zx28 Posted November 10, 2008 Share Posted November 10, 2008 i ve been looking at two different kits for mounting an lt1 into a 1976 280. the two kits are JTR and msa, i was wondering about the quality of either, or any other plusses and minuses of either kit that any of yall have come across. ive searched the archives and i havent found any one certain opinion. i ve thought of building my own mounts and i can proly do it but id like to jus be able to order them, they be right and be done with it? any opinions are appreciated Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
deja Posted November 10, 2008 Share Posted November 10, 2008 I don't know anything about the MSA mounts but JTR has everything you need at a very reasonable price. Get the manual, read it, learn it and you will have no problems. I am no expert at engine swapping, mine was really the first time I ever atempted anything like this. The swap was really pretty stright forward with only minor complications. i ve been looking at two different kits for mounting an lt1 into a 1976 280. the two kits are JTR and msa, i was wondering about the quality of either, or any other plusses and minuses of either kit that any of yall have come across. ive searched the archives and i havent found any one certain opinion. i ve thought of building my own mounts and i can proly do it but id like to jus be able to order them, they be right and be done with it? any opinions are appreciated Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Challenger Posted November 10, 2008 Share Posted November 10, 2008 I have a set of jtr motor mounts and a trans mount Im selling. Pm me. Selling them cheap. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
zx28 Posted November 10, 2008 Author Share Posted November 10, 2008 I don't know anything about the MSA mounts but JTR has everything you need at a very reasonable price. Get the manual, read it, learn it and you will have no problems. I am no expert at engine swapping, mine was really the first time I ever atempted anything like this. The swap was really pretty stright forward with only minor complications. what kind of complications did you run in to? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Filmjay Posted November 10, 2008 Share Posted November 10, 2008 If you buy the JTR book, they have templates of the mounts that you can fab up yourself. Best tip is to buy the JTR V8 conversion book. I don't even have my 240 yet and just got my book in the mail a few days ago. It's well done and I can see that it is invaluable in attempting a Z-car V8 swap. I'm glad I spent the $$$ on the book first so that by the time I'm ready for the motor, I'll have it practically memorized. Get the book!!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mycarispurty Posted November 10, 2008 Share Posted November 10, 2008 JTR. They discuss in detail in their manual the problems with the MSA kit. They seem like good points to me, I'd just go with JTR. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
deja Posted November 10, 2008 Share Posted November 10, 2008 The only comlication as far as engine and tranny install were clearance for the steering shaft on the passenger side (I used JTR supplied Sanderson headers). That was fixed by grinding off a little of the JRT motor mount spacer and some rubber off the Chevey motor mount. The tranny tunnel on my 280Z took some work. I had to remove the complete stock tranny mount on the driver's side and beat back the tunnel some on the passenger side to clear the cooler lines, I am runing a 4L60E automatic. A T56 6 speed may be different. Other than that it was pretty straight forward. Get the manual, every aspect of the install is covered. what kind of complications did you run in to? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Filmjay Posted November 10, 2008 Share Posted November 10, 2008 The only comlication as far as engine and tranny install were clearance for the steering shaft on the passenger side (I used JTR supplied Sanderson headers). That was fixed by grinding off a little of the JRT motor mount spacer and some rubber off the Chevey motor mount. I don't know how much older versions of the manual are different, but in mine this is mentioned in the first chapter and provides detailed diagrams on where to modify the spacer and mount. I did notice that there's a downloadable .PDF update (chapter 12, Cooling) to the JTR book. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
deja Posted November 10, 2008 Share Posted November 10, 2008 That's true. That chapter has always been on the web site. I don't know how much older versions of the manual are different, but in mine this is mentioned in the first chapter and provides detailed diagrams on where to modify the spacer and mount. I did notice that there's a downloadable .PDF update (chapter 12, Cooling) to the JTR book. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Widebodys30 Posted November 10, 2008 Share Posted November 10, 2008 Good luck. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DavyZ Posted November 11, 2008 Share Posted November 11, 2008 ive searched the archives and i havent found any one certain opinion. You didn't find any opinions? There are threads upon threads detailing the opinions of many and outlining the pros and cons of each. Perhaps a bit more searching and you'll find what you are looking for methinks. Also, please understand, due to the technical nature of this site and the desire to preserve the English therein, I strongly urge you to make an effort to use proper grammar and spelling. That may seem harsh to you, but the truth of the matter is that the admin tend to tool shed posts that show laziness at many levels. To answer your original question, go JTR if you are doing a Gen I SBC swap. Davy Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
zx28 Posted November 11, 2008 Author Share Posted November 11, 2008 thanks for the help guys. i think im going to order the kit tonight. ---if challenger dont have what i need Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Challenger Posted November 11, 2008 Share Posted November 11, 2008 I sent a pm to you... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Filmjay Posted November 12, 2008 Share Posted November 12, 2008 I'm in TN too! Lemme know if you need an extra pair of hands. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bowtiez Posted November 12, 2008 Share Posted November 12, 2008 The JTR conversion book is primarily for folks looking to do an engine swap on an enjoyable daily driver at a very reasonable price. Their products are excellent. Don't bother trying to fabricate. They give you ways to save money initially by modifying stock parts. Don't ignore having an overdrive automatic or five speed as I did or you will have a gas guzzler. The book is a great place to start, but, if you are going racing, move on up to the good stuff at Arizona Z Car or Techno Toy Tuning and don't buy parts twice as I did. The last edition I bought did not mention the newer products such as five lug conversions or Q45/TT CV Joint conversions. I recommend the Sanderson coated headers but wish I could find some equal length that would fit. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
zx28 Posted November 13, 2008 Author Share Posted November 13, 2008 I'm in TN too! Lemme know if you need an extra pair of hands. will do Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bowtiez Posted November 15, 2008 Share Posted November 15, 2008 BTW: I have the JTR heavy duty driveshaft coupler laying around somewhere. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dv82xl Posted November 24, 2008 Share Posted November 24, 2008 I have the JTR kit and book. Zero problems with the kit. Book a real time saver. Installed a 400sbc & 700r4 car weighs 2520 lbs - did not know of any other kit. p.s. use thread lock on all the drive line bolts! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jleturgey Posted November 24, 2008 Share Posted November 24, 2008 I just finished a comlete JTR on my 74 260z and it was hard to remove the factory trans mounts other than that the conversion was easy Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bowtiez Posted November 25, 2008 Share Posted November 25, 2008 I just finished a comlete JTR on my 74 260z and it was hard to remove the factory trans mounts other than that the conversion was easy No kidding! Air chisels come in real handy for that job. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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