Datsun 240/260/280 z

[Devilsolsi]

Hey, I have been thinking about getting a project 240/260 or 280 z, but I don't know a whole lot about them. Does anyone have any links to good technical sites on them? I would love to hear some opinions on them, and pics are always appreciated

[Creizai]

My Fav.. http://hybridz.org/

http://www.zcar.com/ (thier forums) http://www.zdriver.com/forum/index.php

Just so you know you'll have more in common with 68 mustang guys then with 240sx or honda guys lol. Lots of rebulding (which is fun), but most drivers dont really drive they usually just hardpark lol

[chmercer]

dont, they are made out of rust and the aftermarket is weak

[LB.Motoring]

mine has no rust whatso ever, and much is supported for the chassis...

but then again where you are located, im sure you have a .01% chance of finding a clean un rusted tainted chassis...

even here its a very slim chance..

prepare for a lot of work..

[chmercer]

i guess lemmie rephrase my previous post -

240sx is way easier

[LB.Motoring]

^ haha well said....

and 240,260,280z is a broad range...

[drift freaq]

240z is the shiznit, but at this point in time you have to approach them from a collectors point of view almost i.e. you love them and don't care that parts are harder to get. Here in California we are kinda lucky that there are a number of places that stock or carry z car parts but they are not cheap at this stage of the game. There is a good Z car community here in California as well.
I don't know about the east coast though. With the salt on the roads and rust and whatnot. I would say if you don't care about the money and its a labor of love go for it.
If you want a car, that pretty much out handles even some of the best setup 240z's out there. Is not to much heavier and has power options out the ass and carries on the spirit, then your on the right forum. Yup 240sx fastback your not going to get to much closer to the real deal, without spending a whole lot more on the real deal.
Given that its up to you. I would personally not bother with a 260z or 280z but thats me.

[Devilsolsi]

Thanks for the info guys, those links were great. I am in Maryland, so I am looking for a car in the surrounding area. I am not even completely sure if a Datsun Z is the car I will choose for my project. I am also thinking about a Porsche 944. Basically I want a car that will be different, but not impossible. Rust is a big issue for me, so I am going to attempt to stay away from any rust buckets. I am approaching a project car as a labor of love and a learning experience. I realize that whatever I end up choosing, won't be on the road for a few years.

As for the 240 suggestion, I have always loved them, but the current drifting craze is probably going to keep me from getting one at this point.

[chmercer]

ugh 944 is a piece of crap. lol

[FaLKoN240]

Why do people always want to be different?

You can be different in ANY car from the norm, as long as you're doing what YOU want with it.

[Devilsolsi]

ugh 944 is a piece of crap. lol

Why do you say that?

Why do people always want to be different?

You can be different in ANY car from the norm, as long as you're doing what YOU want with it.


Because after you drop 20 grand into a car, you don't want to roll up into a parking lot with 10 cars that look just like yours. It is true that you can make any car different, but i want whatever car I end up dumping this much time and money into, to turn heads. Otherwise I would take the easy way out and buy a civic.

[sccrstar011]

Devilsolsi- I totally agree with you about the whole wanting a car to turn heads. I have been pondering trying to pick up a 240z and restoring it to pretty much stock. Its a little hard for me cause im only 20 and still in school but I might be able to find something cheap round these parts. Kinda sad that people rice them out. I also have a 240sx but love the way it looks stock with a lowering kit. So no rice or drifting for this guy, just good classic fun and some speed.

[LB.Motoring]

ugh... children....

just do what you want...

lol, your just doing it for others to jock, the whole point is to make something you enjoy, you think is nice or what you liked when you were younger etc....

anyways... it seems were done here..

http://www.just-frag.it/fun/old/thread.gif

[DJPimpFlex]

yea just do something origional with a proven chassis. You'll end up spending WAY to much money on a POS if you want to be completely origional. My friend is that way, and hes now got a 73 145 volvo wagon. He wants to turbo swap and suspension blah blah blah. Its a money pit POS on cut springs and it LIVES on the bump stops. Its sooo shitty that he doesnt even drive it and he takes the bus to work. Spent $1300 on it, and I've bought plenty of 240sx's for WAY less that were WAY better.

