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Recommended shops for body work and engine/brake/suspension mods...


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Hi Guys,

 

Long time member, first time poster. :)

 

I'm finally doing something about my 72 240Z and I'm looking for places you'd recommend for a complete body rebuild/respray and engine/brake and suspension uprgades.  Basically the works! 

 

My 240 I have had for about 8 years and as you could guess the rust is starting to play on my mind.  I want to take it right back to bare and do it properly but I would like it to be someone who has had experience with zeds.  Can anyone recommend a quality panel beater who would do a proper job with it?  It has a sunroof (that leaks when it rains) which I want to take out too.  It's red now but was thinking about respraying it the original Datsun orange colour (only slightly more orange than the red is aparently).  Probably have the dash and console re-done at the same time.

 

Then... I want to have a racing L28 built for it with flat top pistons, racing springs, tripple webbers (or similar), basically a monster non-forced induction (no turbo's) beast.

 

Then to match this I want to upgrade the brakes and suspension to upgraded discs all round and adjustable suspension.

 

I know ther are only a handful of places that specialise in zeds so who would anyone recommend for this type of job, eastern suburbs (bayswater area) would be best but I don't care about taking it wherever as long as the job's done right.

 

Any feedback would be appreciated and let me know who you've had good wraps for before.

 

Cheers,

 

Andrew.

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I highly recommend Rob at Zfactory down in Mordialloc for bodywork/panel beater,

 

He's been restoring Z's for years, easy to get along with and knows his stuff,

 

 

9 Beach av Mordialloc 3195

 

Rob's number is 0418 869933

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It all comes down to your budget (You get what you pay for)

Rob as flat out with three Zed on the go so you will struggle getting him started on you car (I waited 5 years to get my Zed to him and gave up waiting)

 

I had my 260 restored by Rankins in Bayswater last year, they specialise in Alfas and Fiats so they know how to fix rust properly!!! They had done a few Zeds before and a couple of Roadsters so they know the product.

 

My Zed had the usual rust in the sills, hatch, top of guards etc, after a complete strip back to bare metal alot more was discovered lurking under the paint . All the rust was welded up with new metal (no bog or fibre glass) and the panel gaps all reset.

The end result was excellent two months later and almost $10K the car came out better than new.

 

Paul Rankin is a good bloke and will not dick you around 03 97290622

 

cheers

 

Alan

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Thanks Alan and Zeddofile,

 

Yeah, I don't mind spending the bucks to get it done properly.  I'll get in contact with Paul Rankin, he's just around the corner from me (in Jersey Rd Baywater) anyway.

 

Anyone else with ideas on mechanical specialists for the engine, brakes and suspensions would be apprciated, keep em coming!

 

Cheers,

 

Andy.

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Lou Mondello in Moorabbin can look after all your mechanicals, he specialises in Roadsters but has moved to Zeds over the last few years.

Lou is flat out but if its a quick brake and suspension upgrade he can sort things out quickly.

 

Asa suggestion, unless you intend on punting you car around the circuit for 10 laps than the standard brakes can be upgraded without the big expense of vented discs, heavy four spot calipers etc.

My road Zed runs DBA cross drilled and slotted rotors (not vented) , braided brake lines, rebuilt standard calipers and Lucas pads and it stops brilliantly with no fade and no bias issues and is fine for 6 hard laps around Sandown without fade.  (big vented brakes often mean big increase in unsprung weight and bias problems with rears, more weight makes the front suspension work harder which means bigger spring rates, firmer shocks etc etc..........the secret is keep the weight as low as possible)

 

The suspension is easy with standard King Springs (cut down) and new KYB gas shocks which gives you around 220 lbs springs, a firm yet supple ride with no dive under brakes and great handling. (I junked my Konis in favour of the KYBs and they are excellent for the $$$)

This is a very inexpensive brake and suspension upgrade that is perfect for a road going Zed.

 

 

cheers

 

Alan

 

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Thanks again Alan,

 

Do you happen to have a contact number for Lou?

 

That sound perfect as i would only be looking at the occasional sprint myself with the rest occasional road driving, it's not a daily driver.  Is it discs on the rear too, or just a front upgrade with the drums on the rear, because I was looking for discs all round if warranted.

 

I was tending to go for Koni shocks but this has given me food for thought, the KYB shocks could be the option.

 

Cheers,

 

Andrew.

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The KYB's are aimed more for a standard car. I've got Tokico HP blues and lowered springs I'm happy with the setup for the road, you could go for the Tokico Illuminas as there adjustable and more suited for road and track use. The only down side is that you'll have to import them from the US.

 

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/TOKICO-ILLUMINA-SHOCKS-SPRINGS-NISSAN-240Z-260Z-70-74_W0QQcmdZViewItemQQcategoryZ33590QQihZ005QQitemZ150230733478QQrdZ1QQsspagenameZWDVW

 

C

 

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Andrew

 

Lou is on 9555 9591, his work shop is at 5/23 Wren Rd Moorabbin, near the corner of South and Warrigul Rds

 

I have found the KYB's are great value for money and when matched with King springs they work very well .........I bought my springs and shocks for around $600.

