Barra260Z Posted July 12, 2017 Share Posted July 12, 2017 Gday Guys my dream of owning a 260z started when I was young I remember seeing photos of them and thinking I would love to own one someday about 18 months ago my brother bought a Datsun 1200 ute and I decided i couldn't be left out and It was time to buy a Datsun myself after cruising around on the internet for a few months I found a 2+2 and took the leap and bought it, thankfully i got it for the right price and thankfully it was pretty strait and fairly rust free although someone had done a not so fantastic job of spraying it, after getting her regod I made the choice to remove the L26 and auto and put in a rb25det and do a manual conversion after completing the conversion a few months later I decided to pull the engine back out to restore the engine bay which after 40 years of neglect had seen better days, i know, i should have done this before putting the rb in there but i was excited ahaa thankfully there was no rust that went any deeper than surface on the chassis rails and firewall and after hours and hours of sanding and priming the engine bay looked much much better whilst the engine was out i had been borrowing my brothers non turbo xr6 fg 6 speed manual ute i was impressed with how the engine went and after a couple of jokes about barras he convinced me ( im easily convinced) to do a fg xr6t engine conversion, so that's what i am doing after consulting a local engineer he has given me the go ahead for the conversion with the specific set of guidelines, i have to seam weld the engine bay, inside the car, chassis bracing and upgrade the brakes and a few other bits a pieces i found a cheap non turbo barra engine ($100) locally to mock up making the engine mounts and to figure out the right postion of the engine etc while i hunt around for decent price complete conversion package for the ecu i will be using a Haltech elite 2500T aswell as full haltech wiring harness/loom, originally i wanted to use a 6 speed manual but have decided that i will most likely use a 6 speed auto ( still kinda deciding) as far as diff/suspension i have r200 LSD and z 31 upgrades shafts, will be using maddat coilovers all round with r33 gtr front calipers and r31 rears ( thanks to mark from street weapon restorations) if all goes to plan in the next 4-5 weeks engine will be in and running, the next stage is to do all the rest to get it driving so i will deffinnatly post pics and videos when it has been finished in the meantime i will upload the current photos i have of the car cheers guys blu260z 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
my_mad_z Posted July 13, 2017 Share Posted July 13, 2017 The modifcation rules must be different in Newcastle; largest engine displacement with forced induction you can do in a 260Z 2+2 in Victoria is ~3600cc's. Good luck with the conversion, will definitely be a quick car! cracker 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
260DET Posted July 13, 2017 Share Posted July 13, 2017 It will be quick for sure, of course the engine will need to be set back as far as possible (and a bit more) to help front/rear balance. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Barra260Z Posted July 13, 2017 Author Share Posted July 13, 2017 The modifcation rules must be different in Newcastle; largest engine displacement with forced induction you can do in a 260Z 2+2 in Victoria is ~3600cc's. Good luck with the conversion, will definitely be a quick car! the "rules" are not actual rules they are guidelines as to what you can do, so if you are wanting to go above 3600cc forced induction Then you have to show "due cause" by adding extra strengthung, bracing and safety aspects to the car, Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Barra260Z Posted July 13, 2017 Author Share Posted July 13, 2017 It will be quick for sure, of course the engine will need to be set back as far as possible (and a bit more) to help front/rear balance. I will have to no doubt I am hoping its very quick haah Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PZG302 Posted July 14, 2017 Share Posted July 14, 2017 In terms of driving with that engine package, I have a FG Turbo ute with auto and would have to say the auto is easier, better and smarter than the manual, if, and a big if you can get the electronics to work properly so it talks to the Haltech. For simplicity the manual would be easier for the conversion. In any case, that much torque will be interesting, to say the least, in a near 40 year old body that was pretty limp and noodly from the factory...... In summary a pretty stupid conversion, but one that is soooo right for so many reasons Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
d3c0y Posted July 14, 2017 Share Posted July 14, 2017 You and Richard are going to have to start your own auto club. Seriously who wants a freaking auto sports car??? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
260DET Posted July 14, 2017 Share Posted July 14, 2017 Pffft, some of us get over changing gears, actually that auto Falcon auto box is a beauty for circuit racing. Get the entire power train; engine, auto, computers, loom - plug and play. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Barra260Z Posted July 14, 2017 Author Share Posted July 14, 2017 In terms of driving with that engine package, I have a FG Turbo ute with auto and would have to say the auto is easier, better and smarter than the manual, if, and a big if you can get the electronics to work properly so it talks to the Haltech. For simplicity the manual would be easier for the conversion. In any case, that much torque will be interesting, to say the least, in a near 40 year old body that was pretty limp and noodly from the factory...... In summary a pretty stupid conversion, but one that is soooo right for so many reasons Yeah should be pretty good when it's done Keeping the engine pretty stock, for now hha Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Barra260Z Posted July 14, 2017 Author Share Posted July 14, 2017 You and Richard are going to have to start your own auto club. Seriously who wants a freaking auto sports car??? You can shift it Manual with the triptronic style so best of both worlds I think but everyone's differnt Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Barra260Z Posted July 14, 2017 Author Share Posted July 14, 2017 Pffft, some of us get over changing gears, actually that auto Falcon auto box is a beauty for circuit racing. Get the entire power train; engine, auto, computers, loom - plug and play. I definitely will be getting all the power train Yeah the gearxoes are pretty sweet in them Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
