DragonballZ

[import monky]

Hello to the greatest forum around.

 

Long time lurker but finally getting a build thread up. This is my second time starting on a S30 so I am not sure if I have another thread somewhere.

 

Anyways long story short, I acquired my current 240Z through a lucky find (someone here alerted the 3rd party classifieds thread). It was just up the road from me as a rolling shell with no hanging panels or interior. Having just let go of the 260Z I purchased off a forum member (Tai Tran), I was itching for another project to start that didnt need quite so much body work. The car checked out and the seller being a towie, agreed to tow her to my place of residence.

 

So here I was staring at what was... and what was to come.

 

What was...

1970 240Z #0000601

Looked relatively rust free

Nothing except bare shell and rolling hardware

 

What was to come...

Hours of trawling the internet looking at thousands of photos and hundreds of builds, I would have ended up with a 240z (or ZG) powered by the stock L24 (or L28... or SR20... or RB26... or 2JZ) rolling on Watanabe Type R (or Hayashi Streets... or Longchamps). Point being, the internet while being an awesome library of resources can make (making) decisions a very very difficult process. Dont even get me started on colour choices (Although I would like orange of some sort).

 

Anyways, it was decided that I start searching for parts. And locating every single part missing looked very daunting indeed. I got every one of my friends in Japan loking for anything remotely useful to my build and countless hours on vicZcar, ebay and gumtree. Most of the body panels came from Japan as well as a mixed bag of upgrade parts that would maybe be useful. Below is what I managed to collect.

 

All body panels (Japan)

Weatherstrip kit (America)

 

3-4 sets of carbies 40mm Mikuni, 45mm OER, 44mm webers plus something else.

Kameari full rebuild gasket kit

LD28 Crank

P90 Head

N42 Head(s)

N42 block(s)

90mm pistons and rods out of a friends L32 in Japan

Kameari 89mm pistons

Greddy Trust Extractors

3" Complete exhaust

 

Original Works kit

ZG Nose

Headlight covers

3 piece wing

Bride seat rails

plus more.

 

Bodywork:

This is where I wanted to focus most of my efforts. Having no background in bodywork, I called around and found Quikstrip in Bankstown to be very helpful indeed. After a quick phone call and a bit of bargaining, they organised to get the shell picked up and blasted (Mid January 2015). I received it today (7-2-2015) stripped of all its previous lick of paint.

 

Engine:

I originally had grand plans of slotting in an SR20DET with all the fruit as that is the engine I grew up drifting on and building... and rebuilding. So mounts were measured up and aligned and implemented. It all looked awesome. Engine sitting behind the front crossmember, plenty of room for a V-mount intercooler/radiator setup, much lighter.

 

Then came the fateful trip to Japan. Had talked to Shoji from Starroad through a friend of mine for a while and I really wanted to take him up on his offer to see what an L31 could do. That was the end of any form of late model EFI/Turbo conversion plans I had previously harboured. Turn the car on... throaty rumble. Give the accelerator a couple of dabs and a slight smell of gasoline seeped into the cabin. BUT THAT SOUND... Aural pornography. That was the moment everything changed. The next 5 minutes driving was secondary to my decision.

 

Currently talking to Peter MC to recreate that experience so my Z too may pleasure me (and tose around me) aurally for years to come.

[oldmates260z]

Well there's a lot of thought gone in there and some work to do. Must admit after driving a car with side draft carbies I do not think I could go to a EFI even if the EFI was twice as quick....hearing those carbies is the best fun you can have with you cloths on.

[Retro Z]

You won't regret going N/A with triples, its the best thing ive done to my car.

 

If you need any help Bardan, just let me know

[CroS13]

sounds like your car is going to have all the best bits on it, looking forward to the buildup.

 

Just out of curiosity, those photo's look familiar, is you car the one that was for sale in seven hills or Toongabbie maybe 5-6 months ago? the guy wanted under $1000 if i recall?

 

Rudolf.

[cracker]

Some parts list! Looking forward to the build also...

 

Just wondering - I had thought that 1971 cars started at chassis #500 - or is this misinformation? Does you car have a compliance plate stating the year?

 

James

[gav240z]

I recall this car, glad it's going to get saved. A proper built L-banger is an awesome little motor.

 

Bardan we still need to catch up at some point.

[George]

I recall this one - thought it was a bargain at the time. Glad to see it'll see the road one day soon.

[gav240z]

Then came the fateful trip to Japan. Had talked to Shoji from Starroad through a friend of mine for a while and I really wanted to take him up on his offer to see what an L31 could do. That was the end of any form of late model EFI/Turbo conversion plans I had previously harboured. Turn the car on... throaty rumble. Give the accelerator a couple of dabs and a slight smell of gasoline seeped into the cabin. BUT THAT SOUND... Aural pornography. That was the moment everything changed. The next 5 minutes driving was secondary to my decision.

 

Did it sound like this?

[import monky]

Cheers for the encouragement fellas.

 

You are an extremely keen bunch of enthusiasts for having recalled that car. Yes it was on Gumtree for a ridiculous price. I think I paid a fair whack under a grand (including tow) form the nicest gentleman from (if I recall correctly) Seven hills.

 

Gavin, I remember making plans to meet up with you but then had a baby in the meantime so that went out the door haha.

 

Also I have some serious thinking to do. An L28 with a 3000cc stroker kit and 44mm Mikunis has been offered to me in Japan for around 6k. I cant say I know the owner but some of my friends do. Thinking of sleeping on it but woried it might sell in the meantime. ahhhh.

[Retro Z]

For 6k id say buy it. Thats a good price providing its all in good order. Things like extractors and electronic ignition all added a substantial amount to my build. But personally i dont think a stroker is worth the extra cost to build over a mild l28. Unless you go for the big 3.2-3.4ltr that PMC do.