260Z Project - 260Z GT-R

[Ian]

Get a 240 then you have both

Just want to make this one look just right for me.

I realise that many people on here get super upset when you change anything from the God like 100% stock setup. But since I've already got an RB in it I don't feel like it matters. Personally as long as its still an S30 I don't see why it matters if I put 240Z lights on a 260Z, if I'm going to have a car that cost me 6 figures I want it to look exactly how I consider best. I'm building the car my way, not necessarily Datsuns way. I see it as a great base with just a few tweaks to make the car how I see it perfect. If it upsets others thats no concern of mine. And I am trying to keep the body very close to stock as for me it looks perfect like that with only a few minor exceptions.


If I had the budget though, I'd have a second S30 with a 3.2l L series. Would love to.

I think it's a slippery slope, if you make it look like a 240 from the outside, you'll start thinking about changing the dash, the door cards etc. Better to just keep it an awesome 260Z

No, I won't. I actually prefer many things about the 260Z over the 240Z, the interior is one of them. Just trying to make my mind up which lights I like best while I can still change them if that is what I decide I want to do.

I consider my build sort of like a Singer style build, keep the main theme and feel of the car but make subtle changes in some areas. Though obviously the quality level won't be the same because it won't cost a million plus like a singer.

I've always preferred the 260z rear lights and would not have a 240z on that basis, even if i could afford one!

When I bought the car I did also, but not so sure now.

You could go the whole hog and fit something like this.I customised some 240Z taillights so I could fit either

I definitely want to keep it S30.

 

[Mr Tenno]

Fair enough! Consider instead then, that whenever people see or write about the car you'll constantly be correcting them

 

[Ian]

Thats true, it will cause a lot of confusion if I run 240Z lights, and then people will see the 260z badges and only those in the know would be able to tell by looking at the dash.

 

[MCBladeRun]

Thats true, it will cause a lot of confusion if I run 240Z lights, and then people will see the 260z badges and only those in the know would be able to tell by looking at the dash.

No change there then - people seem to like my Mustang/Capri/E-type/Daihatsu.

 

[Rob Gaskin]

Ian, you pistrd a pic of 260 rear lights without the reversing lights. To me that's a great mod. and better than 240 lights.

 

[Ian]

Not decided on lights yet. But I'm thinking I'll keep the 260Z Setup. I can always change if I change my mind as I'll be able to touch up the paint in the panel area without affecting the main body of the car.



My bootlid was not in good shape, it would have needed a lot of work to fix with hammer and dolly and would have required a lot of filler. I tried to find a new one but anything available was as bad or worse or very expensive. So decided to repair it properly with new metal.

 

[candy red]

Not decided on lights yet. But I'm thinking I'll keep the 260Z Setup. I can always change if I change my mind as I'll be able to touch up the paint in the panel area without affecting the main body of the car.



My bootlid was not in good shape, it would have needed a lot of work to fix with hammer and dolly and would have required a lot of filler. I tried to find a new one but anything available was as bad or worse or very expensive. So decided to repair it properly with new metal.

That looks great Ian did you do that yourself I’m in the same boat

 

[Ian]

New steering arms coated. Not had any issues with my nice AZC ones, but they are missing the twist that should be there, and while thick they are still alloy, probably safer with steel. Not a fan of the colour of these now so I may glass bead blast and clear cerakote them in the future.

Since fitting the RB my brace has not fitted on the pass side. I aim to fix that with slightly higher mounting position and hope its enough.

Previous brackets removed

Brace was only level when spaced.

Pass side was lower than the drivers side.

Fixed

Now level, and brackets slightly higher.

Hope it clears now

 

[Ian]

That looks great Ian did you do that yourself I’m in the same boat

You mean on the bootlid? No, thats all Dave

Next up - New mounts for the intercooler.

Already had a panel for here, but it was badly formed and warped. This one from KF Vintage however is perfect.

You can see how misshapen the other panel was.

I guess up next after fitting that panel should be fitting the rear camber plates and brace bar and the front brace bars plus slightly enlarging the holes for the intercooler piping. Then its some mods to the frame for fuel pipe fitting and some stitch welding and it got to be pretty much ready for bodyshop stage by then.

 

[uk66fastback]

All great stuff. This shop certainly take the time to do things right.

 

[Ian]

Got the panel fitted

Then it was on to fitting the rear camber plates

Next, time for the covers. I didn't fit camber plates previously because I didn't want the extra noise an dust they would bring into the cabin, but there covers will solve that.

 

[Ian]

After that comes the rear brace;

Added some bolt in points for eyelets for options on running a harness.

Opened up both intercooler pipe holes as they were too tight.

The dent I put in or pipe clearance was dressed up a little better than I did.

Had to make some notches so that the tyres don't rub on full lock.

Fitting the splash guards:

Plan to fit twist in jack pads at all 4 corners:

 

[Rob Gaskin]

This is going to be worth seeing when it's on the road. Certainly a one-off.

 

[candy red]

Definitely one of one

 

[Ian]

This is going to be worth seeing when it's on the road. Certainly a one-off.

I'll likely be over sometime shortly after its back on the road. Will most likely need work on the mapping, and Dave from Resto Shack will want to see it complete.





The RB will be getting some love. Plenty of little cosmetic jobs and some servicing.

 

[Jay.]

I'll likely be over sometime shortly after its back on the road. Will most likely need work on the mapping, and Dave from Resto Shack will want to see it complete.





The RB will be getting some love. Plenty of little cosmetic jobs and some servicing.

Still looks pretty special!

 

[Ian]

Still looks pretty special!

Mostly things you wouldn't notice until you look very closely.

 

[candy red]

Mostly things you wouldn't notice until you look very closely.

Going to be awesome

 

[Robbie J]

I have a diverter top pipe I just pulled off my R32 GTR, no where near as shiny as yours but helps if you have shuffling

 

[Ian]

Going to be awesome

Hope so

I have a diverter top pipe I just pulled off my R32 GTR, no where near as shiny as yours but helps if you have shuffling

Luckily I've never had any problems with shuffling. The turbo outlet is split which helps.