Kid needs help

[sleepr]

Hi to you all well firstly i want to say that im no hoon teenage kid (ricer etc.) i genuinely have a good passion for cars. I recently saw a brillantly restored Z, which was navy in colour with white racing stripes, i absoultely fell in love with the car. It took me about 2 months to find out what car it was through all the searching on the net then i stumbled on the holy grail this site. well im getting my Ps in several days time and that ive saved up enough ($6000) and working to earn more to get a Z of my own, and that i really want to rebuild one with my own hands, do you have any good advice for a young kid, where can i get a good deal for a decent Z. i want to do some engine replacement but dont know where to start, i was thinking of a B18C honda engine, cause its the only legal engine for us P platers.

 

and i want to know how long it would take to restore it to its original glory i just want like a decent car where i can drive safely around, and not hooning around.

 

ive read several articles already, i have almost no experience in mechanics but i can do alot of electornics stuff, is there like any classes or places where i can learn these mechanics, im only doning this as a hobby, im actually studying electrical engineering.

[stevo_gj]

Hey Sleeper,

 

Welcome to me five years ago . I only just got my Z, but that was because I was terrible at saving and working in a kitchen doesn't make you alot of money. Now that I have it I have become even worse 

 

You have asked some very broad questions which will take a lot of time to answer over the internet.

 

First Step for you: Fill in your location! I think I know the Z you mean with those white racing stripes which would indicate you are in NSW. Once we know where you are we can recommend your local Z car club or at least link you some that are for sale near you. Going along to a car club meeting and talking with the guys there is more helpful than 50 posts on this forum, and you get to see some sweet Zs up close 

 

Secondly: Decide what you want. There are a few to choose from: 240z/260z/260z 2+2/280zx. The 260z 2+2 and the 280zx are both 2 door 4 seater cars. (the 280zx had a 2 seater version that never got released in Aus) They are very cramped IMO.

 

The 240z and 260z 2 seater are very similar in shape but once you learn a bit more you'll be able to distinguish them. My advice, if you want to get a 2 seater, is not to worry about getting one model over the other but to worry about finding one at all, they are getting rarer. Are you 100% keen on a 2 seater? Or does the 2+2 version of the 260z still turn your head. Have a look around at some of the members cars on this forum. Many people prefer the 2 seaters but there are some beautiful 2+2s floating around. The advantage that the 2+2s have over their 2 seater counterparts is that they are much more readily available, and therefore cheaper. As the years go by their numbers are getting reduced though, because us Z heads keep wrecking them to give life to our own cars  :'(

 

The 280zx has a distinct look that retains some of the original aspects of the earlier models, they are I think the most common of the lot, at least in the sense that more of them have survived to this day due to their more recent vintage.

 

Thirdly You have said that you want advice for someone that is considering rebuilding a Z with your own hands. I'm not sure you realise what a monumental task it is to rebuild a Z from scratch. I am in the same boat as you in that I have little experience rebuilding cars, so I chose a Z that does not need serious work done on it. You do NOT want to get a rusty shell and then realise that you are going to have to spend 20K to get it looking like what you want, as I almost did when I was still on my Ls. Not to mention that you will have to get a 2nd car as your daily driver or borrow your parents cars all the time, as your Z will take many months of work to get on the road if you go that route. Also as a fellow uni student studying mechanical engineering I understand how tight money can get, and trust me you do not want to get a Z as a restoration project unless you have a steady reliable income.

 

But do not despair! You said you have saved 6000! For that much you could get yourself a nice 2+2 or a moderate 2 seater, see this one on carpoint: http://www.carpoint.com.au/used-car/DATSUN/260Z/Victoria/csn5952148.aspx

 

This 280zx is well within your price range and considering its condition from the pictures looks to be a steal. http://www.carpoint.com.au/used-car/DATSUN/280ZX/Victoria/csn5148723.aspx

 

If you really want a project car then there is a yellow 240z on these forums that is for sale for 6800 ONO. http://www.viczcar.com/forum/index.php/topic,2356.0.html

It needs interior and mechanical work, but body is in good condition. This is probably ideal for someone such as yourself who, I am assuming, does not know how to do rust repairs or do much body work.

 

If these cars don't pique your interest, then just read these forums and keep an eye on carsales, whatever auto sales newspaper you have and the classifieds section of this website.

 

As far as getting the experience to work on cars, what I did was to 'apprentice' myself to a Z car club member who is now a good mate. I offered to come over on the odd weekend when he was doing work on his car and give him a hand. I learned a lot about Zs and engines and have made a friend to boot.

 

Also, some of the guys on this forum will appreciate it if you worked a little bit harder on your spelling, it makes your posts easier to read! 

