Guest Anonymous Posted August 10, 2001 Share Posted August 10, 2001 Hello everyone. I've been interested in a V8 conversion for a while now and reading all the threads here has convinced me that "yeah, I really want one!" Still doing research, mostly on pricing things out at this point. I guess I just want everyone here to know that I really appreciate the fact that a place like this exists. Some of you guys have taken the art to the max! Sincerely, Jumbo240z Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Anonymous Posted August 10, 2001 Share Posted August 10, 2001 Welcome to the Forum. Glad to hear another Hybrid'er is coming to the party. If you have any questions, let em rip, theres some super nice guys/gals here that'll help you out any way they can. Good luck with the project. Regards, Lone Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Anonymous Posted August 10, 2001 Share Posted August 10, 2001 Yeah, they're real cool. I figured they would consider me a joke for being 15 and wanting to do a V8 swap, but they didn't, and they were really helpful, and for that, I thank you Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BLKMGK Posted August 10, 2001 Share Posted August 10, 2001 Everyone starts somewhere. Earlier is better and I'd advise you to read everything you can get your hands on to speed the learning curve. You NEVER know when something you read somwhere will be helpful when you least expect it. I'll never forget the time I tore down the car's carb when I was 16. Doing this while my parent's primary transportation was in the shop and this was our only car was probably a bad idea in retrospect. Putting it together only to have the engine die after about 5mins of running wasn't a good sign the first three times I tested it (lol). My parents were on pins and needles but I figured it out and we all got where we needed to go the next day just fine! I'm still not sure it ever ran any better but I had fun anyway Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
73BOTIZ Posted August 10, 2001 Share Posted August 10, 2001 Welcome Jumbo.HybridZ is one of the best sites I have been associated with, and I have been with more than a few. If you ever are in my area (Pinole)let me know and I will show you my money pit. Mike Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ray Posted August 10, 2001 Share Posted August 10, 2001 Why don't you guys in the San Fran Bay Area all get together there seem to be alot of you....... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Drax240z Posted August 10, 2001 Share Posted August 10, 2001 Welcome guys. I wish I had been more gung-ho and into cars when I was 15! (seems to me I did a headgasket on my mustang at 16, but it took me a week!) Like these guys said, read everything you can get your hands on. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DavyZ Posted August 10, 2001 Share Posted August 10, 2001 Sometime soon, Lonehdrider will come over to my place and give everyone a shout. Or maybe we can all meet at Leonard's (Fairlady 327) place without him knowing--that would be fun Davy Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest SagZ Posted August 10, 2001 Share Posted August 10, 2001 Hi all! I too am starting a Z-V8 project and had a question. I will be driving the car daily and was wondering about how much HP I can get away with... I want to use pump gas and have it be streetable. Any thoughts? Thanks and Great Forum...I've been ghosting for weeks! SagZ Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Anonymous Posted August 11, 2001 Share Posted August 11, 2001 Thanks for the welcome guys. Yes, I understand the value of reading all the stuff I can, and also visiting all your websites. I am an old Ford guy from years back but there seems to be much more real world experience with chevy installations so I've decided to go that way. But then there will be the "Duh" questions that go along with that (I just never worked on a Chevy!) Anyway, Lonehdrider, I think my install will be alot like yours, and I appreciate the documentation on your website. It seems like a reasonable amount of cash for some really cool realized benefits (I'm thinking about some chassis mods though, cuz I plan on taking this monster to the track every now and then.) One question I have for you regards air conditioning. I'm livin' in the same HOT climate and the wifey says she won't ride with me if it's hot out! I also have a '72 and what I've found says '72's didn't come with air. So does that mean I gotta switch over to a '73-up heater et al? Anyway, I think it would be cool to get all the SF bay area Hybridz guys together. At the very least I'd know which Z's NOT to mess with! Jon Take care and thanks again. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Anonymous Posted August 11, 2001 Share Posted August 11, 2001 Oh yeah, BTW, 73BOTIZ, no kidding about the money pit!!! Dang, and the wife does the books! hahahaha! She'll get over it. Cheers Jon Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Anonymous Posted August 11, 2001 Share Posted August 11, 2001 SagZ, you can build-up a Chevy 350 to whatever HP you want on pump gas. Just fork out the cash! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BLKMGK Posted August 11, 2001 Share Posted August 11, 2001 I too have a 72 and am a Ford guy - duh questions? Wazzat? Like when you can't figure out WHY Chevy starters need to be shimmed?! Oh yea, I understand now HP, well as others said as much as you want. Past a certain point it makes no real sense though probably as it'll just break things or go up in smoke. I'm shooting for about 450 horse with maybe a bottle to back it up. Carb'ed first, then EFI, then maybe a blowwer - we'll see. More cubes will give you easier power but probably a lower RPM threshold. I went with a 383 stroker but others have gone for 327, 302, Buick 231, all sorts of things. If this will be a driver maybe consider an LT1 with EFI out of a wrecked Camarobird. A/C - you can retrofit A/C into the 72. It was done way back then, it can be done now. Be aware though that the blower motors are pretty bad. For this reason I want to use Vintage Air in my car. First however I've got to get the intake to stop leaking water and th etrans to run in all gears (grumble). I believe at least one of us has gone this route - done correctly you'll have nice cool A/C Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Anonymous Posted August 11, 2001 Share Posted August 11, 2001 BLK, been reading about your misfortune. That's gotta suck. Hope everything gets going for you soon. BTW, were you able to use the stock hood mounts with your fiberglass hood? It's a nice way to shave pounds and I think depending on the manufacturer you can use the stock hinges. Oh yeah, what color is your z? It looks really unique. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fl327 Posted August 11, 2001 Share Posted August 11, 2001 king of import racing, yes i am. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Anonymous Posted August 11, 2001 Share Posted August 11, 2001 Jumbo240z, you can do air a few ways in a 72. I used the kit from MSA and modified the mount to work on the chevy, for a few dollars more I could have bought a sanderson to chevy mount somewhere I'm sure, but I'm a cheap skate. The other method is to use like Vintage air's units and replace the heater unit with one that has both heat and air. I'm not sure how theres works or what the total costs and if its a complete kit for the money. The MSA one runs a steep 831.00 which I guess isn't bad, I've paid more for add on air in a new car. Mines finally done but not charged, so I can't say yet how well it works. Yeah suspension is advisable. I have my front end done now, and sways front and rear put in, it should ride a bit lower when I get it back off stands I've got 1" shorter springs as well I can't wait to drive it now to be honest. Building exhaust system now blah.. Good luck with your project. Regards, Lone Ps: I agree, a gathering would be cool, maybe somewhere in the middle to include some of the other Northern Cal HybridZ owners. We'll have to try to make that happen soon. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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