Mounting TH-400? First Post!!! And a little backround!

[Guest V8Z-TEK]

I recently bought a 1971 240z from a co-worker for a decent price, 1200 bux. It already had a 81 turbo motor istalled backed by a 5-speed. This was all fine and dandy, the motor ran good about one day a week, and the turbo really peaked my interest for the few glorious hours that the motor actually ran decent. I was almost turning into an import guy, key word, almost. The motor pissed me off for the last time and with a quick hammer blow to that worthless Air Flow Meter, , the L28ET had seen its last moment in my car! So, in true "American motor head" fashion, i decided to go ahead and throw in a small bock chevy. Not too much those motors can do that can really confuse me. To my suprise i managed to sell the L28/5-speed for 700 bux and with that money i chased down a 69' 350 with double-hump heads and a th400 trans for just $400. , Now, ive been lurking the wonderfully bountiful depths of this site's search function for about 6 months now. I have yet to get some solid info on how i could slap that th400 underneath my Z. I know the th350 is about the same transmisson just a little smaller. Im going to be using the MSA kit to do my swap. Can i modify the th350 mount to accept my 400? Ive heard that the trans will fit just fine in the tunnel but where and how to get it in there is my question.

 

Thanks sooo much, this site is awesome! I promise not to write anything longer than this for the duration of my Hybridz fourm career. And ANY help is greatly appreciated, i know 10% of the people on this site answer 90% of the questions and they are awesome for doing that!!! Anywho, thanks for listening, i guess, and check out my other cars!! my frame off resto 1964 chevy c-10 truck and my next project: drum roll please.... 1957 chevy bel-air 2 door!!!!! And im only 18!! its a clinical illness i think!

 

http://www.villagephotos.com/pubbrowse.asp?selected=829254

[Mike kZ]

Welcome V8z-tek! Your posts can be as long as you want, don't worry about it. The reason you didn't find much on the turbo 400 is one, it's big, and two, it does not have overdrive. Most people here use an overdrive tranny because of the lack of low numerically gears that come stock in the Zs. I don't think you'll want a screaming Z on the highway. If you still want to use the TH400 with JTR mounts, you may have to hammer some of the tunnel, and I'm sure you can modify a turbo 350 mount. I would test fit the combo to see where to hammer.

 

Good luck!

[280Zone]

Note that he indicated "JTR". I would also recommend the "JTR" swap kit for the engine. You can get more details at http://www.jagsthatrun.com. The book is also a great place to start.

Welcome aboard.

[Turbo Meister]

I'm using a TH400 in my 72 and TT383 Chevy. I did not have to do any hammering in the trans tunnel but then I am using a full reverse valve body. I only cut out the ears in the tunnel for more clearance. The trans mount is a JTR mount and you just bolt it to the underside of the car in whatever position you want the trans to be installed. Good luck with your project!!

Hanns