With the people here who have been there, done it and got the t-shirt when it comes to dropping an american V8 into a zed.

 

How much does it cost and who does the work? Do you do it yourself or have a company or mechanic do it?

 

I know of someone who has been threatening to sell a LS1 engine and 6sp gearbox.

 

I can't do the work myself and I'm sure there will need to be a lot of extra parts/work to make it fit.

 

So as a project, what does it cost? whats needed? and who could do it for me?

MantaV8 is the only one who has dropped an american V8 in so far. I believe somebody else was planning or working on it, but dont remember who...

 

While Manta's was very well done and I take my hat of to him I cant say Im a big fan of American muscle in a Jap sports car.......why not go for the Japanese V8 instead........and even better a Nissan V8....

 

John Dixon & Friday are approaching the end of their Nissan Vh45DE V8 transplants, and its something I have been seriously planning for the past few months and Im on the look out for a donor vehicle at the moment so I can make a start....

 

I know that John has spoke of offering his services previously and would be a good person to speak to.

I'm the one putting a Chevy in at present.

It's a 6.3 litre small block, which is built for a Vortech supercharger, although I've decided to run it without at first, to get used to the car, then bang supercharger on after a few months.

Reasons to put American V8 in..... bhp/lbft per £ is unbeatable, especially with the current exchange rate.

 

Weight...my engine is about the same as the V6, with all it's alloy bits. The suspension is going to need lowering after fitting as the car is a lot lighter.

 

Simplicity...take a good look around the Nissan and see how complex and innaccesible everything is, then look at the Chevy (pics to follow) and see how simple it is, and how much room there is in the engine bay.

 

Low down grunt....nothing much compares. Without going too daft.

 

Sorry, got to go now, just been offered a quick jump, so off to bed.

Continue tomorrow.

Lucky *******.A V8 and a jump. :rofl: :rofl: :xxx: I've got a V6 and a cup of tea :(

How does the cost/bhp of fitting a v8 compare with tuning a TT lump? I read somewhere that you can get 500RWBHP for around £7500 (one of AndyDuffs posts, so who am I to argue!)

 

Could you buy and fit a V8 with that kind of power for that price?

I only know Fords and Chevys. Had a quick look at some hp/torque curves.

Compare a 430hp Cossie with a 430hp 6.3 chevy, both peaking around 5500rpm. Both look similar until you look at the torque curves.

At 3000rpm the Cossie develops 200lbft, whereas the Chevy is kicking out 430lbft.

The Chevy would destroy the Cossie on the road, providing it could get some grip!

 

500rwbhp from a V8 transplant, with someone doing all the work for you, for £7500?

Not a chance.

V8 engines can be bought ready done at any BHP you want.

As always its down to how much money you have.

Scoggie and Dickens in the US are legendary for this type of unit.

Also available here from people like Real Steel

Darren/MantaV8 has most of the contact numbers as he is a long term user/transplanter of V8s.

The BIG points in favour are PRICE and SIMPLICITY.

its all been done loadsa times in the states before.

The late Gavin Balmer ran an 11.5 sec quarter in his V8 engined Z32 and I can put you in touch with someone who was involved with that build.

But FIRST you need a car!!! bring yer piggy bank on Sunday!! :wack:

i was going to do this convertion myself (ls1 with a t56 gearbox), i already have my engine and gearbox out of the zed, but my priorities have changed and my money has gone into my houes, so i am now seriously considering breaking up the car and selling it off in bits.

 

so if your looking for a rolling shell..........

Any rough idea on price for a drive in, drive out engine swap if you don't want massive power - say 300bhp?

 

Is there anyone that'd do it for... say £4K?

Any rough idea on price for a drive in, drive out engine swap if you don't want massive power - say 300bhp?

 

Is there anyone that'd do it for... say £4K?

 

 

300bhp is what the ls1 puts out standard, you will be looking at 3.5k for the engine, gearbox, loom, ££££ for fitting, then you need a seperate programable ecu about £850, then your going to need exhausts, and setting up ect ect.

 

so i would say no way.

Let's have a quick look at costs.

 

Say 350hp half decent engine, new, with ally heads, £4000+

Tremec TKO500 box with bellhousing and hydraulic release bearing, £2000+

Fuel system, Koyo rad, custom prop, £700

Endless other bits and bobs, big battery, mini starter, custom ex manifolds, custom exhaust, custom made sump, £1000++

 

So say £8000 in bits, plus labour from a decent outfit, £3000+ for a half decent job? Fair bit of electrics to sort out.

 

This assumes you've got uprated suspension, big brakes, manual clutch etc.

 

Fuel injection? Add £2500.

Serpentine belt system, add £400

Steel flywheel? Uprated clutch?

How about a supercharger with water injection? £3000

Stick a stroker kit in and roller rockers and that's pretty much my present engine.

 

I don't know any garage who I would trust to make a proper job of this.

Lots of people could drop the engine in and get it working, but getting it working, and doing a proper job, are two different things.

 

By far the cheapest way is to buy one already done as the seller usually resigns themselves to losing all the labour and development costs, and a lot of the parts costs. Not many 300 v8's about tho'.

 

Hope this helps.

Let's have a quick look at costs.

 

Say 350hp half decent engine, new, with ally heads, £4000+

Tremec TKO500 box with bellhousing and hydraulic release bearing, £2000+

Fuel system, Koyo rad, custom prop, £700

Endless other bits and bobs, big battery, mini starter, custom ex manifolds, custom exhaust, custom made sump, £1000++

 

So say £8000 in bits, plus labour from a decent outfit, £3000+ for a half decent job? Fair bit of electrics to sort out.

 

This assumes you've got uprated suspension, big brakes, manual clutch etc.

 

Fuel injection? Add £2500.

Serpentine belt system, add £400

Steel flywheel? Uprated clutch?

How about a supercharger with water injection? £3000

Stick a stroker kit in and roller rockers and that's pretty much my present engine.

I don't know any garage who I would trust to make a proper job of this.

Lots of people could drop the engine in and get it working, but getting it working, and doing a proper job, are two different things.

 

By far the cheapest way is to buy one already done as the seller usually resigns themselves to losing all the labour and development costs, and a lot of the parts costs. Not many 300 v8's about tho'.

 

Hope this helps.

 

Jealous as hell :cry:

Should have just bought mine! :wack:

Think Keith is about bang on with the prices,getting someone to take it on will be the hard part IMHO!

Wish I had time to help out mate,would I do it all again?-DEFINATELY! :)

I wanted yours matey :( Really wish i'd had my grandad's inheritance when you were selling it overwise i woudl have snapped it up like that cash in hand :cry: