stjoetalon Posted November 27, 2003 Share Posted November 27, 2003 I already have a buick 455 and a turbo 400(for now). I am looking for 11's and a good start on a track car. I have budgeted myself 3-4k to do this. Think I can get a Z, and all the necessary parts to make this happen? My only demands are a cage and fuel cell. I can do the mechanical work and body work. I am just going to black primer it unless I can find one with nice paint. I have never welded a cage, but I might give it a try. Heres what I am trying to budget. 500-1k -engine tranny parts 500-1.5k -complete rolling chassis(depending on condition) whatever is left- for misc items(cage/subframe conn. material, cell, slicks, guages, relocate battery, mounts, suspension, misc items) So, do you think it is viable? Do you think a mostly stock 455(factory rated at 360/510) could drag the Z to 11 second quarters? I saw that some of you guys have thousands and thousands of dollars wrapped up in your cars. Im not looking for a show car by any means. Im perfectly fine with rollin around in primer! I know there are thousands of variables, but is this something I should consider? I dont want the car on jack stands for years because I ran out of cash. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest 81na ZX Posted November 27, 2003 Share Posted November 27, 2003 If you can get a Z down to ~2300lbs, You could run an 11 flat with only 345hp. I bought my ZX for $500. But it started out weighing 2800lbs. Earliers are lighter. So lets budget it like this: Rolling Chassis: 500 JTR setup (MSA bought): 530.95 Radiator: $200 V8 + trans: $0 misc little parts: $200 Headers + Custom exhaust: $200+200 That'll get you a preatty much rolling car for $1830.95, and if its a 240Z @ about 2400lbs, your looking at almost your goal. That'll leave you with $2165.05 for a cage and go faster parts. Or you can up the car purchase price... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest zfan Posted November 27, 2003 Share Posted November 27, 2003 Build a solid bottom end yourself to save the cash for other add ons and after that give her a small shot of Giggle gas 11's should be no problem after that. Mike Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest HBskinheadZ Posted November 28, 2003 Share Posted November 28, 2003 Take your estimate and add at least 30%-50%, if you find a good doner car it is possable but the little things add up quickly. Get to your local salvage yards, pick a part can save you alot of $ if you know what you are looking for. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
staledale Posted December 11, 2003 Share Posted December 11, 2003 11 sec with the big Buick isn't that hard to reach. Save the $530.95 on the JTR motor mount kit, it won't work with the Buick. It isn't that hard to make simple chassis mounts that will use the cross bolt motor mounts. Have a crude set that came on a parts car that I'll try to get pictures of to give you an idea. They would work on all GM's with a little time,torch,welder,and the tape measure. Headers might be the biggest problem, don't know if anyone makes shortys for the Buick, the stockers might work. Course that $530 you saved buy making your own mounts will get the right stuff to change the steering shaft. I'll try to get pictures of those mounts, they are simple!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cobraz240z Posted December 11, 2003 Share Posted December 11, 2003 i know a guy who had a 280z gutted out with a junkyard 350 with ported camel backs and victor jr intake and a holley 750 carb and a good cam and he would run 10s he had it on a bottle NOS a stock r200 with slicks he spent less than 3000 im sure he would go through motors like once a month but a junkyard motor is only 80 bucks if you pull it out so its not that bad there is a 240z around where i live in ventura county california for like a 1000 buck the tags are up to date and it run let me know if you want me to show it to you if youre around this area Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stjoetalon Posted December 11, 2003 Author Share Posted December 11, 2003 Thanks guys. I have been doing a lot of research lately. There is a local guy that is running 10.50's with a bottle fed 406(had a 350 and 383 all into the 11.0-10.7 range) He is on a stock r200 as well. Many 1.4-1.5 short times. I have taken a lot of pointers from his car. I still havent found a donor car as of yet, but I have started getting parts. I might have a 700r4 in my posession shortly, and I got my tranny cooler. I am working on getting the material I will need for the cage and subframe connectors. I decided to mount the 455 using plates. Headers will be tough though. I might have to use the stock manifolds Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pop N Wood Posted December 11, 2003 Share Posted December 11, 2003 Installing a big block in a Z is no simple feat. In the one write up I have seen on big block Z's the guy moved the fire wall back 6 inches to accomodate that much motor. JTR is not applicable with big blocks. You might want to do quite a bit more research before attempting such a project with such a low budget. Maybe the cheapest route is to trade the buick for a small block then building it up like people said. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stjoetalon Posted December 12, 2003 Author Share Posted December 12, 2003 Was that a Chevy? The Buick 455's dimensions and weight are pretty similar to a SBC(~+50 lbs, and about +2" L,W and H). Plus, it has a front mounted distributor. JTR is out the door, obviously. But I believe this is a VERY do-able project. With some aluminum goodies, I should be as light if not lighter than a stock SBC. http://www.wagoneers.com/FSJ/tech/Engines/swapchart.html Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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