78 280Z 6bolt swap

[mitsubishikid]

Nice work piecing the project together man, do you plan on cleaning the block? I would use something like purple power myself, but altogether amazing work so far keep at it.

 

[Ace_gst]

Nice work piecing the project together man, do you plan on cleaning the block? I would use something like purple power myself, but altogether amazing work so far keep at it.

Yea the block will be going to a shop to get all cleaned up. Will most likely be bored .20 over with forged internals and ARP's threw out it. Been considering a stroker or maybe long rods with strocker pistons and spin it to win it, but that's all for next year. Goal is to get everything mocked up and together before I start rebuilding block

I'm going to be running a 2g head (i like the port design, going for volmetric efficiency) with web 272/272 cams and springs to match with crower titanium retainers.

That is what I have planned so far......But for the record Purple Power is great.

I got the block and trans sitting in the engine bay today. It looks like the oil pan is going to clear the stock cross member by about an inch witch i was worried about.
I need to cut out the old mounts for the motor and get to work on my new ones. Thing that im still not to sure about is the water lines, but ill cross that bridge when I get to it. Heres some more pics for you guys,

 

[mmountain]

Subscribed. looks awesome!

 

[Ace_gst]

Did a little to the car this weekend before it got super hot. I got the old motor mounts one the cross member cut and ground down, I think I am going to use the 280z rubber mounts (new ones of course) and build my own brackets around them.

Well here is what i got.

Trans is holding motor little sideways but ill take care of that

 

[Ace_gst]

Well I noticed the shifter lever on the trans was hitting the tunnel so I am now waiting one a B&M shifter with new lever I think will fit.

Cut off a few old mounts and played around with radiator location while I wait.

Playing around with radiator position.

Also started fixing fins on radiator. Half done.

 

[Alex7747]

Very nice, is that an eclipse radiator?

 

[Ace_gst]

Yes it is a Godspeed 2g eclipse radiator that came out of that 98 gst I had, then it was stuffed in the 90 gst. Its definetly a little tall for the 280 but i think i can make it work, don't want to buy a new one. Got to stay true to my car club (Low Cash Customs)

 

[PieEyedPiper]

Is there room for v-mount?

 

[Ace_gst]

There probly won't be after oil cooler, trans oil cooler and intercooler are mounted. May make oil coolers kind of a v-style off of radiator.

 

[mitsubishikid]

Nice progress so far. maybe you should use purple power on the trans I used it on my spare 1g fwd trans I had, it came out shiny like new.
this build is awesome.
my brother loves the old school z cars I kinda like the retro looks myself
I have a list of cars I'd wanna 4G63T and the z is totally on it.

 

[DSMnoobsause]

eBay has aluminum radiators for 280z's 129 shipped. I have one in mine and has been working great!!
Might save you a week in fabrication work.

 

[Ace_gst]

Yea I will be cleaning up the trans and throwing a coat of paint on it. I might end up picking one of those radiators up, I am all ways worried about ebay stuff but a good review makes you feel better about them.

I was also thinking of keeping the water lines the same as factory for awhile so I don't want two fill caps also.

Got a few more goodies in the mail. B&M Pro Stick, seat with cover and mounting brackets.

 

[GSXftw]

Very nice man keep it up

 

[rrussell]

Way Cool project!!!

Keep up the great work!!!

 

[Ace_gst]

Thanks guys, I got my b&m shifter lever installed in the trans now I need to see if it fits any better and make some mounts. I'm on the hunt for a nice tig welder to, my little gas less mig is just not cutting it. Plus tig welds looks so much cleaner.

 

[Ace_gst]

Played around with the seat the other day when it wasn't so hot. Turned out alright, but I am going to remake the back bracket its just to hard to get to the bolts haha.
I used both Jegs seat mounts and the slider bar on the seat to get me up high enough.

 

[Ace_gst]

Ok so the heat finally decided to back off a little for us here in Cali, 101* starting to feel pretty good now. So I got back to it on the 280, as of right now I have the driver side motor mount pretty much finshed up and will be starting on the other side today.

Mounts are made from sch80 1 1/4" pipe and some 1/2" pipe that I found at my works scrap pile . I welded the pipe to some 1/4" plate I cut out, and used energy suspention bushings on the other end. they are a little on the heavy side but they feel strong to me.

Ok enough talk here are the pics.

 

[Ace_gst]

Well me and one of my buds really got at it yesterday. We got the transmission all mounted up useing the old crossmember. luckly the powerglide landed perfectly in line wher the old trans mount sat so we made easy work of it.
Then came the passenger side motor mount. Made it the same way as the driver side just sat it lower to clear turbo (I hope).

Heres some pics so you can see for your self.

 

[96 GSX LOVE]

Looks like alot of work, but its going to be sweet man keep us posted.

 

[HaveBlue83]

'scribed

 

[Ace_gst]

Thanks for the support guys. Yea it can be tuff at times but its always nice when you finaly finish a goal you had set. I got the B&M shifter mounted yesterday will try and get some pics up asap.

On the hunt for a hx35 and manifold for it, then on goes the head and start mocking everythings els up.

 

[95DsManiac]

Nice build. Good luck on it and I hope everything falls into place for you. Scrib'D.

Anthony B.

 

[white lighting]

Bad ass swap. Old 280s are awesome

 

[GSXftw]

Great progress keep it up!

 

[Ace_gst]

Bad ass swap. Old 280s are awesome

Thanks bro, yea I love the old Z cars to. The 280's are easy to find here in cali since everyone wants a 260 or 240 for the fact that you don't have to smog them. Plus the 280 comes with the stronger R200 rear end and thicker gauge metal for the frame so it's a little stouter.

Here are a few pics on the shifter, still need to install the ball and cable to trans.

My buddy getting the feel of a real car (he drives a mustang haha)