SCCAForums.com

So, I hope to get working on my 73 240Z this week/weekend when I get back in town. I'm looking for a little guidance. Here's what I'm starting with.

1973 240Z 

1. no front bodywork, hood, headlight buckets, bumpers, etc
2. engine/transmission has been pulled
3. automatic 4 speed has been pulled
4. no interior except for the dash and door panels, some plastic, but not installed.
5. have a complete 2nd suspension, not sure if it is any different from stock

1978 280Z 2+2

1. Front suspension is rusted, broken
2. Car is complete, 5 speed in the car, 2.8 liter motor, runs, drives
3. Rebuildable 5 speed transmission not in the car

1983 L28ET

1. 2.8 liter turbo motor
2. supposedly has 3k miles on the motor

My plan is to put the 83 motor with the 78 5 speed in the 73 body, using a Megasquirt setup for engine management. Put the body work from the 78 on the front of the 73. Figure out my interior options/requirements based on the SM2 rules.

Suspension changes, not a clue. Wheel/tire options, not a clue. Brakes, eventually a disk brake setup, though not sure what/when.

What's my timeframe? Not sure. I'd like to have the car running by March of 07, street legal by May of 07, though probably not competitive in SM2 for a while.

If money were no option, what would you guys do?

Update: I've given up on SM2 and am coming to XP

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Project 350z
Nissan Leaf

I don't know squat about Z cars, but if it were my project I'd base it on whichever chassis weighs the least.  You can do a LOT with the 2.8 turbo motor and then consult with the FP guys on suspension setup John Thomas and Tom Holt are great starts.  I know you can fit some big meats underneath for wheel/tire options, but again consult the FP boys.   If money were no option then I'd go with an automatic transmission instead of the 5-speed, but I know that money is an object [:'(]

regardless, i can't wait to see it!  i think the 70s Z cars are one of the Top 5 best lookin' sports cars!  We'll swap co-drives sometime! (assuming i'm still in the class

dp

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Dan Pedroza
CS 72/172
2008 Nationals CS first loser
Defending 2009 Nationals CS first loser

DOOP!

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Dan Pedroza
CS 72/172
2008 Nationals CS first loser
Defending 2009 Nationals CS first loser

Think about weight, weight distribution and CG height.  Check the rules and compute the min. weight for the car.  Weigh all the parts and calculate which combination gives you the lightest weight and lowest CG height.  These are basic attributes of the car that you can pick now.

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Steve Hudson
DP Miata

Christoc:

If money were no option, what would you guys do?

I'd farm out the work to someone else so it actually gets done

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Jeff Templeton
2000 Impreza RS

mugwump:

I'd farm out the work to someone else so it actually gets done

I'll finish most of it myself thank you! :P

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Project 350z
Nissan Leaf

1) Build it as light as possible and then ballast it back up to weight min, without using "balast".  Make sure that the motor you end up using works well within the SM rules.  Datsun/Nissan have a number of good powerplants that'll fit into an old Z chassis.

2) Gear it to do low 70s at the top of 2nd gear.

3) Put the chassis up on jackstands and remove EVERYTHING not required by the SM2 ruleset and design a racecar around what's left.

4) Downforce.  Effective front splitter/spoiler and good rear wing.

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Jesse
-2002-2006 E-stock 93 MR2 (sold)
-2007-2008 XP Spyder

Here are the specs for a potential eary 240Z SM2 class winner that I built back in 2002:

http://www.betamotorsports.com/products/rod4sale.html

2,110 lbs but you would have add back in the HVAC, steel rear hatch and glass, and the door windows and mechanism.  Figure 2,200 lbs.  If I were to do it again, I would still go NA over a turbo and run 285/30-18s instead of the 275/45-16s. 

EDIT:  you would also have to delete the triangulated front STBs.

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John Coffey
http://www.betamotorsports.com

I would also add Vic Sias to line of people to call.

check out his old BSP and street Z cars.

http://www.siastuning.com/racing.htm

 

Good luck it will be cool to see it run.

Scott Fraser

Become friends with the http://forums.hybridz.org/ people and put in an RB26deTT.

Chris,

All of the above are good ideas. I have thought about doing the same to my 73' , but couldn't justify the cost of running in SM2 with the big boys :(

The fenders on the 280 will fit the 240 with some trimming on the upper edge toward the front. Pretty minor body work issue. The 73' was an odd ball 240 for Nissan. It had already started to change to the smog motor, and safety requiremensts. It has larger door beams in it. You are also going to need to decide what suspension package you are going to run. If you run the Advance Design pakcage like Vic did on his BSP car you are going to need to keep the strut housings from the 280. If you do a search on HybridZ you will see a bunch of different set ups that have worked for others. John Coffey ( Beta Motorsports ) use to sell a complete Koni package along with some EMI camber plates. I am surprised John mentioned the 18's with 285's, but if it works for the BMW's it would work for the Z. You will also need to source at least an R190 , but its easier to find the larger R200's. John Coffey believes the 240's R180 properly built will handle 300 ft lbs of torque, but You should be able to get more then that out of the 2.8. I would like to see someone put a supercharged VQ in one :) . Some guys have had success with supercharging the L28 as well, again, you will find tons of information on HybridZ on mods. If you do decide on going to big wheel and tire route you might also consider using a power steering rack. I think John Anderson had one on his FP 240. Tom Holt could help you out here, since he keeps in touch with most of the FP Z guys.

 

Good Luck !!

 

Mike 

 

Try contacting Carter Thompson, as he is building a SM2 260Z with a 4 cycliner turbo engine. He has done all custom heim-joint suspension, so he may be able to make some copies for you, etc.

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Erik Strelnieks
93 3-ROTOR RX7
05 SLK 350 AMG
08 BMW 135i

Rodger:

Become friends with the http://forums.hybridz.org/ people and put in an RB26deTT.

 I'm over on hybridz, haven't posted there in a month or so though.

Perhaps a RB26 will be an option later, but for now i'd like to use the motor I have, the l28et, at least till I blow it up :D

 

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Project 350z
Nissan Leaf

Vic during the last year of driving the red and white Z broke at least 4 output flanges of the rear diff. He was running the R180. It is lighter but get ready to change parts.

Personally I would run P/S if your going to have the 6 with big front tires. otherwise hit the gym ASAP

Scott Fraser

Christoc:

My plan is to put the 83 motor with the 78 5 speed in the 73 body, using a Megasquirt setup for engine management. Put the body work from the 78 on the front of the 73. Figure out my interior options/requirements based on the SM2 rules.

 I would also consider finding something besides the batch-fire Megasquirt, especially if you plan to run big injectors and drive it on the street.  It's functionally similar to the Electromotive TECII which I have learned to hate.  The low price is inviting, but the time investment is large.  

There are sequential systems with lots of nice features out there that are ready to wire-up and use.  Autronic is very nice and my current favorite.  AEM is good, but I find it's software is irritating to use.  Hydra Nemesis is a newcomer, and I've only played with it's software, but it looks promising and the price is reasonable.