[NervGS]

I have a 73 with a L28 stroker (3.2) on Mikuni carbs. Longorious has seen it, although I know he doesn't agree with 80% of my car, (I think) he did like it. I'm sure it was like a time machine for him.

Hahaha.

The car is like a lighter S13 with a mega KA (shit load of torque). Handles great, but needs work (car was driven about 30 miles this year, and like 50 last year) as it was neglected because I had other priorities.

Looking at selling the entire engine+tranny soon (by early next year, if everything goes according to plan). With proper tuning the thing can net 300+ at the wheels. It was built by the guys at Top End in North Hollywood. I have reciepts and everything for it.

-glenn

[HyperTek]

HEHEHE ok mr RB25 in s14.5 hahha jk lov ya man

well here is my buddys s30 240z
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v72/streetphase/000_001322.jpg

cleanest Z ive seen. I love these cars, first car I ever drove when i was like 10 or sso was my brothers 280z. Its just a car you Have to love to appreciate it. otherwise you might not like it. The smell of exhuast, fuel, squeaky interior pieces, road noise, twisting chassis etc you gotta get used to.

Id say the aftermarket support is as big as hmm the ae86 market.. Theres alot of small company parts for it. You got to piece up your suspension upgrades.

Id say just check out cars for sale in your area and go for the cleanest/best condition chassis, save you time on restoring/spending on it. Ive came accross a few nice chassis canidates, but im super poor.

Pros
Stylish
cheap
good car to fabricate/design parts
light weight

cons:
age
rust
can be expensive
no power steering
no a/c unless it was installed

but any car is crappy in terms of handelling/performance to people who dont realize what it was for its time. Of course a 240sx will own it, but for 1970, this car competed with other world sports cars.

[chmercer]

"why do you say that"

have you seen a 944? have you driven one? have you opened the hood on one? have you looked at any for sale? lol.

a porsche that you can buy for 1500$ that comes with a 4 banger and fuel lines running over the exhaust manifold is not a good porsche

[ThatGuy]

G-Nose, Flares, and Fender Mirrors on a 2 seater 240Z, or don't even bother.
http://www.geocities.jp/tanetane92/072651.jpg
http://www.geocities.jp/tanetane92/072621.jpg

[DJPimpFlex]

"why do you say that"

have you seen a 944? have you driven one? have you opened the hood on one? have you looked at any for sale? lol.

a porsche that you can buy for 1500$ that comes with a 4 banger and fuel lines running over the exhaust manifold is not a good porsche

dont forget torsion bar suspension and transaxel....FTL yea that car is a POS.

[LB.Motoring]

lol, yah, me and hypertek actually made the mistake on passing up a full g-nose setup for super cheap in the states for my Z :doh:

but i do have zg flares....

[Devilsolsi]

"why do you say that"

have you seen a 944? have you driven one? have you opened the hood on one? have you looked at any for sale? lol.

a porsche that you can buy for 1500$ that comes with a 4 banger and fuel lines running over the exhaust manifold is not a good porsche


My dad used to own one and I got to drive it a few times. I have always wanted to build one. The turbo models can be made into beasts. I'd like to know where you are finding them for $1500... I know some of the early cars can be on the cheap side. The post 85.5 cars go for significantly more with the redesigned interior and aluminum suspension.

[HyperTek]

haha i think me and you *lb motoring* shoulda made the scrap to pitch in just so it would have a good home had we known it would be the only time probably ever in our life to come accross a real gnose front end at a shop that didnt really know what it was lol

Ok for $1500 you can find the crappy pre 87 944 non-turbos and tons of 924 craptastics. The 87 944 turbo *951* are suppose to be pretty nice.

