Customer Build: 1973 Datsun 240Z

[CarConnection]

Customer Build - Datsun 240z -
Project "Something Old, Something New":

http://i44.photobucket.com/albums/f3/CarConnection/Sigs/PowerFab%20Automotive/V_Red_240z.jpg
http://i44.photobucket.com/albums/f3/CarConnection/Shop%20Photos/DSC02306.jpg
http://i44.photobucket.com/albums/f3/CarConnection/Shop%20Photos/DSC02310.jpg
http://i44.photobucket.com/albums/f3/CarConnection/Shop%20Photos/DSC02328.jpg
http://i44.photobucket.com/albums/f3/CarConnection/Shop%20Photos/DSC02327.jpg
http://i44.photobucket.com/albums/f3/CarConnection/Shop%20Photos/DSC02349.jpg
http://i44.photobucket.com/albums/f3/CarConnection/Shop%20Photos/DSC02351.jpg
http://i44.photobucket.com/albums/f3/CarConnection/Shop%20Photos/DSC03117.jpg

Alright, 1st off, let me quote myself from the original thread where i talked about this car.

I honestly cannot thank the owner of this vehicle enough. As you can seen in it's initial delivery photo. This car is not at the shop. The owner of the car put it in my care right around the time things became official that we were moving forward to a full blown facility. Most owners would have been scared off by this, but he was not and hung in there. I'm very thankful for that.

This car came in initially as a 100% stock 240z that had been restored. I won't go into the full details on this thread, i'll save it for it's own thread, cause its quite a story. Suffice to say just about nothing on this car will be the same when it's finished except the sheet metal, and even then some of that has been dealt with as well! This car really embodies what we are all about, cause alot of what will be shown on it is all stuff we built in house. Lots of details!


So, like i had said, this car has a LONG list of work we've done for it. I'm going to try and list it all in one posting, then i'll post updates that highlight objectives on the list being met.

Work list to date:
- Deconstruct stock car of all non-reuse equipment
- Prep existing vehicle wiring for the addition of electrical systems
- Convert from carb to EFI
- Build a new fuel system from scratch
- Transplant 2.8l turbo engine to replace 2.4 normally aspirated motor
- Build a new cooling system from scratch
- Retrofit a 300ZX (Z32) twin turbo transmission into the car
- Build custom transmission mounts for larger transmission
- Delete factory gas tank
- Reskin the rear hatch floor of the car to support fuel cell
- Build fuel cell mounting system from scratch
- Full autometer gauge treatment for the dashboard including additional monitering gauges not found in factory setup
- Build front mount intercooler setup from scratch
- Build full mandrel downpipe from scratch
- Build full mandrel exhaust from scratch
- Wire in a new MegaSquirt system
- Wire in a stronger ignition system
- Wire in the new fuel system
- Rewire the entire dash harness to support full autometer instrumentation
- Upgrade the brakes
- Convert the car to a R200 differential setup
- Revamp the entire suspension system
- Lower vehicle
- Install adjustable shocks
- Replace stock rubber bushings in entire car with polyurathane
- Fabricate mounting solution for authentic BRIDE seats while maintaining slider adjustment
- Install roll bar
- Install nardi wheel w/ quick release
- Tune new setup to produce owners requested power target goals while being compatible with 91 octane pump fuel
- Refresh/replace all bearing setups in the 4 corners of the vehicle
- Road trial/durability test vehicle before shipping off to customer


I think that just about covers it, i probally missed some stuff but whatever.

[iRIDElow]

awesome

[TexRex]

:rock: can't wait to see the finished product! This is a serious shop with professionals!

[slideways2004]

this is going to be awesome. I really want to see the converion to r200?? how different is the stock unit??

also please take lots of pics of the wiring!:eek9::eek9::)

[JeffTSi924]

makes me miss my 73 240z

[CarConnection]

http://i44.photobucket.com/albums/f3/CarConnection/Shop%20Photos/DSC02341.jpg
http://i44.photobucket.com/albums/f3/CarConnection/Shop%20Photos/DSC02344.jpg
A few under the car shots to show what it looked like stock... i forgot to put these up originally. Nothing terribly impressive, leaky seals, worn bushings, rusted pipes... you know, a datsun.


http://i44.photobucket.com/albums/f3/CarConnection/Shop%20Photos/DSC03163.jpg

And then theres this... a virtually stripped to the bone unibody. Short of media blasting and repaint, this is about as close to frame off build up as you get for a Datsun.

I'll do a feature on a list item tommorow... stay tuned.

[efhatch1]

in for more of this project

[PowerFab Auto]

http://i44.photobucket.com/albums/f3/CarConnection/Shop%20Photos/DSC03465.jpg

Been a little bit, had alot of work to do that really doesn't photograph well in terms of being interesting, more just the raw engineering behind it all. Last time you saw it, it had no engine, no transmission, no fuel system, no brakes, hell even the back trunk area was cut out...

So i'll let this teaser out for now, see if i can't write up a good detail report for one of the many aspects of this cars fabrication work later on tonight with some supporting photos.

As you can see though, things have definately changed.

[1dmty]

L28ET right, is there good aftermarket support for that engine?
good luck guys!

