powershotnt Posted November 12, 2009 Share Posted November 12, 2009 o.k. did a search on the posts but found nothing..yes i am new here any help would be appreciated. I have searched the chevy and ford conversions..all i have seen are 240-280z's..no zx's. In all the threads i have read the chevy creates problems with the distributor below the hood latch and ford has its issues also. Doesn't matter to me as long as its a v8 that puts out at least 330hp. Anyone on here have any major input about converting a 280zx and in their opinion why a chevy or a ford??? I hope i don't create a firestorm.. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
280zx 2by2 Posted November 12, 2009 Share Posted November 12, 2009 we can do a test fit on my 81 2+2! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
neotech84 Posted November 12, 2009 Share Posted November 12, 2009 JTR have some mounts for the ZX. Have you checked out their site? http://www.jagsthatrun.com/Pages/Datsun_Z_V-8.html Hope you find what you need. Searching is key here, do as much as you can then take a break to let thought settle and do some more! Hope to see a good build thread. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jay1161970 Posted November 12, 2009 Share Posted November 12, 2009 http://home.earthlink.net/~dvgreimann/index.html Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
powershotnt Posted November 12, 2009 Author Share Posted November 12, 2009 JTR have some mounts for the ZX. Have you checked out their site? http://www.jagsthatrun.com/Pages/Datsun_Z_V-8.html Hope you find what you need. Searching is key here, do as much as you can then take a break to let thought settle and do some more! Hope to see a good build thread. yes i have seen the jtr site..will a ford or chevy mount up to their adapters? or is it all meant for gm only??? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Rolling Parts Posted November 12, 2009 Share Posted November 12, 2009 o.k. did a search on the posts but found nothing... Gee, found this in literally 10 seconds: http://www.jagsthatrun.com/Datsun-ZX_Order.html Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
powershotnt Posted November 12, 2009 Author Share Posted November 12, 2009 Gee, found this in literally 10 seconds:http://www.jagsthatrun.com/Datsun-ZX_Order.html yes me too..please reread my original post Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Rolling Parts Posted November 12, 2009 Share Posted November 12, 2009 yes me too..please reread my original post You said "all i have seen are 240-280z's..no zx's." That's why I gave you a ZX hyperlink that I found in 10 seconds. Personally, I would not invest the $5-6K required to do a decent redesign of a 2+2 ZX driveline/suspension/cooling/instrumentation on top of the $3-5K body rust restoration you're already doing, but to each his own. Also allot 4 times the project time that you think it will take because it will be a "learning process" (read, all the money you put into it will go for education, not resale value). Just realize that the "free 280ZX 2+2" will end up costing the same as a turbo converted 240Z of better performance and looks and parts support and resale and fun and admiring looks from other drivers while offering the same level of education. YMMV. Good luck with it. Also, don't worry about a distributor, going distributorless is EASY compared to the rest of the project. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
blackice280zxt Posted November 12, 2009 Share Posted November 12, 2009 meh I want a 2+2 to put a v8 in Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hunterzed Posted November 12, 2009 Share Posted November 12, 2009 You said "all i have seen are 240-280z's..no zx's."That's why I gave you a ZX hyperlink that I found in 10 seconds. Personally, I would not invest the $5-6K required to do a decent redesign of a 2+2 ZX driveline/suspension/cooling/instrumentation on top of the $3-5K body rust restoration you're already doing, but to each his own. Also allot 4 times the project time that you think it will take because it will be a "learning process" (read, all the money you put into it will go for education, not resale value). Just realize that the "free 280ZX 2+2" will end up costing the same as a turbo converted 240Z of better performance and looks and parts support and resale and fun and admiring looks from other drivers while offering the same level of education. YMMV. Good luck with it. Also, don't worry about a distributor, going distributorless is EASY compared to the rest of the project. Just because you prefer the 240/260 over the zx doesn't mean others do. If you want to stick to the flock and don't want to be different then thats your choice. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Rolling Parts Posted November 12, 2009 Share Posted November 12, 2009 Just because you prefer the 240/260 over the zx doesn't mean others do. If you want to stick to the flock and don't want to be different then thats your choice. Oh, I agree completely and the V8 goes well in the stiffer ZX chassis. This is after all Hybridz.org so pretty much anything goes. It's just that starting with a very rusty non-sentimental 2+2 ZX as the starting point of a major investment is awfully unusual. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
