Z-Fever
01-12-2012, 11:15 AM
We just finished the build on a 1971 Datsun 240Z. The customer dropped the car off here the week before he was scheduled to be deployed to Korea for a year. He wanted us to build this car using a VQ35DE engine swap. Since we are a Nissan and Infiniti specialist that have been building Nissan cars for over 23 years now AND......considered by many to be the leaders in this AND........we are the owners of VQ35swap.com it is a natural fit.
We started with a basic 240Z that had been sitting for many years......
We pulled the engine and transmission
http://a7.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc7/293255_10150382786718296_296402898295_9842888_1611 848999_n.jpg
http://a3.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc7/298207_10150382787868296_296402898295_9842895_9642 50950_n.jpg
http://a2.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash4/300316_10150382788578296_296402898295_9842899_1494 182310_n.jpg
http://a8.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc7/307050_10150382801258296_296402898295_9842968_9244 08498_n.jpg
http://a3.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc7/300408_10150382801813296_296402898295_9842971_9491 03980_n.jpg
http://a7.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash4/315871_10150382802453296_296402898295_9842978_1376 125838_n.jpg
then stripped the engine bay fully and re-painted it to the color the customer wanted, an 2011 Corvette slate grey...
http://a7.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc7/316441_10150451133098296_296402898295_10232369_116 3312832_n.jpg
http://a6.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash4/308586_10150451133618296_296402898295_10232371_172 0477301_n.jpg
http://a5.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc7/317778_10150451134233296_296402898295_10232375_212 1016266_n.jpg
http://a7.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash4/389498_10150498061438296_296402898295_10460279_203 5073227_n.jpg
http://a6.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc7/374031_10150498061823296_296402898295_10460280_169 7966150_n.jpg
http://a5.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash4/391325_10150498065728296_296402898295_10460284_139 6334044_n.jpg
http://a8.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash4/382131_10150498066088296_296402898295_10460288_139 0216861_n.jpg
http://a8.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash4/312727_10150498067448296_296402898295_10460297_176 9128786_n.jpg
http://a6.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc7/310329_10150498068738296_296402898295_10460305_472 105327_n.jpg
Then we acquired a COMPLETE VQ35DE motorset including trans, harness, ECU, and all accessories...
http://a8.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc6/166982_10150451134758296_296402898295_10232379_164 1232854_n.jpg
http://a7.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc7/302485_10150451135383296_296402898295_10232383_255 804104_n.jpg
Then we acquired a set of Mckinney Motorsports VQ mounts for the 240Z. Be careful here because they are NOT perfect! They require some manipulation to get the fitment just right. They are designed to have a new X-Member welded onto the factory frame rails. This X-member is what the engine mounts will rest on and bolt to..........It takes some time to get it set just right. We also had to cut the exsisting factory 240Z X-member and we had to weld on support pieces to make sure it would not flex after cutting away about half of it. Otherwise the front sump engine's oil pan would hit the stock X-member.......
http://a6.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash4/311087_10150451138038296_296402898295_10232390_202 6926427_n.jpg
http://a7.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash4/383992_10150498069208296_296402898295_10460309_218 565001_n.jpg
http://a6.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc7/386380_10150498069568296_296402898295_10460311_136 3643840_n.jpg
http://a3.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash4/386336_10150498067798296_296402898295_10460300_163 407978_n.jpg
http://a1.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash4/315504_10150498068293296_296402898295_10460303_200 1767744_n.jpg
Here is a good look from underneath that shows the x-member, engine mounts, and front x-member after we did everything....... You can clearly see where we cut away the old X-member and the alignment to the oil pan
http://a5.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc7/385460_10150556844578296_296402898295_10633739_145 5604977_n.jpg
http://a4.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash4/378648_10150556844143296_296402898295_10633737_110 148673_n.jpg
Then we made the custom driveshaft and fully installed the rear trans mount. We also made a custom shifter bracket that lengthened the shifter to align with the opening in the transmission tunnel......
http://a7.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash4/375559_10150556843338296_296402898295_10633731_629 650322_n.jpg
http://a2.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash4/300477_10150451132633296_296402898295_10232367_303 953656_n.jpg
Then we re-wired the OEM 350Z EFI harness and added the OBD-II connector as well as the accelerator pedal from the 350Z. This way the drive-by-wire system will function correctly and be controlled by the ECU. We also tuned the ECU and reconfigured it to work without the BCM, ignition key, RM module, and IPDM.....
