts. Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated. I will be using this site as I go for information as I go. I hope to take some pictures as I go to post. Thanks!!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
80LS1T Posted November 20, 2003 Share Posted November 20, 2003 1) My car has power rack in it. I live in Indiana (no smog laws) and will be removing the smog equipment including exhaust manifolds. I will use a ramhorn exhaust on the passengers side. Has anyone found a good manifold for the drivers side with the power rack in it? Looks like that a rams horn that point toward the rear might work. Well since I have the big gear box type steering I dont know if it will work but the stock LT1 manifold for the drivers side works on my car? 2) My car was a turbo model and has functional vents in the hood to help remove heat. I have the like new turbo/automatic radiator from this car and the large electric fan from the Z28 (that radiator is way to long to fit). With the mild 305, what are the possiblities that it will cool it? I can go with the griffin/taurus set-up but if what I have will cool it, I can not see spending the money. The air conditioning will be removed for now and maybe reinstalled later since the car has T-tops. I will probably add an extra trans cooler. Are you planning on rebuilding the engine? I think it should cool the stock 305. If not then you could always upgrade to a 2 speed Taurus fan later. I am using a Griffin 26"x19" aluminum radiator, 1 speed Taurus fan, and a electric water pump for my LT1 280ZX and it stays below 210* in traffic and 180*-190* at cruising speeds. I could actually get it to stay cooler because I have my fan set up with an adjustable temperature controlled relay but 210* is good for me! 3) I am thinking about using the MSA motor and tranmission mounts to save time. Will these cause oil pan clearance problems with the power rack? I have the Chevy mounts from the Z28 but no Nissan motor mounts. I used the MSA mounts in my car and I dont think it will be an issue for you even though you have the power rack. I could take a pic for to show you the clearance if you want? The only draw back is that if you want to take the oil pan off you have to lift the engine up a little bit to clear the bottom of the internals of the engine. I will warn you though, if you have any fabrication skills just make the motor mounts and tranny mount...they are waaaaaaaaaaay over priced if you ask me! I learned the hard way ! Hope that helps! Guy Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest jc280zxt Posted November 20, 2003 Share Posted November 20, 2003 Thanks Guy! I am going to do a minor rebuild because the motor only has 80,000 miles on it. (bearings, oil pump, gaskets, valve seals, etc.) I do not plan on boreing it out unless I have to once I take it apart. Basically keep it stock. I was looking at the manifold last night on the drivers side (the engine is not out of the car yet). It looks to be simular to a rams horn but exits more toward the back from center. I think it will probably work because the exhaust would run between the engine and the steering shaft. I have thought about making my own mounts and may do that. They look easy enough to do. I am going to try the radiator/fan combo that I have and see how it works. I can always change it later. I too think it will work. Thanks again!! NICE CAR!!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest 280ZXT83 Posted March 2, 2004 Share Posted March 2, 2004 Hey JC, Are you far enough along in your project to have an opinion on shifter kit options. I've been digging around to see how the ZX conversion guys have conquored this, but have not seen a ton of success stories one way or the other. Curious as to what your thoughts are on this. I'm heading in to my 2nd year on this project, so I'm looking for some shortcuts, if you or somebody else has any. Time to get the beast on the road. THANKS! JP Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
danc Posted March 3, 2004 Share Posted March 3, 2004 I'm running a B&M Megashifter 700R4 Console model 82-92 Camaro/Firebird. Looks factory and it fits in the middle of the ZX 5 speed console. I made a "plate" out of wrinkle finish black plastic to cover the void and it is the same material as the B&M.. The only thing I had forgotten about B&M is they are a little quirky and overkill on the reverse handle lock-out, and they could shift a little smoother too. I've gotten used to it and I'm not going to throw it away or anything.. Made the brackets for the mount on the rear tail shaft and had to "massage" the left exhaust pipe a tad, but it fits great... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
80LS1T Posted March 4, 2004 Share Posted March 4, 2004 Hey sorry I didnt answer your post! I didnt get the email that you answered me back? As for the shifter... I have a manual tranny so this wasnt something I had to deal with...off hand I cant think of anyone with a ZX that has a manual tranny? Im sure there is but I just cant think of anyone? Something that works in the Z will probably be pretty close for the ZX. How far a long are you now? I will be painting my soon! Just waiting for the salt to get off the roads so that I can take it over and get the body kit put on then its off to the paint booth! Guy Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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