[CarConnection]

L28ET right, is there good aftermarket support for that engine?
good luck guys!

yes it's an l28et, there is good aftermarket support for it if you bring it to me since we are developing a range of parts for this engine ourselves.

but the bolt on market in terms of worldwide is kinda scarce compared to most engines. not that suprising though since the motors inception was in the 60's... so it's a little bit out of it's prime production phase :thumb:

[TooCooTL]

freakin sweet project:thumb:...makes me wanna pull out my datsun truck...i keep sayin that but never do...:(

[Soulless]

You will definitely be called if I can get my hands on a 240z. id love to have one!!

Build looks great!

[LT280z]

any new shots of it?

[heyitsryan]

In!

[PowerFab Auto]

Alot of people in the Datsun world say fitting a 3" downpipe on a S30 chassis is next to i mpossible. We beg to differ... here's 5" initial to 3" finish, full mandrel and tig, all v-band, and pretty light weight too.

http://i44.photobucket.com/albums/f3/CarConnection/downpipe_02.jpg
http://i44.photobucket.com/albums/f3/CarConnection/downpipe_01.jpg

[LT280z]

add one of those to my list dude! gotta have that.

[TexRex]

very very nice dp

[Crazyfool999]

NICE! I need to get some money together for some work to get done to the Slowbaru!

[PowerFab Auto]

http://i44.photobucket.com/albums/f3/CarConnection/gauges.jpg

[PowerFab Auto]

http://i44.photobucket.com/albums/f3/CarConnection/Shop%20Photos/v_cell_01.jpg
http://i44.photobucket.com/albums/f3/CarConnection/Shop%20Photos/v_cell_02.jpg
http://i44.photobucket.com/albums/f3/CarConnection/Shop%20Photos/v_cell_03.jpg

[andrewK]

badass man! always loved the cars but will be a long while before i have time and money for a project like that.

definitely could use your assistance on some stuff for my road race car!

[eN_2_Oh]

that build is looking good!!

going to be real sick once its all put together

[Hames]

wow i've seen less secure jail cells compared to that cage around the fuel cell. nice build

[ryk]

WOW.
One helluva build.

[JeffTSi924]

I may be pulling my cousin's 240 from the body shop soon (been collecting dust at SABS for 10 years). Since ya'll are around the corner from my house I'll def be coming thru to see what you guys can do.

[Riced_Out]

Beyond "Awesome" that is a sick Z build!

[CarConnection]

I may be pulling my cousin's 240 from the body shop soon (been collecting dust at SABS for 10 years). Since ya'll are around the corner from my house I'll def be coming thru to see what you guys can do.

hope thats all it's been collecting, if it was outside, the floors are likely toast as well as the spare tire well

[JeffTSi924]

hope thats all it's been collecting, if it was outside, the floors are likely toast as well as the spare tire well

it's been inside in the same spot for a long time. In running condition i think

[CarConnection]

it's been inside in the same spot for a long time. In running condition i think

Hrm... that has potential, carbs are likely trashed though. But i'm sure this threads done it's worst about giving ALOT of ideas.

[Tad_07]

is that a Holset turbo is see?

[PowerFab Auto]

That it is

[lilt304]

Nice looking downpipe. Cant wait to get mine.

[Soulless]

Anything more with this car?

[CarConnection]

Anything more with this car?

yea, alot of little stuff is going on, fuel line building, hydraulic lines, more wiring.

just haven't had any eye candy to show off, been alot of detail work.

should be able to update soon though.

[singleslammer]

looks damn good. cant wait to see the build done. keep it up guys!

[jyz77]

sweet z ! :bowdown: cant cant wait to see the finished product !

[CarConnection]

sweet z ! :bowdown: cant cant wait to see the finished product !

you should come by the shop, might have a few things and ideas you'd find... interesting. :hsugh:

[jyz77]

e-mail me your info. i ll come by and ck you out.
frank_vela@msn.com

[CarConnection]

even easier bro...

powerfabauto.com :thumb:

[Unseenhybrid]

any progress (new pics)

[TooCooTL]

:wrd: very interested in updates

[CarConnection]

any progress (new pics)
:wrd: very interested in updates

been prepping for IFO so this ones slowed, everythings finished up front, in back, etc... all it needs now is a gauge harness built for the engine bay side of things, and then the various interior and bling items installed for final assembly.

but heres a teaser of the front end, lots of shine, and a little old school style applied to it. i might throw a sound bite up later today to if we have time.

http://i44.photobucket.com/albums/f3/CarConnection/Red%20240Z/red_z_front_end.jpg

[Unseenhybrid]

we need to hear it!!! looks great by the way

[TexRex]

yummmmmmmmy!!!!! Can't wait!

[VashThaStampede]

man anyone can do that....










:rofl: j/k sick build,mad props on very detailed and extraordinary fab work :thumb:

[Impact Black]

Now that is how you go about building a 240Z.

These are great cars, easy to work on (unless you have to cut the floor pans, but even thats easy), and will always have the timeless look no other car will have.

[Leo_padakin]

nice

[CarConnection]

http://www.hi-upload.com/upload/uploaded11/IMG_0317.jpg

after some serious clutch hydraulic issues she now drives. i realize its kind of a fast forward from where we left off, but it was so much little stuff i didn't have time to do proper one entry reports on each.

so, drove around today, tommorow the remaining electronics get buttoned up, then its time for tuning!

one things for sure though, these tires stand zero chance when its on anything except low low low boost. :really?:

proper RoadRageDetail job and J.Evins session coming soon.

[Wompa164]

SICKNESS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[VR4ofhouston]

wow that thing is clean

[singleslammer]

as always good job yall