[Bushido]

^ lets see some pics of your z.

i have 2 S30's... 73 240z with 30,000 miles all original, white on red interior. and a 76 280z which im currently building up.

they are awesome cars, but rust is a major issue... especially since you live in the northeast. you're also going to have to deal with all the common problems that an old car has...
if you're dead set on getting one of these cars i'd suggest flying out to arizona or something and pick up a rust free one from the desert, guys on the west coast are spoiled when it comes to these cars...

[HyperTek]

Reason you should get a Z, it is Japan Nostalgic
here http://youtube.com/watch?v=abqJ9Hc9l90

hahah i dont have a z, robby grabbed the z i woulda bought if i had the cash at the time... early 260z *yah i know its a 260* but the thin bumpers model with no rust and perfect body besides faded paint for $800. so its chassis is golden, and can mod it without feeling bad about messing with an original 240z.

imma throw this out here.. but this is what im planin to do next
190e evoII replica.. wont cost too much to replica, the most expensive part will be the aero. Rival to the E30 M3. 16valve 4 cylinder cosworth motor putting a few under 200hp.
http://plaza.rakuten.co.jp/img/user/60/36/7236036/280.jpg

These cars have some history behind them. Originally built with intensions for rally in the 80's, but Audi came out with the Quattro and dominated so Benz didnt persue it, and instead it was used for dtm and other touring races.
http://community.190revolution.net/gallery/data/500/medium/AMG-035.jpg
http://community.190revolution.net/gallery/data/500/Poster_02.jpg

[ThatGuy]

More 240ZG Sex!
http://img483.imageshack.us/img483/4342/7533nd3.jpg
:rawk:

[drift freaq]

lol, yah, me and hypertek actually made the mistake on passing up a full g-nose setup for super cheap in the states for my Z :doh:

but i do have zg flares....
hehehehehehe I bet I know where that was. :D P.S. it was the three piece one. The dope G nose's were th 5 piece ones becuase they were the originals. All three piece ones are just copies. Anyways one word I will say about G noses having owned 10 240z's (yes 10!). G Noses imho while nice looking make the front end of the car to long. ZG flares are dope but the car without the flares or the noses is dope in its on right. It was raced unflared and un G nosed. It was raced flared with plexi headlight covers which we all used to run back in the day. I will put plexi headlight covers on my next one. Some guys even painted the plexi headlight covers the same color as the car on track cars. It made the front end look really good. Another thing that is still standard par for the course and a lot of people still run is the Ureflex urethane front air damn. Again you saw a lot of track cars running these.
To me if your going to G nose the car along with ZG flares then in keeping with the 432ZG heritage you need to put a RB20/25 or 26 under the hood. As all Fairlady 432's came S20 dual overhead cam 2 liter sixs. NA of course putting out 175hp with a 7500 rpm redline. They also came with limited slip R180 differentials and 5 speed speed trannies. This was in 1970 mind you as well . 500 made pretty much for racing in Japan. What happened in the States with the 240z knocked the Japanese's socks off. They never expected the amount of sales and the fact that the car pretty much had a unherald rein of championships through 1978.
Ya I am a fucking encyclopedia on the cars hahahhahhahha

[alkemyst]

"why do you say that"

have you seen a 944? have you driven one? have you opened the hood on one? have you looked at any for sale? lol.

a porsche that you can buy for 1500$ that comes with a 4 banger and fuel lines running over the exhaust manifold is not a good porsche

You are a funny kid.

The 1988 944 Turbo S and 1989 Turbo can spank you I bet all over and back to your mom on pills.

Porsche stopped them because they worked the 911 on the track.

944 is a base car...the 951 is way better and the 952 is one of the best handling cars ever made.

However; it's obvious you are zilvia's troll and hater.

