Guest Anonymous Posted January 25, 2003 Share Posted January 25, 2003 Ok, I'm just starting this project. I have a '83 ZX in good condition with no engine. I just ordered a 350 and a T5. Question is I seem to remember that the JTR mount won't work for this and I have to use an MSA mount. Does this sound right? Also am I likely to destroy my original 390 rear end if I drag race this thing or will it hold up even after I put in a medium cam and go to about 11.5:1 compression? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
80LS1T Posted January 25, 2003 Share Posted January 25, 2003 Yeah you can't put the motor in the JTR position but you might be able to use their mounts, not sure though. I have choosent to use MSA's mounts and I think they are going to work great. As for you rear end... is it a R180 or R200? If your car was a manual transmission to begin with it is most likely a R200. If it is and it is in good condtion then it should hold up for a while anyway. I am building a 1980 ZX with a LT1 and T56 with about 425HP+. I am also using CV halfshafts and not U-Joint halfshafts. You have to remember that these parts are 20 years old so there is no telling how long they will last. The R200 will deffinetly take more of a beating than the R180 though! Guy Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Anonymous Posted January 25, 2003 Share Posted January 25, 2003 S o M : MSA kit or make your own.. The MSA kit has a 700R4 tranny mount but you can probaably adapt it to a T5... A r200 diff will hold up to at least 350 HP.Some ZX's had a R180 diff and are a little weaker web page R180/200 side by side comparison Your T5 may not hold up to drag racing if it is not World class Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Anonymous Posted January 25, 2003 Share Posted January 25, 2003 yah, thanks guys, that sounds like what I remember. It's a 390 R200 rear end so I might be ok there. I realise the T5 is a little fragil for the application but can't afford a t56 and don't want to drive an auto (blech). Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest greimann Posted January 25, 2003 Share Posted January 25, 2003 There are a few pix at my site linked below of motor mounts. I am using the "clamshell" style of GM mounts, and with those, you only need a flat plate and a spacer to get the motor in a ZX. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jhaag Posted January 25, 2003 Share Posted January 25, 2003 Dave Greimann: I haven't been to your site in a long time. I really like the new look, the excellent photos and how-to info. Good work! John Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Anonymous Posted January 25, 2003 Share Posted January 25, 2003 Dave G...or ZX SBC owners: Can you clarify this theory: The JTR method and parts can be used minus the "setback plates"..Employ a 5/16 inch thick triangle plate drilled for the 3 bolt holes for the engine block coupled to the JTR spacers( 1.25 inch-Passenger and 2.25 inch Driver) and 1965-72 Chev truck engine mounts to mount and directly bolt on the ZX frame tower ???? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest greimann Posted January 26, 2003 Share Posted January 26, 2003 I really can't comment on anything JTR because *gasp* I don't have the manual or know much about what JTR stuff looks like. Certainly the setback doesn't fly, and I seem to be in the minority that uses the clamshell and biscuit design mounts, which is a nice system IMHO. The critical clearance down low is the oil pan and the steering mechanism. Get that as close as you can to maximize hood clearance, which is tighter than a first gen I do believe. An LT1 or TPI would be a much more space friendly swap than a carb or TBI. Mr. 80LT1 has some pix of the MSA mounts that show how they have engineered the situation. And thanks John! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Anonymous Posted January 26, 2003 Share Posted January 26, 2003 Dave .. I cannot make out much on Guy's ZX mount pictures.. but if the ZX engine mount towers are the same distance apart with the same angle.. A JTR without the set back plates should work. Are Z and ZX L6 motor mounts the same. If they are the only critical next distance is the height of the spacers to locate the engine. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest greimann Posted January 26, 2003 Share Posted January 26, 2003 Originally posted by Tomahawk Z:.. Are Z and ZX L6 motor mounts the same. ... I would GUESS they are the same considering it is the same block. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
80LS1T Posted January 26, 2003 Share Posted January 26, 2003 Hey Tomahawk have you visited my site lately? I updated with some new pics and they are clickable. Let me know what kind of pics you guys want and I will take them tommorow, I promise! Like do you want to see them mounted to the rubber mounts attached to the crossmember or something else??? Let me know! Guy Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Anonymous Posted January 26, 2003 Share Posted January 26, 2003 Thanx Guy....The last time I checked your website the mounts were on the car and not clickable....I am beginning to catch on...duh.. uh....... about the only thing left to do is pack em up and send them to me and then I can get a handle on em..maybe.....I cannot believe MSA gets that kind of price for their ZX engine and tranny mounts.That is why the mount pictures are so small in the caralog. Don't they send people to prison for that ? I thought JTR was outrageous on their mounts Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Anonymous Posted January 26, 2003 Share Posted January 26, 2003 Charlie...Where you been?? My mounts are exactly like yours and do not hit the steering shaft when bolted down. The pickup mount is close and that side has the longest spacing. You might try adding a few fender washers between the mount and the Datsun tower.JTR also recomends slotting the Datsun towere to adjust the engine forward or backward.And do not forget about the 1/2 inch spacers on the front crossmember to raise the body. I gave up on my wiring after I got the 350 in and started a fiberglass education.. check this out web page Yahoo photos. