Update: FINALLY, this Saturday, the drivetrain goes into the chassis after well over a year of preparation. Just going to follow these simple instructions.

Stay tuned..

_________________
John Taddonio
1970 240Z
1977 530Z
1984 300ZXT
zcarnut@hotmail.com
FB: Zccr zcarclubofrochester

Hmmmm.....I struggled frantically for most of my teenaged years trying to follow those simple instructions.
It took me 17 years, 11months, 21 days, 11hrs and 40 minutes to get it right.

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1970 240Z

Wow! Frank, you might have rewritten the definition of a slow learner. LOL.

John - OUT STANDING. One heck of a beautiful "marriage". That paint color really PopZ. Can't wait for you to post pictures of the entire car.


Hey John,
DO YOU REMEMBER: You test drove my car in 2015 for me and said that you thought you heard noise from the right rear axle? Last week I tried adjusting/tightening that wheel bearing (had maybe 1/8" wheel play) but instead I wound up changing all of the rear and front inner and outer wheel bearings, races and grease seals. The grease had lost all fluidity and was no longer viable because it had solidified to the consistency of lard. The bearings were actually moving around within each grease "pot hole". Thanks for your planet Krypton hearing.

Howie

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1985 300ZX- GLL Dark Pewter Metallic - Survivor

Project 530Z update:

It’s in!! The big V8 and transmission are finally at home in the chassis. It took some persuasion and grunt work but thanks to the help of my pals Shawn Pritchard, Frank Swiader, David Palermo and Jorge Acquinzoni we got the beast settled into its new home. It’s been a year and a half in the making!

Not without some expected issues that will require alterations to the plan of course. The front lower valance had to be removed to allow the engine hoist enough clearance into the bay. The headers I had settled too close to the steering shaft once the engine was in position, so they will have to be replaced with a different type. The dipstick will have to be slightly relocated, a stock tab in the engine bay needs to be removed and finally a new mounting bracket will have to be fabricated to mount the 300zx transmission to the 280z mount.

All minor details in the scope of things.

Next up, finishing up the above mentioned items then turning to the engine wiring to bring the beast to life. Stay tuned!

_________________
John Taddonio
1970 240Z
1977 530Z
1984 300ZXT
zcarnut@hotmail.com
FB: Zccr zcarclubofrochester

What satisfaction that must bring!

Do you have the full weight of the engine onto the front end yet, or are you still supporting it with the lift? (I'm interested in what the stance looks like with the suspension supporting the engine).

Frank T

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1970 240Z

Frank, here’s a couple of pics showing the suspension loaded with the engine and transmission in the car. The front will get the additional weight of radiator, battery, wiring, etc. The car is still on the skates but you can get an idea. The Eibach progressive rate springs seem to be doing their job.

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John Taddonio
1970 240Z
1977 530Z
1984 300ZXT
zcarnut@hotmail.com
FB: Zccr zcarclubofrochester

Nice Pics John. Funny how headers and steering systems don't seem to play well together. I've always been amazed at the creative engineering needed to address those issues with the AC Cobras. Great progress!

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John Kish
1971 240Z - original owner

Oops! Sorry. I thought the car had its new paint job, but I guess it was the bright sunlight that gave it the yellow-gold appearance of a freshly painted car.

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1985 300ZX- GLL Dark Pewter Metallic - Survivor

Paint will come last Howard, hoping for next Spring if the mechanicals get all sorted out. Replacing the huge OEM crash bumpers with the MSA2 body kit. Color will be Dodge Viper Copperhead with black BRE fender stripes. Something like this Z with the Viper color.

_________________
John Taddonio
1970 240Z
1977 530Z
1984 300ZXT
zcarnut@hotmail.com
FB: Zccr zcarclubofrochester

Project 530Z update:

The engine mounts from Dirty Dingo Motorsports were AWESOME, super simple and bolted right up. Unfortunately, I’m using a 1990 Nissan 300ZX transmission and NO ONE makes a mount for this application. So, fabrication is necessary. That’s way above my pay grade, so I’m again turning to pal Shawn Pritchard to do the job. Shawn has been building race cars forever, so after some measurements he’s on the job. Fortunately, this transmission clears the tunnel enough to use the factory mounts (critical for strength). The 280Z transmission cross member has to be modified a couple of inches to the rear and down to accommodate the much heartier Megan Racing transmission mount. Old and new pictured. The car is now up on Jack stands until the mount is in and the new driveshaft is made. Work on wiring the beast will continue in the meantime.

Stay tuned!

_________________
John Taddonio
1970 240Z
1977 530Z
1984 300ZXT
zcarnut@hotmail.com
FB: Zccr zcarclubofrochester

Have you placed or measured the hood for clearance?

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1970 240Z

I have Frank. The factory bump in the hood allows enough clearance. With the LS1 intake, the engine actually sets slightly lower than the L28.

_________________
John Taddonio
1970 240Z
1977 530Z
1984 300ZXT
zcarnut@hotmail.com
FB: Zccr zcarclubofrochester

What about the blower? Then you don't need the hood. Looking good, I like the body kit Idea.

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John Taddonio
1970 240Z
1977 530Z
1984 300ZXT
zcarnut@hotmail.com
FB: Zccr zcarclubofrochester

In this state they would cite you for 'obstructed vision' each time you rolled it out onto the street.

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1970 240Z