bud8541 Posted January 24, 2011 Share Posted January 24, 2011 I am new to this forum I just purchased a 76 280Z and a SBC I have looked at 3 different kit manufacturers. They are all about the same with each having their own little twist. I am looking for a direction as to which kit is the best as far as working with, fitment and which kit is the most complete instead of trying to piece one together from all three. I will be putting a SBC 350 with a T5 into a 76 Z. Thanks in advance for the help. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cockerstar Posted January 24, 2011 Share Posted January 24, 2011 I'm guessing you found the JTR kit, the scarab/hooker kit, and the JCI kit? JCI is for the gen 3/4 engines, so it won't work with the gen 1/2 small blocks. The JTR kit is the standard. It's a quality kit, and it's reasonably priced. It sets the engine low and far back, but it really limits your header options. You are looking at custom if you want long tubes, but if you stick with block huggers or manifolds, then there are a TON of options out there. The scarab kit places the engine further up and away from the firewall, but the headers that hooker used to make bolt right in. I haven't done the swap personally, but if I was doing it I would buy the kit from JTR and get their swap book too. There is a TON of good info in there! If you use the search function, you'll be able to find the nuances of each different kit, but this should get you going in the right direction. Hope this helps, Ryan Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
94porkchop Posted January 25, 2011 Share Posted January 25, 2011 I have the JTR kit and i think it works out just fine and well built. This thread will probably get flamed. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bud8541 Posted January 25, 2011 Author Share Posted January 25, 2011 Has anyone used the kit from John's cars? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
emeraldlion Posted January 25, 2011 Share Posted January 25, 2011 (edited) That was what star was trying to tell you. The brokenkitty kit from John's Cars is for the newer style lsx engines it will not work with gen 1/2 engines. The kit is also a good kit with plenty of reputation around here. Before you continue and the administrators slap you on the wrist I suggest you do a thorough search and read the forum stickies on v8 conversions. There is WAY more help then you might imagine already scribed in the forums and hashed out by veteran members who spilled plenty of blood and tears so that we might not traverse their painful mistakes a second time. Edited January 25, 2011 by emeraldlion Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GOTHALOSISM Posted January 25, 2011 Share Posted January 25, 2011 It also depends on what SBC you have. If its a pre 97 I would go with JTR. After that you will want the Johns kit Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kevin.pk Posted January 27, 2011 Share Posted January 27, 2011 (edited) I don't have any experience with the kit/mounts, but JCI(John's cars) makes a kit for the Gen 1/2 sbc too. http://www.johnscars.com/zcar/zcar.html For what it's worth, I used the JTR mounts. Edited January 27, 2011 by 280zcar Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sweetride2go Posted January 27, 2011 Share Posted January 27, 2011 I used the JTR mounts, on my first v8 Z. They aren't hard to fab, or you can buy them, and they work well. The second V8 Z I made my own mounts... But I still vouch for the JTR mounts in an unmolested Z. Cheers Ryan~ Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Miles Posted January 29, 2011 Share Posted January 29, 2011 (edited) I am one of the few people here to use the MSA V8 installation kit. I have used it on two 240Z v8 builds. The first car 10 years ago and the car is still on the road. The second v8 Z two years ago with no problems. The one thing I like about it is the trans mount bolts inside the tunnel allowing you to move the trans tailstock up/down to get the best driveline angle before bolting the mount in place. Do a search for MSA mounts. You shouild find 2 or 3 of my posts on the install. In terms of engine position it is close to the fire wall and low, but not as low as the JTR mount. Edited January 29, 2011 by Miles Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
codyethridge Posted March 30, 2011 Share Posted March 30, 2011 I also was going to do a v8 swap and still might, but I am working on a v8 car for my friend and im learning alot more every day I work on it. I have the JTR book and it references the scarab kit. Altho Im not educated on the JCI kit but ive read and reread/studied if you will, the JTR book and it breaks everything down to make it sound easy, but like I said ive never done the swap but it sounds easy enough with the JTR kit. Also the JTR kit allows for better shifter placement and beter center of gravity being that the engine is lower in the car. Also the JTR book has some nifty little tips on whts the best trans to use for you application suspension, tire sizes, They have pics of cars that are already built, Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kamikaZeS30 Posted March 30, 2011 Share Posted March 30, 2011 I like the MSA engine mounts, myself. I used them with slight modification to keep the engine lower and closer to the firewall (so much so that I cannot use an HEI distributor). I ended up having someone make a trans mount for me, as I didn't like any of the ones JTR/MSA/JCI offer. It was basically some .125" wall thickness square tubing on each side welded to a rather hefty plate which mounted to the back of the tail-shaft (where it was originally on the T5), this allowed me to re-use the stock early-240 trans mount bolt holes and maintain rigidity (by using thicker stock steel) and provided better drive-line geometry. It allows plenty of room to tuck some 2 1/2" exhaust piping all the way back, as well, and you don't have to drill more holes in the body to mount it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GOTHALOSISM Posted April 1, 2011 Share Posted April 1, 2011 The scarab mounts are still available through Hooker. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pyro Posted April 1, 2011 Share Posted April 1, 2011 you need to set the engine back in the JTR position if you plan to use the T5 trans. The JTR engine position put the T5 shifter in the stock shifter location. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.