Guest yTTyTee Posted January 16, 2003 Share Posted January 16, 2003 I was reading back and saw a post that asked the question of why most people use the JTR conversion on this forum. The replay explained that the JTR lowers the engine more and has it further back in the compartment creating a lower center of gravity. I was just wondering the pros and cons of each conversion. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Anonymous Posted January 17, 2003 Share Posted January 17, 2003 I think you understand the difference from what you posted. Another thing to remember is you can't use a manual transmission with the MSA kit. With the JTR kit, the motor sits back about 1-2 inches further. You have less ground clearance because the motor is lower, but the I think its worth the trade off (for me anyway). No matter what kit you decide to use, get the JTR book and read it....twice Regards, Tom Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DavyZ Posted January 17, 2003 Share Posted January 17, 2003 Originally posted by tdab:...you can't use a manual transmission with the MSA kit... You sure about that, Tom? I believe that there is at least one member using it in his car with a manual tranny. I don't see any reason for not being able to use a manual tranny with the MSA kit. Shoot if a Scarab kit can be made to work with a MT, an MSA kit should too. Davy Ah, found it: Miles son Ian uses both the engine and tranny mount with a 5 sp. Here are pics from his site: Ian & Miles' site Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fl327 Posted January 17, 2003 Share Posted January 17, 2003 all the trans mount is in either kit is a long slab of steel that bolts to the floors i believe, and the trans mount for almost all gm cars is the same pn, i think all you would have to do to make it work with any gm trans is move it back or forwards. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest yTTyTee Posted January 17, 2003 Share Posted January 17, 2003 So...it sounds like most people think that JTR is a better investment? I"m still confused on which is better. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest eric-z Posted January 17, 2003 Share Posted January 17, 2003 I'm sorry if this is kinda switching the topic a little but I know you can't use the JTR kit for a 280zx but can you run a manual transmission with the MSA kit for the 280zx? eric Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Anonymous Posted January 17, 2003 Share Posted January 17, 2003 I have a genuine MSA 280 ZX conversion tranny mount made for the GM 700R4 transmission. I have a ruff diagram of it in my Yahoo Photos web page The mount is specifically made for a 700R4 and apparently bolts into the existing mounting holes where the OEM 280 ZX tranny mount use to bolt. I would imagine that it could be modified to take about any GM tranny with a plate and gussets added the lower mount surface.I stiil do not have confirmation on this but I suspect the Zx engine mount towers are relatively similar and placed about the same distance apart compared to the Zee and the SBC can be mounted using a JTR style triangle 3 bolt mount without the set back plates with the spacers and Chevy pick-up motor mounts.The Zx does not have the room to set the SBC back Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DavyZ Posted January 17, 2003 Share Posted January 17, 2003 Originally posted by yTTyTee:So...it sounds like most people think that JTR is a better investment? I"m still confused on which is better. You'll get personal opinions as to why one might be better then another. Here is why I went JTR: 1) Big manual that is reasonably descriptive and gives some good examples for doing different tranny combos. 2) Has good drawings of the parts needed including good measurements & diagrams so I could make it myself if I wanted to--hey, if they give out all the info in the book, they don't have something to 'hide.' 3) They are a local company to me and I have heard good things about them. 4) I met Mike Knell about 13 years ago and he let me drive his cars--he was cool and his cars were fast, so what is not to like? 5) At the time, JTR put the engine farthest back and low as possible to get the best weight distribution out of the car. Keep in mind MSA used a design similar to Scarab but has modified it over the years. 6) Also the JTR book has many other suspension modifications and such. This topic has been thrashed about sooo very many times on this board. Use the search function and look up all the info you want. Davy Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Anonymous Posted January 17, 2003 Share Posted January 17, 2003 "you can't use a manual transmission with the MSA kit" My bad. I'm not sure why I thought that. I'll be OK Regards, Tom Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Anonymous Posted January 17, 2003 Share Posted January 17, 2003 Tom .. actually you are right about the 280 ZX MSA kit not fitting a manual transmission (without modification). Some Zxs came with T5 trannys as options. You probably could not bolt up the Nissan T5 to a SBC without major adaptation but you should be able to bolt up a GM T5 to a SBC at the the ZX mounting locations (?) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
72zcar Posted January 20, 2003 Share Posted January 20, 2003 i used the msa kit. there is less than 3/4 of an inch between the firewall and the hei distributor. the oil pan sits 4.5 inches og the ground. the jtr kit maybe puts the motor back a little farther that the msa kit but not 2 inches.... im guessing perhaps 1/2 of an inch..not sure. the msa kit worked great and no pounding of the tunnel..if it were back any more i would have had to pound this is for sure because the th350 tranny fits snug... not touching but damm near touching the inside of the tunnel. I have nothing against the jtr kit (its great) but i just wanted to set the record straight that the msa kit is a fine kit. my hei distributor is less than 3/4 ( maybe even 5/8) of an inch off the firewall and this is fine with me . check it out... its painted black now but here is the web site http://www.72zcar.50megs.com/ Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
72zcar Posted January 20, 2003 Share Posted January 20, 2003 oh yeah i almost forgot..check this out http://www.netsnapshot.com/pcw/buildalbum-cgi?ACCOUNT=4581&KEY=0 this guy used the msa tranny mount with a T5 transmision hydraulic clutch... look at the last pic in the page.. hahahaha ..sorry Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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