[ixfxi]

http://clearcorners.com/temp/skyline.jpg
http://clearcorners.com/temp/skyline2.jpg


hey longo, dont forget these C110 taillamps... they'll look a lot better on the S30 than the original lamps do, thats for sure.

[LB.Motoring]

yah their hawt, but the 240z lamps are nice too

last time i checked that conversion is super priceyy

[Bushido]

LB, lets see some pics of your s30

[Devilsolsi]

^ lets see some pics of your z.

i have 2 S30's... 73 240z with 30,000 miles all original, white on red interior. and a 76 280z which im currently building up.

they are awesome cars, but rust is a major issue... especially since you live in the northeast. you're also going to have to deal with all the common problems that an old car has...
if you're dead set on getting one of these cars i'd suggest flying out to arizona or something and pick up a rust free one from the desert, guys on the west coast are spoiled when it comes to these cars...

I am not dead set on anything yet. I am trying to learn more about them now so I can decide if I want one or not. I do love the style, and an RB motor swap is very tempting (and expensive). I have a few other ideas in my head for a car, a Porsche 944 (which I have mentioned), a Honda Civic just because it would be cheap and easy.

[HyperTek]

true stock body s30 look really good when you keep it simple.. I would have imagined doing it like this if i couldnt replicate 240zg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v72/streetphase/nowjiru-img600x450-1106407177dsc002.jpg

Ill have robby post his car up =D

[LB.Motoring]

uhh ok...
old red, and new green...

here...

old pics..

http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y193/Drift3rx240sx/Z%20Project/100_0994.jpg
http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y193/Drift3rx240sx/Z%20Project/100_09972.jpg

**
http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y193/Drift3rx240sx/Z%20Project/260z.jpg
http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y193/Drift3rx240sx/Z%20Project/FrontBmper.jpg
http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y193/Drift3rx240sx/Z%20Project/Sanding5.jpg
http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y193/Drift3rx240sx/Z%20Project/EmergeZ.jpg


k's z
http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y193/Drift3rx240sx/Z%20Project/100_0968.jpg
http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y193/Drift3rx240sx/Z%20Project/100_0962.jpg

[BoLLeH]

did you hulk smash the red one?

[HyperTek]

bought that car on ebay.. had way too much rust to be salvagable so we smashed it lol

[Creizai]

mine has no rust whatso ever, and much is supported for the chassis...

but then again where you are located, im sure you have a .01% chance of finding a clean un rusted tainted chassis...

even here its a very slim chance..

prepare for a lot of work..
Thats either completely badass or you just haven't found it yet.

[Devilsolsi]

That silver Z is beautiful!

L.B.- What should I be looking for when I go to look at one of these cars? I have heard that some of the major rust areas are the battery tray, lower doors and rocker panels. What else should I look for?

[s13dan]

i have always wanted an old z

[drift freaq]

Nice looking Robby. Reminds me of my old Orange 72.
As far as rust goes the bad areas are usually the rocker panels right bend the door sill. The landing area of the deck lid enclosure. Sometimes in the front wheel well area at the back right next to the frame rail. Of course the battery enclosure but that is usually only rusted due to extreme neglect. The other area's I mentioned just happen even here in California a lot of the time. Nissan really did not have their water channel drain tech. up to spec in the late 60's early 70's, hence why you see rust even in Cailifornia cars.

[HyperTek]

you can score some good ones on craigslist..

this one isnt bad
http://losangeles.craigslist.org/lac/car/231749118.html
i think the engine is great, just do the body and suspension teh way you want to do it =D

our friend scored that silver one above on collectorcartrader.com so give that a look through


check the trunk spare tire area for rust.. undercarage etc.. and the t/c rod area becuase those tend to rust up.

[drift freaq]

you can score some good ones on craigslist..

this one isnt bad
http://losangeles.craigslist.org/lac/car/231749118.html
i think the engine is great, just do the body and suspension teh way you want to do it =D

our friend scored that silver one above on collectorcartrader.com so give that a look through


check the trunk spare tire area for rust.. undercarage etc.. and the t/c rod area becuase those tend to rust up.

