v8 in a 280

[zman525]

Hellooo. Im in the process of restoring a 1976 280z and i wanted to put a small block chevy 350 in it. I noticed this was brought up several times in other threads but i would like to get questions answered as i go along. anyways for me finding a chevy 350 to rebuild wont be a problem at all. I just want to know is what i would do about the tranny and drivetrain, also what the weight difference is ( if ill need to do some stiffening of the frame rails) and where i could purchase the conversion kit or if i could make it myself. Any input is welcome.

[jmortensen]

Try over at www.hybridz.org. All of your questions have been answered before. Read the stickies in the V8 forum and search the forums. You should find everything you need and more.

[zman525]

I took a quick look at hybridz but i couldnt find anytthing right off the bat... ill look deeper but anyways is it at all POSSIBLE to fit a 427 in a z?My buddy has a 427 he wouldnt mind givin up =) who knows maybe ill find a charger body or sumthin.

[240ZX]

I took a quick look at hybridz but i couldnt find anytthing right off the bat... ill look deeper but anyways is it at all POSSIBLE to fit a 427 in a z?My buddy has a 427 he wouldnt mind givin up =) who knows maybe ill find a charger body or sumthin.

It's been done.....BBC in a Z car! Hybridz has a wealth of information in it's achives. All you have to do is search and read!

[zman525]

alright well ive decided i think im goin to put a 427 in my 240z.... seems like an odd thing to do but im goin to see if i can pull that 427 out somehow. any of you guys ever pulled an engine out of a big mack truck before? If so input would be great

[=Resurected280=]

I saw a 454 Z project online a while back (sorry, cant remember the site), this looks like a MAJOR project in his case at least. He had to cut out the entire area under the cowl as well as reroute the steering, custom front crossmember, move the pedal assembly and steering wheel back (hope your not very tall!!), custom rear end, etc, etc. The point im getting at is that width-wise the engine would most likely fit but the length of the big block engine and the transmission to go with it would be a problem. Also there was way more metal work and welding involved than I ever imagined.

I'm all for the V8 conversion, so long as its done correctly, but I think a 427 would probably be a little much IMO.

Can you imagine trying to get traction in this car??????

Just my 2 cents.

[zman525]

haha yah im still debating. I dont know how i would get this engine outa a dump truck . Im tryin to get my hands on a cheap 350 aswell. In all honesty i dont think ill end up gettin the 427 but im definantly getting a small block 350. The 350 can fit into a normal engine bay without much hassle right? Anyways where can i purchase the conversion kit?

[DatsunZGuy]

Anyways where can i purchase the conversion kit?

Here's one source:

http://www.zcarparts.com/store/merchant.mvc?Screen=CTGY&Category_Code=PRC01

[Hrududu]

I've seen up to a 502 in a Z, but thats a bit much. The 350 is much more practical, especially if you want to drive it around town.

[=Resurected280=]

JTR Conversions

This is the best conversion I've seen. If you do the conversion by this manual it will set the engine as low and far back as possible in the engine bay, unlike in the origional Scarab conversions which were further forward and less efficient in their cooling and have heavier steering. I bought this conversion manual and read through, seems to be very informative and cover all the info that you would need.

[zed240au]

The JTR book is a must it covers everything you need to know about small block conversion covers electrical fuel gearboxes suspension

Think the 427 would be a major project by comparison

[Dudeboy]

zman525,

You can make the mounts and fabricate yourself, however as mention get the JTR manual and go over to hybridz.org. 98% of all questions will be answered in a search. The other 2% will be your skills and how much money you want to spend. Quick answers:

1. Transmissions: 700r4, 200r4 (bowtieoverdrives.com)

World class T5 only good to 300-350hp/tq

Tremec T56 from GM f-body there are two models- Centerforce flywheel-clutch/ -Mccleod also has set-ups. Weir Hot rods makes modular bellhousing kit for both early and late model T56

TKO 500 and TK0 600 -550\650 TQ -5 speeds--These transmissions work well with the R200 -3.54 gearing - (25-26 inch tall tire)

2. Depending on horsepower look at converting halfshafts to CV. go here

www.modern-motorsports.com. Ross C. is a great guy and knows Z's and ZX,

also here: www.magshooterz.com/v8240z, good v8 information.

3. Z unibody integrity: Rollbar, strut bars and go here for more thorough drivetrain info:

www.alteredz.com. Pete Paraska's one the best V8 z and z sites for information.

4. Brakes -suspension: Modern-motorsports or www.arizonazcar.com

Generation 1 smallblock (carburetor) and Lt1 go here:

http://www.jagsthatrun.com/Pages/Datsun_Z_V-8.html

Motorsport Auto (MSA) sells kit also allows usage of full length headers-fabrication needed.

Generation 3 (Ls1) go here:

http://www.brokenkitty.com/zcar/zcar.htm Also, JTR sells LS1 bits and pieces as well.

I am in the middle of my V8 swap on a 1977 280z, so I can attest to all this information being on hybridz.