I know this may be sacrilege here but I'm thinking of building a hot rod with my Z..it's an 84-300 non turbo with an automatic...this is my seventh Z..all 300s from 84 -88..I really like the cars..I really like the performance too..I had a Silver anniversary turbo coupe that would fly..this one however has had the motor changed..I have no idea of what this one came from and it has some wiring fried on the motor and other things...it still runs fine...I'm just wanting some middle age horseposer I guess...anyway, saw some setups on the net here that sold kits for the swap but am thinking if someone has done it already i should be able to make most of the parts to mount the engine and trans and if I could get the particulars from some body I'd be set...I'm an auto mechanic by trade so know the ins and outs of building and fabricating pretty well...I wanna keep the stock suspension setups and just upgrade them to handle the V-8 horsepower...I even thought about adapting a late model FORD rear housing in there for a differential since they now come from the factory with half shafts too..some piecing together of axles there would give a much stronger rear end..I can get the differentials too since i work there(already have one)and they are outta the new EXPLORER..Think they have an 8.8 ring gear in them...anyway.I'd appreciate any and all insight into this that you might wanna give and thanks in advance for the replies

 

i built one you can go to my galry and see pics. if you have spcific questions you can ask me i have helped build 3 moor since i have finished mine.un forcnetly my z was hit by a drunk driver and was totaled. i will probably be keeping it and selling all parts.

 

did ya buy a kit to do it or make the parts yourself....I'd prefer to do the latter unless it's cost prohibitive...also did you have a parts list for the swap?

I just want2 get my facts and figures right prior to the build so i can have everything ready when I go to pull it off...if I get sidetracked I'll move on to something else and it'll get sidelined and I don't want to do that...I've been rebuilding my chopper for four years now...lol...see what I mean..ideas change things and when you're building something it's better to make a plan and stick to it...lol..I'd like to copy sombody else who has done it successfully..why reinvent the wheel...just improve on it.. I prefer to make what I can outta raw steel or modify existing things...lol sounds like you're my man...thanks

 

There is no "kit" for the z31 V8 conversion. It is a start from scratch project. All of the mounts, driveshaft, and plumbing will have to be fabricated as you go. Of course, engine management and instrumentation will have to be included, but, there's oodles of stuff available for a common Ford or Chevy small block. This can be done, and, it can be done tastefully. Some I've seen look like a rat's nest, while others are show car quality.

 

I see..I had noticed that everything i saw was for the older models...well...well..well... that makes it a different deal then...I would use a chevy just for asthetics..i think they are cleaner looking engines and with a good TPI setup outta the donor car it coud be pretty trick.. I've seen the aftermarket fuel injection systens too..real slick and easy to set up with the lap top....Thanks.. I can figure it out..Think I'll make some templates when I get things right...never know...might just come in handy...lol..thanks again