KraZeeZX Posted September 25, 2002 Share Posted September 25, 2002 Ok, well the time is slowly inching closer towards my engine swap! For those of you who dont know, I'll be putting a 1998 LS1 V8 into my 1991 300zx. Now I'm posting here to make sure I get all of the little odds and ends sorted out before the time comes to get down and work on my swap. I know you guys know just about everything there is to automotive mechanics so I feell this is the BEST and ONLY place that will be able to help me out. This is going to be the first ever swap of an LS1 into a Z32, so I am venturing into some pretty dangerous uncharted territory, that's where you guys come in! The entreprenuers of engine swaps and enlighteners of the unknown. I'm going to give you guys a list of what I have, what I'm going to buy, and what custom work needs to be done. Essentially, I need to have you guys look it over and see if I've left anything out and if so, tell me how I can get it accomplished. ------------------------------------------------- So here's where I stand... 1991 300zx NA w/~100,000 miles Here's what's coming out: - Engine w/ all belt-driven accessories & Tranny - ECU - Complete Intake - Radiator & Fans - complete exhaust - gauges - Fuel System (pump, filter, regulator, lines) ------------------------------------------------- Parts collected to use in my Z: - Complete 1998 LS1 V8 Engine w/ ~44,000 miles - 4L60E Automatic Tranny - 1998 Trans-AM ECM with wiring ------------------------------------------------- Parts that I am purchasing for the initial swap: - Custom engine and tranny mounts - Custom Driveshaft - Heads/Cam package - r230 rear diff. (if i can find one) - Full custom exhaust system - 3" Koyo Radiator - Some sort of fan (suggestions??) - Individual gauges for custom install (tach, speedo, fuel/temp) - Fuel pump, regulator, filter, SS braided lines - Battery moved to the trunk - B&M Megashifter Ok, that's what I have on my list so far. Does everything look ok? ------------------------------------------------- Now for a few questions that I am going to NEED some help with... - What am I going to need for ignition? Do I just keep the 300zx starter? I am clueless about this stuff so I need to know exactly what I would need to buy in order for this LS1 to start and power all the gauges, etc... ------------------------------------------------- - Will it be somewhat simple to wire in the gauges (probably mechanical unless someone on here says otherwise)? I need to know if I'll run into any problems with the fuel gauge/temp/tach/speedo and I'd need to find some sort of guide on how to do it. ------------------------------------------------- - Will that r230 rear end hold ~450rwhp/400rwtq?? ------------------------------------------------- My main concerns are with the electrical system. Wiring is definately not my strong point so any helpful information will be greatly appreciated. I plan to use the Trans-Am computer and just put it in the same place as the Z32 ECU. It appears that the AC/powersteering/wipers electronics are all held in a seperate control module near the ECU, but I could be wrong. What electronic components am I going to have to keep in the engine? What kind of wiring should I expect? ------------------------------------------------- Now I know some of you are probably shaking your heads and saying, "Geez, if he's asking us all of these questions, how does he ever expect to do this swap?" Well, that answer is simple, I'm hoping for some feedback from you guys! The swap should go smoothly until I get to the electronic part of it, then I'm hoping to either get lucky or have a friend of mine who owns a TT Z32 help me (he knows the Z32 inside and out). Well, please give me as much information and opinions as you can come up with! I REALLY appreciate it! Thanks so much! -Vann Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Phantom Posted September 25, 2002 Share Posted September 25, 2002 Questions: Are you replacing the gauges because you want to or because you think you have to? You don't have to replace the gauges. They can be adapted. If you're not an electronics guru that may be the safer route. What differential do you have now? A standard R200 will handle the HP & torques you are discussing. I thought the Z32 came with the R230 - or is that just the TT version? I'd do some careful measurements first and try to get a feel where the transmission shifter from the 4L60E will come up in the cabin You may not like the results. I'd also do a rough overall engine length & width measurement to get some idea of just how tight the fit will be for that 5.7L V-8 in the 3.0L V-6 compartment. I'm nervous just thinking about it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest the_dj Posted September 25, 2002 Share Posted September 25, 2002 I will be helping him. I keep telling him to get a beater car so when his car isn't running after a month of work, he can still get around. I know a lot about the electronics, so when we're doing that I'll be definately working there. I'm nervous too, but it'll be so nice to cruise next to another HybridZ for a change :thumbup: Sam Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