shawn83zxt Posted November 12, 2009 Share Posted November 12, 2009 I'm almost done with my ZX v8 swap. Its not a 2+2, but it shouldn't be much of a difference other than drive shaft length. I used the JTR kit, which allows for a sbc to be bolted to the stock zx xmember. The engine position is adjustable, so I had no fitment issues with the distributor. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hunterzed Posted November 12, 2009 Share Posted November 12, 2009 Oh, I agree completely and the V8 goes well in the stiffer ZX chassis.This is after all Hybridz.org so pretty much anything goes. It's just that starting with a very rusty non-sentimental 2+2 ZX as the starting point of a major investment is awfully unusual. Sorry for jumping but there seems to be an increase on ney sayers just flaming people for putting their ideas on the open forum just because they don't match with the responding persons thoughts on how things should be done. I'm all for people trying things that are far out and different. Sometimes it creates a whole subculture and a wealth of knowledge. The 'can you turn a 280zx into an Awd.' thread is a good example. Just getting tired of people flamming for the sake of flamming and not being constructive. Steve Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Rolling Parts Posted November 13, 2009 Share Posted November 13, 2009 Actually, when someone posts that they can't find ANY info on a V8 in a ZX on this site, I'm surprised no one actually became "inflammatory" at all... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
shawn83zxt Posted November 13, 2009 Share Posted November 13, 2009 You have to admit, there is only a fraction of information for an s130 v8 swap compared to the s30. Perhaps a few of us ZX guys should write a sticky and solve this? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Rolling Parts Posted November 13, 2009 Share Posted November 13, 2009 You have to admit, there is only a fraction of information for an s130 v8 swap compared to the s30. Perhaps a few of us ZX guys should write a sticky and solve this? No, the same amount of information exists. Since the engine and drive line are identical, the basic swap is identical. The rest of the body is irrelevant since the dimensions on what is removed is identical and what is being installed is identical. EDIT: http://forums.hybridz.org/showthread.php?p=1091055#post1091055 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
woldson Posted November 13, 2009 Share Posted November 13, 2009 If the hood latch becomes a problem, just ditch it and use hood pins. Since I only have had s130, headers MAY be limited due to steering components. It will be nice to see a 2+2 s130 built up. You can always swap to another shell if you feel the need. Just shorten drive shaft if necessary. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
azguy Posted November 13, 2009 Share Posted November 13, 2009 I have a 1983 280zx 2+2 turbo I successfully swaped a 94 LT1 4L60E package into. I used the headers JTR sells that clear the steering shaft. Had a local shop cut/balance a GM driveshaft to fit. JTR didn't have the engine/trans mounts for sale when I did my swap. I used the MSA ones. I would strongly recommend NOT using MSA's for the ZX (I had a hell of a time getting the motor mounts in and had to modify the trans mount for proper driveline angles). I currently have the LT1 out and already have JTR's mount kit for when the motor goes back in. Guy on here has a website about his swap. http://datsun-280zx-lt1.com Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hunterzed Posted November 13, 2009 Share Posted November 13, 2009 That link doesn't work for me. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Smokescreen Posted November 13, 2009 Share Posted November 13, 2009 I am gonna jump on board with Hunterzed here and Rollingparts lol. There have been some indescriminant flaming here and there and I agree it seems to go against what this forum is all about. On the flip side I agree with Rolling parts Search feature statement. Thing is the Zx's don't have as much overall coverage as our S30 brethren. This is not really a bad thing. Look at it like a generational thing, The old schoolers got their homework done on their cars, now it's our turn. I've posted under our S130 sub catagory and hope people get on board. If we don't have the answers lets find them! My $.02 anyhow, Jason Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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