Guest Anonymous Posted November 17, 2000 Share Posted November 17, 2000 Hey everyone, I'm Richard and I am a new Z car owner in SC. I know I'm gonna hear a lot about how I should have done the work myself, but to be honest, I needed a daily driver since my 93 RX-7 just got wrecked and I knew the V8Z would satisfy my need for acceleration Anyway, I'm a new V8 260Z owner. I bought the car yesturday and would like to find out some answers to my questions. First of all, it's a 350 with TH350 tranny on the stock 260Z radiator and diff... The radiator is partially clogged and the car is starting to overheat. (233F) It heats up at idle and heats up on the highway, but loves 40mph (210F). The speedo doen't work. The tranny shifts way too early because it's getting cooked by the fluid being in the radiator... (I believe the tranny cooler is in the radiator on the stock 260). The original owner who put the V8 in used the bad motor mounts and there is no room for a bigger radiator. My question is really do I need a new tranny? redo the mounts? big radiator? etc. I think if I need a new tranny, I will go with the 5spd. Is it a good idea to do the tranny, motor mounts, hood release, radiator, rear end, radiator, and driveshaft at the same time or separate. It seems like a hell of a lot of money to spend when you first buy the car, but it's overheating and it looks like all this is interlaced. I guess the guy who did it didn't research the swap very well, but I wanna fix it. I shift from first at 2500, from second at 2800 and 3rd winds out so bad on the interstate I'm scared it's gonna pop, I think this is why the tranny is gone, but the R200 would be something I'd do at the same time... But from the low end considering I haven't seen anything, these cars are amazing!!!! I just want it to run right. I would appreciate any advise, thank you very much!!! Pics of my car are at www.dodgeviper.net/260z ------------------ Will always be a rotorhead at heart, but V8 Zs are straight line monsters! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Anonymous Posted November 18, 2000 Share Posted November 18, 2000 You'll hear this repeated again no doubt. Get the JTR (Jaguars that Run) book on the swap. You can look at they're website at www.jagsthatrun.com. The JTR plans in the book has plans for the mounts depending on your ability fabricating metal(or pre-made mounts you can buy from them as well). The JTR setup moves the engine back some 3-3.5 inches and will restore the weight distribution. You'll gain alot of space up front that way and leave room for more radiator. The 260z radiator is not sufficient even if it was cored out and perfect, it just wasn't designed for that much thermal output from the engine. There are alot of choices for radiators, many use the griffin aluminum radiator, there are some stock chevy radiators that could work (and any number of other solutions). Do a search on radiators on this site and you'll no doubt get all the info you want. The same with electric fans, theres numerous ways to go there, OEM fans from newer cars, or aftermarket. The transmission is another story. And its one I won't attempt to say which is best, but a good number of people feel a overdrive transmission is the way to go. If you currently have a TH350 in the car, then the next logical step would be either a built 200r/4 transmission, or a 700r/4 trans (and even the 700 might be performance enhanced depending on your horsepower output). Both of these options will work and will give you a cruising RPM you can live with. The driveline obviously will need to be shortened and I'm sure there are a few other small details you'll have to contend with. If this all sounds like to much work, or to expensive, at least consider the electric fan and a alternate radiator to what you have now, your Z will thank you. Oh well, as usual I have rambled on, but welcome and your on probably the best site to answer your Z-8 questions. These guys are sharp around here. Respectfully, LoneHDrider Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
John Scott Posted November 18, 2000 Share Posted November 18, 2000 Welcome to the site and congrats. on your find. Sorry to hear about the Rx7. Great cars! Fist of all get the Z v8 conversion bible the JTR manual. You might as well take care of all the little problems at once. Getting the engine back to the firewall will give you way better balance, near the 50/50 mark. If you're planning on much highway time look seriously at the overdrive trasmissions availible. The T5 will hold in mild v8 applications, but doesn't last under drag style launches or shifting. Consider using the T56 since it is really strong, and can be found in two versions, 400/450 ft/lb torque and an aftermarket with 400 ft/lb rating. The aftermarket uses the T5 bellhousing and is a simple swap. They cost more than the T5 but you can run more power through them w/o worry. Also the 700R4 has a good .7 overdrive. Look for the later versions 87-up, from z28 or vette as they have the 4th gear that stays in at full throttle. You might as well get it set up right. You'll be amazed at how capable Z8s ( and super/turbocharged 6s) are in every performance aspect. There are plenty of hot dog handling Zs out there. Just need the right parts. Hope you can take a little banter on the Viper! Since they (the later ones with the V10 have such a strong performance reputation, many of us would love to have the opportunity to run against one. Again, Welcome. You'll find good people here with good advice on nearly any subject. JS [This message has been edited by John Scott (edited November 17, 2000).] Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mikelly Posted November 18, 2000 Share Posted November 18, 2000 Before I get to carried away... Welcome. Now, go buy yourself a nice Griffen 19X26 2 row 1inch or 1 & 1/8inch tube radiator! It will be a much better way to cool that puppy down. Second, the only reason to build a V8 Z instead of buying one already done is the fact that so few exist, and some of us are to anal to trust anothers work, or we love to tinker, or all three! Bottom line is who cares how you got the car! Glad you got it and glad you found us! You will learn lots here! Mike ------------------ "I will not be a spectator in the sport of life!" mjk Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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