 

Hope this helps,

 

Steve

[Hunter]

Steve I wish I could be like you when I grow up LOL... A very comprehensive answer.

 

Sleeper that Yellow 240Z is sold to me sorry. But that blue 2+2 would be a great car to start with.

 

If I were you I would just stick with the original 6 cylinder engine. It will have plenty enough grunt for you. Also you probably won't want more power until you have more experience driving. I am not sure what the law is for 'P' platers at the moment, are they allowed to drive 6 cylinder cars?

 

I have never heard of a B18C honda, but for someone with little experience with the Zed Car and wanting to do an engine conversion I would stick with the conversions that have already been done on this site.

I would stick with an L series 6 cylinder engine to begin with, be that 240Z 2.4L, 260Z 2.6L or 280ZX 2.8L that will make conversions easier as there is no major engineering to be done to engine mounts etc.

 

Insurance for a young driver could be a bit prohibitive on a 2 door sports coupe as well. I am not sure of current prices but it is worth looking into before you buy a car.

 

My first car was a standard 260Z 2+2 I a first year "P's", I only had third party insurance for it because it was going to cost me $2500 per year to fully insure the car in Tasmania. This was about 7 years ago.

 

If you have not already navigated to the links page here it is.

http://www.viczcar.com/links/

Have a look what people in different countries are doing to their Zed Cars.

 

Welcome to the forum by the way

 

Hunter

[zedevan]

b18c's are late 90's integra motor's, imho, and as previously stated, not really worth putting in (it would probably be cheaper to buy a dc2r anyway, and there's a chance it wont be finished till you're off your p's anyway!) i would of thought you could still drive a 240z with an l28 in it on your p's, but i havn't looked into the new rules. an l28 isn't far off a b18c power wise anyway, and it should have more torque.

 

if you look across at www.hybridz.org there are a few guys there talking about f20c conversions, as they atleast are already set up for a rwd configuration, and from memory i remember reading something about honda motor's spinning the opposite direction, which i believe limits the gearbox options that can be used?

 

my advice would be to get a running car thats close to roadworthy if not already, an LSD, and have some fun with it, or keep saving for something thats already nicely modified. i bought a 260z 2 seater, and for another 3-4g i could of bought one that had an l28 with tripples, a half cage, simmons, recaro's and a bit less rust, but i was in your situation and just wanted to get a zed, and wanted to do stuff myself. i'm not sure if i would say i regret it, but i'm sure the other car would of been the wiser option...specially since in a year you'll most likely spend 2.5g on petrol alone, and another grand just having the car on the road. i have always planned to put an RB into my zed, but over 3 years later i still dont have the cash or time to do it as other things always come up and just general expenses, but i finish my eng degree up this year so it should happen soon!

 

goodluck whatever you decide to do

[sco_aus]

I say this to you (Kevin Rudd voice).

Perhaps if you are planning on spending a lot of time on restoring the car, then perhaps plan for what you will want for when you are off your Ls and Ps.  I was in a similar situation when I started out.  At first I just wanted a nice normal Z.  Then an L28 wasnt enough, so an RB25 went in, but then that wasnt enough so I kept upgrading and it cost 3 times what I should have paid in the first place.  It was a great lesson in life, but you opinions of what you want will change as you grow.

My advice is this:  Have a good hard think about what you really want it to be before you make a decision on what to get.  I now have a race car after having/wanting an almost original 260Z 2 seater.  Dont base your decision on whether people will think you are a hoon because you are young and want a fast car in the future.  I recommend hitting the kart tracks a bit too (especially in the wet to get used to how a rwd vehicle will drive (obviously not exactly the same, but it gives an idea).

If you want a race car, build a race car.  If you want a fast street car, build it.  Dont let other peoples opinions decide your future.

 

With all that.  If you decide to build a fast car, be sensible, learn how to drive it before putting your foot down.

 

Ok, well I have carried on enough, but I hope you make the right decision now before spending way too much time and money on something you think you want now, when you will have a full license in a few years.

 

/End Rant

[RBZ 260]

;D

 

very good answears and so true. though as for honda engine i wouldnt bother. just leave the l24 l26 l28. just start saving for fuel too while you at it.

 

 

 

 

 

 

[Scando]

I'll second that, some great advice in this thread.

 

If you have your heart set on restoring a Z then the best advice I can give you is to buy a cheap daily driver for about $1K.  I used to have a Datsun Sunny as a daily and it was great little car that was increadibly cheap to run.  Then spend the rest of your cash on a Z to sit in the shed and restore.  It'll most likely take a lot longer and cost a lot more than you can possibly imagine but the end result will be worth it.  By the time you finish it there's a fair chance you'll be off your P's and won't be restricted to certain engines.

[C.A.R.]

