The Brown Hornet - as NEW 1971 240Z - SOLD

[mossy]

Fanstastic Adam, looking forward to seeing this finished.

[acf321]

Hi Chris,

 

yes, I ordered the 1060 sport for all corners, as this was specifically what Topperformance said i need to do. They said they used to recommend using the different cartridges for the front (from a Toyota) but that they now only recommend the 1060 Sport for the 240Z, and they have released a specific tutorial to this effect. I spoke to James Flett today who looked at the cartridges and is happy with them and will be fitting up this week.

 

Can't wait .. car will look wild now, abotu 2" lower front and rear!

[KatoKid]

Watching with great interest and anticipation Adam. Surely you can smell it now!

[acf321]

Bit of an update. Spoke to James yesterday and he gave me the part numbers to order for the rear muffler and resonator. James suggested missing the resonator, but having a Wife and being closer to 40 than 20, the thought of bleeding ears after every drive is of little appeal these days. I ordered the parts on-line in Australia, only to find out that SUMMIT Racing had the exact parts, at 50% of the price (including freight to Sydney) than the local supplier. I'd normally buy locally, but for half the price, the decision was simple.

 

On the suspension, James has admitted that they will be sectioning the struts, something that I had previously not intended to do. As you lot have suggested before now, this is the best way to lower a Z without the bumpstop issues, so this is what is being done. James will also fix all the wiring and have everything as it should be.

 

Dropped the seat backs off to the local retrimmer to get the fit to be frankly better. They'll add some padding and fix them up they tell me.

 

I really really want this thing running by Christmas (this year) and at the current rate, its looking very likely.

 

Adam

[KatoKid]

Good news Adam.

 

Why the change to sectioning the struts? Can you let us know how much he takes out of each?

 

David

[acf321]

Hi Dave,

 

The reason for the change is that to simply cut the spring, reduces travel. To make the strut cartridge shorter (but cutting it) does two things; 1) it lowers the car by the amount cut out - in my case about 1.5", and 2) it allows the spring to travel its full original range and does not give a shorter (cut) spring in the same space to 'flop' around, potentially allowig it to pop out of its seating.

 

I am not an expert on this, for the serious low-down on this, we should be asking NZeder, or Lurch, both serious afficionados on this very subject, and both of whom have told me that sectioning (cutting) the struts is the best way to lower a Z. Should also point out that Stewart Wilkins also told me that to lower a 240Z properly, he uses; 1) koni yellow sport struts, and 2) sectioned (shortened) struts.

 

 

[KatoKid]

Thanks Adam.

 

Seems to be a fair bit of contention on the section - not section front.

 

Cheers

[C.A.R.]

25mm out of each strut is the go.

You'll still need to pack the rear cartridges up in the strut tubes though (i.e Mr Flett will).

 

I don't bother sectioning unless the customer specifically asks for it - I just space them down...

[acf321]

update.

 

Magnaflow mufflers have arrived, as has all the mandrel bent pipes in 2.5" stainless. Koni Sport's are in and the struts lowered and installed, and the mk63's are on. James said we'll get it completed in a week or so, and is installing a heat sheild to keep things tolerable. Still needs seats, belts, blue slip of course and carpets and so on.

 

Should have more photos soon.

[Brabham]

Hey Adam,

 

not that you would probably do it, but would a zed pass the noise test without the mufflers? Some of the zeds in historics are very quiet compared to Mustangs etc. Have even seen one with a straight pipe that is still relatively quiet.

 

Cheers

[acf321]

Hi Brabham,

 

I suspect they would not pass tests, and certainly not my test. I had a 240Z 15yrs back at it was very noisy just with extractors. I drove Jimmy Flett's hot L24 240Z the other week and I thought it noisy and that had only one rear hooker muffler with 2.5" pipe throughout. Without any I suspect it would be a very uncomfortable ride

 

 

[acf321]

The exhaust is done!

