datsunlover Posted September 12, 2004 Share Posted September 12, 2004 Well, I need a V8 for my Z I think...just love the torque and the rumble. See.. I lined up at a red with a buddy last night; He drives an '04 Dodge Ram short box/reg cab with.. dum da da dum... the HEMI. Yah.. I got off the green really nice, and he let me wind out a bit (playing) till I got to third.. Then he proceded to WALK past me like I was standing still. I looked down, and was at 5000rpm in 3rd.. dang.. shifted to 4th and backed off, (read; GAVE UP and hung my head in shape..) as he was now about 10 car lenghts ahead of me.. (btw, this was late at night, on a highway with no other traffic around, and neither of us had passengers) I have a plan to put my head on a zx block, bump c/r up, cam, 5 speed it, open exhast, ect ect.. BUT I got to thinking.. that's still only gona get me MAYBE 180-200 horse.. and V8 pickups are still gona hand me my arse, no matter how well I can drive... I think it's time for an agonizing re-apraisal of the whole situation.. ( name that movie quote!) Im probly lookin at around $1000 for all this motor/head/clutch work... and I was gona weld up the car some more (still flexing/creaking), redo the exhast, and beef up the susp/brakes ANYWAY... hmm.. I bet I could find a running 5.0 stang/5 gear for less than $1000 for a doner.. Man.. I need help... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
v8dats Posted September 13, 2004 Share Posted September 13, 2004 how about an l28et with a 5 speed? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cody 82 ZXT Posted September 13, 2004 Share Posted September 13, 2004 Do the turbo thing and you'll never look back. I fear no street hemi. That is unless it's in an lamost full race car. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
80LS1T Posted September 13, 2004 Share Posted September 13, 2004 Now of course you know if you go with a V8 its going to require more than just the new motor and tranny. Deffiently new suspension that can handle the "added" weight and torque. Although the 5.0 is a pretty light motor, especially with alluminum heads and intake. Then your going to need a cooling system that can handle the V8. With the L28ET you can use a lot of the parts that you have now. The cooling system should work. You wont need stiffer springs and its pretty much a bolt in drivetrain. Not saying the V8 isnt the way to go but you better have all that "extra" stuff in the budget or you wont be able to finish the project. It really depends if the "while Im at it" bug gets you during the motor swap! I know it got me! and it got me hard! LOL Guy Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
datsunlover Posted September 13, 2004 Author Share Posted September 13, 2004 Well to add insult to injury, I just got spanked on tonite by a 93-94 VW Corrado. Freakin 1.8L s/c got me EASILY!!! TWICE!!!! The Z turbo is a cool thought.. but where do I find one?!? (in my area, it's hard to even find a late model 300zx anymore!!) And I have a suspision that the turbo motor would NOT be cheep (for me) to fix/build/repair.. as it's what.. 25 year old tech now? Not bashing on you turbo guys, just looking at it from the 'bang for the buck' or 'no replacement for displacement' point of view. Funny the 'V8DATS' sugests the turbo option.. Part of the reason(s) I was thinking 302 is 1;availibility (ie.. they're everywhere!) 2; LOTS of parts out there, tried and tested, and CHEEP. 3;Even bone stock, that 302 is gona make a Z FLY. Like I said, I need to redo the suspension and brakes anyway (those solid disc's SUCK arse...and the springs/struts are shot) and was thinking aftermarket something.. so really, I'd just need to get my weight figured out, and buy springs/struts acordingly (to suport the V8/trans) As for the cooling, I remember my buddys 87 stang only having a tiny looking 1 or 2 core rad.. Wouldn't a good condition Z rad be up to it? (If not, I'm taking it into consideration anyway...got a few options) I know about the bug too.. it got me good a few years back when I jamed a 305 in an 85 RX7.. snowballed a bit.. but damn the thing went like hell in the end!! Never had any problems smoking those pesky 4 bangers either..... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dan Juday Posted September 13, 2004 Share Posted September 13, 2004 Do the V8 thing. You'll never look back. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
v8dats Posted September 13, 2004 Share Posted September 13, 2004 Funny the 'V8DATS' sugests the turbo option.. ..... heheh u like that!? im actually working on a turbo z at the moment and dont really wanna change the name. i see a v8 sometime in the near future Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Capt_Zorro Posted September 13, 2004 Share Posted September 13, 2004 The Mustang swap sounds like a good idea. I've had an old 302 C-4 in mine for years. Took a junkyard 302 bored it .30, ported and polished a set of C9 351 heads, aluminum intake, Carter AVS carb, tight tuck headers and a shift kit in the trans. Used a junkyard radiator and electric fan. Did most of the work myself and ended up with less than 1K in the conv. As far as adding additional weight to the car, I had to cut a coil off the front spring on mine to get it to set level again. The Ford sits further back behind the front corssmember and helps the weight distribution. I still get a kick from pulling up along side a BMW or Porsch and have the driver become interested in tuneing the radio, calling on his cell phone or stare straight ahead.. It runs good up to about 130 with the 355 gear and 6000 rpm red line. I've been thinking about freshening it up this winter and getting a T-5 for it. Got the fuel injection, wireing and computer out in the truck. Been chasing sparks at the firestation between runs. The guys up at the machine shop have a set of DOOE 351 heads that I installed screw in studs and guide plate. They are adding 194 and 160 stainless valves for me. Anyone have any idea what would be the best camshaft for this application? Would like from around 3000 to 6500 power band. Adios Amigos, Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
datsunlover Posted September 13, 2004 Author Share Posted September 13, 2004 Yah.. I think it must be done... I guess I'll start 'browsing' the V8 ford forums for the next few weeks/months. My Mustang friend is gona be soooo happy.. And as for 'looking back' I probly will.. just to see how BAD I'm beating the guy I just raced.. heh heh.. and to watch out for those flashing red lights on white cars.. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mike kZ Posted September 13, 2004 Share Posted September 13, 2004 Welcome to the darkside! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
datsun327 Posted September 13, 2004 Share Posted September 13, 2004 touque is you father. sorrt couldn't help it Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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