The Riceburner 3.1L

Hi guys I thought it was about time I posted my story or build thread. Actually it's more of a continuous improvement plan than a build or resto.
Anyhoo, I got my Fairlady back in 2001 for  six grand, this was at a time when they still produced the trading post on paper and many a zed was to be found inside the pages    Oh how times have changed!

It's plated as a November 73 model, was mostly original with a three speed auto and had been stored by the owner for his daughter but she didn't want an old car so turned her nose up at it.... Jackpot me 

Mods since I've had it include, Manual conversion, L28 P90 F54 block with 72 deg cam, BMW 8 inch balancer, six 42mm kehin vp carbs on 40mm custom manifold, extractors into twin megaphone exhaust, Scorcher elec dizzy, Aluminium rad with twin thermos, 260 5spd, SWM lightened flywheel and heavy duty clutch, R180 4.1 Torsen LSD, gear reduction starter, Coil overs with KYB inserts, R31 rear and hilux front brakes, braided lines all round, offset bump steer spacers, offset delrin control arm bushes, JDM chrome headlight covers, factory 'compe' steering wheel, calander clock, cobra race seats, six point roll cage with side intrusion bars, Konig Rewinds 16x8 with bridgestone re55s all round. Oh... and push button start, thanks to Dimitri's tutorial!

I was hoping to post some pics of it freshly painted but after battling with the panel beater since march and having it left there for six weeks without any work I have decided to remove it from there shop and go elsewhere      So old ones will have to do for now




 

I have recently pirchased from Japan some NOS fender mirrors, Kenmeri hako 5spd gearknob, centre console, large front spoiler, rear 'victory' spoiler.

Here it is at the shop today.... Sad, lonely and half naked  :'(

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About time Gareth 

Its obviously been a while since Ive seen your car as there are some new additions there, for me at least.

More pics

Thanks Simon, I was hoping to only put pretty pics up after it had been repaired, but they f#*ked me around since march so I was fed up and removed the car. Will have to wait til after Phillip Island before I can get the repairs/respray done  :'( Very very disappointing!! Can we name and shame?? Cause I would never use these people and hate for somone to get the same treatment I did!

Dimitri, I have some nostalgic stickers (tokyo datsun, nchk motor sports 'ok', sport corner 'r') that I might put under the hood  So perhaps it should be stealthy riceburner...

hey Gareth, sorry to hear about your panel beating probs!  I love Gareth's car,  great blend of road and track...awesome.

Rev.

Just advise people by PM if you hear that business come up, Gareth

Nice work Gareth, I think you've closed the door on your dress in the first pic though.

The car is excellent Gareth, and I really like the carby mods.

Thanks also for your assistance and advice on my project .. always much easier to do something that others have tried successfully before.

Can I ask, are you sticking with the current colour on the re-spray? What type of HP is that motor putting out? and what specific benefit did you notice from those multiple carbs? Is it HP, economy, sound, or all of the above?

Cheers

Adam

Love it Gareth, I'll have to come and watch the next track meet to see the beast in action.

I only wear mini's must be something else    It's a 'dorian' records lap times.

Thanks, Yeah sticking with white it easy to clean, it's also Japans racing color, will paint tail light surround, spoilers, metallic graphite to match whell centres. It's a second hand stock import motor from japan, unknown hp... It goes ok, excellent drive out of corners (thanks torsen) but engine struggles up high, 4th 5th gear. The carbs were purchased as two sets of four $370 for 8carbs, $100 for silicone couplers, made the manifold myself so was very cheap, 42mm I.D. no chokes, all knife edged from the factory. They are so easy to work on, very torqy, never had to sync them since they've been fitted, just need a head to match them in the top end.

They are good economy wise unless your heavy footed which I am.

I was meant to do the mott sprint but that bloody panel shop......      Phillip Island is the next meet, hopefully there will be a few zeds there

I'll see you at the Island then G

I'll see you at the Island then G

Lurchos has gone baddass gangsta aight

woop woop

Better not get in his way on the track or he'll pop a cap in yo assss

Lurchos has gone baddass gangsta aight

woop woop

Better not get in his way on the track or he'll pop a cap in yo assss

You idiot.

Lurchos has gone baddass gangsta aight

woop woop

Better not get in his way on the track or he'll pop a cap in yo assss

One too many sugars in you morning coffee Simon 

I spent the rest of the weekend rust proofing and the putting the front of the car back together.

While doing this I started thinking about colors, originally I was just going to keep the same combo but now I am seriously thinking about doing a works rally replica  I am interested to hear your opinions......

And more...

I am seriously thinking about doing a works rally replica  I am interested to hear your opinions......

Computer says no!

you own it... do whatever you like!!

I reckon it would be pretty cool though!!

white is so last season Gareth ... go the change !!!!

I've still got some time to make up my mind, if I do it I will have all the decals but no spotties or giant mudflaps. Wonder if my brother would consider loaning me his Halda twin master........ could make it very unique!! 

Does anyone know the correct color code (red) for the monte carlo rally cars?

Some more interior shots, New Kenmeri hakosuka knob, compe steering wheel, calander clock/rally clock? I'm not sure..

I second the Benny, i wanna see someone do something else to their Zed and i'm sure that you wouldn't regret it. Paint it paint it paint it paint it PAINT IT.

Can there really ever be enough RED ones? 

Don't stand out from the crowd.  It's safer in the crowd.  It's lonely and scary out there on your own, with your head sticking up.

Seriously, I think it would look great on a weekender or track car.  It may look a bit dorky on a daily.  Just my opinion tho.

Ask Lurch; sure as eggs, he'll have an opinion too!  :-)

On a side note:  If you can keep your head, whilst all around you are losing theirs ..... you'll be the tallest one in the room!!

It's driven very rarely on weekends and track days. I've actually changed my mind on the color scheme  . I've been trawling through images on the net and have decided to go with the Toyota 2000gt Shelby race car color scheme. I think it's a little less 'look at moi' and will be a lot easier to do on my car considering it's already white to begin with.

What do you think guys, With numbers or without?

Hoping to have it ready for the NDSOC concours later in the year