Performance Enhancements for early Z car L-series

[gav240z]

Hi guys,

Much like my model differences posting I'd also like to do an article on getting more out of the L-series engine for your Z.

 

An article along the lines of "I'm on a budget, what can I do to extract more power from my engine?" kind of thing.

 

With all the different combinations of L-series there are some really good combinations and anyone who can share best bang for buck info will help.

 

I myself have read a few books on the L-series engine so have a good idea but would really appreciate community input.

[NZeder]

"I'm on a budget, what can I do to extract more power from my engine?"

I recall reading an article years ago about when the 240z was first launched. The press were invited to a track, along with John Morton of the BRE team (I think it was John might have been another race driver of the day). The journo's got to drive stock 240z around the track. Then the fastest press member was given the chance to drive the BRE (or whatever fully spec'ed 240z racecar was there that day) around the track with John in the stock car following/racing against.

 

Anyway the result was the racecar driver was faster in the stock 240z vs a good driver in the race prep 240z. So spend your $$ on your driving skills first as you get to keep these even if you sell your zed or whatever car you have.

[modular9]

Great idea.

 

Well my 4 tips that i have learnt from my zed ownership so far ( 3 months !! ) is :

 

1. spend some money on rekitting the SU's mikuni ,whatever you have. Very important that these are at 100% with linkages as well.

 

2. Also IF your budget can stretch to an electronic distributor then definitley do it. I found out that my points based dizzy was not advancing ( or is it retarding I can never remember ) enough at full throttle so the poor little L6 wasnt getting enough spark to fully utilise the fuel mixture at top rpms. The rebuild of the points dizzy was more than the cost of a electronic job from the wreckers. Bolted the new dizzy in with a ceramic coil jobby and new leads/sparks as well ... noticable difference.

 

3. Lose as much weight as you can on the car as well as yourself !! I took out the entire aircon and heater system ( including hosing but left the front facia of the heater ) took out the subwoofer box that weighed close to 30 KG with the 12 inch in it.

 

4. Get the manual for your car. Much easier than winging it.

 

So after 3 months of ownership that is what i have learnt so far, I'll be reading the article for sure. Especially any exhaust recommendations.

 

[Add]

Hi,

 

I agree with the driving skills comment. The experience that you have as a driver can close the gap over tuning, depending upon the situation (not so much in a strait line). But as far as tuning goes suspension is the greatest performance mod imo. The greater the speed that you can enter and leave a corner the less you have to make up on a strait. Please excuse my ignorance  , however I am always reading more and trying to find more information. I would be really interested in reading that artical on the stock vs BRE comparison mentioned earlier by NZeder.

 

Later

Adam

[620Z]

I have to agree with ADD. Performance is more about handling and driving ability than motor power. Not to mention the weight savings to be made in the car as previously mentioned. Zeds can go damn fast around the track if they are set up correctly. My brothers 240 with a L28 in it is beating twin turbo cars, Porches GTR's etc and this is mainly due to his driving ability and handling of the car more so than his engine which has similar power to most of the L28 Zeds on the track. Just some food for thought boys.  :-)