Dimitri Vassiliou RB25DE 1970 Datsun 240z

This month's featured 240z belongs to one of our most active members Zedman240 also known as Dimitri. This 1970 240z was one of the first imported into the country. It's also one of the cleanest examples left in the country. Read all about this modern day incarnation of the classic and ultra rare Fairlady 432R as available in Japanese markets only.

The early 1970 Datsun 240z is lighter compared to the later 260z and 280z s30 series. Its lower weight makes it a sought after and desirable model for racing enthusiasts. Unfortunately this also means they are more prone to rust than their younger counterparts and as a result, many have not survived 40 years in the wild.

Luckily Dimitri's pride and joy underwent a ground up restoration several years ago and is now as solid as the day it rolled off the assembly line.

The car's engine plant has undergone several changes, but currently has a Skyline RB25DE nestled between the strut towers. Opting to stay naturally aspirated like the early and rare PS30 and PS30-B series, also known as Fairlady 432 and 432R models only available in the Japanese market. This early zcar is as close as they come. Its RB25 twin cam straight 6 is the modern day equivalent of the original S20 engine found in the 432 and 432r's.

Owners Story

This is my third Zed, as they say when the bug bites, you are infected for life! Had previous Z32’s and R33 Skylines but always went back to the Zed! A friend of mine who after he purchased it, had a complete “rotisserie” rebuild from the ground up done because this car is a low chassis number (#121) and he didn’t want to see it rust away before his eyes. Not what I would call a "no expense spared" type but just to rid the chassis of rust and make it a clean 240Z. I remember during the process asking him “if you ever decide to sell, please let me know!” Then one day I received an SMS; and as they say, the rest is history!

It had a L28 out of a 180B sports sedan; running a turbo EFI inlet manifold and monster cam with Autronic injection. The thing wouldn't idle below 1500 rpm and it was impossible to drive sedately; nothing below 4000 rpm then bam! Cricket bat in the face!.

So when I purchased it, it had that L28, my old race seat from my first zed, race harnesses, coilover suspension roll cage and some other goodies. First thing to go was the L28, in exchange for a milder L28 I bought from another club member. This engine was a lot more driveable and with my triple throttle body injection that is currently installed on this RB25 engine, went very well with approx 150rwKw.

A few more upgrades came along like R200 LSD, 330mm front discs and Brembo 4 piston calipers, Koni's and adjustable front and rear arms. Having drooled over pictures of Z432's on the internet I thought of trying to build something as close as I can afford to get to owning one; hence the RB25DE engine to follow the S20 twin cam engine of the Z432! Doing a fair amount of research and picking the brains of fellow Auszcar members, I started to chase up all the things I needed to start this conversion. A wrecker near me had an RB25DE (out in the weather of course) with just some corrosion around the spark plug holes and surface rust on anything metal. The moment I got it home, I started to remove any equipment that wasn’t needed. But before anything else was to begin, some hard to source parts had to be found. Thanks to Lurch for recommending Courtesy Nissan in Texas who had the ZR200 sump and oil pickup, they had it shipped to my door in around a week!

Once I had those parts, things could start taking shape. A call to Castlemain Rod Shop for the mounts, a week later they were on the engine. Then a manifold had to be made. A bit of running around but it wasn’t too hard to put together; with some help from a Sabre saw and Weber shape aluminium plates from EFI Hardware. A lot of the progress of the build up and assembly can be seen on the forum. Finally today I'm happy to say it's all gone together well; apart from the usual teething problems (what can go wrong will go wrong!!) A dyno run showed a healthy 120 rwKw with standard cams and cast exhaust manifold. More development is to follow; as the funds allow like cams, cam gears and exhaust system. I'm hoping to get around 140-150kw at the treads. I think plenty for a NA RB25 engine.