Datsun 280Z -77 - Build thread

[peter_s]

Coincidentally, 55 degC is pretty much the highest ambient air temperature recorded on Earth (Death Valley).

Talked with my tuner yesterday. The dyno compensates for the temperature increase so it doesn't show a higher power number. The dyno does not increase the number according to your previous calculations.

He will give me a 20 deg version.



And on the other hand:

 

[jonbills]

your gauges broke? or you're stationary on a dual carriage way?

 

[peter_s]

They don't work! Yet

 

[peter_s]

Drove over 100 miles yesterday. The car worked perfectly (except for the gauges though )

The engine PULLS!

 

[Alphabettispaghetti]

The Lexus lfa was 115bhp per ltr(just under yours?) the clocks on that had to be specially made as they couldn’t keep up!

 

[peter_s]

So are tons of BDA engines, Lotus twincams, BMW S54. What's your point?

 

[Alphabettispaghetti]

So are tons of BDA engines, Lotus twincams, BMW S54. What's your point?

your Rev counter wasn’t working, it was a reference to the same issue the lfa had where the Rev counter couldn’t keep up so they developed a special electronic one.

It was meant as a positive reference to your monster engine!!

 

[peter_s]

Ahh, sorry.

Pretty funny actually

However, I can only imagine how smooth an engine like that would be.

This one is really coming on when the cam kicks in... and then we have the durability aspect... who knows how many miles this engine will last. As an enthusiast car it would be fine, and last years. But imagine it in a daily...

 

[Rob Gaskin]

Peter, one of the 280Zs sold at on here was a close Reg to your's:

https://zclub.net/community/index.php?threads/bangers-and-cash-3-z’s.27754/

It war TRJ 693R I think.

 

[peter_s]

So after I took the car home I dropped off the kids at kindergarten. Very fun in this soccer mom SUV craze outside all the schools these days.

From the way home after pickup. It's almost comical...

Mounted the T3 braces, but the big one hits the fuel rail. Thinking of doing a little bending...

Finally managed to mount the Sprint as well low enough. I now sit a little lower than tho stock seats.

I drilled the Planted technology seats brackets so I could mount the seats in the underside holes. Seat came way too high with the Sparco side mounts. But now it should work with a helmet, although the seat is non adjustable now. I sit perfectly, got lucky there.

 

[peter_s]

Not much point going here for spares... don't even have connectors of modern Nissan alternators

 

[Turn & Burn]

Can u put a packer under the brackets on the strut top to avoid the clash with the fuel pipe.

 

[peter_s]

Can u put a packer under the brackets on the strut top to avoid the clash with the fuel pipe.

Yeah, should be possible, but the clearance to the hood is not huge...

The idea it to just GENTLY bend it a little on each side. I'll investigate the idea of some kind of washer/distance first...

 

[peter_s]

Ordered some stuff from T3 during the black friday sale. Adjustable rear control arms and differential mountings, their front tow hook, swaybars.

So in the meantime I'm doing some small things. Painting the BRE rear spoiler.

With the raceseat it's more difficult to get in and out. Not too bad for me, by my father tested the seat and he had some problems... I would also have liked the steering wheel a couple of inches closer, so I ordered a quick release from B & G. Really nice quality! No play at all, and even has connections for the horn.

I also ordered a fire extinguisher, filled with Novec 1230 gas. This gas is not harmful to the ozone layer or toxic for humans. It's also non corrosive, so it doesn't damage the car in case it needs to be used. That is a huge plus that worth the premium!

Then, doesn't all Japanese cars need one of these?

 

[peter_s]

Done a lot of small things...

Mounted the BRE wing

Painted the holes, at least some protection.

Seating position is now great with the snap off:

Horn is working!

Mounted my old polished valve cover.

Doing wrinkle paint on my other one, first try turned to shit...


Here is some pics of the cam on the DSI engine.
Not even worn in yet:

 

[peter_s]

I find it of importance to finish the loose ends up. I don't want to have a loose ECU in the passenger foot well that someone needs avoid with their feet...

It's very tight and I can't find a good place for it, but I have an idea.

First step: Model a mount in CAD and 3D print:

First prototype fits! I have modelled a baseplate which I will try to fix to the transmission tunnel with an adhesive.

 

[jonbills]

what role does the mann filter play?

 

[peter_s]

what role does the mann filter play?

Don't mock my engine oil filter!!

Apparently the stock engine oil filter didn't fit on the GReddy sandwich plate adapter for the oil cooler, so a smaller needed to be found. It's a BMW filter with the same thread as the stock Nissan one.

The shop that did the final assembly are huge BMW guys so I think they almost made a sport out of finding suitable BMW parts to put on my car I proudly sport two now, the engine oil filter and the TPS sensor, the Jenvey one was terrible.

 

[Ian Patmore]

Very impressive work, engine is a peach.

How L series engine development is still progressing with a few specialists, seen a 3.5L (not a typo) from one builder.

Two things, in post 177 you have a 3 to 4 kg lump of metal hanging under your diff mount, it's not needed. And have to changed the dif mount to an up-rated one, like your Kameari engine mounts?

 

[peter_s]

Very impressive work, engine is a peach.

How L series engine development is still progressing with a few specialists, seen a 3.5L (not a typo) from one builder.

Two things, in post 177 you have a 3 to 4 kg lump of metal hanging under your diff mount, it's not needed. And have to changed the dif mount to an up-rated one, like your Kameari engine mounts?

Cheers Ian, thanks for the wonderful comments, much appreciated!

Yeah, it's amazing that some people are still continuing development of the L-series. I really like Eijis and DSIs work, their philosophy of engine building attracts me.

Are you referring to the 3.5 built by Les Collins, it's an impressive build.
http://lescollinsracing.com/engine/projects-engine/3435cc-z-racer

I have the whole T3 rear end coming in soon. I choose the billet aluminium goodies and brackets where I could. So the old steel mountings will go soon. Great tip though! There is some clunking going on in the rear end right now, the bushings are pretty shot.

I found a 3.9 R200 in Sweden that's being rebuilt with a Quaife as well right now.