I'm to the point where I want to start working on my Camaro again and have been contemplating power sources, the 305 in the car just isn't going to cut it. So after looking around I see that those fellas mated one of my favorite SAAB engines to a 300ZX which also has a T5 like my Camaro. So I'm looking for info on how those guys did it.
I've searched google but can't find the exact info I want on what bellhousing to use or even if the stock one will work.
Thanks - Aaron
They guys on that team are super friendly and nice, I'm sure they would tell you more.
The best way I know to get in contact with them is through their Facebook page, I don't have any of their emails
https://www.facebook.com/RustinTheWind24HOL
Ugh Friendface... I don't do that nonsense 
I guess I could try over at the lemons forums.
Bolting a Saab engine to a Nissan trans seems like a waste of a Nissan trans. For them it's an index thing, but the vg30et is a far more potent plant. For clarification the Borg Warner T5's in the 84-85 300ZX Turbo's is more similar to the Ford T5, the input shaft, spur gear and bellhousing are all proprietary and application specific. The T5 found in the 82-83 280ZX Turbo is very much the same but the bellhousing input shaft and spur gear are again specific to that application but the input shaft lacks the neckdown that the z31 trans has making it more suitable for big power. I always kinda wanted to drop a VG30ET or an L28ET into some american "muscle"
t25torx wrote: I'm to the point where I want to start working on my Camaro again and have been contemplating power sources, the 305 in the car just isn't going to cut it. So after looking around I see that those fellas mated one of my favorite SAAB engines to a 300ZX which also has a T5 like my Camaro. So I'm looking for info on how those guys did it. I've searched google but can't find the exact info I want on what bellhousing to use or even if the stock one will work. Thanks - Aaron
You'll have to turn over your mullet if you put anything other than a 'merican V8 in there... (turbo V6 may get a pass)
If I remember correctly, Saab went to the GM 4-cyl bellhousing pattern sometime during the NG900/9-3 generation. It probably happened when they went from NG900 to 9-3, but I'm not sure. So I'm guessing rust in the wind found some transmission out of a S10 or something and uses that. Just my guess.
Edit: After some googling, apperently, Saab switched to the GM Europe bellhousing pattern in 94. But I'm not sure if that pattern is the same as North American patterns... PPC magazine was building a mk2 Escort with a Saab engine that they bolted to a Vauxhall Carlton transmission, but I don't have the details. I could probably dig and find the info if you need.
fanfoy wrote: If I remember correctly, Saab went to the GM 4-cyl bellhousing pattern sometime during the NG900/9-3 generation. It probably happened when they went from NG900 to 9-3, but I'm not sure. So I'm guessing rust in the wind found some transmission out of a S10 or something and uses that. Just my guess. Edit: After some googling, apperently, Saab switched to the GM Europe bellhousing pattern in 94. But I'm not sure if that pattern is the same as North American patterns... PPC magazine was building a mk2 Escort with a Saab engine that they bolted to a Vauxhall Carlton transmission, but I don't have the details. I could probably dig and find the info if you need.
Yeah I found the same info, even found an RX8 with a SAAB engine swap. Looks like he used the Vauxhall transmission too.
ok the RX8 swap makes me think I could get one of those one day.
Hi Aaron, I'm Rob from the Rust in The Wind team. Unfortunately I wasn't able to find a US spec transmission that bolts up to the b234 so we made an adapter plate to mount the nissan trans. We used a 240mm nissan clutch disk and saab 9000 pressure plate along with a custom made throwout mechanism. If you'd like any more info about the swap I'm happy to help.
Evildky, I think you might be underestimating the Saab engine. Our b234 had ~160k on it when we got it and we have thus far put 12 lemons races on it (races are typically 14.5 hours long). We run about 18 psi of boost. The only serious problem we've had with the engine was a coolant hose failure. The car has won the overall twice so far (1st of 117 and 1st of 121) , and last year was 10th in the nation in points.
Since you say T5 it must be 86 or earlier Z31 iirc idk if that helps you any. Nissan T5 is also known for being fairly weak.
If you want a different engine to put into a camaro get like a Buick 3800 and turbo it or something like that.
In reply to RThodal:
Nothing personal, I'm just a Nissan fan .........and a Saab hater 
In reply to evildky:
Haha fair enough. It wouldn't be a good lemons car if it didn't get hated on by someone. 
Also I should say we didn't have very good luck with the original NA 300zx 71c transmissions. They only lasted about 30 hours on track before running into issues. We switched to the r30a about 6 races ago and haven't had a problem since.
Hey Rob! Thanks for getting back to me on this, So looks like ya'll weren't using a T5 at all.. Hmm might be back to the drawing board for this then. I had over 300k miles on my SAAB 9000 before it got totaled, so i know how stout those engines are. Continued good luck in your efforts!
RThodal wrote: In reply to evildky: Also I should say we didn't have very good luck with the original NA 300zx 71c transmissions. They only lasted about 30 hours on track before running into issues. We switched to the r30a about 6 races ago and haven't had a problem since.
Rob, I'm the owner of the former Black Gold, now Sex Panther Racing, 280zx. What sort of transmission problems did you guys run into? I think the guts of my early 5 speeds are similar to the Z31 trannys, and we have trouble shifting from 2nd-3rd going up the hill at NHMS. Tried various fluids and MT90 is the best one, but it still sucks.
In reply to Brotus7:
We wrecked 2 71c's and if I recall correctly the third had weak synchros from the moment we got it so we replaced it with the r30a before it gave up on us completely. In the first two we sheared teeth off 5th gear. We use 5th fairly often since we only rev to 5500 and I think 5th is weak in the 71c.
I'm guessing you just have bad synchros like our 3rd 71c. If you're feeling ambitious I think I have a rebuild kit sitting around for a 71c that I never used. I have to check if it included synchros or if it is just bearings and seals. I also don't know what, if any of the parts are the same as the 280zx 5spd, but its yours if you think it would help.
The 71c isn't all that it's cracked up to be, most of the people who fanboy that trans have no power or traction. The Z31 community embraced them as they are plentiful and lack the neckdown in the input shaft that brakes on the T5 (90a). Anyone making real power has only 1 choice and thats the 30a. But in the case of a radical swap the T5 found in the 82-83 280zx turbo lacks the neckdown found in the Z31's and is known to survive more abuse than it's z31 counterpart and the 71c while not as strong as the 30a. But then you could always got for a ford, gm or other manual trans as well.
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