1986 Turbo Z31 to V8 conversion

[Guest TigerZ31]

Hi Guys.

I've already searched out all the stuff I could find here on your site and other sites, like z31.com

(just so I don't take too much of a raz from the sysops)

 

What I'm really interested in is getting ahold of the pictures for all the old links that are bad from the SteveR and Darthmentos project, or any other links/ tips that might be usable for me. It seems like their project may have died in the making, couldn't find anywhere where they said they finished it.

 

I didn't see alot of z31 conversions mentioned, other than the ones by the names mentioned above.

 

Here's the scoop:

I own an '86 300zx turbo, engine had some kinda bad internal crunchy sound going on, was tired when I bought it, now it won't even start.

 

It's been parked for 2 years, because I didn't have time, place or money to work on it. Now I own a (semi)successful business, so i'm ready to do something with it.

 

I also own my old 'Chevy Dawg', a 1978-81 chevy malibu that I put an 86 camaro 305 and T5 borg warner trans in. It's had all kindsa various other trannys and engines in and out of it since I bought it when I was a teen.

 

So I was standing there looking at them the other day, When a brick dropped out of the sky and hit me in the head:

Zcar Needs V8!

So I started researching it on the web and found you guys, jagsthatrun, and z31.com and a few other sites. I also found a few pics on Ebay of z31's with V8s, but they were hack-jobs. Seems like 99% of all the coversions are the older Z's, Pre 1984. Now I'm a pretty handy guy when it comes to fabrication, tinkering, machining, welding, electronics, and "General McGyvering". Plus, a friend has given me access to his shop and tools (for up to 1 year) in trade for the body of the malibu.

 

Here's THE PLAN:

Drop the 305 into the Z, with plan to upgrade to a 383 stroker or possibly a 400 SBC later. Both cars already have a T5 tranny in them, so other than cooling and clearance issues around the exhaust/steering area, should be a snap.

The car will be used for Bracket Drags or SCCA type stuff, so I'm really not worried about the Smog/ EPA issues. I'm also taken by the pro-stock hood scoop look, so I'm not worried if I have to come up thru the hood.

 

I do have a couple of questions:

 

I called JagsThatRun and asked about the book. The lady said it didn't really talk about converting the later model Z's, and didn't know of any information or websites that could help. She seemed like she just wanted to get off the phone.... So for those of you who have bought the book: I've done motor/tranny swaps and had to modify a few things like the driveline, hydraulic clutch, etc when I put the camaro motor and tranny into the malibu. It was mostly issues with the tranny on back. Is there any info in the book, and should I get it?

 

Does anyone know how many splines are on the 86 Z turbo's input shaft?

I remember when I blew my first T5 tranny up in the malibu, I bought another one, and found out that it was from a V6 camaro, which has like 11 tooth splines. Fortunately, the guy took it back and gave me back my cash.) Then I got the correct replacment tranny which has (I believe) about 26 teeth spline. It would be nice to know I have a backup tranny if I need it.

 

SteveR or Darthmentos : If iether of you are still on this website, can you contact me at at joblo2u@yahoo.com - I would like to hear if you guys ever finished your conversion, and any problems or tips you can give (and also the pictures if you still have them)

 

Also any of the other names I came across while reading steveR's notes, If you guys have or are working on this conversion, drop a note to my email, as I could use any tips/pics/etc.

 

I plan to document the whole process and upload pics as I go, at least until I get it running and driving. Then I'll probably be too busy driving with a big grin on my face to sit at the computer!

 

Thanx, Great Website, and I'll check back in a day to see if anyone's responded.

[JKDGabe]

I believe the search function on this site is down right now so just look back on the pages in this forum for this topic. Here's a couple.

 

http://hybridz.org/phpBB2/viewtopic.php?t=29662

 

http://hybridz.org/phpBB2/viewtopic.php?t=266

 

That was down to page 5 at that point so start at 6, I'm fairly sure there's more.

 

One thing though, I would NOT use the t5 that's in the Z now, go with one that came behind a V8 as it's rated for the torque and will last alot longer.

[Guest thomasat]

JkD Gabe

occupation: sandblaster painter welder sociologist marxist ?

[JKDGabe]

I study society only to a small degree and am violently opposed to marxism. This is not the forum for this discussion though, pm me or post in the Non Technical forum.

[Guest SteveR]

Nope, never finished mine. I still have everything waiting to be done. I just don't have any money to spare for it nowadays. Soon enough I'll get started on it again.

 

Don't even bother with the existing T5, the Z31 turbo guys blow those things to shreds and they don't have the torque down low like a V8. Nevermind that the splines don't line up anyway. Use your T5 and just fit the chevy slipyoke to the old driveshaft. Should work, although I never got that far on my own.

 

Please share your project, so far there haven't been any z31 conversions documented other than just a few final pics.

 

My old pics aren't much to see, basically we just welded some plates off of the original mounts to have a place to bolt some chevy rubber mounts. I may cut those out though, and try to get the engine lower when I start on it again.

 

Since I haven't been working on my project for so long, I've had a lot of ideas brewing around my head. Sometimes I think, I'll just rebuild the old V6 and turbo that. Or get rid of the 305 for a 350, or put the 305 in and turbo it. DOH! day dreaming carries me away when I can't get in there and actually work on it.