260DET Posted July 14, 2017 Share Posted July 14, 2017 As a matter of interest, do you know what the engine and auto weigh? Came across a bloke a while ago who used to sprint the family auto, had a few mods like brakes and had done a fair few kays. His lap times were damn good by any standard. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PZG302 Posted July 15, 2017 Share Posted July 15, 2017 Pretty heavy, the barra is a big lump of a motor that makes a L series look petite and lithe Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Barra260Z Posted July 15, 2017 Author Share Posted July 15, 2017 A L26 with all accs weighs around 220kg?? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Barra260Z Posted July 26, 2017 Author Share Posted July 26, 2017 So I have got the engine And gearbox on the way! Came out of a Turbo FG-X sedan that had been t boned Engine had 30 000 kms on it with the 6 speed auto Very very keen to get it and start working on mounting the beast! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Barra260Z Posted July 26, 2017 Author Share Posted July 26, 2017 I will jump on the computer in the next few days and upload some photos Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
d3c0y Posted July 26, 2017 Share Posted July 26, 2017 You can shift it Manual with the triptronic style so best of both worlds I think but everyone's differnt But not everyone is right 44014 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Barra260Z Posted July 27, 2017 Author Share Posted July 27, 2017 But not everyone is right I don't know what you mean Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
260DET Posted July 27, 2017 Share Posted July 27, 2017 He's being a smart arse, most unusual d3c0y 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Barra260Z Posted July 27, 2017 Author Share Posted July 27, 2017 He's being a smart arse, most unusual Yeah I know, I was being one back haha Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
C.A.R. Posted July 27, 2017 Share Posted July 27, 2017 I hope you have a good fabricator on hand. Good luck & post photos. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MATTY Posted July 28, 2017 Share Posted July 28, 2017 Ive seen pictures of some one starting a Barra conversion on a 2 seater Zed. never knew if it was finished but?? bit of sump modification is needed from what ive seen for it but. im currently looking at either a dry sump set up or using a territory sump as the have a rearward facing steel bowl sump thats eaiser to chop and change than the falcons alloy one. I too have a barra swap project on hand my self, into a slicktop 300zx.ive got some minor firewall/trans tunnel modification to do. you might run into a few issues with wiring for the ZF and youll need speed sensors by memory from the box and a can be a pain to wire up through a stand alone ECU. but romours have it haltec have a new ecu desined for falcons plucking into the factory harness replacing the stock one. ive decided when time/money comes back to the project to run either a power glide or a T400 gearbox(given its mainly going to be a roll racing/power skid car.as for all the gauges and displays what are your plans?? mine seems to be solved pretty easy by using a racepak dash has all the functions needed for my applications.all little strange questions ive had about using the barra looms and wiring i was lucky enough to get advice from Forced performance in toowoomba QLD who know and have built some impressive barra motors and know their stuff.sorry for the long post and ramblings but keen to see this in action as ive got a bit of love for the barra motor hahaCheers Matty Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Barra260Z Posted July 30, 2017 Author Share Posted July 30, 2017 I hope you have a good fabricator on hand. Good luck & post photos. Thanks Lurch, I do have a great fabricator Will do Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Barra260Z Posted July 30, 2017 Author Share Posted July 30, 2017 Ive seen pictures of some one starting a Barra conversion on a 2 seater Zed. never knew if it was finished but?? bit of sump modification is needed from what ive seen for it but. im currently looking at either a dry sump set up or using a territory sump as the have a rearward facing steel bowl sump thats eaiser to chop and change than the falcons alloy one. I too have a barra swap project on hand my self, into a slicktop 300zx. ive got some minor firewall/trans tunnel modification to do. you might run into a few issues with wiring for the ZF and youll need speed sensors by memory from the box and a can be a pain to wire up through a stand alone ECU. but romours have it haltec have a new ecu desined for falcons plucking into the factory harness replacing the stock one. ive decided when time/money comes back to the project to run either a power glide or a T400 gearbox(given its mainly going to be a roll racing/power skid car. as for all the gauges and displays what are your plans?? mine seems to be solved pretty easy by using a racepak dash has all the functions needed for my applications. all little strange questions ive had about using the barra looms and wiring i was lucky enough to get advice from Forced performance in toowoomba QLD who know and have built some impressive barra motors and know their stuff. sorry for the long post and ramblings but keen to see this in action as ive got a bit of love for the barra motor haha Cheers Matty G'day Matty The majority of FG sumps are rear hump from factory but I may have to still modify yet The wiring side of things will be a challenge but it's all very doable Yeah I did here haltech is making the ecus which is very good Yeah I am thinking a race pak dash but I love the zed dash to much somill get a electronic speedo gauge instead Will have to calibrate the sensors where I can to use some of the factory gauges but I mostly have aftermarket ones anyway Only stock gauges I have are the volt and fuel gauge Starting the figment this weekend coming so I will No doubt post photos up this weekend I'll have to jump on the computer for this Just finished seam welding all the engine bay as per the engineer requests so will begin fitting/trial fitting Then pull the engine out after final fitment paint the bay then final install Good luck with your Barra 300zx will be awesome! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
260DET Posted August 1, 2017 Share Posted August 1, 2017 No weight number on the Barra yet? I recall that these engines were designed using weight reducing features like hollow camshafts, there was some talk that they weighed around what a twin cam RB did. So a bit bulky but not as heavy as they look? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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