Guest Anonymous Posted December 23, 2002 Share Posted December 23, 2002 I just became a member to this site and i think i can learn alot here, but anyway i am very involved in my 87 z31 n/a, i love it to death, style and apperaence is great but power has gotten a little "old". I've been medatating for somewhile about doing a vg30dett swap but my eyes have been kinda "opened" to the v-8 "seen". I'm real new to all the idea's and was wondering if doing maby a 350 or 383 stroker would be cheaper that a turbo swap. The way i been looking at it, the parts are way easier to find and cheaper, i dont know if this matters but since my car is a n/a "maby" it would be easier this way. Any help that would kinda clear my mind about what i getting my self into would help. I know a v-8 could work but what will i do about the wireing harnesses and ecu and ..... all the tiring bull **** . Any help would be much help! *also what kind of v-8 would be better(ford,chevy etc...) Thankz Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mudge Posted December 24, 2002 Share Posted December 24, 2002 Pick what you prefer working with, but for ease of setup, there are more Chevy weed-wackers than there are Ford Z's Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
350DreamN Posted December 24, 2002 Share Posted December 24, 2002 Like Mudge says pick whichever engine you feel you can work on. I prefer a Chevy in mine because the parts are cheap and plentiful. But whichever you decide on(Chevy or Ford), you can build it as wild or mild as your wallet allows. There are a couple of guys building 300ZX's now. Just use search for 300zx sbc and take a look. Good luck! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
grumpyvette Posted December 24, 2002 Share Posted December 24, 2002 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- automatic transmissions like the 700r4 with a 3200-3500rpm stall converter would seem to be the easiest to install , give you overdrive gearing and eliminate all the clutch, shifting B.S. and if set up correctly will make the car very fast and consistant, manual transmissions can rarely handle the torque and hp loads as long without problems and cost way more money. the 383-406 sbc engine is the cheapest to build and if the correct parts are used produces a 450hp plus engine for less money than any other combo. it also is one of the smaller combos that can be made to fit. if your buck$ up a LS1 vette engine/corvette rear/trans combo modified to fit your car will also make a nice combo but will easily cost $10,000 by the time its installed and have several fabracation problems that the first gen 383-406 sbc will avoid. presonally Ive been looking for a clean 300zx at a good price to install a V-8 in. I personally like the body style and as most of you know if you have access to a plasma cutter and mig welder theres not much that you can,t easily do to make the swap work. (I have several 454bbc engines looking for a home and I bet a carefully planed swap would be a real (HOOT!) as the old guys used to say. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Z-rific Posted December 24, 2002 Share Posted December 24, 2002 Did you say several BBC engines looking for a home? Well, HELLLLOOOO Santa Grumpyvette. All I want for X-Mas is one of 'em. I'm sure you wont miss it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Anonymous Posted February 10, 2003 Share Posted February 10, 2003 I too, am new here, and have a 87 300 zx na. My auto trans 3rd and reverse just did not work one day, and the trans shops say 1200 plus to fix it. I found a 88 5 speed at a u-pull-it junk yard for 150,(didnt pull it) but I think I should go 350/700 or 5 speed. I have done swaps like this before, and after measuring I found that the V-8 chevy will almost bolt up and fit under the stock hood,and either trans will fit with a little tinkering/welding/cutting etc. Sleeper appeal. My 87 is cherry and ext and int is perfect, seats are not even dirty. Original floor mats are clean. All the original stuff works good a/c,windows,heat,steering,t-tops dont leak and I love it and I think doubling the horse power and moving the torque peak down 2000 rpm will really move that beauty along. So I will keep you updated with digi-cam photos as soon as I start. Oh by the way a good buddy has a shop where he has a drag car(big block nova) and his buddy has a roundy-round (small block chevy) with all the goodies, arc welder, gas welder, chain falls w/beams, jacks,and manuals, plus several small blocks and lots of hi-pro parts. Anyway I will keep you informed, Steve. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chaparral2f Posted February 10, 2003 Share Posted February 10, 2003 If the machine shop ever gets my engine back top me, I plan to put it in my '84 zx. it should doouble the hp and give me about 400 lbs of torque which should make it run pretty well. I think that I'm going to use a th350, full manual valve body and perhaps no converter. My oldest friend says it can be done, and I tend to trust his judgement. He's been building automatics since 1959. I'm using a Jag irs and probably pinto or MII front suspension. Pictures to follow as the project takes shape. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Anonymous Posted February 10, 2003 Share Posted February 10, 2003 Chap, you could use an auto without a converter and use a clutch instead, it was done in the 60s on Chryslers,clutch-o-matic, and Chevy,clutch-flite, but these were drag racing prototypes. You would probably not be able to use it on the street. I would go with the high stall torque converter if you have a harsh cam and need the cushion. Less hassle and no problems. Otherwise just go with a 4 or 5 speed. Steve. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chaparral2f Posted February 10, 2003 Share Posted February 10, 2003 Steve, I remember the old "clutchflytes" I always thought they were kind of cool. I have a 3000 rpm 8inch converter, but the cam isn't hairy enough to need it. I've just been kicking the idea of going direct drive to the pump. After all, if I ever get this thing done, I'll have to come up with some other project. Believe me, this is still in the bench racing stage. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Anonymous Posted February 13, 2003 Share Posted February 13, 2003 Today, after jacking up my 87 ZX and measuring where the mounts would go and clearance, with the stock hood closed and a 350 out of a 85 chevy van and 700 R4 out of same, should fit in the hood and trans tunnel without any modification. Now this is with the ZX engine and trans still in there(I need to drive it still). It looks like the existing mount towers can be cut slightly and a flat plate welded to match a motor mount plate. Then just use engine brackets and mount to motor mounts. I have seen some exhaust manifolds(drivers side) that look like they will miss the steering rod(pipe, not manifold). Other wise maybe block huggers. The trans mount might hit just right w 700 R4. Exhaust might have to be a 3" single because of dual muffler clearance and "sleeper quality". Real turbo muffler instead of one of those "mega-phone" import big tail pipe things". Rear trans mount shoudnt be too bad. Use factory(chevy) pad and make new bracket. Radiator should work with electric fans. Peice of cake. Steve. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest griffhead Posted February 20, 2003 Share Posted February 20, 2003 Hello Everyone- New to the site also. I like what I see! I have an 86 300z n/a, t-tops, good shape. Nice summer car. My father and my oldest son are talking about putting a 383 stroker into an 84 z28. That would leave an 84 305 HO engine from the z28 (slightly modified) looking for a home. It appears that with a little welding, the 305 should fit ok as should a TR-700, correct? Question, does the drive shaft then need to be modified? What about exhaust? Trying to do some research on this, but I think it would be a fun summer project. Plus the torque and added hp of a SBC over the nissan 6 banger would make it a nice sleeper. Thanks everyone! -Ed Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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