Modern S30 project! 1st Stage LS1 V8 Engine Swap

[STEVE BURNS]

now theres an offer for you all the convention is in Dallas in 2006 and boy if you go you will all have one of the best times of your lives with the dallas gang
just beware of mad Mike Taylor and his friendly policemen as he will try to get them to arrest you for being a "zed owner invading zee terrority"

 

[Phantom]

Be advised that there are actually five clubs in Texas with two of them in the DFW area - 'Mad Mike' and the Z Club of Texas and the Cowtown Z Club where I'm finishing out my term as President. FWIW 'Mad' and I have had an interesting acquaintance for over 15 years now. I wonder if my Zedshed@att.net email address has anything to do with it?

Serously - The Texas Zee guys would give all you Zedders a really good time!

 

[SeanDezart]

Not wanting to rock the boat (too much) but I heard that during the last convention when Mr K was there, he was treated like God to the detriment of other foreign guests...?

 

[Phantom]

I wasn't there to observe personnally so I really can't comment on any specifics. This is the first I've heard of that viewpoint. Mr Katyama is put on a pretty high pedestal by us yank zedophiles so I guess it's possible someone could have been upset by it. If there were some folks that got their feathers ruffled I'd really like to know - incidents - not names - so that it can be avoided at the 2006 convention. I'm involved with the planning committee and can definitely ensure the subject is given the attention it deserves.

FWIW - if anyone watches Stargate Atlantis on the American sci-fi channel you'll note that the "Ancients" power modules (Zero Point Modules) are known as ZedPM's, not ZPM's. Looks like the term is gaining in popularity - at least with the techno geeks!

Steve - looks like your thread is being temporarily hijacked. If this needs to get moved to be properly addressed let's go ahead and do that so neither subject gets diluted.

 

[ZHead]

Do I have to wait that long to beat you guys ?

Your confidence is endearing Sean

 

[zeeman1972]

Hey no problems (well not too many) with the thread dilution. Would love to get over to the Dallas show myself, however, it may have to be 2007 because just about every spare moment is being spent on this project!!!

Yes I had thought about getting the A/C brackets chromed, but if I'm to try to stick to my brief of a 'stock' looking change then I should probably avoid too much 'bling', instead I was going to ask a friend of mine to spray them a matt silver to try to get them to match with all the ali parts around.



ZHead (Andy) how are you doing? Long time no speak, I'll give you a call later if you are about.



On with the update,



Been a bit quiet on the getting things physically done stage this week, back to the planning stage for the pipe work and ancillaries now that I know where the engine actually sits.



The engine requires a number of new fuses and relays for fans and the like and the old loom requires a fair few circuits removed. The plan so far is to replace totally the main power distribution part of the loom including the fuse boxes installing a new engine bay fuse box for all things engine and headlight related and replacement of those horrible fusible links with proper Maxy fuses and a new in car fuse box (in the same place) for all internal gubins dash, A/C, central locking, electric windows, etc. In order to do this I am producing a giant geo-schematic loom diagram on my dining room table (much to the bemusement of my wife ) so that I can order all of the required bits and pieces for construction.



All good fun!

 

[Phantom]

I hear you on the electrical. I've still got the fusible links - obvious in my engine bay photos. You'll also see fuses and realys for the fans at the radiator mount on the starboard side plus the original Datsun fuse panel for the items that are still Datsun - lights, heater fan, instument lights, etc. plus another fuse panel in the same area with all the LS1 related fuses - fuel pump, etc. I'd love to get it all arranged into one panel in a relatively accessible location - and get rid of the fusible links!

 

[zeeman1972]

I have a couple of ideas where I can place the engine bay fuse box without seeing any wires trailing from it (pet hate) and still remain importantly close to the battery for the simplicity of power distribution. The biggest issue is going to be calculating the current draw down the new power feeds and getting the appropriate fuse and wire gauge.

