Guest paul woodiwiss Posted December 26, 2004 Share Posted December 26, 2004 76 280z conversion information for dropping in a chevy 91 4.3L using the standard transmission (datsun), can you give me any information. there will be some similarities with the chevy v8. thank you Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mikelly Posted December 26, 2004 Share Posted December 26, 2004 Paul, I gotta ask, Why the 4.3? I had it in a S10 Blazer and hated the motor... Mike Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
datsunlover Posted December 26, 2004 Share Posted December 26, 2004 4.3 can be a good motor.. (esentialy its a 350 with two cyls chopped off) the 'Vortec' 4.3 is pretty potent as it is stock.. headers/intake ect will get around 220 horse I believe, and LOADS of torque compared to the L28z motor... problem I see is using the stock Z tranny.. Anythings possible, but I don't think it would hold up to the power (ie torque) of a 4.3 chev... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest paul woodiwiss Posted December 27, 2004 Share Posted December 27, 2004 Mikelly, I have a Mustang 5.0, a 76 and 79 280Z, 91 Chevy pu with a 4.3, a 19 ft. boat with a 4.3, 89 s-10 blazer and I like the 4.3 engine. I thought it would make a good Z conversion being shorter than a v8 and responsive. Being lighter, than the 350 or common conversions, thinking that the 4.3 would be an easier fit and owning the 5.0 - I know what living is! The 4.3 we have is a new motor with less than 10,000 miles, it would make the z dependable for some time, (having 3 backup transmissions and running gear,) using the stock transmission would locate the shifting stick in the same area - making a cleaner job. Thanks for your responses, would appreciate anymore thoughts that anyone has to add. paul Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
buZy Posted December 27, 2004 Share Posted December 27, 2004 Sounds like a good swap and interesting. I question the stock datsun transmission strength as well as fitment. How would you ever adapt that trans to the GM motor?? Has anyone here ever done that?? Maybe its easy..... I dont know. Also very much understand your strong desire to keep the stock shifter. Yes anything is possible.... I am willing to go out on a limb here.....That by the time you install the 4.3 engine the fragile custom datsun transmission and driveline angles will most likely change locations drastically. In short, changing the stock z shifter position you wanted to keep in place to begin with. Requiring a new transmission crossmember anyways, driveshaft length and rear end location adjustments/fabrication to once again get back to proper smooth driveline running angles. So if you are going to go through all of that why not install a GM manual trans. It would be much easier, WAY more dependable and cheaper $$$ in the long run. I have seen many converted Z's with these transmissions with amazing stock looking consoles and shifters. It's totally possible. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
datsunlover Posted January 1, 2005 Share Posted January 1, 2005 Come to think of it.. didnt some s10 trucks come with a B/W 5 speed? You'd need a 'short shifter' unless you want the thing to be almost touching the roof in your Z.. but I know a guy who had an s10, and he ..er, well.. abused it regulary. He finally crashed the thing..into a house.. dont' ask, but never had a problem with the engine (reliability OR power) and the only tranny issues were smoked clutches. IIRC, he droped a 4bbl intake on, had headers and 'true' dual 2.25" exhast, ran an MSD box and the rest was stock. He ran 3.08 posi rear gears, and that s10 would move REALLY good.. I'd say a Z would HAVE to be quicker, just being lighter.. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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