78 280Z 6bolt swap

[Ace_gst]

Haven't had a chance to mess with the 280 in a few weeks, been helping my buddy out on his 5.0. I think we got mid 13,s next time at the track.

I do hope on getting some parts ordered in the next few weeks. I plan i getting fuel cell very soon and getting it mounted up and I need to order my adapter plate from Bill so i can start mocking up the motor.

I do Plan on patching some holes here and there like the side markers and antenna hole little things like that this weekend.

 

[Alex7747]

Nice.

Do you have any pictures of the whole car?

 

[Ace_gst]

I'll try and get some shots of the 280 up today, can't believe I haven't posted some better pics yet.

 

[Alex7747]

Do you plan on painting the hole car once its done?

 

[Ace_gst]

In the first post there is an attachment with a pic. I want to paint the car grey, I think I am going to buy a paint gun to go with my compressor and see what I can't do. Really want to do most of the work myself.

Hope to fill the side marker holes this weekend.

 

[Ace_gst]

OK well I didn't get to work on the 280 this weekend almost at all. Had to do some maintenance to the DD (93 fox body 2.3) and it ended up taking longer then i anticipated.

I did cut out "weld" and piece of sheet metal to the inside of the fender to cover one hole. I was going to try and weld it flush but I have a gasless MIG welder so it likes to get things pretty hot. So instead I am just going to have to use a little more bondo .

Here's a few pics so you know what I am talking about.

The hole.

My Patch

 

[Alex7747]

You should also consider removing the side trim, the chrome part. i think it would look better too, but thats my opinion .

On the patch, you'll finish it up with some bondo?

 

[Ace_gst]

Yea that's my plan is to use bondo to make it flush. Not the best way but I think it will look alright. I'm pulling all molding off.

 

[Ace_gst]

Well just thought i would get a little update out there, not really of progress but of why there hasn't been any . Well I traded a 93 2.3 mustang for a 91 gsx that is still bone stock. So I have been doing some maintenance on it. Changed clutch, intake manifold gasket, new throttle body shaft seals, fixed few boost leaks this weekend. Need a knock sensor and ISC and i think ill have it running top notch.

 

[Alex7747]

Nice man. How do you think the engine will fit in the bay? from the looks of it, it looks like the bottom of the sump will hit the cross member?

Ive been trowing around the idea of possible RWD cars i want to use for my built 6 bolt i have sitting in my garage and I've narrowed it down to either a pre 75 datsun(no emissions to worry about) and an e46 3 series sedan. i know they're totally different cars but i have my reasons for them .

anyways, sorry for being off topic but now you know why I'm so interested in this build but back to the original question do you think the motor will fit without having to modify the sump?

 

[Ace_gst]

It looks like its going to be close, if it hits ill move it. I have some ideas in my head about the motor mounts and incorporating them into a new Cross member. Was kinda thinking of doing a reverse C-Notch type deal and then set the mounts at a 45* angle, seems strong in my head at least.

Haven't had much time to mess with it lately, doing some maintenance to my new gsx. It leaked from just about everywhere (boost wise) and exhaust manifold was so cracked it was out to fall apart. I did my best welding them up. Now just the knock sensor (getting tomorrow) and IAC and it should be good.

 

[Alex7747]

It looks like its going to be close, if it hits ill move it. I have some ideas in my head about the motor mounts and incorporating them into a new Cross member. Was kinda thinking of doing a reverse C-Notch type deal and then set the mounts at a 45* angle, seems strong in my head at least.

Haven't had much time to mess with it lately, doing some maintenance to my new gsx. It leaked from just about everywhere (boost wise) and exhaust manifold was so cracked it was out to fall apart. I did my best welding them up. Now just the knock sensor (getting tomorrow) and IAC and it should be good.

Nice, a reliable car is very important . I bought a datsun today . ill start my build thread soon .

 

[Ace_gst]

That's awesome, what year did you end up finding. We got the 78 because it was only $250 running, made our money back Parting it out.

I am going to be ordering my adapter plate this week, can't wait to get some real progress going.

 

[Alex7747]

I got a 1977 280z same as yours haha theres some rust but nothing i can't handle.

Cant wait to see that 4g63 in that engine bay!!

 

[Ace_gst]

Well its been a while since I have given you guys an update, this is turning into a list of set backs instead of a build . As I said In a previous post I just got a 91 Gsx as a dd, well it has been starting to run pretty crappy. So after BLT after BLT I did a compression test that confirmed my fear, a lazy cylinder. So the 6bolt for the 280 is going in the dd.

I did order my adapter plate from Bills auto fab so the project is still moving forward, or crawling anyway

 

[Ace_gst]

The adaptor plate is here !! Hopefully I can get it bolted up to the block and mock it up in the car with the powerglide next week, start making some real progress. The plate looks awsome, Bill really knows his stuff thats forsure.

Here it is in all its glory.

 

[4g63t]

pretty

 

[gabytech]

Nice build... Two thumbs up... I had a 81 280Z and wanted to swap a RB26 engine, but unfortunately it caught fire due to a leaky injector and the swap went down the drain... Looking forward to the finish product, even if its a Mitsubishi engine in a Nissan car..

 

[Ace_gst]

Nice build... Two thumbs up... I had a 81 280Z and wanted to swap a RB26 engine, but unfortunately it caught fire due to a leaky injector and the swap went down the drain.QUOTE]

Thanks alot, sorry to hear that about your z man.

Yea im expecting alot of flack for swaping a nissan 6 cylinder for a mitsu 4 but we all know what they can do. Yea i cant wait to get this thing done

 

[WillRaceForBeer]

Looks like it's going to be a fun ride! Are you going to rebuild the engine with the lazy cylinder and drop that in the 280? Or swap that back into the DD?

 

[Ace_gst]

Yea i am going to rebuild the block out of the DD for the 280, not sure how "built" its going to be just yet. Already got the block out and new one in the DD(forgot the 6blot came out of a 2g and didnt switch the starter plate back so trans had to come back out )

 

[Ace_gst]

Well i got the DD driving decent (good as its going to be till new head gets here) so I got a little bit done on the 280.

Messed around with the adapter plate for the GM trans and it looks super sweet on the block. I only was able to bolt the adapter plate and flex plate coupling on until l can get some transmission bolts for the powerglide. Bill (Bills auto fab) claims you will break your crank before you break his coupling.

Well what you all want to see more pics!!

The plate lined up prefect to the block, no fudging around at all.

The unbreakable coupling haha. It doesn't come with a dowel to line it up but there is only 1 thousandth of a gab so it really has no choice but to sit straight.

coupling and plate bolted on.

 

[Alex7747]

very nice! can't wait until its up and running! maybe we'll cruise together one day

 

[Ace_gst]

Yea we defiantly need to take out the two 280's when there done. My little girl goes back to her mamas tomorrow so I got two weeks to get some work done on it.

 

[Ace_gst]

Its finally a 4g63 mounted to a Gm Power-glide, minus the flex-plate and torque converter. I have an old converter laying around but have no idea what stall speed it is so ill most likely be buying one when I find out more or less what I want. Still needs a Toyota starter, this thing is going to be frankencar haha.

I'm going to try and get it mocked in the car this weekend(if this random rain stops).

Few pics.