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Hi, I thought I would start this thread to go along as I work on my 280z.
I got a '78 280z project from a previous owner. He swapped in a LM7 and a TH350. He also converted it to a carb. The car ended up being pretty rust-free which is what mostly convinced me to take it on. This is my first foray into the LS world.
I am working on putting a 4l80e behind it and converting it back to fuel injection. I currently own the trans, LS6 intake, and a replacement hood.
I also just purchased a wiring harness for the car based on my setup. I think I will need some help on this process, as well as some EFI stuff as I don't understand it as well as I'd like to.
My first question; I am having the wiring harness made up for a 5 pin MAF with the internal IAT. Can I use the truck MAF that are bigger, or should i find a LS6 style MAF, which I believe is smaller. Will that impact my air intake setup?
Hopefully I'll get ripping into it before too long, if not I'll be buying parts here and there to start it up in the spring.
Yup, it has a 3.545 in the R200 out back so it kind of winds out around 65mph. I spent the summer just enjoying it, the PO was really nice and super talented, but the Holley is messed up somehow, I am suspecting too much carb (750cfm) and perhaps a blown power valve it seems to load up at long idles. Plus I have a hole in the hood which I personally think messes up the classic Z lines.
You WILL be doing the right thing. The injection will solve the running woes plus increase usable power and economy, and the O/D tranny will have it lazing along the highway!
A 750 is an alright size carb for that motor. Make some different mounts and it will fit under the stock hood as well. Mine is pretty spot on with a TKO 5 speed and the same 3.54 R200 rear.
Do you have any idea where the PO got those mounts? Motor looks pretty high up and forward, almost like a Hooker or Scarab style mounts. There is a pretty good selection of Z car LS mounts that would get the motor down and back.
FI is a good way to go. Carbs can be made to work with the right touch, but not many people have the patience for it.
Last edited by Pop N Wood; Dec 1, 2017 at 05:07 PM.
I'm not sure where the PO got the mounts, knowing his fabrication skill there's a chance he just fabricated them himself. Any leads for a good quality set of motor mounts? I was thinking John's.
In other news I got the wiring harness from ChevyThunder. He was wrapping up his business but he squeaked one more out for me, great guy and answered all my questions with patience.
I have the car parked for the winter now, so I will be getting stuff here and there in preparation for the spring.
IDK I made my mounts some years ago. A lot of new stuff has come out since then. John's appears to be a good unit and you can get long tube headers for that set up. Hard to go wrong there. But there are a couple of other options as well. I don't think any of them will mount a carb under the stock hood. Pretty much need to slam the motor for that to happen. But with FI you are golden.
5 wire truck maf will be perfect for it. Very nice ride you got there, and it will be even better once the carb is gone and it has OD! I love those and want to build one myself, or buy one like you did and finish it out.
I'm not sure where the PO got the mounts, knowing his fabrication skill there's a chance he just fabricated them himself. Any leads for a good quality set of motor mounts? I was thinking John's.
In other news I got the wiring harness from ChevyThunder. He was wrapping up his business but he squeaked one more out for me, great guy and answered all my questions with patience.
I have the car parked for the winter now, so I will be getting stuff here and there in preparation for the spring.
I know it''s an old thread, but I wanted to offer some help since the project was on hold til spring. I saw your user name and this thread topic and concluded we must share VNA (vehicle DNA).
My 1975 LT1/T56 280Z used mounts from Jags That Run (JTR). It looks like they are still around, and they were/are an authority on V8 Z-car swaps- I bought their book. I think putting in an LS will be easier than the LT I have. While I have a 1966 Corvair, I've never been tempted to put a V8 into it- it's one of a handfull of Corsa convertibles with factory AC.
Looks like a good project, I hope to read about some updates here.
My 1975 LT1/T56 280Z used mounts from Jags That Run (JTR). It looks like they are still around, and they were/are an authority on V8 Z-car swaps- I bought their book.
JTR is still around and their book is still worth the money. Unfortunately they don't make a mount kit for an LS motor, they pretty much ceded that market to John's Cars. JTR sells some other parts that work with an LS swap, just not mounts.
There are a good number of kits for Z cars. They all have pluses and minuses.
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280z project car 