The Tokico's are another option but they are around the $800 AUD landed, although the 240z I had years ago had them fitted and I found the spring rates on the soft side.

 

As far as rear discs go my road Zed has drums/discs and it stops better than a lot of disc rear ends, the problem with installing rear discs can be brake bias problems causing the rears to lock up prematurely or not apply enough pressure............like anything ...it all comes down to how much you want to spend. ;)

Driving a well balanced Zed (ie one that is not a slug but over powered, handles nicely and has  stoppers with a nice progressive feel ) I think far outweighs a car that becomes a chore to drive on the road and is more suited to the track

 

Anyway choice is yours ;D

 

cheers

 

Alan

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  • 3 weeks later...

Thanks all for the input!

 

A bit of food for thought! :-\ Long road ahead; unfortunately she'll be off the road for a few months now.  :(

 

I'm after a roof section in good condition too if anyone has or knows of one.  I want to take out the sunroof from mine and replace the roof skin, so let me know if you know of one kicking around anywhere that I can cut out.

 

Thnaks Sulio, that's what I'm planning too I think.  Adjustable coil overs

 

Cheers guys, I'll keep you all posted on the progress and the finshed product of course  ;)

 

Andrew.

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  • 3 months later...

i have no idea where your coming from allan , one minute you bag z shop next your posting on the forum , you know quite well as i do trhat to tell everyone lou mondello will fix your zed in a hurry is misleading, you be lucky if lou even answers the phone let alone get him to do work for you, dont post something on the site just to be the big knob you have become a broken record , lou will not fit new springs and shocks to a zed for $600.00 you crazy, is that just to get people in the door? you should say how it really is with you and lou and cammy or do we really want to know?

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G'day Daniel

Firstly I have not said that Lou will fit springs and shocks for $600.....if you read my post carefully it states that I bought my springs and shocks for $600 .....not that "Lou supplied and fitted them for $600 (maybe I should have been more clear -I actualy bought them thru Advantage suspension in Moorabbin as they supply Kings and KYBs) Lou assisted with fitted them at a cost of around $150. Lou can be a little slow however I find when kept "cash flow positive" his turn around time is fast as anywhere else............and the work is done right the first time.

Secondly I don't believe I have "bagged the Zed shop" only that ...whilst Lindsay was away.. it had gone way down hill on service ........now that Lindsay has returned service has returned (I picked up a 4.4 speedo drive from him last week after one phone call)...........and I'm really not sure what you are inferring in your last sentence .???

 

Alan

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appologies i didnt even read your reply , vic zed car club site is a unique site for enthusiastic early zed car owners to interact on a user friendly forum, the club has set out values of ettiquite required by members,, this seemed to have changed slightly!!!! so as for the record and to all other members, most members have private contact details where they can be contacted through and may be an alternative to plastering your dirty laundry on the forum. some things need to be toned down a bit dont soil the great site that it is

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  • Administrators

Can someone just delete the last few posts, this is just stupid. 

 

I'd rather not delete it to be honest. I think most can view the situation and decide for themselves to be honest.

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  • Administrators

appologies i didnt even read your reply , vic zed car club site is a unique site for enthusiastic early zed car owners to interact on a user friendly forum, the club has set out values of ettiquite required by members,, this seemed to have changed slightly!!!! so as for the record and to all other members, most members have private contact details where they can be contacted through and may be an alternative to plastering your dirty laundry on the forum. some things need to be toned down a bit dont soil the great site that it is

 

Dazzed I'm very confused by your posts sometimes. I sometimes think you mean to say one thing, but end up saying another and perhaps don't express yourself in words as well as you would like to.

 

I'm not sure what relationship you have with Alan, but perhaps as I think you are trying to say you should reserve the more personal comments for the personal message (PM) system.

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  • 7 months later...

Hi guys,

 

sorry for bringing a thread out of the grave.

 

I'm in need of a place to finish off my car. As I'm working crazy hours for the next few months (new building delivered at Melbourne University and I'm commissioning and decommissioning assets).

 

What I need done is a manual conversion(I have all parts except bolts) and for the dash and wiring to be checked and put back in. I just don't have the time any more to finish it.

 

Preferably someone on the inner west side of Melbourne. Even an enthusiast who can do this, I'm willing to pay big $$$ to finish it off and get it on the road.

 

 

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Anyone know of anyone who can help me out in a more closer region?

 

Sorry XRQTR, I'd like to have it done closer to where I live if possible.

 

I think I have no choice but to randomly go to every mechanic and ask if they are willing to do it.

 

 

 

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Hi,

 

I'm weighing up my options at the moment on where i should go.

 

I'd love to send it over the east side to have people with zed knowledge working on the car but i also don't want to travel the distance.

 

But nothing really beats zed knowledge.

The only days I have free at the moment are weekends and next Tuesday and i need to organise a tow as well.

 

It also looks likes its going to be raining all weekend too... which is saddening to say because my car has yet to be in the rain since its return to my garage.

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