My ZX Setup and Your Opinion

[280zwitha383]

Well first I'm pissed because I already typed all this and I guess somehow I hit back and it all got erased

 

Anyway here's the skinny. I was hoping that all of you knowledgeable people could give me an idea of how this will run and anything I might have overlooked or goofed on.

 

Here's the rundown:

 

4 bolt late model block

383 eagle rotating assembly with 5.7" rods balanced of course

Forged Speed Pro 10:1 pistons

Stock oil pump and pan

SLP51010 cam (similar to Comp's 276XR) .502/.510 lift intake dur. 280 degrees

Stock roller lifters and pushrods

Harland(?) Sharp 1.6 roller rocker arms

Dart 215cc Iron Eagle Heads 2.08 intake valves 1.437" springs good to .600"

Victor Jr. intake portmatched along with heads

Holley 670cfm Street Avenger (maybe too small but I already had it)

Possibly the new In-jeg-tor scoop since I don't think it'll clear the hood

Stock mechanical fuel pump

 

Stock but new 280zx radiator and shroud

Ford :cringe: '96 Taurus 3 speed fan :cringe again:

 

JTR mounting kit, speedo cable, diff flange, and of course the manual

 

2500 stall converter

TH350 Jackson Racing tranny

B&M ratchet shifter

 

No Driveshaft yet

 

Stock 3.90 R200 differential with stock u-joints and halfshafts

Stock Walmart tires

 

Things I already know:

Super Unleaded Gas only

High rpms because of gear and no overdrive

Marginal cooling but I think it's worth a shot

Keeping stock tires for a while so I can enjoy the engine and break traction

-rather than breaking u-joints or halfshafts

 

Things I'm working on:

Possibly trading a guy some parts for an LSD R200 and CV's

What headers to buy from JTR, either the 1 1/2" or 1 5/8" primaries but

-definitely coated

 

Questions:

How streetable will this engine be

Is the stall too low

What headers to buy

 

I'm looking for some wise counsel on the whole setup so please tell me what you think and thanks for looking!

[HarrisonTX]

All that stuff, and your skimpin on a oil pump?

Holy cow man, its like $20 for a mellin high voulme, i suggest that

Other than that nice setup

[HarrisonTX]

that should be very streetable,

i run a comp 280H cam (a tad more radical )

and 11.1 compression...

and a 4speed with 3.42 rear end

 

(this is in my '79 malibu)

 

i have no problems on the street.

you shouldnt either

[Chewievette]

I second the motion for a better oil pump! this should get you on the street and enjoying ..but it wont take long before you'll start upgrading things!

[280zwitha383]

All that stuff' date=' and your skimpin on a oil pump?

Holy cow man, its like $20 for a mellin high voulme, i suggest that

Other than that nice setup[/quote']

 

Hmm, well the owner of the local machine shop said something about the clearances being close enough so I could use a stock oil pump (I'm not really sure what he said so I just bought a stock one), plus I'm running the stock oil pan because I had it already and it gives me enough clearance with the crossmember; and either I've heard or he said that you could suck the stock pan dry at high rpms.

 

Does a high volume oil pump give you more power because of less friction or is it just for better lubrication at high rpms? I haven't done any research on oil pumps but I definitely will since you mentioned it and the engine is out so I could easily swap the oil pump out if I want to.

 

(FYI, I'm not planning on spinning the thing past 6k rpm)

[HarrisonTX]

Uh, it dosnt really have anything to do with power, i just really like to see high oil pressure, my '69 chevy runs at about 65lbs, (not sayin that really high)

and its a mellin high volume.

I think lubrication is very important, and its only $20, gives a pretty good piece of mind.

But, you dont wanna buy a really high volume one, like outa jegs or summit, because those can pump so fast, that all the oil will be in your oil valley (below you intake) and it pumps so fast, its all up there, and theres none in the pan, its sucked dry.

Just stick to melling, buy one at the zone or o'rielly's

 

 

You live in midland? im in fort hood, thats pretty close to you, you know of any z's for sale in your area? i am dying to buy one. wanna spend less than 2k

[Guest Drive-ability]

I would be careful using a z radiator. Remember its designed for an engine 1/2 the size. I see your in Texas as well. Well it's close to half.................

[SmoknR6]

will a mechanical fuel pump fit in the ZX's? cause it wouldnt fit in my 260

[280zwitha383]

I would be careful using a z radiator. Remember its designed for an engine 1/2 the size. I see your in Texas as well. Well it's close to half.................

 

Beleive me, I'm going to keep a very close eye on it. Plus I don't have a/c so there's no way in heck I'm driving this thing in the 100 degree weather.

 

will a mechanical fuel pump fit in the ZX's? cause it wouldnt fit in my 260

 

Yes, a mechanical fuel pump will fit. With the ZX, the engine can only be set back a maximum of 2 inches (atleast with the JTR ZX mounts). These are completely different than the set-back plates that JTR sells for 70-78. The three holes are slotted where the mount bolts up to the engine so you can basically set it back if you want or even set it forward if you wanted to (if you use a mechanical fuel pump I think the most you can set it back is 1 inch).