Guest jeremyvaldez Posted August 24, 2004 Share Posted August 24, 2004 yesterday i blew the engine on my 81 280zx n/a 5 speed and now am planning on doing the v8 conversion. Someone over at zcar.com told me that you can just use the stock engine mount locations on a zx because the engine bay is longer can anyone confirm this? I was also told from the same guy that 350 chevy can use the same mounting holes. I know i will need to order the turbo 350 crossmember. I know this has been covered but i tried the search feature and couldnt find a true answer. Anything else i need to know before i take on the task Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
spdsk8r Posted August 24, 2004 Share Posted August 24, 2004 Check my page below to see how I handled the mounting in my ZX. It was quite simple. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest jeremyvaldez Posted August 24, 2004 Share Posted August 24, 2004 Hey thanks for the pictures but how did you make your engine mounts and tranny mounts Please let me know i am dying to do this now. thanks Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest jeremyvaldez Posted August 24, 2004 Share Posted August 24, 2004 Can I use a turbo 350 tranny for the swap? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
spdsk8r Posted August 24, 2004 Share Posted August 24, 2004 For dimensions, follow the JTR manual (HybridZ Bible) for the spacer thickness, remember to add thickness of setback plates to thickness of spacers. I fabricated spacers and used mounts specified by JTR. For trans mount I used ZX crossmember, mounted to trans with Chevy mount and fabricated brackets to lower crossmember appropriate amount to give proper geometry/ driveshaft angle. I hope this helps. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Brad-ManQ45 Posted August 24, 2004 Share Posted August 24, 2004 jeremyvaldez - you didn't read my post (on ZCar.com) properly - you DO need to fabricate spacers... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
80LS1T Posted August 24, 2004 Share Posted August 24, 2004 You can also buy mounts from MSA(http://www.zcarparts.com) or I think JTR now has mounts. If you have rack and pinion they even have headers now! What they mean by "you can use the stock mounts" is that the MSA mounting kit includes 2 new engine mounts(regular 280ZX mounts) and 2 spacers that bolt onto the original rubber mounts and convert the 2 bolt mounts to a 3 bolt chevy mount. The engine bay is not longer than the Z infact it is 3" shorter. The reason you dont need the setback plates is because you cant use them because the firewall is 3" farther forward than the Z. I have pics on my site of the MSA mounts(just the spacer part, not the original rubber mounts) As for using a Turbo 350.......I wouldnt just because of the fact thats its a 3 speed. Unless you only drive in town or only drive at the track, this is not the ideal tranny. I would go with a 700R4. Plus if you go with the 700R4 you can just buy the MSA mounting kit. It has the motor mounts and a tranny mount designed for the 700R4. Personally if I had to do it over I would just make my own motor mounts. The mounts they sell are extremely simple are sure arent worth the $235(I think thats how much I paid?). Guy Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest jeremyvaldez Posted August 24, 2004 Share Posted August 24, 2004 Anyone have the jtr blueprints or book that i could buy from them? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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