help a newbie get started

[Guest Anonymous]

Sup?

I've been silently watching this forum for about two weeks now, and i've finally decided to start asking questions for my application. I know this is a really long post, so even if you don't answer all of the questions any feedback or suggestions where to find good detailed information would be appreciated!

I'm selling my car.. after i purchase a daily driver i sould have about $10k left over to work with. I'll actully probably have more free, but i'm trying to be conserative. Before i start asking questions i'll set my goals:

First of all i want a car that can handle. I love AutoX. I also want a car that does fairly well on the highway. I'm not expecting to have the best of everything, but it woul be nice to be able to hit somewhere in the 155-170 range. Finally, I don't personally think low 12s is all that much to ask considering the potenial power to weight ratio of these cars. oh yeah, and to make it really hard, get around 20-24mpg highway, reliably.

 

I obvious am planning on dropping a chevy 350 in (although i am open to other suggestions if that's not the best motor for the application). I understand that this will make the front heavier, but i figure going with alum. heads and an upraded ratiator will help reduce weight. Then move the battery to the back will even out the weight more. I plan on putting a sinle sub in (taken out of my old car), so that will also put another little bitty bit of weight over the rear wheels. I was thinking i'd try to run a 125 shot or 150 shot of NO2, so i'm planning on doing forged pistons and rods, and i already metioned going with aftermarket heads. If do this which Pistons, Rods, Heads, etc.. should i get? What compression ratio should i look to have in the end? I don't want to rely on the NO2.. i want it to be something nice to use when i'm at the 1/4 or if i'm on the highway and i need just a little boost to squeeze past someone. I have no problem shooting a smaller shot to go faster NA, however i am on a budget and NO2 is a very cost effective power adder.

So assuming i stay with the chevy 350 idea.. the next question is fuel delivery. Go with a Carb or go with fuel injection? I understand a carb is easier to tune and will be an easier swap since the car didn't come with FI. I will admit i know damn near nothing about Carbs (but i'm a very quick study if someone will teach me). Will using a carb be better for NO2? or will it even make a differnce? Which is better for gas milege? This isn't going to be my main car, but it will definatly be driven often so i will need at least some amount of fuel effiency when i can help it.

Next question: The drivetrain. Part by part. MT only, automatic is not an option even if that means i'm slower. I have been -drooling- over the T56 tranny. my good friend let me take his 2000 SS around town, and i decided that tranny was sexy for real though, i like the shorter gearing with the long 6th for fuel economy. It's also very good for holding torque so it won't be an issue later (would it be if i had a differnt tranny?). I understand putting that tranny into a 280z is quite a task, so i question if it's worth the effort not to metion the cost of the conversion to electronic gauges. Would it be cheaper to go with an older tranny and have it rebuilt? Next is the rear end. I know nothing about rear ends. I was thinking that if i ran the t56 i'd run 3.9 gears in the back, but if i'm not sure what i'd run if i do something else. I need as much help as possible here. What will i need to do in the way of LSDs? Axels? etc?

Ok, i have all this power and i'm putting it to the rear wheels (like God intended).. what can i do to keep from destorying my frame? What sort of things should i look for when purchasing a Z to make sure the frame will take the power? what things can i do to help reinforce the frame?

Along with chassis stiffness comes the suspension (and brakes). As i said in the start, i love autoX.. a car that handles well is a friend of mine. I would like to put very adjustable coilovers on the car. I'm not so much worried about lowering the car as it always looks sexy, but more in the handling charateristics. It would be nice to have 5-16 way ajustable spring rate and ajustable camber. I'm not sure if these come on most coilover setups for Zs or not. I know people with Tien coilovers on their cars and they do very well for a reasonable price; i'm pretty sure i read the made a product for Z cars. Is it good? how expensive is it? who makes aftermakert anti sway bars, strut bars, etc..? Also who make rollcages for Zs? If i break into the 11s (which i really still don't think is unreasonable) i'm going to need to have a cage. I'm also going to need to upgrade the brakes. Any suggestions for which brakes to go with?

Now to the rims and tires. I already know what tires i want to roll on, but i'm not sure what size rims and tires fit inside those fenderwells. What size rims/tires are people running? i was hoping to be able to put 17s with 245s in the front and 275s in the back.. if i can go bigger all the better.

For the inside of the car my only question is gauges. how hard are gauges to deal with? which gauges will need to be replaced and which can stay stock? Can i keep all the stock gauges and use converters behind the dash to keep a semi stock gauge look? Are there nice aftermarket gauge kits?

Finally: now that i've ask a million questions i have only a few left...

When the time comes to purchase a Z i'm looking for a 260/280. Is there a year, trim, etc that i ought to look for? easier fit? better rear end? more parts that don't have to be replaced? Should i buy one that already has the swap done and yank the motor out to work on it or buy with with the stock motor? I'm looking to be as cost effective as possible, so i, although it would be nice to see the project from start to end, i can stand to have the motor previously swapped in as long as it is done right.

Thanks again for any help!

if you want to chat with me to answer any of my questions my AIM screanname is NotSilentAnymore.

 

p.s. if i get a lot of responses and the admin has the power, this would make a great FAQ post.

[DavyZ]

Too many questions, so I'll break this down for you: (not trying to be unfriendly; just advice)

 

1) Buy the JTR manual

2) 280Z with LT1 6 speed

3) Use the 'search' function on this forum to find answers to all your questions. After searching and reading, then is a better time to ask specific questions in their respective forums.

4) Good luck

 

Here is a site to help you get started: Modern-motorsports

 

Davy

[deMideon]

Wow, alot of questions that are hard to answer. Most of the questions are personal preference. For example: I autoX but I prefer my suspension to be setup with lighter springs and heavier sway bars. I ended up getting custom sway bars that are heavier than normally available. I also am using a destroked 400 (377). More expensive for the block but a much better engine. I'll be able to make a reliable 450 hp. I am also going with a 280Z. I live in an area where the emissions allow me to use it with no problem. It is also built much heavier than the 240Z. I am still reinforcing the frame rails, but it gives me a better platform.

 

The best advice I have is read as many of the posts here and you should be able to get an idea of what you are looking for and that will tell you what to do!