Screw the engines, they are not that big of deal, the main thing is chassis and interior because those are the harder to get parts. Far as engine goes RB baby all the way.

[ThatGuy]

Wasn't there a guy trying to build a DOHC L28 running around the internet somewhere? I could've sworn I saw project pictures about it a long time ago. I believe he was basing the head on the KA24DE head just cast for 6 cylinders. Maybe I'm just crazy. :loco:

[drift freaq]

Wasn't there a guy trying to build a DOHC L28 running around the internet somewhere? I could've sworn I saw project pictures about it a long time ago. I believe he was basing the head on the KA24DE head just cast for 6 cylinders. Maybe I'm just crazy. :loco:
Or he was? :rofl:

[Devilsolsi]

you can score some good ones on craigslist..

this one isnt bad
http://losangeles.craigslist.org/lac/car/231749118.html
i think the engine is great, just do the body and suspension teh way you want to do it =D

our friend scored that silver one above on collectorcartrader.com so give that a look through


check the trunk spare tire area for rust.. undercarage etc.. and the t/c rod area becuase those tend to rust up.


Too bad it is on the wrong coast :rant2:

[ixfxi]

you can score some good ones on craigslist..


hey FORGET IT.. fuck that shit, craigslist is the pits... its filled with homosexuals. serious, i heard some dude bought a car off craigslist and it came with a dude named craig in the passenger seat.

dont deal with services like craigslist. If you want a Z, get it the way all Z's are attained............... VIA GUNPOINT.

So many Z's in SoCal have cocain in the wheelwells. Why? Because they were jacked. This applies to any Z, but especially applies to the Z31 chassis. That car is notorious for being driven by drug dealers.

- Mike

[moparwagonz]

I think the best thing that an S30 offers over a 240SX is the fact that it is smog exempt for us CA guys. To me it's a pretty big deal not having to worry about that. If youre trying to keep it original and simple, just for the pleasure of driving it and working on it, it's a great car. If youre looking to build some ultimate beast then youre better off looking at another platform.

[Devilsolsi]

How about a simple beast?

Really though, Iam going to look at an 89 Porsche 944 tomorrow. I haven't been able to find any decent Zs in this area yet.

[drift freaq]

I think the best thing that an S30 offers over a 240SX is the fact that it is smog exempt for us CA guys. To me it's a pretty big deal not having to worry about that. If youre trying to keep it original and simple, just for the pleasure of driving it and working on it, it's a great car. If youre looking to build some ultimate beast then youre better off looking at another platform.

While your response rings true in some area's it rings false in others. Fact is the 240Z is a classic sports car. A groundbreaking one at that in its day. True a 240sx will outhandle a setup 240z even when the 240sx is heavier than the 1970- mid 72 cars. After mid 72 the weight of the car went up to 2750Lbs same weight as a 240sx due to federal crash safety standards. I know this because I owned so many 240z's 70-73. People on this forum argued with me about the weights of the car when they were not even alive when I owned these cars. On top of that they were taking their weight figures from a Car and Driver website that was using SCCA track weights as the basis of the weights. I had actual production weights. Now I veer off my point here. Back in the day we all wanted to pump up or Z's for more HP and better handling nothing has changed. While a stock 240z was ok it was far from a lowered setup 240z. That has not changed. There are two types of Z owners, collectors and drivers. Collectors keep their cars bone stock and barely drive and because of that do not enjoy them as much as they could. Drivers on the other hand know the cars were built to be driven and driven hard. In that sense, setting up a 240z today to handle with coilovers, shorter steering knuckles, urethane bushings, new ball joint A arms in the rear and replacing a L series with its descendant an RB, is not that bad of an idea and quite a fun car. I have a friend who put a RB25 in his 72 and he loves it. I know of several RB powered cars here in socal. Fact is its logical. Now you talk of the Ultimate beast but thats a vague statement, anything can be the ultimate beast including a RB powered 240z or 240sx. You do not talk about drag or grip or drift. I learned to drift in Datsun 510's and 240z's I aslo learned touge in those cars. I learned all that I could absorb with those platforms. A person today could do no wrong by setting up on of those platforms for that. The only real issue today is parts. Yes my 510 was lowered and yes I modded the engine as I did with my main 240z.
Now I will say the 240sx is a much more forgiving car than a 240z. A 240z does not allow room for a margin of error. Hence why a lot of people crashed them back in the day. Though they are still great none the less. IMHO
to Develsoi I would say base your decision not so much on what is written here but on your feelings about the different chassis's your checking out and what your doing with them. I can honestly say it would be a blast to take a 240z Historic racing at this point in time.

