noob questions sorry

[Guest Tourniquet]

I love the styling of the z car but am sick of getting eaten up by z28's.

 

I have a 73 z with weber DGV carbs 2.5 exhaust and a mallory dist.

 

I am a cheap college kid and have this car at my parents house and plan to do a lot of work to it over the summer.

 

I would like do a v8 swap or turbo conv. I figure you guys have done them all, so i was wondering what the prices, labor, and results were like.

 

I am worried about the bulk of a v8 changing the cars handling characteristics and other stuff too much.

 

Thanks alot

[Tim240z]

Use the search function and ALL of your questions will likely be answered, or just browse through the Chevy V8 forum. Here is something to get you started. Bottom line: The V8 Conversion will not adversely effect handling as long as the heads and intake are aluminum, not cast iron:

 

http://hybridz.org/nuke/index.php?name=PNphpBB2&file=viewtopic&t=2722&highlight=handling

[Phantom]

I am a cheap college kid and have this car at my parents house and plan to do a lot of work to it over the summer.

 

This is the toughest part. Speed = $$. If money is really critical then you probably want to go the turbo L28 route and start with a stock 280ZX turbo motor - if you can find one.

If you have a decently equipped shop/garage and are really handy then other options become available. Definitely use the search option and spend a few hours diligently reading up on the options.

[RPMS]

I love the styling of the z car but am sick of getting eaten up by z28's.

 

I have a 73 z with weber DGV carbs 2.5 exhaust and a mallory dist./quote]

 

I dunno about the Mallory distributor, but the DGV's are going to cost you mucho horsepower. I've had two cars with 'em, and they both ran TONS better with stock SU's. If you're looking for the best bang for your buck, put a set of SU's and a MSD 6AL ignition box on your car and be amazed at how well the car can run bone stock.

 

If you have your heart set on upgrading, I'd suggest a smallblock Chevy. Normally I'd agree with Phantom, but in your case you'd have to swap wiring harnesses, add a computer, swap fuseboxes, sensors, etc. LOTS of work that a V8 doesn't require.

 

Cost? How much can you do yourself? I've put about $1,900 into my V8 260 (including the car), but I've done everything myself except for making the mounting kit. You could probably do the job with a rebuilt engine and tranny and JTR's conversion kit for about $3,000.

 

Good luck, and use the search function to spend HOURS reading this forum! So much good information is buried here, it's almost scary.

 

Welcome to the board!

[Guest Tourniquet]

Thanks for the input, I tried searching but sometimes the list of 1000's of results can be a little intimidating. I guess I should just narrow my searches down.

 

ok here we go!