 

I went for satin stainless mufflers to try and keep period correct in terms of finish. James needed to chop and re-weld the engine pipe as the junction was hitting the crossmember, but aside from this the job looks superb in my view. I believe they've done the suspension and front Mk63's too so i'll get out there in the coming weeks and have a look for some more photos.

 

[KatoKid]

Looking good Adam!

[acf321]

OMG .....

 

The Brown Hornet is ALIVE!!! as in it RUNS AND GOES ...... seriously!!!!

 

Called up James today for an update and Brett says to me;  "we got the suspension in and finished, we've connected up the electric dizzy and fuel pump, and we started the car".

 

OMG ... i'm speechless!

 

Adam: "so what does it sound like?"

Brett: "um yeah, it sounds good"

Adam: "have you put the Mk63's on?"

Brett: :"Yep, they're on"

Adam: "what does it GO like?"

Brett: "we've not driven it yet, just started it, revved it, set the carbies up and ensured everything is working ... it needs running in and dyno time now"

Adam: "........" (this is me being speechless)

Brett: "James is going out to Eastern Creek to some Zee fest next weekend, wanna take the car out?"

Adam: "ummm better ask the Missus"

Brett: "Ok, call James back tomorrow and he'll send you some photos of the car and he can run you through everything"

 

Unbelievable........

 

its been 4.5 years since I started this build, and I have never driven it, or heard it running.

 

Feeling all emotional like :0

 

 

Adam.

 

 

 

[WA240Z]

Fantastic news mate. There is no excuse for not trying it out at Eastern Creek. Early Christmas present.

[acf321]

Suspect Easterm Creek might be a stretch next weekend, its not warn in, and is still missing the seats and belts which are yet to be installed. Now I think i'll go and find a genuine radio and electric arial to get some tunes happening!

 

still twitching at the thought of having a 'new' 240Z and despite driving in Sydney's bumper to bumper traffic every single day, i've not seen a 240Z on the road in literally a decade!! This thing is going to be an absolute treat!

 

[gav240z]

Yeah I've not seen a 240z on the road in Sydney yet either. Only a 260z 2+2 - that 1 with the v8 that was for sale recently - in dark charcoal colour.

[NZeder]

outstanding 

[C.A.R.]

That's great to hear Adam!

[Riceburner]

Good news Adam :-)

[acf321]

here's a few rough pics James sent me today.

[gav240z]

2 of the best looking zeds in Australia. That paint was a great choice.

[acf321]

Thanks Gav,

 

Gotta say, Jimmy's car has got it all over mine, it is completely superb. Having said that, i'd love to have a run with James. He's got an L24 with slight overbore, NISMO OEM ceramic coat headers, 44 Mikuni's and Mallory ignition (i think) against my 2.5, SWR headers, 45mm O.E.R's and stock electronic 280Z dizzy. He's got 205/50 R15 panasports with Dunlop Formula R's, and i've got the same but in Ultralight spec with Dunlop Direzza star specs (that I note Billy in WA has just also fitted, along with Koni Yellows too). Jim's also running 3.9:1 open diff, same as me, him 240Z box, me 260Z box, his Tokico Illuminas, mine Koni Sport Yellows and we both have 1" King Springs. Very similar cars in mechanical spec, but it will be interesting to see how far apart the in the differences set them. His brakes are all OEM, but I have the Mk63's at the front. Suspect he'd eat me alive, given all that Group S practise though!

 

I am going to remove my rear tail light garnish, as the ones on the car are without the factory chrome trim, and so I had Nat paint up a mint set in new OEM grey paint. Also thinking I will add a set of front driving lights in the grill somehow, based on this look (250SWB). Might need a little work to get right, but I think this  would be a great addition.

 

Might see if I can pop over tomorrow and have a look, will take more pics, and of course THAT VIDEO, if I do !!!

[gav240z]

Hey mate my gf has work tomorrow so I have a free day perhaps I could come down and take a look also. PM me if you want?

 

Hope it doesn't rain

[KatoKid]

Adam.

 

I'm so happy for you. Ive followed your build nearly since day one and cant imagine how it must feel to be this close.

 

So when will you drive it for the first time?

 

David