What are the chances that we'll never hear from this kid again?

 

Taking bets now at $2.50 - 1...

[stevo_gj]

Haha yeah Lurch, was just thinking the same thing. I'm thinking next time someone asks these questions we just copy paste 

 

[lightmaster240z]

I take up that bet. lets say two can of pepsi and a bag of snakes 

[C.A.R.]

I'm not betting against you Bruce, you tinny bugger!

[Hunter]

I raise you a ball of belly button fluff and a 2 cent coin.

[Zedman240®]

I'll bet an old maccas "fry" I found under my seat, and a pickle someone threw on a window.

[sleepr]

LOL who said i wouldn't reply i was busy the past week (studying of course) well thanks for all the advice guys, they really help. I'm actually currently in NSW Sydney area, so where would be the closest Z club?

 

so the honda engine isn't that great? i wasn't planning to build a really fast street car, something thats decent and get me from point A to point B. So if i was to purchase http://www.carpoint.com.au/used-car/DATSUN/260Z/Victoria/csn5952148.aspx this car, would it be likely that the engine needs vast amount of work? like these are old cars. i contacted the guy and he said the engine was running like new, but i have my doubts LOL.

 

Thanks guys tahnks for all your replies it helped heaps, this is like the first stepping stone to my dreams LOL.

[sleepr]

oh and by the way, i really like "scando" display picture. Is that your car? i really like the look, although the colours a bit too bright?

 

really love that look, I think i might head in that direction for looks, so is that hood faux carbon fibre? i heard that you can't actually have carbon fibre hoods, your car gets defected right?

 

 

[Scando]

Here's the info on the car

 

http://www.viczcar.com/forum/index.php/topic,2662.0.html

 

It's not a carbon bonnet.  Just a normal bonnet painted black.  Carbon fibre is a bit out of my price range.

I didn't like the colour when I bought it either but it's grown on me since

 

That 2+2 looks alright.  Maybe a bit expensive for what it is.  There's been a couple of 2+2's advertised recently for similar prices but in better condition.  Stick with the original engine.  They may be old but they're very reliable and easy to fix if something does go wrong.  An engine conversion takes a lot of time and money.

[RBZ 260]

nah theres nothing wrong with honda engines in hondas but in a zed just doesnt look right. plus they will be a major headache to install.

 

converting it from front to rear drive unless you rich enough to buy s2000 engine.

 

if u want to drive straight away. than get a cleanish zed. if petrol too expensive for $500 you can install new LPG.  you loose power but at least u can cruise to see your girlfriends.

 

2 seaters are bit more pricey but 2+2 will come in handy when you do the rounds with GF's

 

At your age prob spend if u have 6k on a clean 2+2 install LPG and drive around and take care of it. once older options are wide open. turbo6 conversion or V8.

 

PS: so what happend to the bets who won? 

 

 

 

 

[lightmaster240z]

good to see your still hangin there. Lurch luck you havnt  take up my offer. Or you be up to feeding little bruce more pepsi and we all know the side effect of that. 

[C.A.R.]

Damnit, I lot that one

 

Looks like my days of a bookie are over...

[Hunter]

sleepr

 

The black bonnet was actually a standard thing on the 432 version of the 240Z. It was actually matt black and was designed to cut sun glare interfering with the drivers vision.

 

So with all these RICERS you see driving around with their (faux carbon fiber bonnet) as you put it. A black bonnet on a ZED is an old school look and actually has a function.

 

That light blue 260Z 2+2 on carsales could be a good deal, just look out for rust. It already has a 2.8L engine and if the owner is telling the truth it is most probably running fine. "IF IT AIN'T BROKE DON'T FIX IT" the L28 that is installed in that car is the largest L series motor you will find from the factory. It is out of a 280ZX. This engine will most probably do you fine until you find the money for a major upgrade.

See if someone in this club is close by and can check the car out for you.

 

Scando the more I look at your car the more I like it.

 

P.S. Who do I have to mail this ball of belly button fluff and 2 cent coin too? or do I just have to eat them both?

[sco_aus]

EAT IT, EAT IT, EAT IT!!!!!!! 

[Scando]

Has the fluff been in your belly button since your last post?  Would be real nice after 5 days 

[Zedman240®]

You know you will have to post a youtube video of you eating it now....

[Hunter]

I will rub the fluff with the 2 cent coin to give it that copper tang. I will also scrape some ZED CAR grease from under my fingernails.

 

MMMMMMM YUM I LOVE BELLY BUTTON FLUFF....

 

video to come soon

[stevo_gj]

I will rub the fluff with the 2 cent coin to give it that copper tang. I will also scrape some ZED CAR grease from under my fingernails.

 

And the weirdest car club member award goes to...