http://a4.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash4/308511_10150451135998296_296402898295_10232385_154 9301615_n.jpg
http://a2.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash4/298871_10150451136663296_296402898295_10232386_539 931603_n.jpg
http://a7.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash4/301407_10150451137303296_296402898295_10232388_973 333542_n.jpg
Then we installed the radiator, made the custom aluminum intake pipe, installed the wiring harness, installed the pedal, added a fuse box to supply enough power to the ECU, made the custom aluminum radiator hoses, and installed the electric fan........
http://a4.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash4/380382_10150556845108296_296402898295_10633742_644 448226_n.jpg
http://a6.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash4/383605_10150556845443296_296402898295_10633743_169 1436999_n.jpg
http://a4.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash4/394018_10150556845783296_296402898295_10633749_692 715619_n.jpg
http://a5.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash4/378082_10150556846243296_296402898295_10633753_592 713480_n.jpg
http://a8.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash4/386410_10150556846678296_296402898295_10633754_144 0180235_n.jpg
http://a3.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash4/408707_10150598925008296_296402898295_10816798_556 543714_n.jpg
Then we made the custom 3" stainless mandrel exhaust system from front to back. We used a 3" single inlet muffler with dual 2.5" exits and added nice double wall stainless tips to give it that nice old school Z finish........
http://a8.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash4/386265_10150556843688296_296402898295_10633735_181 2262296_n.jpg
http://a1.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc7/406876_10150618680858296_296402898295_10878847_210 7876456_n.jpg
http://a2.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash4/406876_10150618680868296_296402898295_10878848_527 869943_n.jpg
http://a8.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash4/406876_10150618680878296_296402898295_10878849_531 957761_n.jpg
http://a1.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc7/403597_10150598923933296_296402898295_10816790_199 1693066_n.jpg
Here are a few videos of the car in action.........
VQ35 240Z engine walk around.MOV - YouTube (http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_detailpage&v=sPjMcUQsvLc#t=4s)
VQ35 240Z engine on dyno.MOV - YouTube (http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_detailpage&v=RQvVFp4ZO28#t=5s)
VQ35 240Z engine walk around.MOV - YouTube (http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_detailpage&v=sPjMcUQsvLc#t=4s)
We started with a basic 240Z that had been sitting for many years......
We pulled the engine and transmission
http://a7.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc7/293255_10150382786718296_296402898295_9842888_1611 848999_n.jpg
http://a3.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc7/298207_10150382787868296_296402898295_9842895_9642 50950_n.jpg
http://a2.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash4/300316_10150382788578296_296402898295_9842899_1494 182310_n.jpg
http://a8.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc7/307050_10150382801258296_296402898295_9842968_9244 08498_n.jpg
http://a3.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc7/300408_10150382801813296_296402898295_9842971_9491 03980_n.jpg
http://a7.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash4/315871_10150382802453296_296402898295_9842978_1376 125838_n.jpg
then stripped the engine bay fully and re-painted it to the color the customer wanted, an 2011 Corvette slate grey...
http://a7.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc7/316441_10150451133098296_296402898295_10232369_116 3312832_n.jpg
http://a6.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash4/308586_10150451133618296_296402898295_10232371_172 0477301_n.jpg
http://a5.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc7/317778_10150451134233296_296402898295_10232375_212 1016266_n.jpg
http://a7.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash4/389498_10150498061438296_296402898295_10460279_203 5073227_n.jpg
http://a6.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc7/374031_10150498061823296_296402898295_10460280_169 7966150_n.jpg
http://a5.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash4/391325_10150498065728296_296402898295_10460284_139 6334044_n.jpg
http://a8.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash4/382131_10150498066088296_296402898295_10460288_139 0216861_n.jpg
http://a8.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash4/312727_10150498067448296_296402898295_10460297_176 9128786_n.jpg
http://a6.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc7/310329_10150498068738296_296402898295_10460305_472 105327_n.jpg
Then we acquired a COMPLETE VQ35DE motorset including trans, harness, ECU, and all accessories...