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Anonymous Posted January 27, 2003 Share Posted January 27, 2003 Yep I have given up on my wiring as well. That is as far as my project has gotten so I hit the brick wall and gave up for the winter. The Chevy mount is what goes against the Datsun tower isn't it? That is what hits the steering shaft, the actual mount not the set back plate and spacer combo that I bought from you. Also, the spacers that go between the frame and the body wouldn't have any effect on the steering shaft would it? I plan on getting back in there and hitting the project hard again soon. I have changed jobs since August and have been trying to adjust to my new hours. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Anonymous Posted January 27, 2003 Share Posted January 27, 2003 Charlie: the 1/2 inch cross frame spacers will raise the body and the steering column and shaft are connected to the body. Also the drivers side set back plate has the wider spacer. The Chev motor mount is bolted to the the Datsun crossmember tower. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Anonymous Posted January 27, 2003 Share Posted January 27, 2003 Hey Tee Zee how ya been (Charlie in Silver Creek) I have been wrestling with the thought of going with the MSA kit over the JTR set up for a long time now. Even before I purchased the homemade mounts from you T-Zee. I saw the pics of the MSA mounts that Guy has and I think that that is the easiest way to go. I mean wow I can actually see where these guys will bolt right up to the factory Datsun mounts! Great! The Chevy truck mounts that JTR reccomends was going to be hitting my steering shaft when it was bolted down. I think that I will go the MSA route. Charlie B. (formerly 75 Datsun V8Z) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Anonymous Posted January 27, 2003 Share Posted January 27, 2003 Right, I understand that it bolts directly to the tower TZ but if I used the spacer the steering rod would be higher thus causing it to hit the Chevy motor mount worse. The steering shaft comes out from the fire wall which would be raised by using the spacers. It connects to the Steering rack which would not be raised by using the spacers. Thus the steering rod would have a steeper angle to it causing it to hit the chevy mount worse than it does now without the spacer. The set back plates and spacers have nothing to do with the steering rod hitting or missing the chevy motor mount. Since the mount is bolted straight to the Datsun mount towers. Do you follow me or am I just confusing you? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Anonymous Posted January 27, 2003 Share Posted January 27, 2003 Charlie let us try this from another angle. Could your GM motor mounts be slightly larger. I have two sets and one set appears to be smaller in total dimension circumference but the same thickness............... You may be able to place a 1/4 inch spacer on each tower between the set back plates and gain the clearance for the steering rod.............. I am just wondering if the drivers side is not tweaked a little. My engine has less than a 1/2 inch clearance between the damper and the steering rack and almost nothing between the steering shaft and motor mount....... You may want to slot the tower mount holes and move the engine forward to gain more clearance................Ny distributor sets less than a 1/2 inch from the firewall. I suspect at operation of the vehicle if that day ever arrives that I will have to raise the engine slightly to accomodate the steering shaft for better clearance and move the engine forward to get more clearance between the distribitor and firewall. Nezzie 76's Hybrid SBC uses flat washers for spacers. I will see if I can get a total measurement on his JTR style mounts...LOL I am more worried than confused or does confusion cause worry? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Anonymous Posted January 28, 2003 Share Posted January 28, 2003 Thanks Larry, I haven't slotted mine yet. I will eventually even if I wind up going with the MSA style mounts. I have also been fevershly trying to revive my old "posting name" because I just can't stand to loose all of those posting totals that I had back over the summer lol. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Anonymous Posted January 28, 2003 Share Posted January 28, 2003 Charlie.. if you have not done so email the administrators and see what they can do to revive "Georgia FLash".. I lost my password awhile back and they forwarded it to me pronto. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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