As soon as I have got it all sorted and if you like the set up, I'm more than happy to send you all of the diagrams and component details.



The one thing that is giving me a problem finding at the moment are the GM standard Packard XLP connectors, do you know anywhere that sells them new over there? If I can't get hold of new ones I'm going to have to get them cut off a loom in a scrap yard with a tail for me to splice on to which is not quite the elegant solution I was hoping for!

 

[Phantom]

As soon as I have got it all sorted and if you like the set up, I'm more than happy to send you all of the diagrams and component details.

That would be great.

The one thing that is giving me a problem finding at the moment are the GM standard Packard XLP connectors, do you know anywhere that sells them new over there?

Not something I ever went looking for. You might try either GM direct or possibly the internet side of either Autozone or OReilly's Auto Parts.

 

[zeeman1972]

Thanks for the links!

A quick one for you? what did you do with the steam vent in the LS1 heads? Did you combine into the top rad hose?

Cheers

 

[Phantom]

Quick answer - No - I ran it separately to the radiator. You can see it in the finished engine photos connecting in on the starboard side of the radiator cap.

 

[zeeman1972]

My hasn't time flown with no update!

Well not much has actually happened on the car really, a 280ZX engine replacement/rebuild has temporarily stopped any physical work. Hopefully that'll be completed this week and I'll be back on it full time.
The wiring redesign is still in process, trying to find some period looking switches for the power windows and a red START button to replace the cigar lighter (the only smoke in my car will come from the tyres ) for keyless ignition (any ideas anyone?) I was thinking Honda S2000 for the start button, too modern? But I can't think of anything for the window switches, I'd like them iluminated as in most cars now but I'm currently stumped, as most look really modern. Want to put them on the centre console and not on the doors ideally!

Also looking at two potential power steering systems thanks to 900ss

So its sort of coming together on paper but certainly not in the flesh!

Hey-hoe

 

[Mr.G]

Sounds great Steve, if it's all up there it will be in the car soon I'm sure!

Was thinking maybe an old jag, porsche or triumph might provide the window switches you're after. A good source of inspiration could be ebay by doing a search under window switches in Automotive and then take a look in the sub category of "Classic Parts", at least you will get something period looking.

Keep the updates comming.

 

[zeeman1972]

Latest toys...I mean parts

Thanks to Marram (Ricky Evans Motorsport)

one for the 280Z and one for the 260Z

Ok, I know I don't strictly need one for the 280Z as the car has A/C and will probably never be parked outside when it gets frosty, but, well, err................ Ok I admit it, I have a gadget problem

 

[Russ]

Would be interested to see how it looks when inside the car, I guess there is no problem with this and the MOT?

 

[zeeman1972]

I used to have a Mondeo company car with a heated screen, if you were looking for it you could see the elements but in normal driving the elements just disappear. I found it a truly amazing system, it would take 15-30 seconds to clear a fully misted screen and less than a minute to defrost a screen full of ice, no scraping and one flick of the wipers. I was always surprised that no other cars but Fords had them, unless they owned the patent?



All fine on the MOT front!

 

[zedhead260]

I like the black edge.

 

[GlenZ]

Sean wrote

Bravo for someone who's not tlaking about doing something but cracking on !

Seems like the Hybrid Z boys are in the habit of doing just that, judging by all the activity on the forums there are more doers amongst the hybrid boys than the L series 3.1 / 3.2 talkers or am I just biased................
And as far as beating a Hybrid in a L series................lolololololololololololol

 

[SKiddell]

judging by all the activity on the forums there are more doers amongst the hybrid boys than the L series 3.1 / 3.2 talkers or am I just biased

A little perhaps -- some of us L series guys do actually achieve something rather than pay someone else to do it for us.

 

[ZHead]

A little perhaps -- some of us L series guys do actually achieve something rather than pay someone else to do it for us.

Steve my quick has never been so cut Happy Christmas you bitch