Guest Anonymous Posted September 5, 2001 Share Posted September 5, 2001 I'm shopping for my project car right now. I found a 280zx with minimal rust for $500, but I'm not sure if I should hold out for a 280z. I know that I have to use the scarab position in the 280zx, but I don't know if it has the same ill effects in that car as it does in the earlier cars. Will steering be heavier and will performance /cooling suffer if I use the ZX rather than a Z? I've got a 327 and a t-10 four speed. I just am hunting a car. What do you guy's think, should I get the 280zx or wait for a non-zx car? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DavyZ Posted September 5, 2001 Share Posted September 5, 2001 quote: Originally posted by Jack300z: ...I know that I have to use the scarab position in the 280zx, but I don't know if it has the same ill effects in that car as it does in the earlier cars... Jack, please understand that the "Scarab position" does not apply to the ZX at all--it is a different animal entirely. The ZX makes a fine swap, and I am strongly considering one for my next swap. Every guy on this board who has done a ZX swap loves their car, period, and there are no heavy steering or handling issues I am aware of. Any swap really depends on your tastes, your budget, and the availability of the car you want. HTH Davy Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BLKMGK Posted September 5, 2001 Share Posted September 5, 2001 Davy - don't some of the ZX have different power steering setups? Is there any particular setup he should prefer over another or any particular options that might make the swap more difficult? Say a digital dash etc.? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DavyZ Posted September 5, 2001 Share Posted September 5, 2001 quote: Originally posted by BLKMGK: Davy - don't some of the ZX have different power steering setups? Is there any particular setup he should prefer over another or any particular options that might make the swap more difficult? Say a digital dash etc.? BLKMGK, o.k., you got me there. I had not thought about the power steering (or possible lack thereof), but we are still talking about a different animal. Maybe Ross Corrigan or one of the other ZX guys can comment on this. I never asked Ross if his car has PS or not... Davy Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pparaska Posted September 5, 2001 Share Posted September 5, 2001 Besides a preference for what body style you prefer to look at (aesthetics), the other question is total vehicle weight. The 240Z wins here. The other question is present or future emissions laws. It's almost always easier to get by with engine swaps in older car bodies. And even if your area doesn't have draconian emissions laws now, it might in the future. Or you might be pressured to move your residence to an area with those laws. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Anonymous Posted September 5, 2001 Share Posted September 5, 2001 Well, I noticed that the engine compartment looks bigger in my ZX than in my Z if that means anything to you. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pparaska Posted September 5, 2001 Share Posted September 5, 2001 It may be bigger, but the 240-280Z has PLENTY of room for a V8. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Modern Motorsports Ltd Posted September 5, 2001 Share Posted September 5, 2001 quote: Originally posted by James M: Well, I noticed that the engine compartment looks bigger in my ZX than in my Z if that means anything to you. it's a nice engine bay, ZX crossmember is 3" closer to firewall than that of a Z, and steering (if you have a rack, and not the idler setup) is rear mount (Z's are front mounts) so oilpan clearance/hood clearance etc are tighter in a ZX but can all be dealt with like any other tighter tolearances. I have the manual Rack/n/pinion in my setup and I prefer the feel of the road it gives me vs. a power setup, being a somewhat inexperienced track driver I just feel more in tune with it, just my preference. you can achieve the same optimal weight distribution as a Z with same OR less effort, I have a rear weight bias and am lighter than stock FWIW in my 80coupe. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Anonymous Posted September 6, 2001 Share Posted September 6, 2001 1983 280 ZX's have power rack and pinion on the backside of the cross member(by the way it's made by ZF industries, I find that very odd, major japaneese mfg. using German parts on production vehicles) It's a small world. Now back to the subject. I think it would be easier to install a V-8 in an earlier 280 ZX. I installed an LT1 w/4 spd. auto in a 1983 280 ZX and I had to make a set of hedders, and motor mounts very time consuming and not fun. I don't think I would do it again on an '83 ZX. I think the ZX series is an excellent vehicle for a swap. I had no oil pan clearance problems or hood clearance problems. As far as the digital dash goes you just use Nissan senders on the Chevy engine. The tachometer is another situation that I have not at this time worked out, in fact I would like to have help on that issue. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Anonymous Posted September 6, 2001 Share Posted September 6, 2001 Oh, I know it'll fit in the Z's too, but I figure a bigger engine compartment would make for a slightly easier swap. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BLKMGK Posted September 6, 2001 Share Posted September 6, 2001 Don't let engine bay size be the deciding factor. The older Z engine bay (I've got a 240) swallows the V8 jut fine. It's EASY to work around! Make your decision based on things like emissions laws and comfort, maybe weight too. Nothing at all wrong with a ZX swap but the older Zs work just as well where engine bay space is concerned. I think the only things about a ZX swap that would concern me would be the power steering, emissions laws, and wiring. If you're comfortable with all of that go for it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Anonymous Posted September 8, 2001 Share Posted September 8, 2001 Hey bbbowtie, Tell me as much as possible on your 17's Did you use 300z hubs? How difficult was the front. How much were the spacers and where did you purchase them. I want to do my wheel setup before I commit to the engine upgrade. Tell me everything. You can also email me. nidan@cox-internet.com Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Anonymous Posted September 9, 2001 Share Posted September 9, 2001 280notpd4 You've got mail. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Anonymous Posted September 11, 2001 Share Posted September 11, 2001 Jack 300Z, I have a 83 Zx which is chevy powered. I made the mounts and used the hugger headers which were modified to clear the steering. The ZX has a digital dash and everything but the tach is working. I am working on the tach and will resolve it soon. I am running a 2004r trans that I think is perfect for the car. The car is quick enough to get the attention of the Viper and Corvette owners, it must be frustrating when a 83 Z gets away from these high dollar toys. The car is fun to drive and really is trouble free so far. I never did an early conversion so I can not compare. I do know this conversion was really pretty easy. Don 87 Monte SS, 43,000 miles, 100% stock 55 Chevy Post, 406 small block 83 280ZX, 331 small block Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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