New member - 73 240Z lots to do!

[Chris E]

Hi all,

New here, I have purchased a 73 240Z, imported from Cyprus, spent most of it's life in Dubai so relatively rust free! Originally it was a USA auto but now running (not very well) a Nissan RB25 neo engine & 5 speed manual box.
Goint to replace the floors as they're all bent from being jacked in the wrong places, only corrosion is the inner arch panels so they'll be done at the same time.
It's running some sort of dodgy aftermarket ECU, plan to replace this with an Apexi Power FC which I think is the prefered choice for these engines.
Question for everyone, does anyone have any suggestions for aftermarket dash gauges? It's fitted with some horrid jap aftermarket ones at present. Obviously need electronic ones rather than the original mechanical gauges.
Thanks
Chris

 

[uk66fastback]

Nice! Is that colour 918 or 110 - can't be sure in that light. Think it's 110?

DJWilma on this thread was discussing some gauges ... towards the end of the thread ...

https://zclub.net/community/index.php?threads/1972-datsun-240z-rhd-ebay-£16k.27302/

 

[Jay.]

What's wrong with the the car? There are many many tuning companies that are experts at the Rb25 platform so it may be worth taking it to them for a full health check.

I'm running speedhut gauges in mine and they all work fantastically.

I've also got a Apexi Power FC, as you stated this seems to be the popular "budget" ECU for simple tuning (up to 500/600hp builds). If you're planning big power then paying extra for a Link seems to be advised.

Car looks nice

 

[jonbills]

Which 'dodgy aftermarket ECU' does it have? IMO most can work and I'm sure it's as easy to setup an Apexi one wrong as it is any other.

 

[Chris E]

My lack of knowledge has already been shown up! No idea if it's 918 0r 110! It's manufactured 11.72 on the plate but I don't have any original documentation.

I've been looking at the Speedhut gauges, would seem to be a sensible choice & good to know they run OK with the Apexi Power FC. The RB25 I have fitted I should have said is the DE Neo so non turbo. I think it'll be good for 180 ish. So not big power but probably OK. Not been able to establish what the ECU is, friend of mine whose more knowledgable thinks it's out of a Nissan, but haven't gone into it too deeply.

There's a good local tuner here in Norwich (APT) who did a lot of Nissan drift cars back in the day, so he's well capable of sorting the Apexi along with the RB engine. I'm planning to get the car rewired as it's basically a mess. Most things work but I'm not sure it'd be reliable, so I think I'll bite the bullit & get that done.

Also taking out the dash has revealed a legacy of it's life in Dubai, it has functioning aircon, but no heater. There isn't one present. They've used the holes in the bulkhead that are normally for the heater pipes for the aircon pipes. I'm open to suggestions on this? I'm thinking sourcing an original maybe tricky & it's likely to be in poor condition. Given I'm not planning on using it in winter maybe one of the little motorsport heaters you can get might do the job, or can one out of something more modern possibly be adapted without too much grief?

Just attached some pics from when we picked her up from Felixstowe docks. That exhaust has to go!

 

[richiep]

You might be in luck if you want a LHD heater unit and blower. I've got both I think from my RHD conversion project car left over. They need cleaning out and repainting, and you'll need a heater core (which I think you can still get?), but they should be easily recommissioned. They are very simple pieces of kit. They are just littering up my garage so it'd be good to get rid! Pop me a PM if you want them.

With the RB25DE, you should go carbs, Rocky Auto-style!

 

[uk66fastback]

Looks like 110 to me from the new pics ... there is a sticker on the right hand side of the rad support which gives the paint code. Looks in very good nick, mind! Yes, that exhaust has to go - and soon.

 

[Bazzateer]

Exhaust? Where? Is it behind the dustbin I can see poking out from under the rear bumper?

 

[peter_s]

Congrats, that looks like a great example!

 

[Chris E]

Exhaust? Where? Is it behind the dustbin I can see poking out from under the rear bumper?

Yes, it's the first thing people say when they see the car! The whole system is rubbish, really restrictive downpipe & the rest looks like it's been thrown together. I think I'll get a custom stainless one made, hopefully it won't break the bank!

 

[Chris E]

Congrats, that looks like a great example!

Many thanks, looks better than it is to be honest. The body is basically sound, the engine seems good, paint ok. But still loads to do on electrics, ECU, exhaust, interior, bumper chrome is iffy. But all fairly straightforward. I hope!

 

[Chris E]

Looks like 110 to me from the new pics ... there is a sticker on the right hand side of the rad support which gives the paint code. Looks in very good nick, mind! Yes, that exhaust has to go - and soon.

Thanks Mike, yeah it's sound, but loads to do to make it nice. New stainless exhaust included!

 

[Bazzateer]

Have a search on here, there're decent s/s exhausts available from suppliers and forum members.

 

[AD240Z]

Hello Chris E - welcome to the forum - unusual source of car , looks good.

Word of warning . A french sounding guy will be along any minute to try and sell you an exhaust . Avoid him - he’s a well known scammer*


( * bit of a lie - I have a z story exhaust and it looks and sounds great )

 

[Mark N]

What's wrong with the the car? There are many many tuning companies that are experts at the Rb25 platform so it may be worth taking it to them for a full health check.

I'm running speedhut gauges in mine and they all work fantastically.

I've also got a Apexi Power FC, as you stated this seems to be the popular "budget" ECU for simple tuning (up to 500/600hp builds). If you're planning big power then paying extra for a Link seems to be advised.

Car looks nice

The PFC isn't so much a budget choice but is just older technology.
It, and the HKS F-Con, were two of the more popular standalone ECUs for Japanese car in the 90s and fitted by a lot of the better known tuners.
I still have a PFC D-Jetro in my R34, running a pair of maxxed-out HKS GT-RS turbos.
When I bought it, around 2005, it cost me more than my Link that I have waiting to go in my second 280Z.
That said, I'm toying with upgrading to a pair of GEN2 GTX2867R so will be looking at another Link to go past the 2bar limit of the PFC.

 

[Jay.]

The PFC isn't so much a budget choice but is just older technology.
It, and the HKS F-Con, were two of the more popular standalone ECUs for Japanese car in the 90s and fitted by a lot of the better known tuners.
I still have a PFC D-Jetro in my R34, running a pair of maxxed-out HKS GT-RS turbos.
When I bought it, around 2005, it cost me more than my Link that I have waiting to go in my second 280Z.
That said, I'm toying with upgrading to a pair of GEN2 GTX2867R so will be looking at another Link to go past the 2bar limit of the PFC.

The Link would be great - but they're 2x the price of a PFC (nowadays, because it's older tech as you said) and there's a lot of tuners out there that work on them. When I spoke to Horsham, they suggested I stick to a PFC as it'll be an easier fit considering my build