http://a8.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc6/166982_10150451134758296_296402898295_10232379_164 1232854_n.jpg
http://a7.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc7/302485_10150451135383296_296402898295_10232383_255 804104_n.jpg
Then we acquired a set of Mckinney Motorsports VQ mounts for the 240Z. Be careful here because they are NOT perfect! They require some manipulation to get the fitment just right. They are designed to have a new X-Member welded onto the factory frame rails. This X-member is what the engine mounts will rest on and bolt to..........It takes some time to get it set just right. We also had to cut the exsisting factory 240Z X-member and we had to weld on support pieces to make sure it would not flex after cutting away about half of it. Otherwise the front sump engine's oil pan would hit the stock X-member.......
http://a6.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash4/311087_10150451138038296_296402898295_10232390_202 6926427_n.jpg
http://a7.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash4/383992_10150498069208296_296402898295_10460309_218 565001_n.jpg
http://a6.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc7/386380_10150498069568296_296402898295_10460311_136 3643840_n.jpg
http://a3.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash4/386336_10150498067798296_296402898295_10460300_163 407978_n.jpg
http://a1.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash4/315504_10150498068293296_296402898295_10460303_200 1767744_n.jpg
Here is a good look from underneath that shows the x-member, engine mounts, and front x-member after we did everything....... You can clearly see where we cut away the old X-member and the alignment to the oil pan
http://a5.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc7/385460_10150556844578296_296402898295_10633739_145 5604977_n.jpg
http://a4.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash4/378648_10150556844143296_296402898295_10633737_110 148673_n.jpg
Then we made the custom driveshaft and fully installed the rear trans mount. We also made a custom shifter bracket that lengthened the shifter to align with the opening in the transmission tunnel......
http://a7.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash4/375559_10150556843338296_296402898295_10633731_629 650322_n.jpg
http://a2.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash4/300477_10150451132633296_296402898295_10232367_303 953656_n.jpg
Then we re-wired the OEM 350Z EFI harness and added the OBD-II connector as well as the accelerator pedal from the 350Z. This way the drive-by-wire system will function correctly and be controlled by the ECU. We also tuned the ECU and reconfigured it to work without the BCM, ignition key, RM module, and IPDM.....
http://a4.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash4/308511_10150451135998296_296402898295_10232385_154 9301615_n.jpg
http://a2.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash4/298871_10150451136663296_296402898295_10232386_539 931603_n.jpg
http://a7.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash4/301407_10150451137303296_296402898295_10232388_973 333542_n.jpg
Then we installed the radiator, made the custom aluminum intake pipe, installed the wiring harness, installed the pedal, added a fuse box to supply enough power to the ECU, made the custom aluminum radiator hoses, and installed the electric fan........
http://a4.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash4/380382_10150556845108296_296402898295_10633742_644 448226_n.jpg
http://a6.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash4/383605_10150556845443296_296402898295_10633743_169 1436999_n.jpg
http://a4.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash4/394018_10150556845783296_296402898295_10633749_692 715619_n.jpg
http://a5.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash4/378082_10150556846243296_296402898295_10633753_592 713480_n.jpg
http://a8.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash4/386410_10150556846678296_296402898295_10633754_144 0180235_n.jpg
http://a3.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash4/408707_10150598925008296_296402898295_10816798_556 543714_n.jpg
Then we made the custom 3" stainless mandrel exhaust system from front to back. We used a 3" single inlet muffler with dual 2.5" exits and added nice double wall stainless tips to give it that nice old school Z finish........
http://a8.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash4/386265_10150556843688296_296402898295_10633735_181 2262296_n.jpg
http://a1.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc7/406876_10150618680858296_296402898295_10878847_210 7876456_n.jpg
http://a2.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash4/406876_10150618680868296_296402898295_10878848_527 869943_n.jpg
http://a8.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash4/406876_10150618680878296_296402898295_10878849_531 957761_n.jpg
http://a1.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc7/403597_10150598923933296_296402898295_10816790_199 1693066_n.jpg
Here are a few videos of the car in action.........
VQ35 240Z engine walk around.MOV - YouTube (http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_detailpage&v=sPjMcUQsvLc#t=4s)
VQ35 240Z engine on dyno.MOV - YouTube (http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_detailpage&v=RQvVFp4ZO28#t=5s)
VQ35 240Z engine walk around.MOV - YouTube (http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_detailpage&v=sPjMcUQsvLc#t=4s)