starting the planning stage, please help

[Guest z8wannab]

Well, me and a friend have started the planning of a V8 conversion. I have read some or the things on this forum, and would now like to give you guys our plan, so you guys can critique it, and offer advice.

 

First i will start with the car. We have a 1978 280z 2+2, 4 speed manual, with everything in it, ie all the major parts, but it is in need of restoring. Does not run, sat in a field for too long, etc etc. The car has rust. We are still accessing the rust as of today, but neither of us are experts on Z rust, and would like opinions on what is doable. We know it is bad, we just need to know how bad. I would like to send pics sometime to whoever is willing to look at them, and have them tell us how bad it really is. So post if your interested in seeing some pics of some rust, and are willing to help out a fellow Z lover.

 

I am fully aware that many of you are going to say, ditch the car, get one with no rust, or at least in better condition. But we would very much like to keep the car we have, because here in Oklahoma, we dont have many other Z cars to choose from. We got the car very cheap, and would like to see something come out of what was once nothing. My friend welds, and we are determined to do this. With that said we plan on getting new floorpans, and installing them ourselves, and also replacing the frame rails "while we are at it". yes i know, we have the disease too. But neway, with that said, on with "the plan".

 

Just for some info on what we want out of this car- we just want a good, semi-reliable car, fast and fun to drive, weekend warrior, not daily driver, not to race, but could have some fun at autox every now and then, not worried about turning fast times, would just be for fun. no shows, NO DRAG RACING

 

First off, What is going to be different about doing the conversion on a 2+2? Are the floor pans and frame rails different? Any differences concerned with the conversion.

 

We will be purchasing the JTR book, and a conversion kit

 

Here is what we would like to do...

1. 350 carburated Chevy, stock, no mods, maybe add some later

2. replace floorpans and rails, reinforce frame

3. Would like to use a Manual 4 or 5 speed tranny, open to suggestions on what would be good.

4. Also open to suggestions on a differential, have heard good things about R200.

 

 

As for the money and time part of the plan, we are in no rush to get this car done, and would not have a problem with it taking several years to complete. Sure we would love to have it done in a month or so, but we are in no hurry time wise. Money wise, we are would like to do everything ourselves, and plan on searching ebay and junkyards for everything we need. In otherwords, we want to keep it as cheap as possible. Did i say cheap? I meant very cheap. And since we are not on a time frame or nething, we will buy things as we go.

 

Well, feel free to comment on all or just part of our plan, and we are open to all suggestions, within reason or course.

 

As for the pics of the car, please can someone take a look and give an opinion? I would very much appreciate it.