gav240z

The Harry Firth car had a v8 right? So no I'm talking about the XU-1 with the Straight 6 and Triple Stromberg Carbs.

I always wondered how they would go up against the Torana's. With the bigger 3.3L Holden (Red motor?) how do you think the Z would compare?

Positively creepy George. For some reason you remind me (Rhys Darby) Murray from Flight of the Concords. My avatar comes from this car. http://www.zparts.com/showcase/engines/pages/q45v8z-testfit.html Specially this photo, I just photoshopped it and made it red. At the time I liked the car, but now looking at it I hate the rear flares. Although I have to be honest I definitely have seen worse things done to an S30Z. I haven't changed my avatar because I'm scared nobody will recognise me anymore

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Early-Datsun-240Z-Center-Console-Manual-Transmission-Used-Original-W-ashtray-/261513935623 Early console with ash-tray in tact.

I've been around Z's so long I'm sure I've seen that red 260z picture before. Welcome.

I might just have to get some stickers of that made up. Whilst I'm still deciding what to do I decided to start work on the original steering wheel resto. Will do a write up on that soon.

RB26 280zx http://www.gumtree.com.au/s-ad/brisbane-region/cars-vans-utes/nissan-280zx-rb26dett-/1049963792 Cheap and a good starting point for someone.

Thanks mate, feel free to send me specs. However I really want to build an engine for the learning experience.

A turbo would certainly make it easy to extract power and I thought about it, but given it's an early car I think the sound of Triples is the way to go. Can anyone give me an estimate of what an L28 rebuild (keeping everything standard) is likely to cost these days? Assuming I need new pistons and may need to source some valves? Anyone rebuilt a stock L-GATA lately?

Yeah same here, I would like to go for a bit of a 432-R Tribute as opposed to Replica. To really do a replica I'd need an S20 motor to slot into it. But that overall sort of look is where I'd like to go.

Well I had to set a budget somewhere, if 5K isn't realistic I'll take that into account. I appreciate the feedback and will take it on board, since I've never been through this process before in this level of detail I wasn't sure what to budget for. Yeah I'm all for that, already met James a couple of times and mentioned some of the bits I have, but didn't get a chance to take the conversation any further. Yeah fair point and I thought about this also, I could for example buy the short block L24 that member G is trying to offload and scew the E31 head on it, rebuild the SU's and for under $2k (or around that) I'd be up and running. However I will more than likely not start on a new motor for a few years and I want this car to be fun until that time comes. I've also got the Triple Mikuni's, L14 rods, LD28 crank just sitting around and I feel I should at least put them to use in something.. the Triples and LD28 crank have already been in storage for close to 10 years, it's time to enjoy them I think. . I also want the experience of building an engine, as we know you gotta start somewhere and once I've done it once, i'll be more confident to do it again (unless it ends in disaster haha). Throwing a running motor in it, feels a bit like cheating my way through it - if that makes any sense at all? Hi Mick, Sounds good, your Z seemed to go alright also on that drive we went on. I have to bet honest even if I had 270HP+ in the Z I don't think I could properly use it yet. I don't think I'm a good enough driver yet to really make full use of that sort of power and I'd really need an LSD in the car to make it somewhat sensible. So sticking with a lower budget and power level seems to make sense at this time.

I was tempted to have a punt for these... http://www.buyee.jp/item/yahoo/auction/u66283980 http://www.buyee.jp/item/yahoo/auction/g140960309 which might be a give-away as to what direction I want my build to take. But it got a bit rich for me at this stage. I am also told it wasn't quite 100% accurate as a replica and they may not be very comfortable. So I'd like to see what a set is like before committing to them. However I think they look awesome in the Z432-Rs.

