Guest Anonymous Posted November 8, 2002 Share Posted November 8, 2002 I have an empty 83zx that I got for $400 and put the engine in my 240. Now what to do with the 83? So my son needs a car and I thought let's drop a 350 into it. So the plan is get a carbed 350 and a Sagenaw 4-speed. Why the 4-speed? My understanding is the T5 is not strong enough and the T56 is too expensive. Ok, on to the questions. I have a junkyard quoting mt $600 for a running 350, warrenteed for 30 days. Or $200 for a rebuildable core with no intake. Does this sound a bit high? Also $350 for the 4-speed tranny and $75 for the bell housing? Assuming the bell housing originally had a mechanical clutch linkage, how do you rig the clutch? Any other thoughts on this plan in general? Thanks, SoM PS, I will be using the JTR installation kit. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tim240z Posted November 8, 2002 Share Posted November 8, 2002 Welcome SoM, Just FYI, the JTR kit only works with the Z series cars, not the ZX. MSA has the mounts for the ZX, but apparently they are very easy to fab yourself. (I have no experience with the ZX conversion though). As for engines, you may want to keep an eye on the local classifieds and see what's available. Although the price quoted you is not bad, sometimes you can find really stellar deals from private parties or e-bay. I believe the World Class T-5 trannies will hold up fine if you don't hammer on them too hard. I would definitely recommend an overdrive tranny (5 or 6 speed)!! Hopefully Dave Greimann will pipe up here, he is our resident ZX conversion expert and has a gorgeous early ZX SBC conversion!! Tim Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Anonymous Posted November 8, 2002 Share Posted November 8, 2002 Hi Tim, thanks for the info on the JTR kit. They didn't reply to my son's email regarding zx compatability. I know what you mean about the overdrive but I'm sure this car will be going to the drag strip and I would end up breaking the T5, but I'd be happy to be convinced otherwise. I think the T5 would solve my clutch linkage issue. I haven't seen anything in the classifieds yet but I'm looking. Also I'll keep reading the old posts here to learn what I can from the experts. SoM Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tim240z Posted November 8, 2002 Share Posted November 8, 2002 Even though it's pricey....the T56 gives you the best of all worlds. Tim Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest greimann Posted November 8, 2002 Share Posted November 8, 2002 Like Tim says, the JTR kit wont work for the ZX. You really don't need kit parts if you have a hacksaw and drill press. The world class T5 will hold up just fine behind a ~400 ft-lb motor as long as you don't bolt up drag radials and snatch 5000 RPM launches. You will really appreciate the OD. You will have to use a hydraulic clutch setup, either a stock Chevy style with a 7/8" master cylinder, or go the route I did and get a Mcleod hydraulic release bearing kit from PAW. Either way, you will have to make an adapter plate to mount a new master on the ZX firewall. There are some pictures at the link in my signature. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Z-rific Posted November 8, 2002 Share Posted November 8, 2002 I was engine shopping just a few weeks ago, so I feel your pain. I ended up getting a 250 from a salvage yard for $450. This particular engine came from a wrecked truck. The owner of the truck was a friend of the guy at the yard. This enigne has a mild cam. The salvage yard is cleaning the engine, putting on some new seals, painting it, adding a Performer manifold and a Quadrajet. I think I found a good deal. They also guarantee it for a few months. Another yard wanted $650 for an older Vette engine. The other yards were all charging between $700 and $850 for a running 350. So I think the prices your getting are fair. 350's are becoming more sought after and the prices azre rising. Good luck. And did you ever think about an auto tranny for drag racing purposes? Much easier than installing a manual. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Anonymous Posted November 8, 2002 Share Posted November 8, 2002 First, thanks to everyone for their input. Interesting though that no one mentioned the Sagenaw tranny and it's good and bad points. I just can't afford a T56 at this point but you almost have me convinced to go with the T5, at least 'till I destroy it. (oops, it's my son's car isn't it ) Z-rific, I'm a bit disappointed to hear these are good prices. I guess these things are getting harder to find. As far as an auto goes, I just hate them for some reason. At this point now I'm thinking about another engine. My brother in law has a sbc 400 for $100. It needs a rebuild but is complete. Might be my cheapest option and a little bigger. I wonder if it weighs the same as a 350? Again, thanks all! SoM Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Anonymous Posted November 8, 2002 Share Posted November 