Hey! Looking for my first Z...

Woody928

Events Officer
Staff member
Club Member
I can't see it ever crossing the channel sadly, everywhere we go away we tend to take the dogs and they won't fit.

You say it's a doddle in Europe, surely it makes more sense for it to be a doddle where it's driven most?

I'm driving it for a couple of months as is so will keep you posted if I change my mind but at the moment unlikely!

Annoying about the mirrors; there are some on Z depot I like (wide & black) but they're arch mirrors, assuming they wouldn't be suitable for the doors?

I hear you on the Raydots, I suppose it's a case of buying them and figuring out the mounting afterwards.

That's no excuse, the continent in a Z is a very cool experience ;)

Haha I would agree, however that takes no consideration of the numerous elusive and rare donor parts required for the conversion. Plus the vast amounts of labour or personal time invested in doing a conversion properly. All at quite vast expense for something that doesn't dramatically enhance the driving experience imo... I'd rather be investing that time effort and finance into suspension, brakes, transmission, engine etc. I can assure you that all of those items dramatically enhance the overall driving experience!

Ultimately your car and choice however I thought it worth putting out there for consideration as my 2p, you obviously have already sourced some of the donor parts and if you do go down that path I wish you all the best. Occasionally LHD gets a bad rep on here for the wrong reasons, the US market cars were a much lower spec from factory compared to the UK cars however which side the steering wheel sits makes little difference.

Do you have a link?

Bought them with the thought of mounting them to the doors and they wouldn't have worked out with no visibility from that position so returned them. Need to invest some serious time and effort in a door frame mounted solution so I'll pick up another set eventually...
 

WazzaJB

Club Member
That's no excuse, the continent in a Z is a very cool experience ;)

Haha I would agree, however that takes no consideration of the numerous elusive and rare donor parts required for the conversion. Plus the vast amounts of labour or personal time invested in doing a conversion properly. All at quite vast expense for something that doesn't dramatically enhance the driving experience imo... I'd rather be investing that time effort and finance into suspension, brakes, transmission, engine etc. I can assure you that all of those items dramatically enhance the overall driving experience!

Ultimately your car and choice however I thought it worth putting out there for consideration as my 2p, you obviously have already sourced some of the donor parts and if you do go down that path I wish you all the best. Occasionally LHD gets a bad rep on here for the wrong reasons, the US market cars were a much lower spec from factory compared to the UK cars however which side the steering wheel sits makes little difference.

Do you have a link?

Bought them with the thought of mounting them to the doors and they wouldn't have worked out with no visibility from that position so returned them. Need to invest some serious time and effort in a door frame mounted solution so I'll pick up another set eventually...

The mirrors I found were https://www.ebay.com/itm/DATSUN-240...rror-Pair-Racing-Mirrors-Square-/323374117045


I fully agree with what you're saying about the costs of parts + labour but I actually have everything except the wiper linkage and an original steering rack, I do have a hydraulic Subaru rack which it looks like I'll be using. I've managed to get it it all for £640 so far by being patient and not getting involved in ridiculous bidding wars, saying that I do need the weld-in panels too!

I had the option of importing from Japan for around 22k, but where's the fun in that? I wouldn't have any money left to actually invest back in to it as a project.

In fairness I haven't seen anybody hating on LHD's yet and I did a fair amount of research prior to getting involved. By lower spec how do you mean? Mine has AC which shocked me and it runs cooler than my partners Kuga!

EDIT: You mentioned the RayDots too, and now I really want the RayDot Caterham style ones!
 

chrisvega

Well-Known Forum User
Warren has a 'US only' spec. 280z Woody so no direct UK comparison ;) Not a lowly US spec 240Z :EXTRAlol:

Already has factory 5 speed box, factory AC, factory cruise control, L28 fuel injected engine and for good measure also runs Tokico shocks with Eibach springs.
 