grumpyvette Posted September 25, 2002 Share Posted September 25, 2002 PLEASE TAKE LOTS OF PICTURES AND MEASUREMENTS don,t start doing the swap untill you have figured out everything that you can ahead of time, there will be plenty of things you forget to check that keep you buzy even then Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jeromio Posted September 26, 2002 Share Posted September 26, 2002 Please don 't put mechanical guages in there. I don't know much about the Z32, but I'm guessing it already has full electric guages - including Speedo. Buy a comprehensive Factory service manual for the Z. Get teh values that the guages are expecting. Get to be friends with John at Speartech (http://speartech.com). He and other knowledgable guys post occasinally at http://ls1tech.com in the conversions board. If you give him the info, I bet he can reprogram your LS1 PCM to output correct values to the guages. If you really just want afermarket guages (VDO, don't buy autometer junk), then just buy a set designed for 98+ FBody or Corvette. R230 will be plenty fine. In fact, I doubt the R200 would break. I would leave the rear alone until it Does break. Why not use the existing Z32 radiator and fans?? You use the LS1 starter. That question actually kinda worries me. There's no way you could use the Z32 starter. Unless you meant the ignition switch. In which case, I dunno - that actually IS a very good question. John will disable the theft stuff on the LS1, but you may have antitheft stuff built into that Z32 ignition switch. In which case, you can always just use a starter button. All the wiring for the LS1 stays. It's a separate harness, so, not too much of an ordeal. There are some extra wires, but, I don't think the weight savings warrants the time of pulling them out. As I said, you'll want to mail your PCM to John and have him do the swapper programming. Good luck. I think it'll be a terrific car when you're done. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KraZeeZX Posted September 26, 2002 Author Share Posted September 26, 2002 Ok, I wanted to replace the gauges because it seems like it would be a PITA to mate the hernesses of the Z32 gauge pod to the Trans-Am ECM. I guess I'll just stick with the r200 till it breaks like you all say. That's save me a little bit of money. Btw, the NA Z32's came with the r200, the TT's have the r230. As far as measurements go... the only thing I can see having trouble with MAY be the shifter placement.. as far as space for the LS1 in the engine bay.... there's plenty. That Z32 v6 is MONSTEROUS and takes up a vast amount of space. I've seen a few pics of a 350 sbc inside a z32 engine bay and oh man it was like a little dwarf gokart engine compared to the size of the v6. The LS1 isnt much bigger proportionally from a sbc 350 from information that I've gathered so far, so fitting it in shouldn't be an issue. The stock tranny is massive as well, so I'm pretty sure the 4L60E will fit just fine as well. I'll be sure to make measurements anyways just as a precaution once I get back home and have the chance. Sam keeps telling me to get a beater car, well... if you want to Sam, go ahead and spot me some dough for a car and insurance... geez. I don't have moeny to spend on a second car when I'm buying stuff to do an engine swap.. besides, you know how my parents are. Once I actually get the LS1 and my Z side-by-side I'll be sure to take TONS of pics and measure everything just right to avoid any pain after we get started. As far as gauges go... I didn't know that the ECM could be reprogrammed to accept the Z32 values so that may be a route to take.. however, my gauges are starting to fade and look nasty (some aftermarket white ones I bought with red characters are fading pink!!! I may also just find a Vette cluster and use that.. it'd look great as long as it fit in the dash. I've been wanting to upgrade my radiator anyways and I think the v8 is going to need more cooling. I didnt mean starter.. I was referring to the ignition switch.. I just dont know my terminology when it comes to ignition. Looks like I'll be sending the ECM to John at least to reprogram the theft stuff... if I ended up getting a gauge pod out of a corvette, would it still need to be programmed for the Z? Thanks for the help, this is great help guys! Keep it comin! :thumbup: -Vann Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
labrat Posted September 26, 2002 Share Posted September 26, 2002 Seems to me like the easiest way to use your stock guages would be to keep all the sensors/sending units from your current setup, and adapt them to the ls1 block. It is cheaper and easier to plumb in water temp sending units and oil pressure sending units than to figure out what kinda voltages the guages need and going from there. The speedo may be an exception, I believe on these later cars it is completely electronic, and has no provisions for a cable. Fuel level shouldn't be an issue, and neither should the volts/amps guage. Bill Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jeromio Posted September 26, 2002 Share Posted September 26, 2002 Yeah, I thought you might be talking about ignition switch. The vette gauge pod should work - or a set of aftermarket guages for a Camaro or Vette. Just be sure and let John know exactly what you are trying to do. Also, he can set the VSS (speedo) value from the PCM to match up with your rear gear ratio. For the shifter, is the Z an auto? You may be able to just use the current shifter if so. And don't under-estimate the fatness of that 4L60E. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KraZeeZX Posted September 26, 2002 Author Share Posted September 26, 2002 "For the shifter, is the Z an auto? You may be able to just use the current shifter if so. And don't under-estimate the fatness of that 4L60E." I currently have the 5-speed Manual Tranny, So that'll all have to change. Hehehe, I was waiting for you to mention something about the size of that tranny, I read on your site about how much of a PITA it was. Ok, so it looks like keeping the electronic gauges is definately the best route to take. If I decide to use corvette or f-body gauges, wont I have to get ahold of an entire cluster? I guess it'd be easiest to find one at a salvage yard. I'll probably end up shipping me ECM to John around thanksgiving so it'll all be ready to go in on Christmas break. I think the vette gauges will look awesome, not to mention the Chevy Flags, and the 200mph speedo! I've decided to wait on getting any performance parts into the engine until the entire swap is performed and is a success. Those Stage II heads and cam will probably go on during Spring Break seeing how I'll end up waiting on a list to get them from MTI anyway. BTW Jeromio, you do some amazing fabrication! Awesome job with your swap! Thanks again! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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