turbo81racer Posted June 10, 2007 Share Posted June 10, 2007 I am new to the forum. I have an 81 280zxt that I am going to install an LT1 with the 700r4 tranny. Just curious if there were any major problems that someone that has done the swap before has run into, or if there is a member here that makes engine mounts for the kit. I will use the search here too and see what info I can come up with to help me along with my project. The prior motor in the car was the factory turbo, that I have done some mods to, like an intercooler, injectors, the usual stuff. Along with an old Haltec F7B that used to control 2 extra injectors that allowed me to run 17psi, that is until the old turbo died. I got a deal on a complete car with the LT1 and all the goodies, so I bought it and would like to go V8 this time. thanks for any help and wisdom. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
typhoone Posted June 11, 2007 Share Posted June 11, 2007 the jtr mounts work with the lt1. check out the jags that run website, they sell a complete manual and EVERYTHING you need to do the swap. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
280zx_sliding Posted June 11, 2007 Share Posted June 11, 2007 the only thing i can tell you to watch out for is if your car is equipped with the powersteering gear box thing on the driver side by the o2 sensor. you might have to either make custom headers to wrap around that or swap the entire system for one that does not have the box. also u might want to check if the jags that run kit will fit a 280zx i know on my s130 i wanted to put in an ls2 but i couldnt because the kit wouldnt fit, and at the time i didnt have a welder. so check that about the kit. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
80LS1T Posted June 11, 2007 Share Posted June 11, 2007 You can buy mounts that will work with the LT1/700r4 transmission from www.zcarparts.com. The only real issue with the V8 swap is the header clearance on the drivers side if you have the reciprocating ball type steering system(big gear box on the drivers frame rail). If you have a power rack and pinion you can buy a set of headers from www.stealthconversions.com (JTR). Other than that its a pretty straight forward swap. Guy Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
turbo81racer Posted June 11, 2007 Author Share Posted June 11, 2007 thanks for the great advice on the parts Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
typhoone Posted June 11, 2007 Share Posted June 11, 2007 the only thing i can tell you to watch out for is if your car is equipped with the powersteering gear box thing on the driver side by the o2 sensor. you might have to either make custom headers to wrap around that or swap the entire system for one that does not have the box. also u might want to check if the jags that run kit will fit a 280zx i know on my s130 i wanted to put in an ls2 but i couldnt because the kit wouldnt fit, and at the time i didnt have a welder. so check that about the kit. from what i have learned on this site, the LT1 works with the jtr mounts, but not ls1/2 etc. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
turbo81racer Posted June 11, 2007 Author Share Posted June 11, 2007 My Z has the rack and pinion so there should not be a problem there with the clearance issues. I also found on this site a guy that sells the kit to relocate the alternator down low and get rid of the a/c and ps pumps. That should work also as well as to help clean up the engine bay. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
azguy Posted June 22, 2007 Share Posted June 22, 2007 Buy mounts from JTR! not MSA! I have the MSA mounts.... I should have known better seeing them labeled for 70-83zx... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
deja Posted June 22, 2007 Share Posted June 22, 2007 My Z has the rack and pinion so there should not be a problem there with the clearance issues. I also found on this site a guy that sells the kit to relocate the alternator down low and get rid of the a/c and ps pumps. That should work also as well as to help clean up the engine bay. Make sure that kit will work in your car. The ZX may be different but I have a 280Z with an LT1 and the alternator would hit the rack if you try to mount it low. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
turbo81racer Posted June 22, 2007 Author Share Posted June 22, 2007 I did purchase the JTR mount kit as well as a few other things from them. I am using a wire harness from painless wiring as well. It all looks really good as far as the kit and parts go. I will work on something later that will move the alternator down lower, but for now I will just live with it up high. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Plague_oc Posted June 23, 2007 Share Posted June 23, 2007 My Z has the rack and pinion so there should not be a problem there with the clearance issues. I also found on this site a guy that sells the kit to relocate the alternator down low and get rid of the a/c and ps pumps. That should work also as well as to help clean up the engine bay. so the car wouldnt be capable of using A/C with that engine? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
turbo81racer Posted June 23, 2007 Author Share Posted June 23, 2007 with the JTR kit I do not believe that the A/C would fit in the stock location. I am using an a/c delete pulley setup for that reason. I do not have the rest of the a/c. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
spdkilz02 Posted June 23, 2007 Share Posted June 23, 2007 anyhow, who needs a/c when ur going fast enough. the wind is all u need...lol cant wait to see the outcome of this car, its going to be awesome. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
danj Posted June 23, 2007 Share Posted June 23, 2007 I have a 383 SBC in my 83ZXT. Clearing the steering hardware was a real issue on running the full-flow headers. I ended up having to convert to a manual rack steering and give up the A/C system. If you have the power rack it is nice to try to salvage that if you can. Driveability really changes, especially at low traffic speeds, when you give up the power rack. I had a speed shop assist with the conversion so I'm not sure how hard they tried to work around the problem. We didn't consider the JTR headers at the time. It might be best to locate someone that has actually installed the JTR header on the driver's side in the ZX and see what issues they still had to overcome. I know on my conversion it was the biggest hurdle in the fabrication. You can see from the attached photo how the steering rod was custom-fitted through the fabricated headers. DanJ Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
turbo81racer Posted June 24, 2007 Author Share Posted June 24, 2007 I have the power rack in my car. The JTR Headers clear the steering shaft pretty easy, as well as I am going to have lines made at a shop here thats the best I think for making custom lines, that will join the chevy p/s pump to the Z rack. It should make things nice as far as driving, and low speed stuff goes. I am not worried about the a/c. I really never use it, even living here in Texas. My daily driver go-cart (1990 CRX with b-18 swap) does not have a/c either. I will just take the t-tops off the Z and cruise, thats enough a/c for me. Right now I am getting the engine and engine bay ready, just a little cleaning and come paint, this week the motor should be in its new home and the wiring will begin. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
danc Posted June 24, 2007 Share Posted June 24, 2007 turbo81racer: I have an 83 with a SBC/700R4 combination putting-out an honest 430 Lbs of Torque and 430 H.P. that has been running since 2001. After the initial sort-out I've had zero problems.... and a lot of fun. I made a post of various piece-parts dated 5/17/2001 (ZX SBC Conversion using MSA mounts). If you have any questions of would like some photos just ask.. Good Luck Dan Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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