8, 2002 Ok, Tim and Len, now we're talkin'! I'll get the 400 and rebuild it, put on a 4-bbl, and drop in the 4-speed. Hell, I love the 4-speed in my 240 with the E54 block and yeah, it's my summer commuter car, but I ran a 14.866 a couple weeks ago at the track. Now I just need to convince my son to forget the Z and leave it for me heh Next problem, who's used a Sagenaw and how to do the clutch... SoM Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest greimann Posted November 9, 2002 Share Posted November 9, 2002 That hydraulic release bearing that I mentioned before will work with that trans / clutch no problem. The only drawback is that a setup will bleed you for a little over $300, BUT, it is a real problem solver. You have to get a catalog from PAW at: http://www.pawinc.com/ Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RPMS Posted November 9, 2002 Share Posted November 9, 2002 Originally posted by Son of Magni:At this point now I'm thinking about another engine. My brother in law has a sbc 400 for $100. It needs a rebuild but is complete. Wow, that's a great price. Grab it and run! Around here, they're rare as hen's teeth. I've been quoted prices in the $500 range for an rebuildable shortblock, when I can find one. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tim240z Posted November 9, 2002 Share Posted November 9, 2002 SoM, Get the 400ci. As long as it hasn't been machined too far already, that's a steal. You might be able to get away with rings and bearings to 'freshen' it up. Get a cam, aluminum intake and a carb, and you're set. Down the road you can swap out the heads with aluminum ones too. The 400 block is the same physical size as the 350ci block. Tim Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fl327 Posted November 9, 2002 Share Posted November 9, 2002 get that car running with the Saggyknaw and carbed 350, shoot you got a 240z for commuting, get to racin. the saginaw will last longer than a t5-and you dont have to pay for it, you can do an od trans later, four speed man, ran that combo for three years-and loved every minute of that street action. bangem. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Anonymous Posted November 9, 2002 Share Posted November 9, 2002 If I can remember right there are other problems when going with the 400 instead of 350. A while back when I was searching for a donor car I found an older Chevy Caprice with a 400ci and before I bought it I asked folks on here about it. There seems to be a bit more that you have to do and that was with the Z not the ZX. It can still be done because several folks here have the 400Ci I'm just not sure what else you will have to do. I bought a running 76 Camaro with a 350 in it for $900. Took out the engine and sold the shell of the Camaro on ebay for $300. So I really paid about $600 for the engine but at least I got to drive the rust bucket Camaro for a few days and the 350 really ran great! Oh and I also kept the seats and mirrors that I will try to fabricte into my 75 V8. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Anonymous Posted November 9, 2002 Share Posted November 9, 2002 Yeah, thanks Greimann, I guess I have to order the catalog. Can you explain what this hyd. release bearing actually is? I'd just like to understand how it solves my problem. RPMs, yeah, consider it bought, but I don't know if I could run while holding it I just have to drive the truck out to NY which I probably won't do until Thanksgiving... ZLM, I can't think of what problems there could be since it's basically the same block. Can you remember what problems were mentioned? SoM Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Anonymous Posted November 9, 2002 Share Posted November 9, 2002 If I remember correctly it had something to do with how the 400 is balanced, externally I think Like I said some on here have done this so it can be done. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Anonymous Posted November 10, 2002 Share Posted November 10, 2002 The external balanced 400 SBC has a reputation for overheating which can be remedied by boring some steam vent holes in the engine. For 100 bucks.. I would be on that 400 like stink on a skunk.. Charlie.. I have my 350 fairly detailed out and will be installing soon. Griffin radiator mount fabricated too. Went with a Corvette aluminum drive shaft that needs to be heliarced now after shortened to 22.5 inches. The shaft should come under $100.00 with yoke and ujoints Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest greimann Posted November 10, 2002 Share Posted November 10, 2002 The throwout bearing IS the slave cylinder. This is what a hydraulic release bearing is: Release bearing The kit comes with the slave (shown) and a matched master cylinder. Notice that you don't need throwout arm and an external slave. Very compact package and has a nice responsive feel. More pix at my web site. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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