WazzaJB

Club Member
Warren has a 'US only' spec. 280z Woody so no direct UK comparison ;) Not a lowly US spec 240Z :EXTRAlol:

Already has factory 5 speed box, factory AC, factory cruise control, L28 fuel injected engine and for good measure also runs Tokico shocks with Eibach springs.

Also, a pretty sweet set of Enkei wheels!

The only thing I can't get my head around is the aftermarket aerial switch that's been put in :rofl: at least I'm pretty sure being able to pop the aerial up with a switch isn't standard? I show people because I think it's hilarious but they always say "That's so cool" haha. I will share a video once it's back, the testing station are keeping hold of it until they can put it through.
 

Woody928

Events Officer
Staff member
Club Member
The mirrors I found were https://www.ebay.com/itm/DATSUN-240...rror-Pair-Racing-Mirrors-Square-/323374117045

I fully agree with what you're saying about the costs of parts + labour but I actually have everything except the wiper linkage and an original steering rack, I do have a hydraulic Subaru rack which it looks like I'll be using. I've managed to get it it all for £640 so far by being patient and not getting involved in ridiculous bidding wars, saying that I do need the weld-in panels too!

I had the option of importing from Japan for around 22k, but where's the fun in that? I wouldn't have any money left to actually invest back in to it as a project.

In fairness I haven't seen anybody hating on LHD's yet and I did a fair amount of research prior to getting involved. By lower spec how do you mean? Mine has AC which shocked me and it runs cooler than my partners Kuga!

EDIT: You mentioned the RayDots too, and now I really want the RayDot Caterham style ones!

Ah yes, seen those before. they're better than alot of alternative however I'm still not convinced.

Fairplay you sound quite invested, I was only raising the point for balance. I don't know, a genuine JDM car at that price would have been pretty awesome. Each to their own though...

They lurk in the shadows ;) lol ignore alot of that, just remembered you have a 280Z thanks to Chris, not a 240z :willynilly:

Warren has a 'US only' spec. 280z Woody so no direct UK comparison ;) Not a lowly US spec 240Z :EXTRAlol:

Already has factory 5 speed box, factory AC, factory cruise control, L28 fuel injected engine and for good measure also runs Tokico shocks with Eibach springs.

:eek: I'll crawl back into my box, forgot it was a 280Z! :rofl:

Still room for decent brakes, adjustable suspension, exhaust system, wheels and tyres though! Otherwise very nice spec ;)
 

WazzaJB

Club Member
I wish I could afford and had the patience for a JDM one but the cost of US 280Z with a conversion seemed like an absolute no brainer for me with my budget.

I feel like I'm committing less of a sin converting a 280z? If it was an early 240z I'd be more concerned about retaining originality and preserving value.

Bang on with all the improvements you listed, fully plan on uprating everything before moving onto performance. Safety first and all that.
 

Woody928

Events Officer
Staff member
Club Member
I don't blame you, looks like you have a really nice car and from what I've heard they're very similar.

haha that's just subjective! If you ask me it's your car and no one else's, do as you wish with it. Mine certainly falls into a strange category in that regard.

Good choice, I always laugh when I see 'starting with the engine to produce more power' and everything else is left standard.
 

WazzaJB

Club Member
I don't blame you, looks like you have a really nice car and from what I've heard they're very similar.

haha that's just subjective! If you ask me it's your car and no one else's, do as you wish with it. Mine certainly falls into a strange category in that regard.

Good choice, I always laugh when I see 'starting with the engine to produce more power' and everything else is left standard.

Yes! Typical boy racer attitude of POWWWWWEEEERRRR, my GT86 is woefully underpowered and I'll still slay it on islands because it handles so well.

On a positive note, passed it's MOT today so paperwork is going off!
 

WazzaJB

Club Member
Massive thanks to everyone on the thread for all the advice and help, had it out on the road all weekend and have even driven it to work this morning!

Absolutely cannot believe how well it drives for such an old car, there's definitely things I'd change but for 40 years old these are seriously impressive vehicles.

Great to meet everyone that I got round to at Oulton Park and hearing about their builds, love the variety too. See you next time!

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