[backroadtouge]

heres one from last months drift event at mineral wells, texas. he came up with the viceroy guys if i remeber right. it was rusty, kinda loud, and very gutted. lol

http://img99.imageshack.us/img99/3872/doricars041redoqa1.jpg

[jfairladyz]

Having owned both the S13 and S30 I can say without any doubt in my mind that the S30 is the better, if less refined, handling car. It was the epitomy of a sports car in its day and didnt have ANY competition when it came to racing. Well set up S30's are still spanking much more expensive higher powered cars. You cant go wrong with a car that was designed for the track from the get go. As far as a weak aftermarket goes: No, the Z doesnt have a million and one knockoffs of the same part available from a million and two vendors. But their really isnt anything you cant get for the S30. I'm not trying to knock any particular car, but rather to let the original poster know that the S30 is a great car to own, modify, and drive. I've owned 3 Z cars and all 3 eclipsed the 200,000 mile mark without a hiccup. I will say this against the Z though: If you cant do body work, or cant afford to have someone do it for you, then an early Z car is probably not for you. You WILL find rust somewhere. And while the motor on these cars will hold up forever, other parts do degrade and buying a cheap Z car can turn into an expensive venture if you make the decision to retore. If you're going to buy a Z then spend the extra time and money to find one in really good shape. It'll cost you far more in the long run to buy one cheap in poor condition.

Here's something I'm sure we can all appreciate ;) : http://www.vildinimotorsport.com/gallery/shaw240z.html

[LeonL]

Have this for sale. Some rust under battery and pessanger side floor pan. Other than that, car is very solid. It runs excellent, just fill it up and drive.

http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y172/leonl/P1010014.jpg


[email protected]

[Devilsolsi]

How much are you looking for?
Are floor pans a readily available part? Or would this be custom fab'd?

[ixfxi]

jfairladyz> Here's something I'm sure we can all appreciate : http://www.vildinimotorsport.com/gallery/shaw240z.html

yeah.. pretty.

but why the hell do so many of these older datsuns run around with "interstate" brand batteries and crappy sealed beam [email protected][email protected]?$%[email protected] for chrissake, how hard is it to install a damn optima and some nice H4 high power headlamps! haha :-)

sorry, its such a minor thing.. but to me, the year is 2006 going on 2007 and its crucial people do certain things like install gel-batteries that do not spew acid onto your frame, and run headlamps that dont take you back to 1970.

I mean serious.. times HAVE changed. the technology is out there, use it.

mike / clearcorners.com

[jfairladyz]

How much are you looking for?
Are floor pans a readily available part? Or would this be custom fab'd?

floor pans are available from a number of sources.

www.zcarparts.com
www.baddogparts.com
www.zspecialties.com
www.showcars-bodyparts.com

those are a few off the top of my head, but I'm sure there are more.

[HyperTek]

check this thread out i started long ago on ziptied, informative on the build up of the chassis/handling etc

http://www.ziptied.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=3363&start=0

Another person's documented build up
http://www.ziptied.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=5796&postdays=0&postorder=asc&start=0