Jump to content

It's Time to Get Schwifty (280ZX+L67=380ZX)


Recommended Posts

Greetings, newbie here. Wanted to share what I'm doing with my 280Z 2+2.

About a year ago I picked this thing up on a whim. Never got the L28 to run and gave up before I made any real investment in it, because my buddy was wanting to unload a Buick/Pontiac L67 (3.8l supercharged V6) -- which he had planned to put in a Fiero, but lost interest/funding/motivation/whatever. Anyway, I thought it would be a cool project to put it in my Z, so that's what I'm doing. Transmission is a Dodge AX15 out of a 4cyl Dakota. Incidentally Dodge borrowed the Iron Duke from GM to use in the Dakotas and Wranglers, so the bellhousing pattern is already a direct match for the GM V6. The box itself is also the same architecture as the Toyota 154, so if the AX15 turns out to not be up to the task, I can swap in a Supra or Taco box with minimal modification.

I already built a custom wiring harness for the engine to run the stock PCM standalone. Fired right up without any major hiccups, which was nice. Right now I'm taking care of rust and doing some structural bracing before I drop in the L67. I've heard horror stories of doors not shutting after throwing power at stock frames, so I'm making custom subframe connectors, new floor pans (mine were 100% Flintstone'd when I got it), rocker to strut tower braces and triangulated tower to tower supports. Hopefully that will do the trick. Here's some preliminary pics. Forgive me if they don't work right the first time -- I've never been big on posting to forums.

Any questions or criticisms are welcome.

Cheers,

Ian

P.S. Any other Datsun guys or gals near Raleigh?

  • Like 1
Link to comment
  • Replies 15
  • Created
  • Last Reply

Top Posters In This Topic

Top Posters In This Topic

Pics are on the way shortly. Posting from my phone atm, and Photobucket seems determined to give it some sort of virus. Going to try again from my work computer in a minute. I'm an adult, I swear.

 

And yeah, rust is the devil.

Link to comment
  • 3 weeks later...
  • 2 weeks later...

Got the ZX home. The swap is coming along... had to notch the front of the oil pan to clear the rack. Building motor mounts right now. Going to go with stock Camaro exhaust manis for the time being, then likely make some custom equal length headers after I get the thing running. Have some oics:

 

http://i1245.photobucket.com/albums/gg583/ianbrusso/Mobile%20Uploads/20160618_215725_zpsn1qik71g.jpg

 

http://i1245.photobucket.com/albums/gg583/ianbrusso/Mobile%20Uploads/20160618_215804_zpshcuhtped.jpg

 

http://i1245.photobucket.com/albums/gg583/ianbrusso/Mobile%20Uploads/20160622_123651_zpsgau0dgaj.jpg

 

http://i1245.photobucket.com/albums/gg583/ianbrusso/Mobile%20Uploads/20160623_144120_zpsovgczwd9.jpg

Link to comment

Man I didn't even know people did swaps on Fieros, that sounds awesome. Also, the duct tape quarter window is a 100% approved mod as far as I'm concerned. I'd keep that old 2+2 around if I were you, I bet you'll miss it if you let it go!

Link to comment

Yeah it's a really common thing for Fiero guys. I am hanging on to the 2+2. Not sure what will become of it, but I know I want it back on the road at some point. I'm fortunate enough be be renting a place where having a couple cars in the yard is not a big deal, but the winds of change heed no man and I don't consider it a permanent residence, so I try to keep from laying roots down too deep. I learned that lesson after almost being evicted from a former apartment for attempting to complete an engine swap in a MR2 in the parkinglot. lmao 

Link to comment
  • 1 month later...

Join the conversation

You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.
Note: Your post will require moderator approval before it will be visible.

Guest
Reply to this topic...

×   Pasted as rich text.   Paste as plain text instead

  Only 75 emoji are allowed.

×   Your link has been automatically embedded.   Display as a link instead

×   Your previous content has been restored.   Clear editor

×   You cannot paste images directly. Upload or insert images from URL.

Loading...
×
×
  • Create New...

Important Information

By using this site, you agree to our Terms of Use.