Resources
A very valuable resource is the book Datsun Z Car V-8 Conversion Manual available from Stealth Conversions (also known as JTR for “Jags that Run.”)
The author, Mike Knell, covers a great deal of territory about V8 conversions in Z-cars, including chassis changes, differential changes, etc. Unfortunately, it’s all about Chevy conversions (well, they did show a picture of a Lexus V8 conversion). When I called (they don’t really answer their emails, such as they suggest in the book) to order stuff, Greg, Mike’s brother, answers. I was told that Mike won’t talk to you if it involves Ford conversions - so don’t plan on any help from JTR except for information from the book and the parts they sell that are also applicable to Ford conversions. However, this book is well worth the money, no matter what type of Z-engine swap you are doing, or even for improving a car with the stock six.
Another excellent source is How to Restore Your Datsun Z-Car, by Wick Humble. When you are trying to figure out how to get something apart (or back together), it has a lot of answers for you:
Amazon.com: How to Restore Your Datsun Z-Car: Books: Wick Humble
And of course, a standard service manual for the Z is necessary. I like the Clymer book made for the 240Z through ’72. However, I don’t think it’s in print anymore. I found mine at a swap meet.
See this web site for a product that will make almost any tachometer work with almost any ignition system, even if they weren't designed to work together. Even if the tach is designed for an engine with a different number of cylinders, such as after an engine conversion.
You will want to have a good source for parts. I purchased many of the parts from
Summit Racing. I’m sure that
if you’re reading this, you already know about
Summit Racing - High Performance Car and
Truck Parts
I sourced some of the parts from CarQuest since one is close and has a sympathetic manager who likes Ford small blocks, and was willing to spend time with me searching for odd parts.
Here's the shop I used to paint the Z8 - nice folks who did a quality job:
I purchased a lot of the Datsun parts from Victoria British (now Black Dragon) at:
They are fine to work with, but I don’t like the way that they charge for shipping by dollar purchase amount rather than what shipping really costs. I prefer to work with places where there is some correlation between what it costs to ship and what they charge you, rather than making shipping a profit-center, so if I could find parts elsewhere, I bought them there.
A good source for Panasport wheels is:
Spruell Motorsport, Inc - Your Automotive
Race Support Headquarters
If you need some west coast work done on a race car (vintage or current) or high performance street car, get in touch with Jim Froula at Racecraft. These guys are good!
For
a wide variety of Z-parts, this is a good source:
The Z Store,
your Datsun & Nissan Z & ZX source!
For
T-5 and Tremec drive train parts, and friendly telephone support with
questions, this company in
Modern Driveline - T5 / Tremec
Transmission Conversion Specialists - Swap into Overdrive!
Rod’s
Datsun (
The
Z-Barn is a good source for used parts:
Modern
Motorsports Ltd., of
You
made it! This is the last section of
the Z8 conversion.