1987, Z31 swap for 350SBC with T5 or T56

[Dokka]

Hello! First of all I want to say that I'm lucky to find this web site, it rocks! I have a Z31 from 1987 5 speed NA, all stock, it has 83000 miles, drives nice but not strong enough for me, it's rated at 160hp. I want to get about 400 or bitter, I want so much torque and power to do a 0 to 60 in 4 sec. Not really a drag race lover. So I'm thinking of a 350 Chevy Camaro or Corvette engine and tranny swap in my little Nissan, I just love the way it looks, like a torpedo you know. I know it's not a rocket since for most of you how to do a swap, but for me it is. I'm not mechanic oriented yet, but I'm quick learner. I'm redoing the interior of the car my self and I enjoy it. As I found so far here is that most swaps are done to a 240 or 280Zs. I also read that its easier to do a swap in Z31 then in 280z. Now I'm honestly do not know which parts I can use from my Nissan, which parts I need to get for a swap besides engine and tranny, can I use stock radiator maybe with some electric dual fan? what kind of wire harness I would need if I go with carburetor? How much abuse can my R200 would hold? Is stock drive shaft strong enough? I know I have to get that custom made and don't know if I should order a new one. How hard is it to seat the engine and tranny in a bay? mounts? Do you guys make them your self? I'm sorry if Im asking to many questions but I'm so exited about it you know. Excuse my spelling please I'm from another Country so I'm still learning it. I will be waiting for replies. Thanks guys!

[frank280zx]

Hello! First of all I want to say that I'm lucky to find this web site, it rocks! I have a Z31 from 1987 5 speed NA, all stock, it has 83000 miles, drives nice but not strong enough for me, it's rated at 160hp. I want to get about 400 or bitter, I want so much torque and power to do a 0 to 60 in 4 sec. Not really a drag race lover. So I'm thinking of a 350 Chevy Camaro or Corvette engine and tranny swap in my little Nissan, I just love the way it looks, like a torpedo you know. I know it's not a rocket since for most of you how to do a swap, but for me it is. I'm not mechanic oriented yet, but I'm quick learner. I'm redoing the interior of the car my self and I enjoy it. As I found so far here is that most swaps are done to a 240 or 280Zs. I also read that its easier to do a swap in Z31 then in 280z. Now I'm honestly do not know which parts I can use from my Nissan, which parts I need to get for a swap besides engine and tranny, can I use stock radiator maybe with some electric dual fan? what kind of wire harness I would need if I go with carburetor? How much abuse can my R200 would hold? Is stock drive shaft strong enough? I know I have to get that custom made and don't know if I should order a new one. How hard is it to seat the engine and tranny in a bay? mounts? Do you guys make them your self? I'm sorry if Im asking to many questions but I'm so exited about it you know. Excuse my spelling please I'm from another Country so I'm still learning it. I will be waiting for replies. Thanks guys!

 

First of all welcome .. second of all.. SEARCH all that you ask can be found!

 

There is no kit for a z31 swap but it wont be that hard (if you have access to a welder to fix some up). Actually i see sbc engine mounts that where meant for building into chassis on ebay all the time, and they provide a good base line.

Your r200 will have no problem with you v8 whatsoever one of the member heres does wheel stands on one so i would not worry.

Your drive shaft will have to made stock wont fit the input shaft of the gearbox or and wont be the right size.

In my s130 it was as im using a t5 but the shaft diameter on the Chevy t5 is to big for the Nissan axle.

then there is headers i have no clue what fits a z31

 

i want to make one remark being you might be better of buying or swapping in a turbo z31 engine.. a swap like this does take mechanical skills period! quick learner or not, this might be in over your head. Or you have to have a thick wallet and have most work done.

 

Good luck keep us posted.

 

ps Your name dokka, does it reffer to the norwegian village or Dokka Umarov the self-proclaimed Emir of the Russian North Caucasus.

(just out of curiosity)

Edited June 6, 2010 by frank280zx

[Dokka]

Thank you Frank!

