Guest Anonymous Posted August 8, 2002 Share Posted August 8, 2002 I have an 86 n/a 300z. It was my high school car and I admit i abused it. Now it is sittin in the backyard with a blown motor. For some reason it was running hot. Anyways to make a long story short, I have since decided that the car deserves to be reserected. The orignial motor is shot and out of the car, and I have had many people tell me that I should do a v8 conversion and that a chevy small block would do just fine. I was also told that I could drop in the 3.5 v6 from a Maxima. I prefer the v8 if it is possible. OK now the reason for this drawn out entry. Where do I start?? What do I do first?? Is there a book out there that explains this process?? If anyone could give my some specs, ideas, plans, suggestions or anything that could be useful please help, it would be much appreciated. Thank you Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest greimann Posted August 9, 2002 Share Posted August 9, 2002 There have been successful gen III conversions, but I don't know if any of those people are currently active on the list. They are a pretty rare conversion and there are no books that document the exact process. You are going to have to wing it for the most part. I would suggest pulling the old motor, document the wiring and getting a 350 chevy block (just the block for now) and go from there. Just fill in the space between the car and the motor mount with steel. Easy! Seriously, getting the block and transmission tied into the car is a big step, the rest is just wires and plumbing. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Anonymous Posted August 9, 2002 Share Posted August 9, 2002 I agree, its just a classic normal (haha like there is such a thing as normal) engine swap. I'd get the engine and trans myself, and you may just want to buy a engine hoist or find a place that'll let you have it for a week or something as your gonna go in and out of car a few dozen times before its in there for good. What your going to be looking for is clearance issues. Does the bellhousing area need clearancing, does the steering shaft look like its going to give you any chance of fitting a header of some sort or a stock manifold? Is the starter clearing the frame rail, is the pan missing the crossmember, is the harmonic balancer close to anything. All of those things you'll need to look at. Once you get it about where you want it, then you design the mounts. Sound like alot of work? You bet, sound like you'll need some fab skills? Absolutely. If your not scared off by any of that, then congrats your in the right place with a bunch of loony people who can't leave things stock. But on your own pretty much as mentioned its not a super popular swap, not impossible, but not popular and you'll be on your own probably to do it unless you can find someone who's done it. Good luck with it. Regards, Lone Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Anonymous Posted August 9, 2002 Share Posted August 9, 2002 Lone, I looked at an 85 300 this week that was w/out the engine and I think you would rather go through another divorce than do this swap. It is tighter than I origionally thought and I know I would make up lots of new cuss words before I got it done, that is IF I got it done. Anyone that pulls this swap off has my greatest respect. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Anonymous Posted August 9, 2002 Share Posted August 9, 2002 Really? That tight huh... Good thing the third gen is'nt my favorite body style. I've never seen under the hood of one, second gen yeah, last gen (before the new 350) yeah, but not the third. Maybe a ford would be easier, its narrower (but longer). Not that I want to do it, but I just gained posession of a late 60's 302 (and I'll have to see if he's giving me the 4 spd as well, if he does that would rock). Go through another divorce, man I'm not sure I'm ready for that yet haha.. I'm just looking for someone here to play house with haha. Regards, Lone Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest LuckiDawg Posted August 11, 2002 Share Posted August 11, 2002 Well got to say that I have a 86z with a 350 in it.I didn't put it in myself (just helped out),but it's not that bad.Took a whole day to get it in the car. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Anonymous Posted August 11, 2002 Share Posted August 11, 2002 Cool deal, do you have any pics and can you tell us what problems you had? All the details you can provide would be much appreciated. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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