Guest Anonymous Posted October 22, 2002 Share Posted October 22, 2002 Minium? Engine, trans, radiator, driveshaft, drive shaft flange, assorted nuts and bolts, wiring, beer and snacks. If you can run the car to a close muffler shop with headers then you can get a system thats tucked up close and doesn't drag. A good idea for a budget swap, is locate a camaro with the motor of your choice (even a 85-86 tpi would be ok in budget swap) and strip the car and drop it all in the Z. Thats probably the most economical way to do it on the cheap as you get all the good stuff for reasonable. Cheap camaro's in the 70's - 80's can be had pretty reasonable. Dont forget other donors, malibu's, chevelles, trucks etc, but buying a whole car gets you everything you need in one fell swoop. Just an idea of course, good luck. Regards, Lone Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest y2khayabusa Posted October 22, 2002 Share Posted October 22, 2002 JTR sells the whole kit for about $300. Once you get that kit, everything else can be found on a donor car, Good luck! and have fun! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Anonymous Posted October 23, 2002 Share Posted October 23, 2002 Removal of the Datsun transmission mount from the tunnel can be a problem and cost time if done improprly. Use an air chisel and attack the mount itself leaving the thin spot welded flange attached to the tunnel. If you try to remove the entire flange by seperating the spot welds from the tunnel the chisel will penetrate the floor board "many" times. About 15 minutes to air chisel it off. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DavyZ Posted October 23, 2002 Share Posted October 23, 2002 If you can make the JTR kit yourself, do it---you'll save over $200. However, if time is at all an issue, buy it from them or from someone off of ebay. Davy Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Z-rific Posted October 23, 2002 Share Posted October 23, 2002 First, let me say that I have the JTR book and have gone through it a few times, so i am failry familiar with the V8 swap. Let's say, hypothetically, I have a 350 with a TH350 from a late 70's Chevy. I'm looking to see whats the bare minimum necessary to drop this engine into a 78 Z. (Not a daily driver). Here's the deal. I have a mechanic who is a whizz at pulling/installing engines. I want him to do the install and to get the motor running. From there, I can work out the peripherals (gauges, radiator, etc.) So what do I need to get him? Should I get the motor mounts (thanks to you guys I have part #'s), spacers and brackets from the JTR guys, trans crossmember and what else? (I'd rather order spacers and brackets as opposed to him fabricating, as he is very slow and costly at this). So what i'm looking for, is for you guys who have done this to tell me what's the minimum necessary to get the car running, so I can at least get it to a muffler shop or tire shop. I know the conversion isn't easy or cheap, and I will spend a good bit of time working out the details. I'm just looking to get it running as fast as possible. Thanks for any wisdom. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Z-rific Posted October 23, 2002 Share Posted October 23, 2002 So the bare minimum would be....(?) Enigne Transmission Motor mounts....$60 Set back plates....$35 Spacers....$25 Trans. crossmember....$60 Driveshaft adapter....$49. I know there will also be a ton of minor charges to go with this, but I'm trying to get a ball park idea of what I need to get my mech. to start. Thanks a bunch Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Anonymous Posted October 23, 2002 Share Posted October 23, 2002 To me a bare bones would be: set back plates and spacers,GM pick-up motor mounts and tranny cross member and transmission mount. That way your bare essentials can be installed : motor and transmission. The drive shaft adapter can be had locally for less from a parts house or driveline shop (Neapco (brand name) N2-899-1) I got mine for $32.00.. The GM drive shaft will need shortening and balanced to about 23.5 inches (measure about 10 times and cut once and costs plus or minus $100.00 varies widely..you have time to shop for this.) The 1/2 inch spacers to raise the body off the front cross member can be made easily. My JTR diagram was not to scale so I used the OEM two hole washer plate as a template on 1/2 inch aluminum to locate the mounting holes (simple fabrication). The set back plate spacers are difficult to fabricate out of aluminum due to thickness and avaialibilty/price. and the JTR ones are great. JTR Radiator mount dimensions were not to Griffin radiator specs. You will need some kind of GM radiator and the JTR radiator recomendation is no longer produced on the after market circuit. Member "Grog" reports that a 1977-78 Pontiac brass/copper radiator is the same as the required extinct aluminum 1984-86Camaro. You can get a smaller capacity Camaro radiator. I made my mount for the Griffin and it requires special top and lower channel mounts with rubber insulators labor intensive). Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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