 

Right now I have two Chevy motors, 305 and 350 also I got to transmissions, both automatic, but I prefer manual 5 speed. I looked at swapping to VG30ET at first, but and then I figured it's still not enough torque and power, only 200-205hp. To build up power on VG block is cost a lot of money, I read that the guy put around $10000 in it and he pushes 400hp. I definitely don't have that money to build it. I hope it will be cheaper to do a SBC swap, not the LS1 but the older versions, which is easier right? Turbo it is always option to. I know that a rebuild T5 will cost around $800+ custom made shaft $400 max. I do have access to a welder and friends who is good with it. Now here where I get lost. What kind of wires I'd need, how to connect them to Nissan in order have all other options. Cooling system? Do I need a Chevy radiator? Brakes? I know I can upgrade to a Z32s but is it necessary? or is there only one way to find out? =)) I know this that when its raining my Z31 has a hard time braking, slides a lot compare to other newer RWD.

 

P.S my name Dokka has nothing to do with Norwegian village or Chechen field commander Dokka Umarov. That is my nickname, my friend calls me like that.

[frank280zx]

Thank you Frank!

 

Right now I have two Chevy motors, 305 and 350 also I got to transmissions, both automatic, but I prefer manual 5 speed. I looked at swapping to VG30ET at first, but and then I figured it's still not enough torque and power, only 200-205hp. To build up power on VG block is cost a lot of money, I read that the guy put around $10000 in it and he pushes 400hp. I definitely don't have that money to build it. I hope it will be cheaper to do a SBC swap, not the LS1 but the older versions, which is easier right? Turbo it is always option to. I know that a rebuild T5 will cost around $800+ custom made shaft $400 max. I do have access to a welder and friends who is good with it. Now here where I get lost. What kind of wires I'd need, how to connect them to Nissan in order have all other options. Cooling system? Do I need a Chevy radiator? Brakes? I know I can upgrade to a Z32s but is it necessary? or is there only one way to find out? =)) I know this that when its raining my Z31 has a hard time braking, slides a lot compare to other newer RWD.

 

P.S my name Dokka has nothing to do with Norwegian village or Chechen field commander Dokka Umarov. That is my nickname, my friend calls me like that.

 

Get some 88 turbo front struts with the hubs, slide z32 disck on there and use z32 TT or R33 GTST (skyline) kalipers using a s13/14 barkeline kit desinged for the swap and voila.

What do you mean by sliding? over the fronts ? ifso you might check out how old your tires are in the first place

 

I doubbt a SBC will be cheaper than a VG30ET with MsS and a cheap EBay T4.. more fun yes.. but like stated before it is not easy by a long shot

 

 

 

A VG can easely put out 300RWHP,

[Dokka]

I will look in to using Z32 brake system, it slides not because of the old tires =) I wish it would slide like that when Im taking of forward =)) OK Frank, how can I build VG30ET up to 300whp? how much would it cost? What about VG30DETT that comes with 300hp and 280lb torque? Besides, I already have the 5.7 SBC

[frank280zx]

I will look in to using Z32 brake system, it slides not because of the old tires =) I wish it would slide like that when Im taking of forward =)) OK Frank, how can I build VG30ET up to 300whp? how much would it cost? What about VG30DETT that comes with 300hp and 280lb torque? Besides, I already have the 5.7 SBC

 

search my friend most of it is ... guess what boost

[Dokka]

I can spare $2000-2500 for some one to install me a 350sbc and T5 tranny. You think it's a fare price? Some one who knows what is he doing can do it in one week or bitter, including all fabs and tune up, I think anyway. That may be bitter then me a construction worker to try a twisting a wrench and hold a welder and connectting wires =))

[Dokka]

while I was doing research on how to build a sbc with 400hp and 400lbs of torque, i came across a 383 idea, now I'm looking in to make it 383 stroker, with some side exoust pipes and big wide rims. Makes me exited just to imagine how it's gonna sound and take of when I'm done with it, about $6000-$8000 later but it still beats me financing a $80.000 GTR for rest of my life