So I've been thinking about this on and off for a while, since tearing down my L28. I originally had big plans of building a L31 stroker and spending about $15k or so to get over 300HP. However upon reflection I have a lot of money to still spend on HS30 00150 and I'd rather work toward returning it to the road sooner than later and not let the project stagnate because I've sunk too much coin into the motor. My reasoning here is that once it's on the road, a few years down the track I can come back to the motor and do a serious rebuild, by then the car will have had the major expenses paid and a motor rebuild can be done once appropriate money is saved. To start with here is a list of parts I currently have: - 12 L14 rods - 6 L28 rods w/flat top pistons. - 6 L24 rods - LD28 Crank - L28 Crank - F54 block (280zx series II?) - will probably require slight over-bore due to frozen piston and oversized pistons. - N42 Head (missing intake valves), minor crack near #1 spark plug - E31 Head (complete with A-Grind Camshaft) - Triple 44 Mikuni carbs (3 K&N filters - no air box) - Standard 240z Hitachi SUs w/orange airbox - the GeeTar as a friend once called it. - 2 Electronic Distributors (The regular 280zx style E80 module?) and another Mitsubishi stamped 1 that is meant to be a good unit (it was rebuilt years back - never put into use). - 71C gearbox (condition not really known) - R180 open diff (as far as I'm aware, again condition unknown). - Rusty (surface rust) on HM exhaust / extractors, rest of exhaust looks well used. - http://www.hmheaders.com.au/shopexd.asp?id=190 So I must have read Alan's thread on his L26 refresh like 6-7 times already. http://www.viczcar.com/forum/index.php/topic,2415.0.html Budget: 5k So after reading Alan's thread I've decided of a budget of 5k, this isn't fixed yet and will be subject to feedback here. However I think that is a solid budget for gaskets, water pump, ARP bolts, thermostats, pistons, rings, camshaft billet or regrind and other balancing, blue printing and port work. Approach So here is what I'm thinking, use N42 head pending outcome of it's condition. Have it professionally ported and cleaned up (refreshed) with new valves installed and transfer missing components from E31 head onto the N42 (if required). Flat top pistons with appropriate rods and crank combination (of which I'm not sure what combo to use here). Use a camshaft grind - perhaps a bit bigger than what Alan used, as I can tolerate a bit of lope at idle and no plan to use Air-Con in my car at this stage. Fit Triple Mikuni's and port match manifold to suit engine head etc..I may need to make a custom airbox - depending on cost or buy a proven box. Use existing electronic ignition (Mitsubishi unit). Disassemble and clean up (from storage). Clean up existing exhaust system and possibly coat with header paint etc.. Balance crank, flywheel, rotating assembly, harmonic balancer etc.. Where I need help So I need help deciding on what combination of parts will provide good bang for buck. I plan to assemble the motor on my own (or with help) but I want to do it to learn and get the experience. The motor will mostly be street driven, I would like to get it on the track at some point for the odd track day. However it's not a race car. So sustained high RPM isn't what I'm building it for. It would be nice to get over 200HP flywheel with the Triples and good usable low down torque. So with all the L-series builds out there, I suspect there must be a common combination that tends to do the trick. I'm not looking to re-invent the wheel or break new ground here - I'm happy to use a proven formula. Engine Builders So we actually have quite a few options in terms of experienced L-series builders. Peter Mac Les Collins Stewart Wilkins James Flett Chris Wood I actually don't know who to consult, partly because I'm afraid I'll be convinced to spend more 'while we're doing it' and I'm trying to keep this on a respectable budget. I guess I'll probably have to just man up and make a decision and stick with it here, but just throwing it out there. At the end of the day I'll be happy to just reassemble the motor and not have it blow up on me. If we make more than 200HP I'll be extremely happy. So if you were me and had the current parts list I do, what would you put together and what budget do you think is appropriate?

Pretty sure the seller is the owner of A-240z from The Christmas BBQ. Looks like a good kit.

I think we've gone off topic and started to list aspirational or dream cars . Perhaps it should be what would you replace your Z with for under $40,000 since most Zeds are not yet selling for over that figure. I've decided it would be a 240K coupe in Titanium Silver with Watanabe wheels and Triple carbs on an L-series donk. The GTR spec look really transforms the quirky looking coupe into a really nice shape.

It takes a special kind of talent that's for sure. The thing is, as Scoota mentioned it could still be saved and in my mind it isn't much more work than many other restorations anyway since you often have to unpick certain sections of bodywork to do the correct rust repair anyway. There cannot be too many more 1970 model 240z's in Australia. I don't know exactly how many were sold that year but early cars are becoming very limited in supply. Shame this 1 isn't more original overall though.

Actually have a look at this. http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/1973-Datsun-240K-GTR-Skyline-GT-R-replica-for-gtr-r32-r33-r34-r35-jdm-drift-S15-/181437429827 Asking 80k.

http://www.buyee.jp/item/yahoo/auction/e145576730 C110 GTX on Yahoo! Auctions, currently at 3M Yen and bids still coming in.

Thanks, my g/f actually still has a Victorian drivers license with her parents address in Melbourne so that might come in handy when registering the car . At least for the first year.

Why don't you go down there and ask them to see a finished example of the Dash? http://www.sportsclassic.com.au/Images/?Image=P3121298.JPG]/img] Looks good in photos to me. Ask them about the process also, in most cases it seems they just heat shrink a vinyl wrap over the top of the existing dash (they obviously do some prep work underneath first but essentially it just seems like a re-skin) I might have to give them a call also for some panels and parts..They are about an hours drive from me though.

Hi guys, I'm looking to buy a Suzuki Jimny as a runabout car, the main reason is that I borrowed my sisters Jimny while she was traveling and living in Chile for the last 7 months and it's been reliable, practical and good on fuel. So we have decided we'd like to get 1 also. The problem is finding 1 in NSW, I've seen a couple interstate that might check the box (seems Vic and Qld has the good ones) and since I'll have to give my sisters car back in a few weeks I'm trying to see if I can find 1 soon. I even put a wanted ad on Gumtree for 1. http://www.gumtree.com.au/s-ad/1049582213 But my question is, what happens if I go for say a car like this? http://www.gumtree.com.au/s-ad/stanhope/cars-vans-utes/2004-suzuki-jimny-wagon-march-2015-reg-rwc/1049531071 It has long registration until 2015 - does that transfer over to NSW? Or do I need to issue a refund in Victoria and re-register / re-do RWC (Blue Slip) in NSW? As a side note, this whole state independent registration system is bollocks. We should have a standard national system. Just my 2 cents.

When you get this sorted, please let us know the exact process, who you spoke to and what info was needed to be supplied so that we can make this a sticky thread for others in future who might be in a similar situation.

Interesting that 17 digit VIN explains why my FD RX-7 got a bunch of prefix digits before it's actual chassis ID. My chassis ID on that car is only FD3 4XXXXX or something like that, but they put all these nonsensical numbers and characters before that number on my registration. @Evil_Denver - if you want ask the guys from Iron Chef Imports about a compliance shop to help you out with this issue. They helped me import the FD and would know who can help I'm sure. It might cost you a couple of hundred but at least you've got that sorted?

Someone has to keep the place running. Probably only 1000 post of substance and 4k worth of noise like this thread haha.

So did you buy Patches cars?