Project 240z gunship

[big rex 2]

Hi Guys,

I recently imported a 240z from California and now that I actually have the car in my

possession, I thought I'd get a bit of a build thread on the go.

Spec first

Engine

2.6 out of a 260z rebuilt a couple of years ago.
Schneider cam.
Triple Webber 40's.
Cannon intake manifold.
Mallory electronic ignition.
MSA exhaust manifold.
Monsa 2.5 inch straight through exhaust (think the neighbours hate me already).

Gearbox
5 speed box out of a 280z.

Suspension
Tokico blue inserts.
Uprated Suspension Technique anti roll bars front and back (polly bushed)
Suspension Technique lowering springs.

Brakes
Stainless braided lines.
Twin pot master cylinder.
Cross drilled and vent discs front and rear with rebuilt callipers.

It has loads of other bits that have been done ,like upgraded headlight wiring harness and fuse box conversion.


It does have some rust (Californian cars aren't immune as most of you Know)
Bottom off side sill.
Passenger floor pan.
windscreen pillar.

But other than a bit of surface rust on the wings its a solid motor.


My plan is to build a good looking capable car than can be driven hard when needed but still look fantastic at any show and shine.

 

[big rex 2]

Just unloaded

Finally got it home from Tilbury , car was dirty when I looked at it in December but now it's covered in dust after being locked up in a container for months.

 

[big rex 2]

Spoiler

Before

 

[big rex 2]

Spoiler

After

 

[racer]

Looks like a good solid car Rex. Are you planning on painting it?

Was it expensive to import?

 

[SeanDezart]

My plan is to build a good looking capable car than can be driven hard when needed but still look fantastic at any show and shine.

In what guise ?

I share a comment elsewhere on the forum that it's almost a shame to change the theme - class it up a bit and get it on FB and it'll steal the scene with mag articiles and whatnot.

 

[STEVE BURNS]

Iit's almost a shame to change the theme - class it up a bit and get it on FB and it'll steal the scene with mag articiles and whatnot.

Said through gritted teeth on this agree 100% with Sean on this
Car does not have to be shinny and blinging to attract envious looks IMHO I love the look of this.
Do not ask me why Just do
I love the worn look remember talking to a guy at Beauleu Motor Museum asking if he was going to have his Z resprayed and he replied "It has taken approximately 40 years of hard work to get the paint to look like this so why should I change it"

 

[big rex 2]

We will put it to public vote at japfest guys , I will have it road worthy and registered by then ( fingers crossed) .

All ready hit a snag as I can't get the wheels off as they have splined nuts ! And no Key socket !
Also missing part of the hand brake assembly .

 

[big rex 2]

Missing this bit

Missing
16, 17, 20,21,22

Think I'll put a wanted add

 

[big rex 2]

Looks like a good solid car Rex. Are you planning on painting it?

Was it expensive to import?

Racer it was about £2k for shipping
About £1k for going over for 4days
Then taxes on import and duty ( my car is classed as modded)

 

[moggy240]

Stand out from the crowd and keep it as it is .

 

[big rex 2]

MOT work

Been fairly busy working on the z for the last few days,
Got all the wiring done on the lights for the MOT, just need to track down some hella h4 lights with the incorporated side lights .

Had a spot of bother with the wheel nuts , they are splined nuts and the car didn't come with the key drive :-(, got one on order so should be here this week .

Well I think I've located the parts for the handbrake , going to see them tomorrow so finger crossed they are all there.

 

[big rex 2]

Dry as a bone

Just swapped over the the indicator into the reverse lights and fitted orange bulbs took 5 mins . Sod spending the countries deficit on euro spec lenses
I like the US look .

 

[big rex 2]

Straight through exhaust

Looking pretty clean underneath, you can also see why it's loud

 

[Rob Gaskin]

Looking pretty clean underneath, you can also see why it's loud

Yes it is clean and that rear anti-roll bar (sway in US ) is interesting to see. I've heard about aftermarket fitment but not seen one.

 

[big rex 2]

Thought it was about time I did an update as I've been beavering away trying to get the car ready for its MOT.

List of jobs to do,

Cut out rust on drivers window pillar and repair.
Cut out rust in passenger floor pan and repair
Cut out and fit replacement lower quarter panel.
Re-wire rear lights for UK roads
Fit new lucas headlamps with integral side light.
Replace hand brake cable.
Replace all suspension bushes with poly bushes.
Refresh steering rack with new gaitors.
Fit new ball joint and track rod end dust boots.

Other stuff I wanted to do prior to the MOT seeing as it was apart anyway.

Replace all 4 strut inserts and cut section legs ready for coilover conversion.
Re-build all 4 calipers and bleed change the brake fluid.
Paint or powder coat suspension parts.

 

[big rex 2]

Welding

Green on the outside orange on the inside.

 

[Alphabettispaghetti]

If you take the sound deadening stuff out, you'll find a few more bits needing some attention.

 

[big rex 2]

New parts and suspension bushes

Golf Mk1 Bilstein for the front and Tokico blues (fronts) for the rear

I basically followed what atomman did with his suspension, thanks for your advice mate mucho appreciated .

 

[big rex 2]

Rack and suspension

I thought the same as you Franky, I had a good look at both floor pans and removed a lot of sound deadening from the passenger rear floor pan using cardice ice from work -70°C (working in a laboratory has some perks) It all looks pretty solid.

The reason for the some of the rust was it had been jacked up at the front passenger footwell which had bent it up, I hammered it down with a mallet so it was nice and flat but it was plain to see the creases had let some water in hence the square cut out of the front.

Any surface rust is getting treated, ground back with a flap then painted