V8
 

Hi this is my first post on this particular msg brd as I currently own an 88 300zx. My question though has to do with the 240z and the V8 mod. Pretty much I want to build me a fast street/drag car and I am looking into building a nice SB v8 for a future vintage chevy or plymouth but for now I would like to build a V8 into a 240 to impress all my buds in the Z Car Club of Ohio ;) anyway I am pretty much wanting to know what pertains to doing this. Will I need to purchase a new transmission or will I be able to use the existing 5 speed. What types of parts do I need to accomplish this conversion. I know that motorsport sells a conversion kit but is all this really necessary for the conversion. As far as I see it I am thinking to buy the new motor mounts and remove the straight six and drop in the v8 I know there will be difficulties on the way but is that pretty much all there is? This will be my very first engine buildup and swap but I plan on learning through doing, asking, and reading as much as possible to get what I want. The engine I am planning on dropping in will be something along the tune of a Nitrous Fed chevy sb 383. Thanx for any and all help as I very much appreciate it. -Kyle

-Kyle

Re: V8
 

First, you'll want to head over to www.motorbooks.com and purchase part number 115501, or better known as Jags That Run Datsun V8 conversion manual by Mike Knell. Here's a link: Datsun V8 conversion manual, $34

Second, you should immediately register on www.hybridz.org and check out chevy/mopar forums for questions and answers. But basically almost everything you need will be in that manual. Definitely worth $34, and it includes drawings and schematics for mounts and plates

As far as parts you will need for a chevy swap, i'll try to cover the basics as much as possible. You'll need the following besides the 350/383 sbc and tranny (you can't use the Z tranny. It might be a BW t5 as well, but it's wrong design).

-74 gm truck motor mounts
-84-86 camaro plastic/aluminum radiator
-r200 rear differential out of a 280z with preferably 3.54 gearing.
-r200 moustache bar, front mount, and rear rounded crossmember (xmember only if your car is 71 and older).
-JTR mount kit, unless you're planning on fabricating your own brackets with their directions (they sell parts at www.jagsthatrun.com )
-you will need to hammer out your tranny tunnel to make the new tranny fit. you will also need the JTR tranny crossmember (or make one yourself per their directions).
-new custom sectioned driveshaft and heavy duty u-joints and flanges
-external electric fuel pump
-blackmagic electric fan
-reduced gear starter for GM motors
-transmission you'll have to figure out what you want. a world class t5 out of a chevy camaro (3rd gen, 88-92) can handle about 300 crank hp. Anything over 300 that you'll hammer on will eventually grenade the transmission, not to mention the bellhousing is weak, and you'd wind up with tranny shrapnel in your legs (or worse, your genitals). Options vary like t10, 4 speed muncie, borg warner t56 (4th gen 6 speed, rated to about 400+hp). automatics are th350, 400, 700r4, etc.

Those are just the basics you'll need to take care of. Don't forget that you'll run into many things you'll need to McGyver yourself and such. Recommended that you also upgrade your suspension and brakes to the 4 piston toyota setup, and install a rollbar/strut braces/chassis stiffening brackets to prevent the twisting force of torque that tends to affect unibody Zs so much. Also, that r200 rear diff will not hold up to more than 300hp of abuse for long. If you're planning on building a monster powered Z, swap in an r230 out of a 300zx/infiniti q45 with CV conversion.

hope this helps.
-alex